What a day

[livingthedream]

OK, so heading home from work this arvo at around 430. Going along the normal route, just of the main roads to avoid the standstill traffic (only 13kms out of town)

Anyway trafffic going both ways was constant and a dog runs out in front of me from the opposite side of the road between cars going the other way. I am doing a flat 60kms an hour and needless to say i had no way to go. I hit the poor lil buggeer and he rolled under the car. Composed myseld whilst i pulled over and thought of the carnage that must lay behind me.

I worked around the front of the car to make sure he wasnt in front of me, i saw a lot of red fluid and at first put it down to blood. Went tobehind the car and still no sign of the dog. He had run away down the street and appeared to be mostly alright. A neighbour of the place that he belong to took him, but upon furhter inspection of the car the front bumper is totalled and the fluid must be coolant or brake fluid? Couldnt see behind all the plastic to tell.

Anyway rang the insurance and the towies, now just wait and see but being a not at fault with a dog not much chance of me not happening to pay my $500 excess...great xmas present

[faisan]

Man that sucks. Sorry to hear about that.

At least you and the dog was ok.

[WEDEL.1]

If you can trace the dog owner......you are entitled to seek your costs.

That happened to my Ex son in law when his dog was hit & caused damage.

Maris

[DaveMack]

Bad news ... sorry to hear but glad it didn't involve you in a worse accident. My wife had the same problem on a dark, rainy night ... black dog darted out from the side of the road and she had no chance to avoid it. Only minor damage to the car and the dog ran off, apparently unhurt.

Dave

[livingthedream]

Thanks guys. Because i got the details of the lady that took him (i think the neighbour from 2 door up) the insuracne guys said we have a good chance to recover it, but he did say it may be tough.

Oh well what can you do.

[gtimk5]

Thats a shocking story mate. I hope all gets repaired asap. Sorry to hear...

[dangerous_daveo]

I guess its hard tho to ring up and say, "I broke your dog's hip, you owe me a radiator and new front bar". Also can you ask for money off Parents when their stupid kids run out in front of you?

Either way mate, clearly not your fault, shame about the car. But look on the bright side. You might be able to get a new front bar without holes in the chrome

[greasykitchen]

Well from my point of view I'm glad the dog is ok. Stupid of it to run on the road and careless of the owners to let it roam free, yes. But cars can be fixed, though I do sympathise with the cost and inconvenience of it all.

[livingthedream]

Agree, we have a golden retriever and would be devastated if it was him. Thats why i composed my self before i got out of the car. I was really worried about the lil fella first, and didnt want to see him all bent up.

Either way though there has to be some sense of responsibility as an owner (or parent), if whatever is under your care causes damage, as you should be liable.

Anyway will leave it with the insurance company to chase them up, thats what we pay them for. It is awfully frustrating though to cop the excess on the chin thru know fault of your own. Ontop of that Xmas is round the corner and we are expecting out first child on the 12 Jan, so that money could have been better spent

Anyway will let you know how i get on.

PS. anyone got any idea on the cost of a new radiator? I will insist on replacement and not repair for all parts, so interested to know.

Dave - Will put the DSG test off for a few weeks mate until i get her back

[Mischa]

sorry to hear about your car but very happy to hear the doggy is ok

[aDg3]

Sorry to hear that. As with the dog, I heard from a mate of mine who had his actual friend run infront of a taxi, although his mate was injured with some bruises etc, he was liable for the damage done to the taxi, and he paid up