05.09.03
So, today I was in Evanston, shopping for stuff at World Market and Urban Outfitters. After I had completed my purchases, I paid to get out of the ramp, got into my car, and prepared to return to Chicago. While I was sitting at a red light, waiting to turn from Benson onto Davis, I noticed that cars were to my right in the "bus only" lane. Honestly, I didn't know whether or not cars could drive in that lane, but since it used the word "only," I figured that cars were a no-no. Which would be why I was in the car lane.
As I was turning right, I suddenly noticed the presence of a large black SUV sticking out of the rear passenger door of my vehicle.
Needless to say, we both pulled over, where Christopher (the other driver) proceeded to repeatly inform me that this was my fault, and that it was totally okay to drive in the bus lanes. Inspecting the cars, we noted that no damage appeared to have happened to his car, but that my door was caved inward, enough to be ugly, but not enough to interfere with regular door operation.
I wrote down my insurance and gave it to him, and wrote down his information, putting it in my purse. During this brief encounter, I was informed that this car was Christopher's father's, and that his car was either being repaired or had recently come back from being repaired.
I wanted to call the police to the scene, but he insisted that since it was my fault, and there was no damage to his car, he wasn't going to file a police report or file an insurance claim, and then he got into his car and left.
I called the police anyway, and was told that since the other driver had already left the scene, I was to come down to the police station to fill out a report, which I did.
For insurance information, the police officer on the desk provided me with information about the other motorist, since in Illinois, if an accident causes more than $500 in damages, you have to report it to the state. Through this provision, I learned that not only was Christopher driving on a suspended license -- which would have gotten him arrested had police been called to the scene, but that it was a ticketable offense to drive in the bus lane.
I got a copy of the report, copied down the information from the motorist lookup that I might need, and reported the incident to my insurance asap. My car is still completely functional, so if it comes down to me having to pay for this incident, the door will probably stay as is. However, if the other motorist's insurance is going to pony up the loot, I'm all over getting it fixed.
Bah. One week in town and I've already been a victim of the crazy drivers here.
What's in your head?