drunk driver

[craig stevens]

on haloween a drunk driver crashed through my fence, hitting my boat and trailer, he got caught on the hitch which swung my boat and his truck around 180 degrees which caused his truck to hit my kids basketball hoop, throwing that into my wifes new car. the force of swinging around drove my boat into a fir tree and his truck into my house. unfortanatly the police and my wife arrived so fast the drunk was arrested alive and unharmed, he then proceded to **** on my lawn.

more importantly

1996 205 sundowner four winns 97 175 johnson 2000 9.9 evinrude

my boat suffered the following

scratches and couges in the gelcoat
bent skeg and prop
broken idle control on kicker
bent frame on trailer
axle appears to be shifted back

my question is, is there anything else anyone can thing of thats not obvious to the eye that should be checked

thanks

 

[Mark42]

Re: drunk driver

Might be a good idea to put it in the water with a fresh prop and make sure the lower unit runs smooth. The bent skeg will cause steering issues, but with a fresh prop their should be no vibrations or noises. If there are, then it could indicate a bent prop shaft or other lower unit problem. Also a good way to test for any leaks in the transom and/or motor mounting bolts that might happen from the motor getting wacked.

BTW, I hit a rock the size of a soccer ball with my skeg a few years ago on the 40hp going about 25mph. It bent the skeg over like a crescent moon, but did nothing to the prop. I was able to beat the skeg back into shape with a 15" length of 2x4 in one hand and another held as an anvil against the back side of the skeg. After about 20 minutes, it was straight again. No cracks, paint didn't even flake off. I was totally surprised that it didn't just snap off. You can't even tell by looking what happened. So don't be afraid to beat on it - gently.

Drunk got insurance?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: drunk driver

Depending on the damage to the prop, check to be sure the shaft is not bent also. Check to be sure the windshield has not shifted and check the transom and splash well for stress cracks.

Bummer! Fence, car, house--lots of aggravation- be sure to get a lawyer. Get an independent estimator for your house.--Might be worthwhile to get a marine surveyor too. Your lawyer should be able to get the drunk's insurance to pay for it. --If he has insurance. If not, homeowners should cover your loss but still get a lawyer and independant estimator. Do not trust your insurance company.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: drunk driver

Jerk down the block (a drunk friend of the idiots living there at the time..few years ago), came down the block, into the ditch, up and into my neighbors boat,..good smash..idoit (I was in the shop out back, heard the noise..ran out)..was pretty 27 sheets to the wind (with no boat though)..idiot (this 5:00 pm and broad daylight), nails it burning rubber too get away..
Fool goes down the block maybe 4 houses, stops, backs up...guess to check if might have actually hit something and not a dream..other neighbor is cutting grass, had a cell phone. Clear shot at the plate...the 911 was done. Idiot takes off and blows outta here,. Trouble is the fool does NOT realize we are at the end of the Peninsula, one damn road out at 9 miles. Cops knew what to look for, sat back with a dozen donots, and just waited at the end of the road before the freeway...bingo..bet he's still walking (hope so anyway..)

 

[v1_0]

Re: drunk driver

my question is, is there anything else anyone can thing of thats not obvious to the eye that should be checked
thanks

Bring it to your favorate marina/mechanic (or two) to have them check it out. A full check up. There could be internal damage, you never know.

After all, the drunk ( or their insurance) would be payin for it.

-V

 

[craig stevens]

Re: drunk driver

here in bc canada a drunks ins is void if he has an accident. icbc our only insurance company will cover the damage if they feel its nesasary and then go after the drunk. there famous for giving it to you dry. here it takes 8-11 dui,s before they take your licence for a year

 

[salty87]

Re: drunk driver

Bring it to your favorate marina/mechanic (or two) to have them check it out. A full check up. There could be internal damage, you never know.

After all, the drunk ( or their insurance) would be payin for it.

-V

i'm thinking along these lines too. if your trailer frame was bent, forces could have been enough to crack fiberglass. finding something broken but hidden later could be major.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: drunk driver

Good advice NOT to trust your own insurance company. Once I had a serious accident with a non insured driver and MY OWN insurance company hired a lawyer to try and beat me out of my uninsured driver claim.......Get you own estimates and dont give in an inch. Unless they know you WILL forse the matter into court they will try to screw you untill the last second.