[W126 Coupe] Plowed into, literally!

[Dick Spellman]

Well it's that time of year where storms dump snow, sleet, ice etc etc.  
I had been very happy tooling around in my 90 300SE (burgundy color) 
with the 4 snows and 2 rear studded.  Just had the Ding Wizard clear the 
last of the dings this weekend.  Have the white 300SE Euro in the body 
shop for a pull of the frame where the hood catches are located so the 
new hood will close just perfect (final repairs from my oldest son's 
100-150 lb leaping dear incident back in November).  I thought I had 
turned the corner on bad news while driving here in Massachusetts what 
with crappy rutted and pot holed roads and all.

This afternoon I had picked up my wife and daughter and we were heading 
home and pulled up to a red light in the city of Quincy.  Unfortunately 
an independent city plow truck (claims brakes did not work) drove into 
us at some low speed pushing us into the intersection and causing the 
plow blade to cant forward so that it basically pushed the rear of the 
car into the pavement in a downward motion.  So bang, thump, woosh.  
Something like that.  I took a photo out the rear view window using the 
cell phone camera but, the flash only reflected back the light where the 
yellow blade filled the entire rear view.

My wife, daughter and I are unhurt, all wearing seat belts all with the 
head bolsters properly set etc.  My daughter is complaining of head, 
neck and back pain.  We are waiting to see if this goes away after a 
good night's sleep.  The damage is not that bad considering the size of 
the truck and the salt load he was carrying flowed off his rear bed and 
onto the roof of his cab.  I looked up at the guy and saw he was upset 
with himself so immediately went from my not so friendly stance to it's 
okay.  I called 911and had an officer write up the report.  Truck owner 
showed up a few minutes later and asked that I settle with him directly 
so he could avoid the insurance claim.  Not sure this is a good idea 
but, he said he'd pay for a complete repair and paint job done right.  
Last time I worked with my insurance company they did not treat me well 
even with the other guy at fault and me with an excellent driving 
record.  So, I may take this guy up on his offer.  A lot depends on my 
daughter.  I am thinking I should wait and be certain she is okay.  Are 
they any other legal ramifications if I do not submit the report to my 
insurance company??

TIA,

Dick