Where to you pick up on the open cover part???Because that would have been a direct result of Mike's negligence.
In this instance, if I understand correctly, Mike ran over one of those gas valve covers that had been left open. When closed and locked, they pose no threat. People drive over them every day. I'm pretty sure they aren't supposed to be left open except during fueling operations. It's not a matter of him not paying attention, it's the fact that there was a hazardous situation resulting from someone's negligence. Consider the consequences of a spark igniting fumes from that open cover. I'd say both Mike, and the station, are quite lucky nothing like that happened.I pull into the gas station to get some much needed petrol and I'm not paying attention because I'm thinking about that other car and bam I hit one of those mountains in the parking lot. You know those things that the the drivers open up to put the gas down in the big tank. Yeah, I hit one going about 5 mph maybe 10 and I hear a thunk. So, I say to myself I should look under the car just to be sure. And sure enough, its dripping oil from the front end.