Car wreck. What to do?

[Matt R]

So last night in Tennessee a car wreck happened when getting off and exit ramp. I was driving a car in a group of 3. The front car exited hard right, I followed and the 3rd car hit being the back right tire of the passenger side. No cops called. No insurance company called. Today, the 3rd car's owners and the car that I was drivings owner, want to put the full bull of both cars on me.

Now, what do I do? No cops called. No insurance companies called. The car I was in was barely damaged. The 3rd car was damaged pretty good on the front driver side. Now, I was under the impression that the insurance companies would just pay these things out. But neither party wants their bill to go up. Easier to put it on me I suppose.

What's the best advice someone can give me. I really don't want to pay this bill, and I might fight this if possible. Now, this is where you come in.


3rd car.



Car I was driving.

 

[sn00pie]

What exactly happened? I don't really understand.

You need to establish whose fault it was. If you suspect the other two drivers are ganging up on you (whilst it's not your fault) report this now! The police will question both of them seperately (before the two agree upon a coinciding story).

 

[Famine]

A car which hits a vehicle in front of it is almost always to blame in any such crash - usually because they're following too close and haven't allowed enough time to react.


I'm not exactly sure what you're telling us happened though.

 

[Matt R]

I've been told by a few people to just say I wasn't there. No proof of my being there, only witnesses.

Well this is what happened.

The three car convoy is heading down interstate 24. The lead car is in the far right lane. The middle car is in the middle lane. (My car.) The 3rd car is in the right lane. The first car darts off the interstate locking his brakes. I follow suit. Although I'm coming in from the middle lane, I had clearance. I checked my mirrors an darted over. I had room. Anyhow, I'm locked up but under control. I wasn't worried about a thing. After maybe 3 seconds of lock up, I'm in the exit lane and about to start making the right turn to go off the ramp. As I'm about to turn my wheel right to make the turn, I hear a huge pop and my car spun around 3/4 of the way.

I'm a solid driver. 5 months from turning 21. No tickets. No accidents. Totally clean record. The other driver, who is maybe 16 or 17 has had 5-6 car wrecks. I believe although I made an illegal lane change, it was the other drivers lack of driving skill that sent her into the back end of my car. She didn't brake it seems. More like she sped up. I can't tell you exactly what she did. But I had room to make a clear move. Also, hitting behind the back tire of the car I was driving, doesn't that put her at fault? Even if I were to cut someone off, it's still their duty to avoid an accident. My car had minimal damage. Hers had extensive. Doesn't that show that she had impacted me?

Anyhow, hope this helps.

 

[Famine]

Sounds like a little bit of excess all round.

But as I said before, the driver behind only tends to impact the car in front if they haven't left enough room to anticipate and manouevre - and if they're doing that, they're driving too close, which is Careless Driving (a proper offence in British traffic law).

If they've had multiple driver-fault collisions, I'd put these facts to them before they consider trying to fit you up for an accident which would be more likely to be classed as their fault in any normal situation.


And don't lie about anything.

 

[sn00pie]

I've been told by a few people to just say I wasn't there. No proof of my being there, only witnesses.

Well this is what happened.

The three car convoy is heading down interstate 24. The lead car is in the far right lane. The middle car is in the middle lane. (My car.) The 3rd car is in the right lane. The first car darts off the interstate locking his brakes. I follow suit. Although I'm coming in from the middle lane, I had clearance. I checked my mirrors an darted over. I had room. Anyhow, I'm locked up but under control. I wasn't worried about a thing. After maybe 3 seconds of lock up, I'm in the exit lane and about to start making the right turn to go off the ramp. As I'm about to turn my wheel right to make the turn, I hear a huge pop and my car spun around 3/4 of the way.

I'm a solid driver. 5 months from turning 21. No tickets. No accidents. Totally clean record. The other driver, who is maybe 16 or 17 has had 5-6 car wrecks. I believe although I made an illegal lane change, it was the other drivers lack of driving skill that sent her into the back end of my car. She didn't brake it seems. More like she sped up. I can't tell you exactly what she did. But I had room to make a clear move. Also, hitting behind the back tire of the car I was driving, doesn't that put her at fault? Even if I were to cut someone off, it's still their duty to avoid an accident. My car had minimal damage. Hers had extensive. Doesn't that show that she had impacted me?

Anyhow, hope this helps.

I think you might have cut off that woman a bit. Also, if you were braking so hard you were locked up, you can't really blame the woman for hitting you as you're forcing her into an absurdly short braking distance (for regular traffic anyway).

Even if I were to cut someone off, it's still their duty to avoid an accident.

Nope.

 

[Famine]

I think you might have cut off that woman a bit. Also, if you were braking so hard you were locked up, you can't really blame the woman for hitting you as you're forcing her into an absurdly short braking distance (for regular traffic anyway).

Roadcraft (advance driving bible) 1.01: Always be sure you can come to a complete stop in the distance you can see to be clear.

 

[Matt R]

I think you might have cut off that woman a bit. Also, if you were braking so hard you were locked up, you can't really blame the woman for hitting you as you're forcing her into an absurdly short braking distance (for regular traffic anyway).

I understand I may have cut her off. What I don't understand is getting hit after I've been in the exit lane. There was time between my locking up and turning, to her hitting my rear. We were all moving at high speed, 1st driver too. But when I checked my mirrors, I was clear and comfortable with my move. I can't help but think if I were the third car, I'd have had the sense to put on my brake hard and really hard if needed. I really feel had it been a driver worth a hoot, this wouldn't have happened.

 

[sn00pie]

Roadcraft (advance driving bible) 1.01: Always be sure you can come to a complete stop in the distance you can see to be clear.

Yes very true. Yet in Holland you can plead for "within reason" (very unsure about proper translation here), which basically means you plead for flexibility where your being forced in an offensable situation.

 

[Matt R]

Did I mention that if needed, the 3rd car had room on it's right to avoid a hit? That'll be hard to prove with no cops involved.

 

[Boundary Layer]

I've been told by a few people to just say I wasn't there. No proof of my being there, only witnesses.

Well this is what happened.

<snip>

Anyhow, hope this helps.

It's all fun until someone pokes out an eye, eh?

Normally the car behind is at fault, unless another car involved commits some sort of traffic violation.... since it sounds like everyone was driving like an idiot I wouldn't be surprised if the police and insurance companies decided that it should be shared blame.

 

[Famine]

It's all fun until someone pokes out an eye, eh?

Normally the car behind is at fault, unless another car involved commits some sort of traffic violation.... since it sounds like everyone was driving like an idiot I wouldn't be surprised if the police and insurance companies decided that it should be shared blame.

Agreed wholly.

Though the driver with several driver-fault collisions will find it hard to not get more blame.

 

[sn00pie]

Did I mention that if needed, the 3rd car had room on it's right to avoid a hit? That'll be hard to prove with no cops involved.

Yeah but that's like saying: "sure officer I shot that person, but if he would have ducked the bullet would've been dodged - I mean, if that person were a skilled dodger worth a hoot".

You're forcing people into your personal playground, whereas not everyone is comfortable in that situation.

 

[sn00pie]

Roadcraft (advance driving bible) 1.01: Always be sure you can come to a complete stop in the distance you can see to be clear.

Yes but Jjacks was coming from an outer lane.

 

[Matt R]

Yeah but that's like saying: "sure officer I shot that person, but if he would have ducked the bullet would've been dodged - I mean, if that person were a skilled dodger worth a hoot".

You're forcing people into your personal playground, whereas not everyone is comfortable in that situation.

Mmm...good point.

I just don't understand why all the blame is on me. And why I'm expected to pay out of pocket. I was driving another persons car. Doesn't that mean that the car I was drivings insurance company takes care of this? Isn't that what insurance companies are for? I mean, I'm sorry this all happened and all...but I just don't feel comfortable having the entire weight of the issue on my shoulders.

 

[Famine]

Yes but Jjacks was coming from an outer lane.

And in the UK, slower-moving traffic in the inner lanes (leftmost = inner; rightmost = outer) MUST give way to faster-moving traffic in the outer lanes.


As I said, it seems like a lot of excess all round, but the 3rd driver wants to absolve herself of any responsibility. She was driving too close to avoid the manouevres of the car in front... But I agree with BL - insurers would go straight for equal responsibility and possibly err on Jjacks' side as her driving record is quite poor and she would be assumed to be at fault when she hits a car ahead of her.


The last thing he should do is lie about his whereabouts. The first thing he should do is point out to her their comparative driving records and the fact that in disputed collisions, following cars are far more likely to be found at fault than leading cars. Maybe she'll come to her senses.

Jjacks - should you be driving with your hand and the prescription drugs?

 

[sn00pie]

Mmm...good point.

I just don't understand why all the blame is on me. And why I'm expected to pay out of pocket. I was driving another persons car. Doesn't that mean that the car I was drivings insurance company takes care of this? Isn't that what insurance companies are for? I mean, I'm sorry this all happened and all...but I just don't feel comfortable having the entire weight of the issue on my shoulders.

That's not how insurance works. They will only pay out if there is no blame. If you wreck a car that's not yours, usually the insurance taken out on that car should cover damages if you have consent from the owner to drive the car and also if there is no blame.

And in the UK, slower-moving traffic in the inner lanes (leftmost = inner; rightmost = outer) MUST give way to faster-moving traffic in the outer lanes.

Which makes it illegal lane change VS insufficient distance, both reckless driving offenses with argueable degrees of seriousness.

 

[Boundary Layer]

Jjacks - should you be driving with your hand and the prescription drugs?

I was wondering the same....

 

[sn00pie]

Also, that craptastic Civic may very well be declared an economical total loss by the insurance company = why the woman doesn't want to claim the damages.

 

[Famine]

Which makes it illegal lane change VS insufficient distance, both reckless driving offenses with argueable degrees of seriousness.

The former is hard to prove unless there's camera evidence. The latter is self-evident from the damage...


It's liable to come down 50:50 or in Jjacks' favour. Driver #3 needs to not be silly about it - she won't get off, no matter what.

 

[Joey D]

Why didn't any of you call the police? If someone hit my vehicle after I got through yelling and screaming at them I would call the police, demand a police report be taken, and request that the person who hit me be issued a ticket.

From what I can gather you are at fault for the accident and you should have been ticketed, but without actually being there or on the scene it's hard to say for sure over the internet.

But I doubt any of your insurance companies are going to care, since there was no police report they are just going to assume you were all idiots and ran into the garage door or something and filed a claim to get the car fixed. Also the person who let you drive their vehicle could seek the money from you by legal means, it would be a bit hard to prove but if they could you would be held liable.

 

[sn00pie]

The former is hard to prove unless there's camera evidence. The latter is self-evident from the damage...

In fact, the former is equally if not more evident from the damages, note how the cars have tangles like this according to the damages.

And not like this.

 

[Matt R]

The last thing he should do is lie about his whereabouts.

Jjacks - should you be driving with your hand and the prescription drugs?

It's already on text message form on the girls car that I was driving that the girl wanted to tell her father the accident happened in GA. Although the father of the girl already knows it was in TN, does this help my case any?

I can drive fine as long as I'm not zonked out on my meds. I haven't taken any medication in about a week. I wasn't under any influence. But every passenger in every car was.

That's not how insurance works. They will only pay out if there is no blame. If you wreck a car that's not yours, usually the insurance taken out on that car should cover damages if you have consent from the owner to drive the car and also if there is no blame.

I had consent of the owner to drive.

Why didn't any of you call the police? If someone hit my vehicle after I got through yelling and screaming at them I would call the police, demand a police report be taken, and request that the person who hit me be issued a ticket.

From what I can gather you are at fault for the accident and you should have been ticketed, but without actually being there or on the scene it's hard to say for sure over the internet.

Nobody called the police because we're all a bunch of dumb kids. I was fine with calling the cops. The girl is freaking out about her father finding out she's out of state. Everyone else is scared because 80% of the crowd was drunk and underage. The girl ended up driving the car back to GA.

In hindsight, calling the cops would have been the best idea. Had I been ticketed or not, at least things wouldn't be such a mess.

 

[Matt R]

In fact, the former is equally if not more evident from the damages, note how the cars have tangles like this according to the damages.

And not like this.

The description of my accident may leave people thinking that your illustration is accurate. It makes sense.

BUT.

I was in the exit lane for a good 2 to 3 seconds, which is a long time when driving, before I felt a huge pop and spun around. I didn't clip her car. I was already in the exit lane, about to turn if not already beginning my turn.

 

[Kylehnat]

Although I'm coming in from the middle lane, I had clearance. I checked my mirrors an darted over. I had room.

I hate drivers like you. If you're going to get off the freeway, you should be in the right lane long before the exit ramp. When you pull 🤬 like that, you're asking for trouble.

Anyhow, I'm locked up but under control. I wasn't worried about a thing. After maybe 3 seconds of lock up...

If you skidded for 3 seconds, you traveled ~150-200 feet OUT of control.

I believe although I made an illegal lane change, it was the other drivers lack of driving skill that sent her into the back end of my car.

Try using that logic in court, and see what happens.

In an accident, the police should always be called, to minimize the chance of foul play in the insurance/blame game. It doesn't seem like you are blameless here.

 

[Matt R]

I hate drivers like you. If you're going to get off the freeway, you should be in the right lane long before the exit ramp. When you pull 🤬 like that, you're asking for trouble.

I'm not a bad driver. I was with a group of friends out of state in an unfamiliar area with no gas. I was not going to miss that exit, no telling when the next would come. It was a one time move.

If you skidded for 3 seconds, you traveled ~150-200 feet OUT of control.

Out of control my ass. You were not in my car. My heart was at normal pace and I was confident in my move. I was in total control of my vehicle.

Try using that logic in court, and see what happens.

In an accident, the police should always be called, to minimize the chance of foul play in the insurance/blame game. It doesn't seem like you are blameless here.

In court I believe that logic stands a chance. I think experience plays a factor, and if not, it can't hurt.

And I don't think I'm blameless either. The only reason I feel at all responsible for this is because I was in the middle lane. We were the only 3 cars on the road for a long distance. I wasn't trying to cut a driver off. I wasn't going to miss my exit, and I saw that I had room to make my move and I was comfortable with it. After I was in the exiting lane, I was hit in the back.

 

[Matt R]

If you can prove this, then you're free of all blame. Yet the other drivers are in a lot of trouble. A LOT. And I am talking police coming to their house and taking them away for a bit.

It sounds like all parties involved know eachother? Well then just split all costs threeways. If the other two parties disagree and want to blame you solely remember them of their drunkenness.

Also, I hope you've learned you shouldn't be pulling stupid **** like this.

Hmm. All proof may be under that exit. Kids were tossing beer and liquor left and right after the accident. Everyone knew everyone. If not personally, then by mutual friends.

The only proof I have is my testimony. I wasn't snapping pictures of the people drinking in the cars and stuff. But I can assure you every person in all three cars was under the influence. Aside from the drivers.

I'll testify under oath about this whole situation. I'm not trying to hide anything. I'm trying to figure out why all blame is on me, and of course I'm looking to come out better in the end, but I'm not against taking the blame if after all is said and done and I'm found guilty.

 

[sn00pie]

Hmm. All proof may be under that exit. Kids were tossing beer and liquor left and right after the accident.

The only proof I have is my testimony. I wasn't snapping pictures of the people drinking in the cars and stuff. But I can assure you every person in all three cars was under the influence. Aside from the drivers.

I'll testify under oath about this whole situation. I'm not trying to hide anything. I'm trying to figure out why all blame is on me, and of course I'm looking to come out better in the end, but I'm not against taking the blame if after all is said and done and I'm found guilty.

Yeah nevermind that, I misread passengers for drivers. So my post does not apply.

I don't know why you guys want to go to court with this. Seems the damages aren't that severe. $1500 maybe? In all fairness, you haven't been crashing Bentleys now have you?

Because there is no documentation of the accident whatsoever I don't think any testimony will stand. Just settle amongst yourselves and split threeways, this is probably what any court will tell you to do anyway.

 

[Boundary Layer]

Jjacks: there's a world of difference between being in control of your car, and being a good driver. I think kylehnat's comments are entirely justified.

For starters, a good and responsible driver wouldn't go ripping around freeways breaking traffic rules with other people that they know to be under the influence because they think it's fun - especially in a car that isn't their own. This is the exact sort of thing that happens when you do.

 

[Keef]

I believe locking your brakes up would be classified as a loss of control. The law doesn't allow race car drivers to perform as they please and it doesn't take into consideration advanced techniques (which locking you brakes for 2-3 seconds isn't anyway) or driving skill. I imagine both of you will be cited for different things. You for failure to control or some sort of illegal maneuver, and her probably failure to control.