Just got into car accident... FML
09-17-2011, 06:09 PM
#1
Just got into car accident... FML
I'm supposed to fill out a report form to the police first but instead i'm writing to Acuraziners to explain my frustration and seek some help.
Basically everything happened at approx. 5:30pm today. 2 ways traffic, 2 lanes each way. I was driving 30miles/hour on the right lane and saw the car in front of me (2001 Ford Explorer pick up) turning into a gas station. He didn't turn on the signal light the only way I knew he would turn was I saw him slow down at the gas station driveway and the car was slowly turning to the right.
I immediately slowed down but it was not fast enough because he suddenly stopped after his front tires are in the gas station driveway. If I was going fast I would have rear ended him but no, he dodged to the left and the whole passenger side got hit and dragged by the left corner of his truck. My passenger side is damaged from front bumper to back bumper and his damage? the plastic piece at the left corner of his car is peeled off, that's it. i can't believe his damage could easy be fixed at $200 and mine would cost at least $1,000.
After I pulled over he explained it was because there were another car pulling out of the gas station so he had to stop, but the gas station's driveway is meant for two ways traffic and thus more than big enough for 2 car to get in and out without stopping all of the sudden. And half of his car is already in the gas station if he had to yield for another car like he said, he would have slowed down and stopped to yield another car before he could even turn half way in.
Driver & car is from Rhode Island and the guy is honestly as little as the state itself, i dont even know how he could drive when he's that short, i think about 4ft-4ft5. i think he would have to lean upward everytime he drives to see what is in front and i think that was why he stopped because he wanted to see what was in front of him before he turned in.
I'm not making fun of anyone I honestly think that's the reason. I'm so frustrating right now with tons of homework I suppose to do and all work i have to do, now I have to take care of this. I'm worried that I'm going to lose the case because I basically hit him from behind (kind of) but I think the fact that he suddenly stopped at an on going traffic and he didn't turn on his signal light would help me a bit.
I need to write a narrative to report this to the cops, insurance, and RMV. who knows how long it's going to take, I might have to drive her like this for months.
Was there anything I missed out that you guys think I should put in to favor my case? or what else i need to do? We already exchange info and I report a claim to my insurance while waiting for the cops.
I'm glad I've Acurazine to share my feeling and be able to seek help.
Basically everything happened at approx. 5:30pm today. 2 ways traffic, 2 lanes each way. I was driving 30miles/hour on the right lane and saw the car in front of me (2001 Ford Explorer pick up) turning into a gas station. He didn't turn on the signal light the only way I knew he would turn was I saw him slow down at the gas station driveway and the car was slowly turning to the right.
I immediately slowed down but it was not fast enough because he suddenly stopped after his front tires are in the gas station driveway. If I was going fast I would have rear ended him but no, he dodged to the left and the whole passenger side got hit and dragged by the left corner of his truck. My passenger side is damaged from front bumper to back bumper and his damage? the plastic piece at the left corner of his car is peeled off, that's it. i can't believe his damage could easy be fixed at $200 and mine would cost at least $1,000.
After I pulled over he explained it was because there were another car pulling out of the gas station so he had to stop, but the gas station's driveway is meant for two ways traffic and thus more than big enough for 2 car to get in and out without stopping all of the sudden. And half of his car is already in the gas station if he had to yield for another car like he said, he would have slowed down and stopped to yield another car before he could even turn half way in.
Driver & car is from Rhode Island and the guy is honestly as little as the state itself, i dont even know how he could drive when he's that short, i think about 4ft-4ft5. i think he would have to lean upward everytime he drives to see what is in front and i think that was why he stopped because he wanted to see what was in front of him before he turned in.
I'm not making fun of anyone I honestly think that's the reason. I'm so frustrating right now with tons of homework I suppose to do and all work i have to do, now I have to take care of this. I'm worried that I'm going to lose the case because I basically hit him from behind (kind of) but I think the fact that he suddenly stopped at an on going traffic and he didn't turn on his signal light would help me a bit.
I need to write a narrative to report this to the cops, insurance, and RMV. who knows how long it's going to take, I might have to drive her like this for months.
Was there anything I missed out that you guys think I should put in to favor my case? or what else i need to do? We already exchange info and I report a claim to my insurance while waiting for the cops.
I'm glad I've Acurazine to share my feeling and be able to seek help.
09-17-2011, 06:14 PM
#2
Sorry to hear you got into an accident, at least you're okay.
Regardless of him being a midget or not, you hit him, your fault, its his word against
yours regarding him not using any turn signals. But again, you're fine, no one died, your car isn't totaled. Take it as a lesson. Dont follow so closely. YOU CAN NEVER PREDICT WHAT PEOPLE WILL DO WHEN DRIVING. I drive a motorcycle the majority of the year, and trust me I've had my fare share of close calls, expecting people to turn when their blinker is on or whatever.
Regardless of him being a midget or not, you hit him, your fault, its his word against
yours regarding him not using any turn signals. But again, you're fine, no one died, your car isn't totaled. Take it as a lesson. Dont follow so closely. YOU CAN NEVER PREDICT WHAT PEOPLE WILL DO WHEN DRIVING. I drive a motorcycle the majority of the year, and trust me I've had my fare share of close calls, expecting people to turn when their blinker is on or whatever.
09-17-2011, 06:23 PM
#4
the overexplainer
you hit him from behind more or less means you're automatically at fault. he could have stopped cause a kid ran in front, it doesnt matter.
Sucks, but that's what happens. I just got rear ended a few weeks ago on the fwy by someone while I was driving my sister's car, so i'm not exactly sympathetic.
Sucks, but that's what happens. I just got rear ended a few weeks ago on the fwy by someone while I was driving my sister's car, so i'm not exactly sympathetic.
Last edited by ez12a; 09-17-2011 at 06:26 PM.
09-17-2011, 06:32 PM
#6
3G TL/2G MDX Owner
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first off, sorry for the damage to your vehicle. it sucks, but shit happens. unless you have witnesses to support your observations that he didn't signal, and he stopped suddenly, you might be outta luck. include it in your reports nonetheless and see if the guy denies or admits to anything from his side. this will turn into a you said, he said type thing. more than likely it'll be deemed your fault (even though there is equal fault in both instances). you could have been following a little too close (but who doesn't these days in urban driving standards), not saying you were, but it sounds like you might have been. the damage to your car will be closer to a few thousand dollars assuming its only body work.
it almost seems as if the other driver had some poor judgement when he turned into the gas station. no signal, stopped halfway into driveway...if he was really 4 feet tall he might be a dwarf which means he might have special pedal extenders and stuff in his explorer.
what usually happens is the police report will take about a week (depending on efficiency of jusridiction, you could always ask), in the meantime, the insurance will talk to both parties and obtain the police report to determine fault (that's usually in the first few days), and then once you've been "cleared" to take the car into the shop, then take the car to the shop and they should handle everything from there (estimate, adjustor comes out etc). you wait for car to be fixed...and the insurance will continue their own determination of fault once all the paperwork and interviews have been read through and processed. i've been through this in the past way back when (college)...unless the process has changed this is usually the process.
everything will work out one way or another. its frustrating and annoying now b/c its another stress of inconvenience in life. allow yourself to cool down from the accident, and you'll be able to handle this without being too overwhelmed. keep us updated. just be thankful that noone was hurt and it wasn't worse than it could have been. hang in there.
it almost seems as if the other driver had some poor judgement when he turned into the gas station. no signal, stopped halfway into driveway...if he was really 4 feet tall he might be a dwarf which means he might have special pedal extenders and stuff in his explorer.
what usually happens is the police report will take about a week (depending on efficiency of jusridiction, you could always ask), in the meantime, the insurance will talk to both parties and obtain the police report to determine fault (that's usually in the first few days), and then once you've been "cleared" to take the car into the shop, then take the car to the shop and they should handle everything from there (estimate, adjustor comes out etc). you wait for car to be fixed...and the insurance will continue their own determination of fault once all the paperwork and interviews have been read through and processed. i've been through this in the past way back when (college)...unless the process has changed this is usually the process.
everything will work out one way or another. its frustrating and annoying now b/c its another stress of inconvenience in life. allow yourself to cool down from the accident, and you'll be able to handle this without being too overwhelmed. keep us updated. just be thankful that noone was hurt and it wasn't worse than it could have been. hang in there.
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09-17-2011, 06:52 PM
#7
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Sucks maybe, but it's true.
Sorry to hear about you damage. Hopefully you'll get everything fixed OK and no BS hassles from insurance, the other driver, etc. GL.
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09-17-2011, 06:59 PM
#8
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Shit, sorry to see.
09-17-2011, 07:01 PM
#9
Okay so I am fucked. Thanks for all the info.
I'm seriously considering just trade her in after everything is done and may be settle for a cheaper civic. I'll keep you guys updated when there is new info
I'm seriously considering just trade her in after everything is done and may be settle for a cheaper civic. I'll keep you guys updated when there is new info
that guy is little. O.P. I hope everything works out for you,
09-17-2011, 08:36 PM
#15
University of Tennessee
Man, that is a lot of damage for such a low speed accident. Sorry to hear and see this. I've even heard if a car rolls back into you, say a manual car on a hill, it's still your fault. Doesn't make sense to me.
09-17-2011, 08:37 PM
#16
Looking back at the pic, man that dude can't even see over the bed of the truck lol...
Got Danny Devito?
09-17-2011, 09:36 PM
#17
That doesn't make sense to me too. I mean regardless of how much distance is between you and the car up front, if its manual, and rolls down the hill at some point it will still hit you right?
09-17-2011, 09:58 PM
#18
Sorry about what happened man. A buddy of mine was actually in the same situation and his car looked very close to yours (damage wise) and the insurance ended up paying 8 grand to fix it. It's had to say he is at fault if your ran into the back of him, but that is why people go to court, to find out. Good Luck.
09-17-2011, 10:07 PM
#19
3G TL/2G MDX Owner
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your TL thankfully will only have body work done (at least that's what it looks like) which is relatively minor. so dont' sweat it. it'll work out if the insurance and the whole process goes smoothly. let your insurance handle it. gets some rest and keep us updated.
09-17-2011, 10:25 PM
#20
would you mind clarify this a bit? did your friend hit someone the way I did and how did he bring the other driver to court and how did he win?
09-18-2011, 01:07 AM
#21
Intermediate
Given where the damage is, it doesn't look like you rear ended him. I was recently in an accident similar to this except at twice the speed and with a lot more damage (the driver in front was found at fault). Did you basically try and swerve into the left lane to avoid him (knowing you wouldn't be able to stop in time before hitting him)? That is sort of what it seems like you're saying. You said he dodged to the left.. in other words, did he start turning right into the gas station and then back left? If you can show (and he may just unwittingly admit this) that he left the roadway (even just part of his vehicle) and then re-entered the roadway, he no longer has right of way. Especially if you can show that he was stopping unreasonably quickly and thus you had some reason to take evasive maneuvers.. that would help your case. From the way I read your initial post + looking at the pictures, you were basically attempting to avoid an accident by switching lanes and then he swerved back into the road and hit the side of your car with the corner of his. The pictures don't scream "rear ender" to me...
I mean, in terms of moral "who was at fault".. you probably should have given him a bit more room. Like other posters had mentioned.. if a kid jumps out in front of him and he slams on his brakes and you rear end him.. you're fault for not giving enough distance. However, from a legal perspective, if he exited the roadway and then re-entered, he no longer enjoys right of way and would be considered at fault.
I mean, in terms of moral "who was at fault".. you probably should have given him a bit more room. Like other posters had mentioned.. if a kid jumps out in front of him and he slams on his brakes and you rear end him.. you're fault for not giving enough distance. However, from a legal perspective, if he exited the roadway and then re-entered, he no longer enjoys right of way and would be considered at fault.
Last edited by Latito; 09-18-2011 at 01:09 AM.
09-18-2011, 08:53 AM
#22
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Given where the damage is, it doesn't look like you rear ended him. I was recently in an accident similar to this except at twice the speed and with a lot more damage (the driver in front was found at fault). Did you basically try and swerve into the left lane to avoid him (knowing you wouldn't be able to stop in time before hitting him)? That is sort of what it seems like you're saying. You said he dodged to the left.. in other words, did he start turning right into the gas station and then back left? If you can show (and he may just unwittingly admit this) that he left the roadway (even just part of his vehicle) and then re-entered the roadway, he no longer has right of way. Especially if you can show that he was stopping unreasonably quickly and thus you had some reason to take evasive maneuvers.. that would help your case. From the way I read your initial post + looking at the pictures, you were basically attempting to avoid an accident by switching lanes and then he swerved back into the road and hit the side of your car with the corner of his. The pictures don't scream "rear ender" to me...
I mean, in terms of moral "who was at fault".. you probably should have given him a bit more room. Like other posters had mentioned.. if a kid jumps out in front of him and he slams on his brakes and you rear end him.. you're fault for not giving enough distance. However, from a legal perspective, if he exited the roadway and then re-entered, he no longer enjoys right of way and would be considered at fault.
I mean, in terms of moral "who was at fault".. you probably should have given him a bit more room. Like other posters had mentioned.. if a kid jumps out in front of him and he slams on his brakes and you rear end him.. you're fault for not giving enough distance. However, from a legal perspective, if he exited the roadway and then re-entered, he no longer enjoys right of way and would be considered at fault.
09-18-2011, 09:56 AM
#23
Race Director
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09-18-2011, 02:33 PM
#24
If you rear ended him, as everyone says, they're going to blame you.
Either way, this is what insurance is for. I've been in a similar accident witha different car; scratches and shit all along the pass. side of the car. It cost me 800 bucks; and they were MOSTLY scratches, not as much dents. You will need a new fender and possibly front door skin+paint and maybe a new bumper.
Either way, this is what you pay your monthly insurance premiums for; so make those bitches pay up!
Goodluck!
Either way, this is what insurance is for. I've been in a similar accident witha different car; scratches and shit all along the pass. side of the car. It cost me 800 bucks; and they were MOSTLY scratches, not as much dents. You will need a new fender and possibly front door skin+paint and maybe a new bumper.
Either way, this is what you pay your monthly insurance premiums for; so make those bitches pay up!
Goodluck!
09-19-2011, 02:40 PM
#25
Instructor
first off, sorry for the damage to your vehicle. it sucks, but shit happens. unless you have witnesses to support your observations that he didn't signal, and he stopped suddenly, you might be outta luck. include it in your reports nonetheless and see if the guy denies or admits to anything from his side. this will turn into a you said, he said type thing. more than likely it'll be deemed your fault (even though there is equal fault in both instances). you could have been following a little too close (but who doesn't these days in urban driving standards), not saying you were, but it sounds like you might have been. the damage to your car will be closer to a few thousand dollars assuming its only body work.
it almost seems as if the other driver had some poor judgement when he turned into the gas station. no signal, stopped halfway into driveway...if he was really 4 feet tall he might be a dwarf which means he might have special pedal extenders and stuff in his explorer.
what usually happens is the police report will take about a week (depending on efficiency of jusridiction, you could always ask), in the meantime, the insurance will talk to both parties and obtain the police report to determine fault (that's usually in the first few days), and then once you've been "cleared" to take the car into the shop, then take the car to the shop and they should handle everything from there (estimate, adjustor comes out etc). you wait for car to be fixed...and the insurance will continue their own determination of fault once all the paperwork and interviews have been read through and processed. i've been through this in the past way back when (college)...unless the process has changed this is usually the process.
everything will work out one way or another. its frustrating and annoying now b/c its another stress of inconvenience in life. allow yourself to cool down from the accident, and you'll be able to handle this without being too overwhelmed. keep us updated. just be thankful that noone was hurt and it wasn't worse than it could have been. hang in there.
it almost seems as if the other driver had some poor judgement when he turned into the gas station. no signal, stopped halfway into driveway...if he was really 4 feet tall he might be a dwarf which means he might have special pedal extenders and stuff in his explorer.
what usually happens is the police report will take about a week (depending on efficiency of jusridiction, you could always ask), in the meantime, the insurance will talk to both parties and obtain the police report to determine fault (that's usually in the first few days), and then once you've been "cleared" to take the car into the shop, then take the car to the shop and they should handle everything from there (estimate, adjustor comes out etc). you wait for car to be fixed...and the insurance will continue their own determination of fault once all the paperwork and interviews have been read through and processed. i've been through this in the past way back when (college)...unless the process has changed this is usually the process.
everything will work out one way or another. its frustrating and annoying now b/c its another stress of inconvenience in life. allow yourself to cool down from the accident, and you'll be able to handle this without being too overwhelmed. keep us updated. just be thankful that noone was hurt and it wasn't worse than it could have been. hang in there.
+1 I would explain it the same!
Good luck!
09-19-2011, 03:22 PM
#26
Safety Car
Ouch that looks expensive. Sorry to hear. There's really nothing you can add to the report to make it seem it wasn't your fault. You claim you were only doing 30mph but it seems you were going a little faster than that.
09-19-2011, 07:09 PM
#29
Race Director
iTrader: (8)
I'm thinking way more than 2k =(
09-19-2011, 07:16 PM
#30
3G TL/2G MDX Owner
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a bumper replace and paint is almost $1K. lots of blending and paint work on this one...i'm leaning towards $5k+.
you have the front bumper (not sure how bad, can't tell from pic, min $500, just for paint and blend), front fender (most damage, $1-1.5k), front pass. door (sl < 1k), rear pass. door (sl < 1k) and rear qtr (sl < 1k).
the rear qtr alone will be about $1k. a small area too to boot (i know this b/c i've had this done after someone hit my parked car pulling in/out of parking space, left a big ass softball size dent all the way to the metal). let us know what the estimate is...do we win something if we guess right? lol.
you have the front bumper (not sure how bad, can't tell from pic, min $500, just for paint and blend), front fender (most damage, $1-1.5k), front pass. door (sl < 1k), rear pass. door (sl < 1k) and rear qtr (sl < 1k).
the rear qtr alone will be about $1k. a small area too to boot (i know this b/c i've had this done after someone hit my parked car pulling in/out of parking space, left a big ass softball size dent all the way to the metal). let us know what the estimate is...do we win something if we guess right? lol.
09-19-2011, 08:26 PM
#31
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (2)
You've got over $400 for the fender and inner liner, $500 for both door skins, $350 for the underbody spoiler set (looks like that's involved under the fender), so basically with tax you're at $1400 just in parts. Insurance company will probably want the bumper stripped and painted instead of replacing if it's not cracked. Labor to replace everything, strip bumper, fix quarter, paint labor, paint etc.
I'm gonna say around $3500-$4000 total.
And BTW, I see this all the time. Some idiot pulling out of a wide parking lot right in the middle, so people can't pull in. With short guy not signaling, it sounds like all three of you were somewhat at fault.
I'm gonna say around $3500-$4000 total.
And BTW, I see this all the time. Some idiot pulling out of a wide parking lot right in the middle, so people can't pull in. With short guy not signaling, it sounds like all three of you were somewhat at fault.
Last edited by anx1300c; 09-19-2011 at 08:29 PM.
09-20-2011, 08:50 AM
#34
the overexplainer
This is how it's going to look like to insurance: driver made a right turn, the OP thought he could squeeze by and hit the car. More than likely this is how the other driver explained it.
Last edited by ez12a; 09-20-2011 at 08:52 AM.
04-22-2012, 07:23 PM
#36
Three Wheelin'
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04-22-2012, 08:05 PM
#37
^ Thanks lol. Thats how I ended up getting here haha. I guess I mean to say, how did the whole ordeal sort out?? Did he persue it or were charges given? Who was at fault etc.
04-22-2012, 08:47 PM
#39
TL=True Love
So sorry to see those pics, what makes it harder to look at is that it s a WDP TL. if u go for a civic u will miss your TL, i dont think u want to do that. i get pissed at ppl who make slow turns and with ppl who dont use there signals. a part of me think that the guy stopped on purpose just to get some easy money. i sometime think that ppl try to get in accidents by randomly stopping bc they want easy money or they drive a beater they are trying to get a new bumper for free. or maybe he wanted to teach u a lesson about not tail gating, but I could be wrong. from reading ur story, i really feel like he stopped just cuz he wanted u to hit him.
04-23-2012, 01:39 AM
#40
On the bright side, everything was fixed and there's no mark of an accident at all, paint matched perfectly.
So sorry to see those pics, what makes it harder to look at is that it s a WDP TL. if u go for a civic u will miss your TL, i dont think u want to do that. i get pissed at ppl who make slow turns and with ppl who dont use there signals. a part of me think that the guy stopped on purpose just to get some easy money. i sometime think that ppl try to get in accidents by randomly stopping bc they want easy money or they drive a beater they are trying to get a new bumper for free. or maybe he wanted to teach u a lesson about not tail gating, but I could be wrong. from reading ur story, i really feel like he stopped just cuz he wanted u to hit him.
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