Accident!

Today started off right on schedule, getting the kids ready for school, making lunches, etc. we drop Katy off, then get going to Henry’s school which is another fifteen minutes further. Just after we pass over the train bridge, we get to an intersection. I notice the cars inch out on the cross street and then try to merge into the main road (which we were on). I stuck the nose of the Chariot out to signify my intent to cross the street and this lady pauses, then turns and with her rear tire runs over the front wheel of the unit. I immediately shout for her to stop, and she hesitates then stops and reverses to come back. I check on Harry to make sure he is OK and then get Henry to watch him at the corner. Henry is in a little crisis because he certainly doesn’t want to be late for his first day of school and we still have a ways to walk. When I approach the lady in the truck, she immediately she it was her right of way. I asked her if she realizes she almost ran over my child and she continues to maintain she was in the right. Finally I get her name and number as a policeman drives by I wave him over and ask him what to do. He says to visit the station nearby and file a report.

So, I pick up what’s left of the front end and start wheeling on two wheels over to the school. Henry is distraught as he thinks he’ll be late. We make it to the school a little late, but that’s Ok since there are still many parents and the kids are still milling about. I dropped Henry off, and as we were leaving a lady walking beside me notices my predicament and offers me a ride. This is very fortunate as it is tough to wheel Harry along on the crippled device. I folded up the Chariot and we cram it into her small two door Opel hatchback. She mentions to me that she teaches art at Rondebosch every Thursdays if I ever need a lift and then drops me off at the police station (albeit the wrong one). Luckily the officers had time to give me a ride to the correct one down the street in Rondebosch. There I file a report, and another patrol car gives me a ride home.

So late r on this lady calls me up and insists that she has done no wrong. She has conferred with her husband and they both agree the fault lies with me. I will check with the police again to see what action I should take, but I’ll probably try to find a welder to fix the issue temporarily. Carla and I are both bummed since this means change of plans for a while to get the kids to school and back with Harrison. I walked to Henry’s school twice and that is a forty minute jaunt one way. I really don’t understand the complete lack of compassion on her part. In the end it isn’t too much money, just the principle of the whole ordeal. I was considering writing a letter to the local paper. Or finding a lawyer. However I don’t have any idea how that works here. Luckily Harry wasn’t hurt.

Lesson learned. I will call her once again, tell her there is no grudge, offer for her to pay half the welder’s cost…then it will be done.

Sorry forgot to upload the pictures of the school kids…but they will come on shortly. The kids had a good day at school.