My first accident

V8Cobrakid · 03-08-2006, 01:12 PM

i would have seen her if that damn SUV wasn't beside me.. meaning he took off first.. the Intersection was clear when i entered, my light turned green... and then the SUV took off, and i followed about 3 feet behind his front bumper.

V8Cobrakid · 03-08-2006, 01:21 PM

thanks guys.. yeah.. A pillar.. i know it's one of those... it didn't cover "her".. just her lights hitting the groun that i normally spot before a car gets even close to me. you must understand, i track traffic.. when a car appears in my vision, i usually know what kind of car it is and about how fast it's going.

My witness in my passenger seat did see her enter the intersection at a high speed when my light was green.... i was right next to the SUV... he was far enough away to see a car enter the turn and run in front of us. He said it looked like she never slowed down. the light turn delay is 1 second (from her red to my green). i think that yellow is a 3 second delay. It took me a good 3 second to hit her. At he speed it only takes me about 3 seconds to enter and exit an intersection. After i hit her it took her a good 30 to 40 feet or so to stop.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 03-08-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by V8Cobrakid@Mar 8 2006, 12:12 PM
i would have seen her if that damn SUV wasn't beside me.. meaning he took off first.. the Intersection was clear when i entered, my light turned green... and then the SUV took off, and i followed about 3 feet behind his front bumper.
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I have been in and witnessed a few accidents in my day. Once, when in an accident, none of the witnesses stuck around to provide a police report. Since there were no witnesses, the person who hit me was not found to be at fault (read "LIED") and I was forced to pay for my own reparis. Vowing to never let that happen to anyone else, I always stop and provide a police report when I witness an accident. On two occations, both insurance companies called me and I answered all their questions. I make it very clear that don't know either party and have no personal or financial gain.

So anyway, where's the guy in the SUV? Is there a police report with his name on it? Did he bolt from the scene since he wasn't damaged? What's that guy got to say about what happened?

Unfortunately, I do not think the witnesses in your car will be able to help you. A cousin of mine was hit by a red-light runner with no witnesses except the poeple in the respective cars. In the end, since every witness in both cars swore that it was the other car's fault, it was declared a no-fault accident. I would think that passengers are not allowed to sway the outcome since they are most-likely biased.

gilahiker · 03-08-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cooljw@Mar 8 2006, 11:57 AM

So what did V8 do wrong? If the other driver didn't run a red light, V8 has a responsibility not to hit them as they clear the intersection. Since V8 was stopped and waiting at the light, green does not mean go and have an accident. And no gridlock laws apply because there was no congestion.

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Cooljw is correct "green does not mean go and have an accident."

I learned to drive in California and drove there for 18 years before moving. I did learn to drive defensively in California, but have learned even more taking the required defensive driving courses in NM to maintain my license for driving a state vehicle. The defensive driving courses advocate, and I practice, at least counting three seconds once your light has turned green before entering the intersection whether you can clearly cross-check the incoming traffic. I tell ya..counting to three has saved my bacon more times than I can count here in NM since there seems to be more of a tendency to run red lights here than what I would consider "normal.".

V8, I do feel sorry for your accident, but chalk it up to learning to wait a bit regardless of the other drivers around you are doing ...it could have been worse or it could have been a pedestrian.

V8Cobrakid · 03-08-2006, 02:45 PM

i did wait.. i was the second to take off... do you guys seriously not listen. I'm probably one of the most defensive drivers on the road. I've had cars cut me off at 45mph... that's them cutting across my lane.. in the rain.. to get to my right... no blinkers... in the rain i had to fishtail my rear end out of the way to keep the car from T-boning me.. the list goes on... and on.. and on.

I waited. I never jump a light. I checked the intersection, it was clear. I processed after the large SUV beside me did.

Either way my insurance is probably going to pay for it (my damages)..

A police office did show up.. she said her report isn't necessary, and left. The SUV driver did not stop.. he just simply left.

We have everything after the accident on film... her talking.. me talking.. police officer... etc.. and her saying her little " i though the light was still yellow when i entered the light".. and us saying that we ddin't enter till a clear couple seconds after our light was gree, and the intersection was clear at that time.

gilahiker · 03-08-2006, 06:00 PM

Sorry for not listening.

It is sounding more and more like she actually ran the red light and in her little mind the light was yellow (I'm thinking it was yellow when she was way back in the lane and it happened to turn red as gunned the car to turn).

If you have a car full of witnesses saying it was green and you waited and the SUV started and slammed on the brakes but you happened to hit her then she probably really was running a red.

P.S. I didn't see your 12:20 explanatory message when I was writing my reply (probably because I had to answer a phone call while trying to type...sorry...)

hobbit · 03-08-2006, 11:52 PM

Okay, the way I read that CA law excerpt, it's fine to enter the
intersection and wait for my left *IFF* there is room for me to
proceed out of the intersection after appropriate yielding and
making the turn. That actually *helps* traffic flow, and is not
a gridlock situation since when the light turns, the small amount
of traffic potentially waiting in the intersection is small and
promptly clears. Unless something really pathological is going on,
in which case the secondary or tertiary left-turners also waiting
might need to back up some and wait out the cycle.
.
Gridlock is getting *trapped* in the intersection, usually a result
of bad planning when going *straight*. Rarely on turns.
.
_H*

V8Cobrakid · 03-08-2006, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gilahiker@Mar 8 2006, 04:00 PM
Sorry for not listening. It is sounding more and more like she actually ran the red light and in her little mind the light was yellow (I'm thinking it was yellow when she was way back in the lane and it happened to turn red as gunned the car to turn).

If you have a car full of witnesses saying it was green and you waited and the SUV started and slammed on the brakes but you happened to hit her then she probably really was running a red.

P.S. I didn't see your 12:20 explanatory message when I was writing my reply (probably because I had to answer a phone call while trying to type...sorry...)

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Don't worry about it.. it's cool. I still love you... er.. at least i still love your prius :P lol

aaf709 · 03-09-2006, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hobbit@Mar 7 2006, 07:54 PM
Is sitting in the *middle* of the intersection waiting to turn
left illegal or not in CA?
_H*

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Actually, I remember getting docked a couple of points (I still passed) when I took my first driver's test. The DMV guy wanted me to go into the intersection and wait until the light changed. I would be "first in the intersection" and be able to complete my turn.

The company I work for makes engine systems for hybrid buses. They want more drivers (to move buses around). They will pay for the medical and will let me use one of the buses for the test. That would be a trip, to see what the rules are for them.

V8Cobrakid · 03-09-2006, 06:44 PM

So... the inspector guy for my insurance came today. He took a quick look and a few photos. he estimated (without pulling the bumper off) that it's between 2 and 3k to fix. The light cost around 400 dollars. The bumper is around 700 or 800. When the bumper gets pulled off the foam has to be removed and the car has to be checked for the metal being bent. No frame.. just metal piece after metal piece.

http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_g...i=106524,00.jpg

check out that photo. If you look at the front passenger side.. you see no supporting frame. you have the impact bumper piece. that is what hit her wheel and bent her wheel/rear axle. So.. i'm guessing some of that metal crushed and has to be replaced.

oh gee...

03-08-2006, 01:21 PM	#22
V8Cobrakid some guy... Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,554 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	thanks guys.. yeah.. A pillar.. i know it's one of those... it didn't cover "her".. just her lights hitting the groun that i normally spot before a car gets even close to me. you must understand, i track traffic.. when a car appears in my vision, i usually know what kind of car it is and about how fast it's going. My witness in my passenger seat did see her enter the intersection at a high speed when my light was green.... i was right next to the SUV... he was far enough away to see a car enter the turn and run in front of us. He said it looked like she never slowed down. the light turn delay is 1 second (from her red to my green). i think that yellow is a 3 second delay. It took me a good 3 second to hit her. At he speed it only takes me about 3 seconds to enter and exit an intersection. After i hit her it took her a good 30 to 40 feet or so to stop. __________________ Silver 9 as of June 12th '04 (over 101k Miles now) Decals, Mud Flaps, BT Tech Rear Brace, coastaletech 2" receiver hitch, and 215/45/17 tires.

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03-08-2006, 01:12 PM	#21
V8Cobrakid some guy... Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,554 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	i would have seen her if that damn SUV wasn't beside me.. meaning he took off first.. the Intersection was clear when i entered, my light turned green... and then the SUV took off, and i followed about 3 feet behind his front bumper.

03-08-2006, 02:45 PM	#25
V8Cobrakid some guy... Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,554 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	i did wait.. i was the second to take off... do you guys seriously not listen. I'm probably one of the most defensive drivers on the road. I've had cars cut me off at 45mph... that's them cutting across my lane.. in the rain.. to get to my right... no blinkers... in the rain i had to fishtail my rear end out of the way to keep the car from T-boning me.. the list goes on... and on.. and on. I waited. I never jump a light. I checked the intersection, it was clear. I processed after the large SUV beside me did. Either way my insurance is probably going to pay for it (my damages).. A police office did show up.. she said her report isn't necessary, and left. The SUV driver did not stop.. he just simply left. We have everything after the accident on film... her talking.. me talking.. police officer... etc.. and her saying her little " i though the light was still yellow when i entered the light".. and us saying that we ddin't enter till a clear couple seconds after our light was gree, and the intersection was clear at that time.

03-08-2006, 06:00 PM	#26
gilahiker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Silver City, NM Posts: 175 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Sorry for not listening. It is sounding more and more like she actually ran the red light and in her little mind the light was yellow (I'm thinking it was yellow when she was way back in the lane and it happened to turn red as gunned the car to turn). If you have a car full of witnesses saying it was green and you waited and the SUV started and slammed on the brakes but you happened to hit her then she probably really was running a red. P.S. I didn't see your 12:20 explanatory message when I was writing my reply (probably because I had to answer a phone call while trying to type...sorry...)

03-08-2006, 11:52 PM	#27
hobbit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bahstahn Posts: 2,976 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Okay, the way I read that CA law excerpt, it's fine to enter the intersection and wait for my left IFF there is room for me to proceed out of the intersection after appropriate yielding and making the turn. That actually helps traffic flow, and is not a gridlock situation since when the light turns, the small amount of traffic potentially waiting in the intersection is small and promptly clears. Unless something really pathological is going on, in which case the secondary or tertiary left-turners also waiting might need to back up some and wait out the cycle. . Gridlock is getting trapped in the intersection, usually a result of bad planning when going straight. Rarely on turns. . _H*

03-09-2006, 06:44 PM	#30
V8Cobrakid some guy... Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,554 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	So... the inspector guy for my insurance came today. He took a quick look and a few photos. he estimated (without pulling the bumper off) that it's between 2 and 3k to fix. The light cost around 400 dollars. The bumper is around 700 or 800. When the bumper gets pulled off the foam has to be removed and the car has to be checked for the metal being bent. No frame.. just metal piece after metal piece. http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_g...i=106524,00.jpg check out that photo. If you look at the front passenger side.. you see no supporting frame. you have the impact bumper piece. that is what hit her wheel and bent her wheel/rear axle. So.. i'm guessing some of that metal crushed and has to be replaced. oh gee...