Question from my accident (WA listers especially)

["David Bergesen" <volkswagenvr6@hotmail.com>]

Well, folks, the estimate is in on my recent altercation with a curb and 
fence belonging to the City of Edmonds, WA: parts and labor for my car: 
$5650!!! This is what happens when you are driving while distracted (by your 
clock) and a bad brake job has rendered your ABS non-functional (forgot to 
mention that earlier). I think it also shows me how badly my fwd car plows 
(although I was already aware of it)

Anyone in Western WA, take a little trip down toward the Edmonds-Kingston 
ferry terminal on SR104 (the nice S-curve that goes down to the loading 
area) and take a look as the road curves right - you'll see my signature 
(some Potenza RE71 rubber) on the road and the curb I hit. I probably hit at 
35-40mph, but God didn't let me go through the fence and over the 
embankment, thankfully. I tore open the bell-housing and pushed in the oil 
pan, bent the wheels, ruptured the tires, and damaged my bumper cover/driver 
door/hood/driver's side fender.

The most expensive parts in the repair beside the b.h. were the wheels (BBS 
Bugatti style factory 7-spokes) @$385 APIECE!!!! Yowzerz!

I went back to the shop that performed the bad brake job 10 days ex post 
facto because a quarter mile away from the shop I noticed the ABS light on 
the dash and the 'BRAKE' light in the guage cluster both illuminated. The 
ABS was non-functional (hence the fault light), as I confirmed by performing 
a brake check (mashing the pedal from 40mph on the freeway with no one 
around). They said they couldn't find anything wrong, and that they didn't 
have the proper gear to diagnose the problem: "You're gonna' hafta' take it 
to the dealer." Well, considering I locked up my brakes, I think they should 
pay to have the repair done to the system. ABS would have helped immensely 
in this case.

Anyone feel differently? I got a "speed too fast for conditions" ticket, so 
there is nothing indicating criminal negligence on my part as the driver. I 
don't want to sue, because I know I was going a few mph over the limit, but 
I don't want to have to absorb the cost to fix the problem, as well as my 
insurance hike and the deductible.

Opinions wanted.
David
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