accident dishonesty

[jen.]

I apologize because this is more or less just a rant, but why can't people just accept responsibility when they are at fault for an accident?

My brand new (to me at least) si was side swiped coming off the north east extension tonight. Slowing down to pay a toll and a mini van who obviously was not paying attention (from behind me) swiped my rear panel right above the driver's side rear tire well.

What irritated me most was not even the damage to my car, but the arrogance of the guy who's wife swiped it. I should note that their was a language barrier- he didn't really speak english, but he got out of his car, LAUGHED, and started videotaping.

I called the police, and apparently the guy's side of the story was that he was in front, went to merge to a different lane, and my car sped up so he hit the tail end of it..... that make so much sense considering I was slowing down for a toll both.

I just don't understand why people are dishonest. I mean, I get that it's expensive to be in an accident, but that's why you have insurance (and he did have insurance). I've been in an accident where I've been at fault and I've taken full responsibility and I just don't understand how someone could just get out, laugh, and not even ask if we were okay.

Has anyone had experience with an accident like this? It's still on the rear of my car, and the state trooper I called put the minivan that hit me as the primary person responsible, but he could not personally say they were 100% at fault because he did not witness the accident.

Do you think because its the rear of my car it will be a huge insurance battle? Or do you think the other person's fault will be evident?

[05OCsrt-4]

Originally Posted by jen.

I apologize because this is more or less just a rant, but why can't people just accept responsibility when they are at fault for an accident?

My brand new (to me at least) si was side swiped coming off the north east extension tonight. Slowing down to pay a toll and a mini van who obviously was not paying attention (from behind me) swiped my rear panel right above the driver's side rear tire well.

What irritated me most was not even the damage to my car, but the arrogance of the guy who's wife swiped it. I should note that their was a language barrier- he didn't really speak english, but he got out of his car, LAUGHED, and started videotaping.

I called the police, and apparently the guy's side of the story was that he was in front, went to merge to a different lane, and my car sped up so he hit the tail end of it..... that make so much sense considering I was slowing down for a toll both.

I just don't understand why people are dishonest. I mean, I get that it's expensive to be in an accident, but that's why you have insurance (and he did have insurance). I've been in an accident where I've been at fault and I've taken full responsibility and I just don't understand how someone could just get out, laugh, and not even ask if we were okay.

Has anyone had experience with an accident like this? It's still on the rear of my car, and the state trooper I called put the minivan that hit me as the primary person responsible, but he could not personally say they were 100% at fault because he did not witness the accident.

Do you think because its the rear of my car it will be a huge insurance battle? Or do you think the other person's fault will be evident?

most likely in the event that you were hit in the rear they SHOULD be at fault

[BigWhiteTodd]

Thats when you pull out a bat or pipe and start beating them down if you have a gun much easier lol. but on a serious note i was at yield sign trying to merge and got rammed (no homo) but they said i was at fault at first, but then insurance looked into it and found me not to be the cause. just fight if your right nothing to worry about.

[kristen.]

thats ****ed up jen, i'm so sorry to hear that :-(
hopefully justice will be surved and you'll get everything worked out through insurance.

[justinlansdale]

whoops that was actually me ^ on kristen's s/n...

[russiankid]

There are camera's at toll booths.

[05OCsrt-4]

Originally Posted by kristen.

thats ****ed up jen, i'm so sorry to hear that :-(
hopefully justice will be surved and you'll get everything worked out through insurance.

served, sorry that just bothered me a little

[tomustang]

Originally Posted by jen.

Has anyone had experience with an accident like this? It's still on the rear of my car, and the state trooper I called put the minivan that hit me as the primary person responsible, but he could not personally say they were 100% at fault because he did not witness the accident.

Nowadays it doesn't really matter whose at fault in an accident like that, both rates will go up unless you have the forgiveness clause.

[gsnar]

i got hit in the same place of my car and it wasnt my fault. but lucky for me the lady admitted it was her fault. sorry to hear that what an asshole

[jen.]

Originally Posted by 05OCsrt-4

most likely in the event that you were hit in the rear they SHOULD be at fault

Yeah, that's what the cop said. Unfortunately he couldn't write that the other person was at fault 100% in the report because they gave a different story.

Originally Posted by kristen.

thats ****ed up jen, i'm so sorry to hear that :-(
hopefully justice will be surved and you'll get everything worked out through insurance.

Thanks Justin!

Originally Posted by russiankid

There are camera's at toll booths.

The accident happened as we were approaching, not inside as I was side swiped, so it obviously didn't happen within the confines of the median toll booth barriers. I don't know that it would have been caught on film.

Originally Posted by tomustang

Nowadays it doesn't really matter whose at fault in an accident like that, both rates will go up unless you have the forgiveness clause.

At this point, I almost don't care. I'm just vindictive enough where I want it to be considered their fault when it comes down to insurance because of their arrogance. It's absolutely unbelievable that they claimed no fault.

[sleeper15]

yeah, unfournatly, their's people out there like that. Like russiankid said, they got video camera's at toll boothes. All the cop needs to do is look at the tape.

[mcperson2k]

From my own personal experience with auto accidents, your better off lying to the officers than telling the truth. My Jeep was totaled simply because some girl was making a left, and just straight out turned in front of me and I tboned her. I was honest with the police officer, and told him I was probably doing 45-50 (the flow of traffic) and the speed limit was 45. Since I was honest about my speed, I was held 10% responsible for the accident, and that was after fighting with the woman's insurance company and getting them to 10% from 30%. I had just dropped my collision at the time, so I needed every penny of the value of my Jeep so that I could be on the road again. So basically some bomb shell blond turned right in front of me, and I was held accountable because I was doing 3mph over the speed limit. She even said in the police report: "Unit #2 was traveling very fast" so she openly admitted to seeing my car coming, but chose to turn anyway... but that's my fault some how.

We wouldn't be able to live with out the system, but boy is it screwed up.

[ricky2i5]

people think they're never at fault for an accident. some people are just assholes and unfortunately, they get away with it. ive gotten rear ended by a guy on his phone and he came out the car and asked if i seen him and it wasnt his fault bc someone was riding his ass, then he said that my car was too low and he didnt see me till last minute; i was in front of you asshole. complete prick but fortunately,there was a cop at the gas station on the intersection and witnessed the whole thing. GL with your situation, it is kinda obvious its his fault if damage is the the rear of your car.

[Proven]

There should be cameras at toll booths so you should ask the state trooper to have a look or have your insurance Company take action to get the tape. On the other hand you mentioned the guy didn't even have insurance so you could be screwed either way (its why its a law to have insurance).

Your insurance Company will prob. fix your damage and send him a bill that he will never pay. All you can hope for is that it goes to collections and goes on his credit (which I'm sure he could give a sh** about). He should of also gotten a fine for no insurance from the state trooper (make sure this happened or raise hell).

Sorry to hear this happened, good luck.

[Rogue]

insurance company would definitely pay for the damages unlike mine. i was hit when im turning on a right lane and a lady decides to turn right in the left straightaway into the side of my car. insurance blames me for reckless driving? i was on a street with road work going on how is that even possible? best of luck with this case jen

[c0nfl1kt]

Toll booth cameras ftw?

[lownslow95]

Originally Posted by russiankid

There are camera's at toll booths.

I was just going to say that toll booths have camera's on them. Have them check the tapes, and ask for a copy. WIN on your end.

[MPowerKai]

Originally Posted by jen.

Yeah, that's what the cop said. Unfortunately he couldn't write that the other person was at fault 100% in the report because they gave a different story.

Police never write down who was at fault. They only write down the events that happened, your side of the story and theirs. Then its up to the insurance company. You should call up your insurance company and theirs to make a claim and tell them your side of the story and if you don't have a copy of the police report tell them the report number and get their fax numbers and who to make it attn to. After you fax it call them up again. It will definitely be their fault.

[jen.]

Originally Posted by MPowerKai

Police never write down who was at fault. They only write down the events that happened, your side of the story and theirs. Then its up to the insurance company. You should call up your insurance company and theirs to make a claim and tell them your side of the story and if you don't have a copy of the police report tell them the report number and get their fax numbers and who to make it attn to. After you fax it call them up again. It will definitely be their fault.

That's the next plan. I'm dealing with insurance company today, it was too late last night. I'm hoping the insurance company will deem that the other person was OBVIOUSLY at fault. I mean, they were behind us, weren't paying attention, and hit the left rear of my car.

I was appalled when they told the police they were ahead of us, went to switch lanes and we sped up. That's ridiculous, considering we had to slow down to pay a toll.


Also, I know toll booths have cameras. This happened a good 20-30 feet BEFORE the toll booth. I don't think the camera would catch that and even if it did, I doubt the police would subpoena the tapes just to check out a basic traffic accident.

[Scapegoat]

i thought its an automatic at fault if of the rear car in an accident.