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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> Another driver pulled out of their lane and plowed
        
(Message started by: 1stdonna on Jul 25^th, 2007, 9:36pm)

Title: Another driver pulled out of their lane and plowed
Post by 1stdonna on Jul 25^th, 2007, 9:36pm

right into my rear door and fender.

I was driving in the fast lane and she was in the right lane. There was an accident ahead and she was caught in a line of traffic that was stopped. My lane was moving along nicely, but a little slow, naturally, when she decided that she wanted to pull into the moving lane.......and that's what she did. She plowed right into me.

She magically pulled a "witness" out of the bystanders and they convinced the police that I had been in a left turning lane, changed my mind and pulled into the moving lane that she was moving into and I HIT HER!

The officers were very short with me, allowed me a very abbreviated explaination, interrupted me, and told me to go sit in my car while they carried on a friendly conversation with her.

When the accident first happened, she was yelling at me that she had her turning signal on and I should have let her into my lane. Then changed her story when the police arrived. The woman from the first accident saw what happened and offered to be my witness, but the policemen told me that her accident included an injury so I couldn't bother her for her name and phone number. They would not consider the fact that I had a witness at all and let that woman get away and wouldn't give me her name or phone number. Every time I tried to talk, they threatened me be quiet or be locked up. I was very respectful and quiet spoken so as not to get them angry with me.

The went into their car and wrote for a long time and then came out with a citation for me......who didn't do a thing wrong!! All the while she's giggling. They told me to sign the citation and I said " I can't because it's all wrong." Again, I was told to sign or go to jail.

I can't believe this happened. The estimated damage to my car is $3,000.00. With $500.00 deductable and just a part time job, it won't be fixed. The damage to her SUV is $2,000.00.

I told the officers that I was going to contest this. They asked me why. I told them because she lied. They told me that it no longer involved her......it involved them and I would be contesting their decision.

What can I do?

I've got to do something about this but I don't know what I CAN do.....I've never had an accident before.

I am just sick about this.

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by nani on Jul 25^th, 2007, 9:39pm

Call your insurance company, tell them what happened and let them fight with her. You can still contest the ticket in court.
Good luck, Donna. This kind of stuff bites.

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by alienspacebabe on Jul 25^th, 2007, 9:42pm

Good thing we have some puhlice here on the board... hope they can help.

and sorry to hear you had such a rough and disrespectful day.....

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by JenniferD on Jul 25^th, 2007, 9:44pm

and get that witness for you's info. Good hearted, honest people will step up!

Wishing you the best outcome.

Jen

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by 1stdonna on Jul 25^th, 2007, 9:47pm

When I questioned why they let my witness get away, one of the cops said 'they're leaving for New Jersey tomorrow anyway.'

Tomorrow I plan to go to all of the businesses around there and ask if anyone saw the accident. Otherwise, I have no witnesses.

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by Racer1_NC on Jul 25^th, 2007, 9:50pm

Call your insurance company and attorney.

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by Rosybabe on Jul 25^th, 2007, 9:59pm

Oh Donna! I am pissed >:(!!! I can't believe this s&*%$!!
do what Nani said and make them fight your way out of this mess..
sorry you have to go through this ordeal... :(

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by alienspacebabe on Jul 25^th, 2007, 10:01pm

thinking: if she's a witness to the first accident, you might be able to get her contact info from that report....

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by Charlie on Jul 26^th, 2007, 12:11am

Horrible.

I read something about contesting stuff like this. Follow it through. Judges hate this kind of thing and will often dismiss contested traffic violations if just one little thing.....dates, location, badge numbers, etc..... is wrong on the report. Often, the cops don't show up and that ends it.

Good luck with your evil insurance company.

Charlie

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Jul 26^th, 2007, 12:15am

Man, that bites.
I am not sure what you can do. My first thing would be to try to find witnesses. Also, call your insurance company and ask them what they think.

Dang, that bites.
B$

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by JeffB on Jul 26^th, 2007, 12:56am

That's why I carry "Ramcos survival guide to accidents".

1 Pad of paper
1 Pen
1Insurance form
1 I.D. (of someone else)
1 Gas Powered chain saw
1 Roll of Duct tape
4 Large Hefty Garbage bags
1 Map of the stars of Hollywood and their best access to backyards and soft soils......................
;;D ;;D ;;D

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by BarbaraD on Jul 26^th, 2007, 7:57am

Call your insurance company and file a complaint against the cop for NOT taking your statement and "abuse" to a "senior" citizen (hey use it when it does some good).

Take it to the newspaper if you have to. This may be a typical thing for this guy and may NOT be an exception.

Find a witness... there will be one somewhere. And if you can - get a lawyer.... they do come in handy.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by Lenny on Jul 26^th, 2007, 9:05am

on 07/25/07 at 21:39:39, nani wrote:

Call your insurance company, tell them what happened and let them fight with her. You can still contest the ticket in court.
Good luck, Donna. This kind of stuff bites.

Ditto to above, about 5 years ago i was involved in 1,of course it was not my fault....for whatever reason the cops that came and wrote the report claimed that i caused it......when i found this out 1-2 weeks later i spoke with my ins.co.and they took it from there...i guess they beleived me (my rate's never went up)....

I wish you much good luck and am sorry that you have to go thru this crap..............Lenny

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by puppylove41 on Jul 26^th, 2007, 2:44pm

You may be able to look back in a city newspaper and see if the other accident was in there. We have those in most of our towns in NJ. That might have a name in it for your wittness . If some one was hurt like the cop said it may even be in the reg. newspaper. You could also place an ad in the local paper asking if anyone seen what happened and put you e-mail for then to reply to you. Sometimes and insurance ajustior can look at the damage and see how the car was hit and tell you if you hit something or it hit you, dipending on how the damage is pushed. Gook Luck

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by 1stdonna on Jul 26^th, 2007, 7:57pm

Thank you all for your advice.

I spent this day.....

Going door to door up and down the street trying to find someone who heard or saw the accidents...no luck.

Went to my Ins. company who totally believed me as they have had many such reports recently.....advised me to file a claim so that the insurance investigator could become involved....also advised to go to a particular auto repair shop where they might be able to determine who hit whom, etc.

Went to the sheriffs office and worked through 4 officers before I made it to the boss who gave me all the time I needed to give my detailed report and all of the discrepancies. Many of the facts that I gave verified my story.

So now I wait for my insurance adjuster to see how far he/she will take this.

If nothing else, I am contesting the ticket and will take it to the judge.

Thanks again.

Title: Re: Another driver pulled out of their lane and pl
Post by Rosybabe on Jul 26^th, 2007, 8:05pm

make your tax dollars work for you this time :D