My SX4 rear-ended by a school van [OMR, Chennai]; significant damage I guess it was the law of averages catching up yesterday. After 17-18 years and over 150k kms of accident-free driving, it had to happen and that too for no mistake of mine!
I had just gotten on to the service lane on OMR in Thoraipakkam at about 0815 [Chennai people driving on OMR will be able to picture this better] which is usually packed with pedestrians, office-goers on foot, parked vehicles and vehicles trying to navigate through the maze. I was on my way to work and my daughter was next to me - both of us were belted up. I drop her to scool every morning before heading to work.
I see this school van [Pon Vidyashram, Injambakkam] closing in fast in my rear view mirror. I am doing about 20-25 kmph [obviously you cant go any faster because the lane is crowded and not safe to do so either] and this guy is honking like mad and trying to overtake from my right. Needless to say there is no space available and he is inches from my bumper. Next thing I know is a loud thud and my car lunges forward a few meters. I tell my little one to stay belted and I get out of the car and lock all doors. I am schocked to see the damage on my car [picture attached] and there is hardly a dent on the Swaraj Mazda. I walk up to the driver and ask him calmly [in Tamil] what his hurry was. He does not say anything and I could see on his face that he knew it was his mistake. The van was full of kids and I gave him a piece of my mind - again, just stern words and no expletives. Soon people gathered and started blasting the driver.
Now, I did not want to hold up traffic and make the school kids late to school. Called up the police, explained everything and I was instructed to go to the Guindy Police Station to lodge a report. Took the van driver's licence, took a photo of the van's registration number and headed out. Aftermath 1. Guindy Police Station
Picked up the original documents of the car, dropped my kid to school and headed staright to the police station. Surprisingly the cops were very kind and courteous and guided me through the entire process. Although I cant read and write Tamil [can speak, no issues], the traffic cop in the station helped me fill the report request form, which was in Tamil and then drafted an accident report / certificate. I now have the report which clealy details the accident, time, venue and details of the vehicles involved. Gave them copies of my vehicle documents and it was all done in 45 mins!! They told me to take this report to the workshop where I intend to claim insurance. They did not ask for any money - infact, I paid them 500 ruppes voluntarily. I must say again, they were very helpful - pleasant surprise! 2. CARS India [MASS in Adyar]
Called up my contact at the workshop and told him what had happened and that I will be there in the next 20 mins. Drove straight there and he put me through to the guy taking care of insurance issues. Filled up a couple forms and handed over the originals of the vehicle documents and the accident report from the police station. I was told I will get the formal estimate today. As a preliminary estimate, he told me it would cost about INR 35-40k for the whole repair. Sounded a bit high but then I saw that the frame behind the bumper has also deformed a little and that will require a bit of work. This is including the cost of replacing the bumper and boot door. He also said that insurance will cover about 70-75% of the cost and I will need to pay the remaining - especially the 50% cost of plastic bumper. Will get to know formal estimate today. 3. School [Pon Vidyasharm]
Decided to go to the school and tell them what a horrible driver they have and that they should be worried about the safety of their children! I reach the school around the time they winding up for the day and guess what, the van is standing there, ready to ferry the children back. However, the driver who was in involved in the morning accident, is not to be seen!
I meet the principal and narrate the whole incident and surprisingly the lady tell me that she is happy that I have approached them. Firstly, she tells me that the vans are managed by an external agent and not directly by the chool. Secondly, apparently she has had complaints eaelier about rash driving but only from students and parents of the studenrts. Now that she has received a formal complaint from a 3rd party [not connected with the school in any way] she tells me that she has the requisite ammunition to approach their Chairman. She promises action will be taken and that I should expect a response in the next couple days.
I will give them a couple days time before getting in touch with them again. I am planning to ask them to bear the cost of repair not covered by insurance. Let me know what you guys think about this.
So, thats that!
Last edited by Kaumad : 13th November 2013 at 10:13.
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