First ding on our 5 - scary

[JMJinNC]

My wife was driving to work after dropping off our oldest daughter at kindergarten. She was behind a flatbed semi on the interstate when a large metal object fell off the trailer, bounced once on the road and slammed off the windshield. She had to chase the truck for a few miles to get him to stop while calling the police (and leaving voicemails for me). Police arrived on scene in a timely manner. Truck driver denied having anything fall off his truck, of course.

Result - new windshield (the next day), then off to the body shop next week to fix the crinkle/dent in the roof. My wife actually got hit with a few glass shards from the inside of the windshield. A few inches lower and she could easily have been injured, I think. The impact appeared to be at the strongest part of the windshield (right at a supported edge). We're counting ourselves lucky.

JMJ

 

[theevilm]

I'm glad she's ok!

 

[JMJinNC]

Got our 5 fixed. New windshield, repaired & painted roof, new left side trim strip, good as new
Required 3 days in a Chevy Malibu rental

Our insurance company is seeking restitution from the trucking company's insurance, so hopefully we'll get our deductible back as well - fingers crossed. Still finding tiny glass shards inside though - time for a thorough vacuuming.

JMJ

 

[Robotazky]

It's nice to hear the happy ending. I'm glad everyone was OK.

This probably does not apply to your case, but it reminds me of the struggle I have with my wife and trying to get her to ride further back from cars in front of her and also to recognize that trucks present totally different dangers. Based on her hood paint chips, I'd say she's ignoring me. If a truck says "STAY BACK 500 FEET", and you get hit by something because you're 100' back, then it's not their problem. My wife doesn't understand basic logic and thinks that I'm lying to her, but it's true. It's a disclaimer, not a friendly reminder.

 

[mazdadude]

YEOW!! Glad everyone was OK, and that you got it fixed quickly! Did you collect the piece of metal for evidence?

 

[JMJinNC]

Did you collect the piece of metal for evidence?

Nope - she was too busy chasing down the truck to go back for the metal piece that hit her. Made the right call, since now our insurance company is after his insurance company for the $$$. Stopping for that metal piece and the truck would be long gone.

Per Robotaz's comment - my wife is a pretty good driver. Heck, she drives a stick, right?

JMJ