So, I just had a low-speed collision. 5-10 MPH. I rear-ended a little Versa in my heap of junk 1990 Camry. I told the guy I was insured and that he'd be covered, but there was only (to the eye) an exchange of paint. His bumped wasn't caved in and it wasn't a hard enough impact that I think any other real damage would have resulted.
The cause of the accident was me not paying enough attention for the conditions. It was mildly wet after a loooong drought, so I think there was lot of oil/water mix on the road. I was following at my usual distance (instead of an elongated one) when the guy made a quick stop for traffic. I applied brakes, but they locked up and I didn't come to a complete stop before my bumper met his.
I got out and so did he, and we each made sure the other was alright. (Like I said, super low speed collision) We looked at the damage and like I said, the only visible damage was my paint on his. I didn't even look at my bumper, honestly. Before he said anything else he just stuck out his hand for a handshake. I shook it while telling him I had insurance and that he'd be covered and he didn't have to just walk away. He said it was alright and told me to have a nice day. He had an accent, so on this evidence alone I make my word of the day that foreigners are awesome. Thanks, random dark skin and accent guy that let me off the hook.
Driving away I knew I hadn't been paying enough attention, elsewise I'd have given him more space and had the presence of mind to pump the brakes when my tires locked up on the slick pavement. However, I also thought about my tires- it'd been a while since I'd checked the tread and pressure myself, although I'd just had a rotation 500 mi ago.
I checked when I got home, and both my tread (half of a lincoln head) and pressure (32 psi) were good to go. The only physical factor that could have prevented the accident would have been my non-functional ABS, broken since I got the car almost three years ago now.
So, on an older car, what do you suspect to be the most likely culprit in non-functional ABS? What should I look at fixing first?
I do indeed intend to pay good attention on the road to prevent accidents in the future- this could have been MUCH worse- but when I do see an accident coming I want to have all the advantages I can of controlling my car.
Thoughts? TIA.
The cause of the accident was me not paying enough attention for the conditions. It was mildly wet after a loooong drought, so I think there was lot of oil/water mix on the road. I was following at my usual distance (instead of an elongated one) when the guy made a quick stop for traffic. I applied brakes, but they locked up and I didn't come to a complete stop before my bumper met his.
I got out and so did he, and we each made sure the other was alright. (Like I said, super low speed collision) We looked at the damage and like I said, the only visible damage was my paint on his. I didn't even look at my bumper, honestly. Before he said anything else he just stuck out his hand for a handshake. I shook it while telling him I had insurance and that he'd be covered and he didn't have to just walk away. He said it was alright and told me to have a nice day. He had an accent, so on this evidence alone I make my word of the day that foreigners are awesome. Thanks, random dark skin and accent guy that let me off the hook.
Driving away I knew I hadn't been paying enough attention, elsewise I'd have given him more space and had the presence of mind to pump the brakes when my tires locked up on the slick pavement. However, I also thought about my tires- it'd been a while since I'd checked the tread and pressure myself, although I'd just had a rotation 500 mi ago.
I checked when I got home, and both my tread (half of a lincoln head) and pressure (32 psi) were good to go. The only physical factor that could have prevented the accident would have been my non-functional ABS, broken since I got the car almost three years ago now.
So, on an older car, what do you suspect to be the most likely culprit in non-functional ABS? What should I look at fixing first?
I do indeed intend to pay good attention on the road to prevent accidents in the future- this could have been MUCH worse- but when I do see an accident coming I want to have all the advantages I can of controlling my car.
Thoughts? TIA.
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