La Manzanilla.info Message Board Archives

Thank you(s)

Posted by Brian Johnson on March 23, 2013, 10:59 am
187.146.131.23

Many of you who are reading this will already know that our friend Glen was involved in an accident between our van and a cattle truck in January. The accident happened at the crucero of Highway 200 and the la Manzanilla turn off. Thankfully, neither driver was critically injured but our van was a total loss.

In the aftermath of the accident, dealing with the police, hospitals, surgery, insurance and shock, there are a lot of people I want to recognize and to thank. And if I miss anyone I apologize. But please know that we are very gratefull.

The la Manzanilla emergency response group, el Cuerpo Voluntariado Estatal, Protección Civil, was oustanding. El Sr. Vidal, y las seńoras Naomi and Ana arrived within minutes and were able to get Glen out of the van, stabilized, strapped to a backboard, and loaded into the ambulance for transport to the hospital in Cihuatlán. They provide an outstanding community service with almost no budget. They are truly dedicated and they deserve our respect and support.

Next I want to thank my friends Ada and Paúl. Ada contacted Paúl to let him know that someone from Casa la Joya was in trouble at the crucero. Paúl arrived within minutes and stayed with me through the entire post accident process. While we waited in the parking lot in front of the Federal Police Station in Melaque he offered advice and support. He helped to communicate with the Federal Police, negotiated with the insurance companies and befriended the group of (large, and initially intimidating) men who arrived in support of the driver of the truck. Thank you Paúl, you are a true friend, and buena gente.

The story continues with the insurance company. Our van was registered in British Columbia, Canada and was covered by a policy from ABA Seguros which was purchased on line. Both our adjuster, E. MIGUEL CARDENAS, AJUSTADOR DE SEGUROS, MANZANILLO, and our contact person, ING. JULIÁN GUAJARDO DE LEÓN, COORDINADOR DE PÓLIZAS TURISTAS, ABA | SEGUROS, have been professional, courteous and a pleasure to deal with. As both drivers were deemed to have had equal responsibility for the accident, each insurance company agreed to deal with its own insured party.

ABA paid for all of Glen's medical expenses, including a private hospital and optional surgery to repair his collar bone. The van was assesed as a total loss and was evaluated fairly using US Blue book values. And the insurance company is reimbursing us for our airfare back to Victoria, where they have couriered the check for our van.

Aside from the trauma of the accident itself, this has been a very positive experience for us. It's yet another example of the kindness, and generosity of spirit; the humanity of Mexico, and Mexicans, that reminds us of why we chose to live here.
532



By posting, you confirm that you have read and agreed to be bound by the board's usage terms.

Back

Be sure to visit www.lamanzanilla.info