Navigating the Aftermath of an Unfortunate Collision: A Personal Account
In an unexpected series of events, I found myself dealing with an unconventional incident right in my own driveway. As someone who shares a home with my fiancé and her son, I never anticipated that our peaceful space would turn into the backdrop for such a frustrating scenario.
Our driveway became the site of a mishap involving my parked 2017 Expedition and the son’s 1974 Ford F100 truck—his ongoing project vehicle. Despite being licensed and insured, this classic truck was still in the midst of restoration. After parking it upslope from my vehicle, the young man exited his truck and inadvertently closed the door too forcefully, causing the vehicle to roll backward and collide with the front corner of my Expedition.
What adds to the frustration is that this incident was caught on camera, clearly showing that he had just stepped out of the vehicle. The results of this collision, however, were significant—my Expedition now bears the brunt of the damage: a flat tire, issues with the bumper, and potential problems with the suspension components. Estimations suggest that the repairs could run well over my $1,000 deductible, especially when considering the aftermarket modifications to my vehicle.
In contrast, the old Ford only sustained a minor scratch. This unfortunate episode begs the question: is he at fault for the damage, even if he had exited the vehicle? Should we contemplate filing a homeowners’ insurance claim instead? The concept of a “random act” or “act of God” lingers in the air, adding layers to the decision-making process.
Financial implications loom large, particularly given previous experiences with homeowners’ claims. About five years ago, we faced a considerable claim related to ice dams, making us wary of initiating another claim for fear of increasing our rates. Complicating matters further, if deemed at fault, this incident would mark the young man’s third such occurrence since he turned sixteen, with two occurring this year alone.
While it’s possible to repair the Expedition to a functional state without resorting to a body shop, there’s no escaping the fact that this vehicle had previously remained in excellent condition—well-maintained and debt-free. My aim was to keep it in the “nice vehicle” category for a few more years, but this accident undeniably changes the trajectory.
I have a lot of respect for the young man involved. He is a good kid, and I wholeheartedly support his truck project, having worked alongside him
