BHPian GeeTee TSI recently shared this with other enthusiasts: On my way back from Chamundeshwari temple (after the ghats), a busy, narrow and straight stretch of country roads had me doing 35-40 kmph. Rain picked up all of a sudden and up ahead was a (disabled) scooter rider attempting a U-turn across the highway. Apparently, the U-turn could not be made and the aborted (careless) manoeuvre resulted in him blocking my lane completely. I had to come to a grinding halt to avoid him and it was not an emergency braking by any measure (from 35 kmph). But just as I did, I experienced a jolt in my car. I got the sinking feeling that this could mean only one thing – I have been rear-ended. I admit I did not glance at the IRVM before I braked, so I did not know what rear-ended me, but from my left ORVM I could see a scooter (and two passengers) by the roadside. Parked on the side, I got out in the rain to find two shaken people, with the front panels of the scooter strewn around. I am guessing a low-speed impact (for them) where they could not come to a complete halt in time. I shudder to think that a more severe impact would have sent them flying over the rear windscreen. I was squarely blamed by the scooter riders as well as a few onlookers but in my limited Kannada, I did explain to them the root cause and that I have the recording. My DDPAI mini does not have a screen, so as I was downloading the clip, I let the two riders sit inside the car (still raining). They were moaning about the damage to the vehicle and I could spot some (minor) cuts on the rider’s face but the clip made them realise why I stopped. The next phase of discussion turned towards compensating them (as an obligation by a larger vehicle towards the smaller), highlighting the broken scooter panels. I meanwhile brought their attention to my dinged bumper (which got repainted only a week ago, not to mention a loose parking sensor). I did not feel like walking away, announcing that they should have maintained more gap (rear ending me does make them responsible for the accident), they had no helmets on and they did let out that they could not see very well with rain on their face. Asked them to quote a price and paid via UPI. The clip which was central to a ruckus not being created (notice the jolt towards the end) Coming to my damage, it seems the mud-laced bumper then did not reveal the true extent. After a (heartbreaking) car wash, I am coming to terms with a deep cut and multiple scuffs on the bumper. Desperately looking for a Team-bhp sticker to minimise the pain till I find the time to get it fixed at the ASS. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
