So much for an accident free record...

[pulsator]

Well, I got in my first car accident today, driving down a five lane road to meet my dads for lunch with my sister and her boyfriend in the car with me. I was in the left lane heading west bound and some complete asshole in the right lane going west bound as well decided to change lanes without a turn signal or checking his blind spot. It didn't help that it was raining and my NEW car doesn't have ABS.... GREAT! Now my new car is fucked up because some asshole can't turn his fucking head to see if there is someone NEXT TO HIM!!!!!! I've been told by so many people that I am one of the best drivers they've rode with and still, I get in an accident! Luckily, no one was hurt, but I was sure sobbing the whole time the cop tried to talk to me... It should really be a LOT harder to get a license in the US!

 

[tuthill]

Sorry to hear that Jamie

Certainly no lack of careless and stupid drivers out there, that's for sure! Glad you didn't get seriously hurt, it happens all to often with car crashes.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Contemporary misconceptions...

"If I put my signal on, that is enough. People are supposed to let me in no matter what, and I can just go."

"The law says I can make a right on red." (They forget that little part about AFTER a full stop AND if it's clear to do so.)

"Pedestrians have the right of way. Cars have to stop for me."

That's the mentality with the "entitled" generation. People don't take responsibility for what they're supposed to.

How many times have you been backing out of a spot at the supermarket or Walmart to find one or more persons walking directly behind your car AFTER you've already been moving? When (and before) to drive, I was also taught that when a car is pulling or backing out of a parking space, STOP and wait. They're a lot heavier than you and can do serious damage. Now, it's as though the attitude is, "I'll do as I wish and if they hit me I'll sue." Lot of good $$$ is going to do you if you're maimed or worse!!!

Chuck

 

[appnut]

Jamie, I am so sorry. I'm glad no one was hurt. THAT's what is important. You car can be fixed!! Bob

 

[tlee618]

Jamie, like Bob, I am just glad that you and your family are ok, cars can be fixed or replaced, you can't be!!

 

[sudsmaster]

Jamie,

Ditto on the "no one hurt" part.

Last night I saw on a local newspaper's online stories that there was a motorcycle accident on the same road where I was injured by a hit-and-run driver when on my bike three years ago. I went up to the location and talked with the group that usually gathers nearby. It turned out I know the guy on the bike - not well, but we've talked and I know his name. Well, it was a head-on collision; he's in critical condition with head trauma (even though he wore full face helmet). Be glad you were in a modern car with lots of steel and other protective devices. The others are right; the car can be replaced. Your body is a lot harder to fix.

That said, you have every right to be po'd. However, when you settle down, make sure that your insurance company and the state DMV knows who was at fault in this accident. That way it should not be counted against your driving record.

Also, although you may not be hurt, I recommend that you not sign anything right away to that effect. You have every right to have your car fixed ASAP at the other guy's insurance company's expense. You should also have the right to wait a full year to make sure you are not hurt before waiving your right to sue for personal injury - or to file a suit if it turns out that you or your passengers were hurt after all. You'd be surprised at how much quicker a car repair will go when the insurance claims adjuster suspects that if he pisses you off you might claim whiplash ;-). Once you sign anything that says you're not hurt, that leverage goes away.

Yeah, I've had a number of not-at-fault accidents where I was hurt - so I learned the hard way.

 

[j2400]

I'm glad you weren't hurt.

Like Sudsmaster, I'd urge you to be careful how you handle the insurance companies. Insurance companies will usually do everything they can possibly to get away with paying as little as possible. At the same time, you can be sure that they will happily jack the rates up on the person at fault as high as they can, even if they only pay a dime.

Putting this in washing machine terms, let's say the accident ruined a mint condition, like new, hardly ever used, rare collectible Frigidaire. If they can do it, they will happily try to make you accept a rusted out, leaking, WCI Frigidaire picked up off a street corner.

As for injuries...it can take a while for those to show up. And they can show up even with small accidents.

Then...as for car repairs, make sure they are done right. Insurance companies try to get the cheapest parts. If they can get away with a part made from aluminum foil, single sheet, they will.

 

[2drumsallergy]

Poor Drivers

Hi Jamie,
I'm very sorry to hear of your accident. Unfortunately poor drivers are found in abundance the World over. By poor drivers I mean assholes that could not drive a nail into a Turnip if their life depended on it!

The main thing is you and your passengers were not hurt. Yes the damage to your car sucks but it can be easily repaired whereas the human body is not so easy to fix.

Take care.

David

 

[70series]

I am happy you were not hurt. As others have said, that is most important, and I agree with them completely. Your car can be repaired or replaced, whereas you cannot be replaced. Thank God you and your family are fine, so when you find yourself getting upset over what happened, always remember that you are more important than any car, and that is what counts.

Have a good one,
James

 

[whirlcool]

When you get your car fixed DEMAND that the insurance company use certified replacement parts from your autos manufacturer. I think this is what J2400 was saying. All replacement parts ARE NOT created equal. The "no name" parts are usually a lot thinner than the original parts are and the fit isn't always as good, either.
If you don't feel that your insurance company is giving you a fair deal consult a lawyer. Usually it takes just a quick phone call from a lawyer to get them to make a fair and equitable settlement. Lots of lawyers will do this for you at little or no cost.

 

[toggleswitch2]

What is the most important thing that goes into a car?

LIFE.

Glad you are OK. Sadly in life one frequently has to pay for the stupidity and or laziness of others.

 

[alr2903]

Jamie LOL, my crashes have all been at relatively low speeds, sounds like you were at highway speed. Don't be like me, after a fender bender i am reluctant to drive for a long time (Nerves), except work and when absolutely necessary. Glad you were not hurt, take your car out and drive somewhere everyday. It's all good, if no one was hurt, accidents do happen. alr2903 the guy that always ask's "you wanna drive"?

 

[irishwashguy]

I have been there

It is never a pleasant expiereince. I am glad that you and your Family were safe. I am dealing with a crash myself, except that i was hurt and in the middle of the whole thing where the insurnce company, mine will not pay anymore, and it is 100 percent the other guys fault as in your case. Michigan like Oregon is a no falt state I believe. This is why my lawer is handling all of this from now on. Please don't sign anything until you have advise from your attorney about it at the very least. Get checked out as well as your passengers by proper medical care and put everything in writing for the world to have at its fingertips. I am lucky in my case that the other insurance company admitted falt in my case. they payed the deductable when my car was fixed thankfuly. I am glad that you walked away from it. Cars can be replaced, life can't. What ever you do, don't let them fix your car with after market parts, bondo, aluminum foil, push pins and scotch tape, because given the chance, they will.

 

[appliguy]

Jamie, from my way of looking at things

if it is truly not your fault (and it sure sounds like its not) your driving record is still spotless.....so instead of getting all upset over an accident that was not your fault just thank the Lord that everyone is ok and that your car will be fixed at no charge to you as long as the stupid jerk who caused the accident has insurance......PAT COFFEY

 

[iheartmaytag]

your driving record is still spotless

Actually--in a no fault state such as Kansas it doesn't matter who was "at fault" it goes against the driving record of each driver involved in the crash. It is then up to you, the innocent party, to prove faultlessness when you have background checks, insurance update, or change of insurance companies.

I was involved in a head-on crash in 2004 with a drunk driver. To add insult to injury, my collision coverage had to pay for my car because Mr. Drunk refused to provide the information required by the insurance, and you can't force a liability claim. So now my driving records shows I had a large collision claim as a result of a "Alcohol related injury accident with air bag deployment." Then they doubled my premium.

My attorney told me to keep a copy of the accident report forever because the "Alcohol Related" statement it will remain on record permanently.

Anyway what I am saying is: don't assume your record will remain spotless. Laws differ from state to state, but when those greedy bastards at the insurance companies get involved, someone will pay and it isn't them.

 

[cleanteamofny]

My best friend sent me this....

This should be in the drivers manuals or stuck on every car windshield to get the message out.
If it was to left up me, I would mandated everyone to take drivers ed. every time for license renewal at $150.00 per
person and up the anti $100.00 every time they failed the test, this way the one who thinks driving is a luxury
is now a privilege because you gain knowledge or an empty wallet!

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=726147&topart=passenger