A bad ending to what was a good day.

[Rams]

Was driving home yesterday (late) afternoon. Driving west on a well traveled two lane road home. Driving directly into the setting sun. Visibility was difficult but, I could see the Ford Pickup a hundred or so yards in front of me but not much more than that. Approaching a traffic light,  I saw something but too late to do anything. All of a sudden, there it was. Chunk of steel about 12 inches long, 8 inches wide and 8 inches tall. The resulting impact to my left front tire/rim was fatal, not sure about the suspension but now she pulls to the left a bit.

Turns out, this road debris has a UPS shipping label on it. The package was intended to be delivered to Salt Lake City, Utah. Had been shipped from a Hattiesburg Caterpillar dealership. Apparently, this package fell off the back of the truck! It is shoe box shaped and weighs 92 lbs. Spoke to the shipper, said he watched some tiny little lady carry the package out to her truck. Really don't know what happened after that except, it is now in my possession. Went to UPS to discuss the situation, they wanted the package back (which I didn't agree to). Told them, I want my truck fixed, they can have the package after their insurance adjuster sees my truck. They are filing an insurance claim. We'll see what happens. What I'm pretty sure of is, that driver won't be driving for UPS much longer.

Just the tire is gonna cost someone $220, an alignment is about $100, not sure about a new wheel from Honda but, I doubt it'll be cheap and that's assuming there is no other damage.   Had just left Lowe's and bought all new top of the line appliances for my wife's kitchen and laundry room.   It was a good day right up to that moment.  But, no one was hurt so, it ain't all bad.

Rams

[DGS65]

Your last sentence sums it up well be thankful you weren't on the bike may have had a very different outcome!

[Foozle]

Ron:

Aside from the obvious damage to your Ridgeline, are you sure you didn't also suffer some underlying emotional or physical trauma?  (You're still entertaining a Valkyrie trike, yes?).

I'll vouch that you were clearly a much finer specimen BEFORE the accident. 

Seriously, though, I'm glad you're OK.  I agree with the previous post:  Encountering a 92 lb. chunk of steel on a bike might've resulted in a much different outcome.  You can be thankful for that, at least.

Terry

[Rams]

Your last sentence sums it up well be thankful you weren't on the bike may have had a very different outcome!

No doubt about that.   Been there, done that once on my last Valkyrie.   Not a pleasant experience.

Rams

[old2soon]

           Years ago N on I-55 in Mississippi in an International cab over a flat bed passed me with a load of I-beams and other steel stuff. A piece of steel-bright orange-fell off the flat bed just ahead of me. I Thought I had dodged that piece but NO it was still bouncing when I went over it. Heard and felt the clang. Whithin a minute my oil pressure went to zero. Shut the key off 4-ways on coast onto the shoulder and have a look see. Hole in the front of the sump part of the oil pan I could have put my fist into.  Happened so effin fast couldn't even git the company name or tag number. Glad yer alright there Ron. Company-J B H-brought me another truck and the next company terminal i got to was a bit of Q & A.  RIDE SAFE.

[hubcapsc]

not sure about a new wheel from Honda but

My Mini got backed into in the parking lot at work a year or so ago.
It left a small mark on the wheel. To the insurance company that
meant I needed a "new or refurbished" wheel. Anywho... you
might get a "refurbished" wheel. My Mini got fixed as good as
new, and I think my wheel is refurbished.

-Mike

[Fazer]

Glad you're OK Ron.  My first thought was "Oh No" when I saw your post.  I had to dodge a spare truck tire that was bouncing down the road once.

Greg

[Rams]

Ron:

Aside from the obvious damage to your Ridgeline, are you sure you didn't also suffer some underlying emotional or physical trauma?  (You're still entertaining a Valkyrie trike, yes?).

I'll vouch that you were clearly a much finer specimen BEFORE the accident. 

Seriously, though, I'm glad you're OK.  I agree with the previous post:  Encountering a 92 lb. chunk of steel on a bike might've resulted in a much different outcome.  You can be thankful for that, at least.

Terry

Post traumatic stress syndrome?   Will let you know if I need your supporting statement. 
Actually, I just want my Ridgeline repaired.   Although, I may need some emotional support after the wife’s rampage.   Not directed at me but wasn’t something the UPS terminal manager wants to see again! 

Rams

[Jess from VA]

Although, I may need some emotional support after the wife’s rampage.   Not directed at me but wasn’t something the UPS terminal manager wants to see again!  


Ron this is always a good strategy when dealing with a business or company who owe you warranty or other fix or repair.

Take the raging wife along, let her rage a bit, hold the leash tight but make it look like you may not be able to hold her for long.  

Listen up.... if you don't make this right, I'm going to have to bring her back down here.  (And she hasn't had her shots).  

It's a two-prong attack.  They're afraid of her, and sorry for you. 

[Bigwolf]

Ron,
Wow! Glad you didn’t get hurt.

There was an epidemic of stuff falling off trucks and trailers in Tennessee a few years ago.  Several people died from running into dropped cargo before the troopers began stopping people and writing tickets for unsafe loads.

I hope your Ridgeline is not damaged too badly to be repaired well.

[Rams]

Ron,
Wow! Glad you didn’t get hurt.

There was an epidemic of stuff falling off trucks and trailers in Tennessee a few years ago.  Several people died from running into dropped cargo before the troopers began stopping people and writing tickets for unsafe loads.

I hope your Ridgeline is not damaged too badly to be repaired well.

Thanks.

My intent is only to get my vehicle repaired but, if we have to go to court to achieve that, so be it.

Rams

[Willow]

I'm glad you're unhurt.

I understand your desire to get your vehicle repaired but why are you holding the addressed receiver for ransom?   

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Glad you weren't hurt. I hit an extension ladder that fell off a van right in front of me years ago. WAAAYYY more damage than you'd think an aluminum ladder would do. 

Have your vehicle checked by the dealership for an estimate on repairs. If your vehicle wasn't pulling before the impact, and is now, something bent. Most suspension components will bend before "moving" an adjustment point. Most insurance companies will fight the estimate cost, but not the diagnosis that a dealer provides. It's not always easy to see a bent strut or control arms, or for that matter, the front subframe. Careful inspection and point-to-point measuring is usually required to determine what's bent. It can get pricey sometimes, so don't just let the local tire store tweak it until it doesn't pull anymore.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Honda Ridgeline ? I thought you were a hardcore Dodge Ram guy ?

[Rams]

Honda Ridgeline ? I thought you were a hardcore Dodge Ram guy ?

When I don't need a truck, I use the Ridgeline.
I'm a Cummins fan.   The Ridgeline is simply a grocery getter.

Rams

[Rams]

I'm glad you're unhurt.

I understand your desire to get your vehicle repaired but why are you holding the addressed receiver for ransom?  

I consider it evidence should I need to litigate the issue.   I may be wrong.
I did contact the buyer, the seller and the shipping company (UPS) and gave them all he facts.  The shipper/seller was going to file a claim with UPS also.   I believe he was going to ship another part out to the buyer.    

As I told each individual, I don't want it but the LEO I spoke with said I should hold on to it for now.  Whatever that means.

Rams

[cookiedough]

Honda Ridgeline ? I thought you were a hardcore Dodge Ram guy ?

I'm a Cummins fan.   The Ridgeline is simply a grocery getter.

Rams

and an espensive grocery getter at that.  Priced one out and darn near same price as a mid-level cloth seat 1/2 ton truck.  If was 10K cheaper would be at the top of my list since it does have some nice features although pushing 5K lb. towing capacity a few times per year.

speaking of dodging loads,  just tonight zooming along 70 mph in my car coming home the bone head in empty open trailer bouncing along in front of me flew out a 1x3 foot piece of plywood coming at me doing a ditch run to avoid it since never know if has nails, etc. in it.  When I caught up to him I see in the flatbead trailer a 5 foot piece of large PVC pipe rolling back and forth not strapped down.  that would be BAD if the larger sized PVC came flying at my car am sure would break the windshield, etc.   What kind of boneheads are out there since this guy had a ford f150 with a topper so why could he not be so stupid and lazy to throw the PVC and small plywood chunk INSIDE the bed with topper vs. flying around all over the empty trailer??   

[3W-lonerider]

glad you weren't hurt. could a been worse there could have been a car coming the other way.

[3fan4life]

Although, I may need some emotional support after the wife’s rampage.   Not directed at me but wasn’t something the UPS terminal manager wants to see again!  


Ron this is always a good strategy when dealing with a business or company who owe you warranty or other fix or repair.

Take the raging wife along, let her rage a bit, hold the leash tight but make it look like you may not be able to hold her for long.  

Listen up.... if you don't make this right, I'm going to have to bring her back down here.  (And she hasn't had her shots).  

It's a two-prong attack.  They're afraid of her, and sorry for you. 

A friend of mine got a new Goldwing out the local Honda dealer that way.

[9Ball]

How come it’s never a bag full of random $100 bills that we run over?

[DDT (12)]

How come it’s never a bag full of random $100 bills that we run over?

9ball,

Now there is a downright good question! Funny how that always seems to work...

Ron,

Glad you weren't injured... Hope this all works out for ya. Hope the appliance delivery goes off without any drama, save for the 'rewards' momma may have for ya! 

DDT

[Rams]

How come it’s never a bag full of random $100 bills that we run over?

9ball,

Now there is a downright good question! Funny how that always seems to work...

Ron,

Glad you weren't injured... Hope this all works out for ya. Hope the appliance delivery goes off without any drama, save for the 'rewards' momma may have for ya! 

DDT

Life is both a challenge and an a adventure.    We (normally) select the path we are taking, sometimes we choose bumpy roads.   One way or another this will work out with the end result of the Ridgeline getting fixed and the package being returned.   

I have many other irons in the fire with the home renovation and addition going on.   Plus a few other challenges like how to retain my hairline and good looks.   Everything has it’s place on the totem pole.  Thanks for the expressions of concern. 

Rams

[f6john]

Ron is singlehandedly improving the entire economy of Hattiesburg! Ya just can’t hide that much money.

[Gryphon Rider]

Plus a few other challenges like how to retain my hairline and good looks.

Not worth the effort.  When I feel like my looks don't measure up, I just go hang with a different crowd.

[Rams]

Update:  Called the "shipper" today and asked if he had heard anything.   Said he had called and filed a claim but hadn't heard anything back yet.   Said he would make another call.   Must have been an interesting call.  Within about 10 minutes, the UPS Warehouse Manager called me said to expect a call from Liberty Mutual (UPS's insurer).   Got a call from Liberty Mutual about 3 minutes after he hung up.   They told me that UPS had accepted fault and told me to take the vehicle to whatever repair facility I wished and send them a quote for repair.   They also offered me to get me a rental vehicle (which I turned down) that I don't really need.   Called the UPS Manager and told him to come get the "Package" which he did.   Called the shipper and told him UPS had picked it up.  

I asked what the "package" was valued at, the answer was $953.00.   Cat Yellow is apparently as expensive as John Deere Green.  Thinking this is gonna work out well.  Now, if only they would replace my underwear.  

Rams

[JimC]

Now, if only they would replace my underwear.

After getting your vehicle repaired, send them the underwear also.

Jim

[Rams]

Ron is singlrhandedly improving the entire economy of Hattiesburg! Ya just can’t hide that much money.

Now, that thar's funny considering the mansion you just bought and renovated.  
Ya know that saying about a Happy Wife, the result being a Happy Life?   Well, I'm testing out that theory.   Let me know how it works out for you.  

Now, if only they would replace my underwear.

After getting your vehicle repaired, send them the underwear also.

Jim

Interesting thought but, I don't think you are allowed to send a bio-hazard through the mail. 


Rams

[Farside]

  Sure glad you are ok and managed to avoid a bad situation. I guess it would of really messed up the bottom of the turck if you'd of straddled that object, maybe?  ??? I hope UPS steps up and gets you squared away. 

[Pappy!]

Hey I agree with the "Trauma" claim also!

Can see it now.......

"Your honor, since this horrific accident I can no longer eat artichokes while skydiving and I deserve a million dollars in damages......."

[Rams]

Hey I agree with the "Trauma" claim also!

Can see it now.......

"Your honor, since this horrific accident I can no longer eat artichokes while skydiving and I deserve a million dollars in damages......."

Artichokes?   Skydiving I can handle, already have 98 civilian jumps and 5 military.   But, artichokes, not gonna happen.   There are some things money can't buy, one of those would be getting artichokes down my throat.   

Rams 

[Atl-Jerry]

I had an encounter with UPS last December when their driver was delivering to the neighbor behind my.  He has a flag lot and a poor driveway that goes alongside and around my pond and next to my PVC fence.  It was muddy and the truck slid into the fence, which initially was not too bad.  I was leaving the house when this happened and when I returned I found what you see in the second pic.  Instead of calling a tow truck he called a buddy with a 4 wheel drive truck.  The local manager gave me a name and number to call who informed me they were self insured and I needed to  get three estimates and fax them to her.  I informed her that I would not get three estimates and I intended to have it repaired by the company that installed it 18 months earlier and when it was complete I'd send them the paid invoice for re-imbursement.  It was about $1100 and when I sent the invoice they paid within a few days.  I know it looks nasty but I have since pressure washed it!