Umfall

Is the German word for "accident". Which is what we had last weekend while on the way into Garmisch Partenkirchen. One mile from our hotel to be exact.

Dealing with this and work is why I haven't posted in the last few days.

After a pretty drive through southern Germany, and the Tyrol region of Austria, we came up to a light, the light was what they taught you in driver's ed as a stale green-so I was understandably cautious. As we were passing the towards the light the S.O. shouted out that the "light was red-stop". So I did. You probably know the rest-"One potatoe, BAM!". We got rear ended by a 1988 Honda. Our massive piece of Ford technology survived pretty well, bumper damaged and tailpipe loose from the outermost bracket. Cracks in the bumper cover. Nothing to be sneezed at ( at 2800 Euros damage) -but we got off easier than the guy who hit us-whose, hood as jacked up 90 degrees.

Nobody hurt though. So good news right? One would think so-but this is Deutschland and I was Auslander. So the cocksucker of a head cop shows up and asks me why I stopped-with the other driver telling him again and again the light was "Grun". ( I think it was yellow at the time we got hit).  When the Garisch MP's showed up ( someone had thankfully called them-they were a tremendous help), Mr Head Polizei was not very happy.

Long story short-get the car settled, they take us to the hospital to get checked, and we get to go back to the hotel for a couple of quality hours of anger and recrimination. This in large part because Mr cocksucker Head Polizei says its my fault. Even though I got rear ended. Sure enough, two days later, a warning arrives in the mail. Wanting 30 Euros for the privilege. I consulted with the police liaison and a German Lawyer. They were scant comfort. Basically, I could fight the warning. However, like refusing NJP, the stakes go up if you do. The warning has no points against my license. However-if the police want to get serious, they can take me to court to prove it. With points and court costs. But, "it is my right to contest the warning"-just get it back to them inside a week.

In the end, I split the baby. Paying the fine so as not to get in any trouble-I also sent along a letter the lawyer had translated into German, telling them I think they are wrong and should refund my money.

I'm not holding my breath waiting.

There are those who think I should fight this to the end. I don't understand the logic. If I do-the only witness who is going to see it my way is the S.O. The German witness who was there-was obviously on the other side and beyond that, its my word against his. In the meantime the stakes go up at each wicket-to include being slammed in a German court. As far as the insurance goes-its a wash, because the police report says they cited me. So they awarded 25% of the fault to me and 75% to the other guy. ( He got cited for following too close). Why go through the aggravation?

And I never got to go skiing or see the Zugspitze.

Don't try this at home folks.