Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:39 pm Post subject: Accident at the Left turn light
Today I had stopped at the red light behind the pick-up truck waiting to go left at the Y fork.
Within few seconds i saw the truck backing up and ramped into my front popping my hood up and scratches to my front bumper.
I waited at the accident spot and called the Police while the other party insisted on pulling it on the side.
Then upon receiving instructions from the control room, i too pulled on the side behind that truck.
The truck guy asked apology and also mentioned that it was very unfortunate this could happen and he has no clue how it happened really.
It sounded he did accept his fault at that instance.
However the story he made up in front of the officer was different.
The officer spoke to both of us separately. The cop informed that i should have been more cautious at the back leaving atleast 6 feet of distance so as to see the tires of the front car.
I told officer that he did mention before that it was his fault. The Police report has not been received yet.
The other guys were coming from Vermont (atleast 4-5 hrs drive ) and they looked tired and sleepy too. I did mention this to the cop and that i have a clean 5 yr driving history.
Lets see what the report has to say.
Would you guys have any suggestion for me until then? Thank you for your time in reading this long story.
Yep but it's too late...you should've got out of your car screaming at the top of your lungs, 'did anyone witness this?" because more than likely this guy will now say that you rearended him rather than the other way...or he could and it would be very difficult for you to prove otherwise....is the truck a standard transmission? If so this will prove your point a little better, automatics don't generally roll back, or did he actually put it in reverse, if so did you see his reverse lights? if so why didn't you try and get out of the way? (devils advocate there) was there anyone behind you? if so did you get their names? How would the cop know how far back you were from the truck? Do you know who they are insured with? You need to contact your carrier and theirs and file a claim with both...you need to let your carrier know what happened in case, (as I suspect) they change their story. _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
Sorry this unfortunate accident occured. Did the guy admit anything to the cop? Lori makes a lot of good points and asks some really good questions here. Alot that will make a different. I wish nay time an accident occured that I was in or will ever be in that I would be able to think of getting all the above info.
Lori, even if the truck were a standard trasmission wouldn't this show that it could be possible for the truck to roll backwards? I know it would still be said she should have been paying attention but two wrongs don't make the one who made the first mistake right..or does it?
Also it has been a while since I studied a drivers manual but is there actually a rule of staying 6ft away from the tailend of another vehicle? If thats is so I (and most of AMerica) needs to be paying closer attention to the rule.
When i had stopped at the light, for a moment i was talking with my son sitting behind...soon i saw that truck banged on to me, unfortunately i do not remember seeing his backing lights.
The truck was a pick up one but covered and was carrying lot of furnitures and stuff so much to see me or my car...
that guy insisted me to pull off the road, but i remained there...now i think i should have remained there for the cop to realize that i was still away from the lights.
There was no one behind me, i remained cool, because we never know how the kind of guys they were.
The truck was the ARTIOLI , i did try to check what manufacturer it is, but think it was a old Dodge or chevrolet, so not sure what kind of transmission it would have.
The cop didn't know how far was i behind him, but may be he made his decision on what the other guy told.
One more interesting story he told the cop...he informed the officer that he did move when the light turned green, but then he stopped for the upcoming car to give a right of way.....
But this is a straight lie for the reason that after Red light, that signal turns into a GREEN arrow and not the bold green, so the cars going left has all the right of the way.
Unfortunately, it's going to come down to his word against yours.
I've told my policy holders nearly the same thing Lori suggested. If there is every an accident, always try to find witnesses. Also, call 911, even if the other person did. Make sure on the call that you tell the dispatch operator exactly what happened.
And...with today's wonderful technology, cellphones have cameras and video - as soon as the accident happens, take pictures, record video, etc.
Sorry this happened to you. _________________ Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. - Ferris Bueller
Ok so you really don't know if he backed up or rolled back into you right? You just know he hit you? Make sure you contact both carriers and report this claim as I said...see an automatic tranny will creep forward if you take your foot off the brake but rarely backwards..(if it's in drive)...the model you posted I've never heard of I think you must've got something wrong there....Let us know what the adjusters say, and what the police report says to see if we can help you in any way...I've afraid he might say, 'she was talking to her son must've took her foot off the brake and rolled into me'....I'm just guessing here...I hope I'm wrong. _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
I guess this really could go either way here. I hope all works out for the poster but I want to Thank you Lori for calling my attention to some of the most important things when in an accident. Sometimes when an accident happens you (at least me ) get all worked up and don't relize until too late all the things you should have paid attention to. Thank Goodness I had an eye witness to everything that happened that day I was hit. Precious older lady who sat with my daughter and I until help arrived.
I wanted to attach few pics of the accident to this post, however there is a limit to the size of the pic 256KB and my all pics are more than that .
If we consider my car was in motion at the light while i was talking to my son, it won't create such an impact. Also when i asked my 6 yr old son if he recollects what happened, he did mention that the other truck was coming behind. Infact he simulated the situation with the stones and illustrated what happened. Also the impact seen would clearly impact that some car would have been in good motion.
I will surely post the police report and what the adjuster says..
thank you everyone for your kind help.
This is what the police report says (in the officer's exact words) :
Traffic Unit 1 was stationary as traffic signal head for east bound on Tolland Tpke at the intersection of N.Main St.
Traffic Unit 2 approached the intersection behind Traffic Unit 1 and came to a stop.
Operator 1 stated that he thought the light changed to Green, and began to move forward. Operator 1 stated he stopped when he saw it was still red, and that all of the sudden he felt his vehicle "p"erk forward.
Operator 1 stated he believes Traffice Unit 2 rearended him.
Operator 2 stated he was stationary behind Traffic Unit # 1 at the red light, and that all of the sudden Traffice unit # 1 began to move in reverse and collided into his car.
There were no independent witnesses available to the incident. Traffice Unit # 1 sustained minor damange to the rear bumper.
Traffic Unit # 2 sustained moderate damage to the front bumper and hood.
Based on damage and statements by operators, i am unable to determine fault. No injuries were reported.
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I called up both mine and his insurance companies and have got the claim #. The corresponding adjusters would call me and set up an appointment to verify and settle thereafter.
Is there anything i need to take care of on how i proceed.
Today when i went to collect the Police report, they mentioned the camera at the lights is for the traffic/signal control only.
I told you I told you! I KNEW they were going to say you rearended them instead of them backing into you! damnit. ...problem is there is no way to know from the damage which happened the damage would've been the same with either version...well all you can do is continue with the truth...however, more than likely your company will deny him. His company will deny you...unless you can pull an 'independent' witness (someone not in either vehicle or associated with either)...it's your word against his... _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
hmm....will see how it goes, my insurance company's preferred body repair shop gave an estimate of $1700 (my share would be $500 deductible ...
i also called his insurance company, theirs adjuster is going to assess in a day or two.
Also i do not think his car had any damage...it was a slight dent which i don't think he would bother to repair looking at the rest of the condition of his truck. So i think it wud be just ME appealing ....will keep you guys posted.
I am really sorry to hear this. I have been following your post wondering how it would turn out. I think you got a bad shake but unfortunately all the screaming, hollering and shouting will get you know where. Gosh I hate hearing these types of things. It gets the old temperture up.
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...problem is there is no way to know from the damage which happened the damage would've been the same with either version...well all you can do is continue with the truth...however, more than likely your company will deny him. His company will deny you...unless you can pull an 'independent' witness (someone not in either vehicle or associated with either)...it's your word against his... 
