Well, after driving for over three years, it finally happened.

I was driving down the middle of a county road that was just big enough for two cars to pass. I had the windows down and was going between 40 and 45 mph. I had my income tax papers in the passenger seat. I was trying to make sure my tax papers didn't blow around. I had only looked away from the road for 3-4 seconds. When I looked up I was heading off the left side of the road straight for the mailbox and trees. I swerved and the mailbox hit my side mirror and the mirror exploded.

After I hit the mailbox, the 4runner started to fishtail a little. Once I got back on the road it hooked right up. I was impressed with how well it handled. Those Procomps and BFG Long Trails did a good job.

The first thing I said was "F%$K!!!!!!!!!" .
I was sooooo pissed. I'm still pissed, just not as bad.

The glass cut both of my arms. It wasn't bad, just drew a little blood. I don't see how it didn't hit my face. I still have little fragments of glass all over the inside of my car.

My back end also clipped the wooden post the mailbox was on and put a slight dent in it. I'm pretty sure paintless dent removal can take it out. I've got a lot of scratches on my truck from the trees, but I think they will all come out.

This was one of the cleanist 10 year old vehicles I had ever seen. It had no dents until this happened. :cry:

I used to pride myself on how well I drove. And now I do this sh%t. The sad thing was that I hadn't even been doing any of this .

Now that I looked back, it could have been a lot worse than it was. I guess I'm glad about that. :pat:

I would post some pics, but I don't have a digital camera.

Well, I guess I know where some of that income tax money is going.

Sorry about the length, I just had to vent.

 

Glad you're ok. You'll get it back together and still love it.

It happened to mine on a trip up to Kansas. Wouldn't you know a tornado and golfball sized hail would find me. Fortunately only 4 dings.

Then a ladder fell off a construction truck into the path of my wife...whom I had just talked into taking the 4Runner to do some errands...instead of the old Corolla. It probably saved her life but did about $2 grand in damage.

I hope you made good on the damage to the mail box.

 

Hey...it happens!! Look to the bright side.. you could of taken a car head awn.. Stupid crap, nothing more.. Remember.. it's only sheet metal.

 

Yep, the mailbox is in pretty bad shape. It is all smashed up from the mirror and turned sideways from where it should be. I'm kind of suprised that it is still standing. I think the trees are what is still holding it up.

There was even mail sticking out of it .

 

What I meant was, I hope you replaced the owners mailbox after you smashed it up.

None of us think well of the parking lot bandits that hit and run. Don't start being one yourself.

Do the right thing.

 

I will.

The owner had a gate that was locked and a sign that said "Beware of Dog" on the gate. I did get the address and I am going to try and get a phone # and name. I may just send them a letter with my info on it and let them call me if I can't find anything out.

I know exactly what you are saying about the people who hit you in the parking lot and them drive off. That really makes me angry when they do that . I guess this is the same kind of thing.

 

Attaboy!

 

Man....consider yourself lucky....it could have been a lot worse. A new mirror and some dent removal is not that bad...you'll be as good as new in no time. That's pretty commendable of you to take care of your damage too.

 

Someone is watching over you.....

 

glad to see you are okay. Hope everything gets worked out quickly man

 

I looked away from the road one time for a couple of seconds, and nearly got hit by an oncoming train because of my stupidity. There is no doubt that I would have been dead if I was going a bit slower. The windshield was broken on the railroad crossing arm, scratches on the hood, windshield wipers broken off, etc. That was one of many close calls that I had while in my "learning curve" of driving. Now that I have ten years experience since then, I am a much safer driver.

Glenn

 

I am looking for some dent removal kit but confused with so many products on the market. Did you happen to use any of them?

Thanks,
Diganta

 

I hope you never booze and drive! that is just asking for trouble!

anways, I'm glad you are ok! I hate hearing stories about wrecking a 4runner!

 

Dent Removal Kit: Mallot

 

Hey AGRUNNER06, that sucks about your rig. Glad to hear everyone is ok though. Send me your VIN and I will quote you on how much a new mirror would be as well as anything else you may need after assessing the damage. I don't do mailboxes though.

Todd

 

 

Whoa, a noob on the attack!

 

At least you didnt end up as bad as this guy did in arkansas...that would have REALLY sucked.......he fell asleep and flew off a highway in a really deep ditch...suprising enough, he only had a couple of bruises and scratches...

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...67557552PhBBOe

 

Haha that's awesome

 

Thanks for stating the obvious NOOBIE!!!

I know. I need a job then I can buy a digital camera. Until then, I have to wait to go home and use my parent's camera. Anyways, the only damage left from the mailbox is a light dent by my driver's side tail light that is barely visible. I buffed out all the scratches. Oh yeah, I got a side power mirror off ebay for $46 shipped to my door. That's right $46 and it works great!

Yeah, that would have really sucked if I had ended up like that. Then I really would have been pissed and out of a vehicle to drive.

Later