Car wreck. What to do?

[Matt R]

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.

For starters, I am a good and responsible driver. I made one lapse in my driving judgment in all the times I've been behind the wheel. I don't believe one mistake makes me a bad driver. I made a bad choice in the end, but I stand by my driving skill. I may have been locked up, but I was in total and complete control of my vehicle. Like I said, had I been out of control, I would have been very afraid. My heart didn't skip once until I felt a huge pop.

And you guys are right. It was a very foul move. I was not driving badly on the freeway though. I was not breaking laws left and right. I wasn't showing out for my friends or driving out of any normality I usually drive in. I made one mistake. And now I'm in a big mess.

I don't find kylehnats comments justified a bit.

But I do feel that I'll be putting money to someone here soon. I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes.

 

[sn00pie]

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.

Yes but that's the thing really. They can cite their asses off if they want, all proof was lost when they moved the cars / subsequently drove off from the scene.

Unless Jjacks attests to locking up.

Jjacks: if anything, you don't want to tell anyone you locked up. So don't tell the judge "I locked up but remained control because I am a skilled driver".

 

[Joey D]

I believe locking your brakes up would be classified as a loss of control.

I know according to Michigan traffic law that holds true, I'm not sure in other places though, but I can't imagine its any different.

But yes if you lock your brakes up I do not believe you have control of your vehicle.

 

[daan]

If you were locked up, then you cannot steer, therefore you are not in control.

 

[Matt R]

I'm surprised that you all say that locking up means you're out of control. I could be wrong when it comes to the technicalities of having a vehicle under full control, and I understand that technicalities will overrule any heresay.

But, again I say, I felt in complete control of my vehicle.

 

[Joey D]

You can feel however you want but physics and car operations do not lie, you can not steer when your wheels are locked up, therefore you couldn't steer out of the way if there was a little old lady in your way. You did not have control of your vehicle no matter if you think you did or not...and quit being so cocky, you are what 20? You are not a good driver no matter how much you think you are.

 

[Keef]

Yes but that's the thing really. They can cite their asses off if they want, all proof was lost when they moved the cars / subsequently drove off from the scene.

This is simply a traffic violation; we're not dealing with a felon. The judge will hear both stories, decide which one he believes (hmm, a male with a clean record or a female with an awful record...), or which parts he believes, and then find fault accordingly.

Unless Jjacks attests to locking up.

Jjacks: if anything, you don't want to tell anyone you locked up. So don't tell the judge "I locked up but remained control because I am a skilled driver".

The girl probably wouldn't know the difference. She's the only other person who could attest to this, apparently. You could do it, but I wouldn't advise lieing.

 

[Matt R]

You can feel however you want but physics and car operations do not lie, you can not steer when your wheels are locked up, therefore you couldn't steer out of the way if there was a little old lady in your way. You did not have control of your vehicle no matter if you think you did or not...and quit being so cocky, you are what 20? You are not a good driver no matter how much you think you are.

I'm not being cocky about anything. I don't doubt for a second that my driving skill compared to that of a 30 year old is far less. Not for a second.

I think being 20 and driving as much as I have and do, (I put 1000 miles a week on my car.) does give me an edge over a 16 year old who has had multiple accident compared to be squeaky clean driving record.

I never claimed to be an expert driver. I do standby me being in control of my car, despite what you all say. I can't argue with physics and whatnot. I know that.

 

[sn00pie]

You could do it, but I wouldn't advise lieing.

Yeah, you may not want this thread to be around much longer also.

 

[Kylehnat]

I think being 20 and driving as much as I have and do, (I put 1000 miles a week on my car.) does give me an edge over a 16 year old who has had multiple accident

Part of that "edge" should be staying away from 16 year-olds who have multiple accidents. "Good" drivers don't force others into difficult situations, as you did to this girl. Having excellent car control is nice, but it never compensates for those who don't.

I don't find kylehnats comments justified a bit.

I'll have a good cry over that one.

 

[V1P3R]

Everyone made all the points I would've so I'll just say take em to Judge Judy!

 

[Matt R]

Part of that "edge" should be staying away from 16 year-olds who have multiple accidents. "Good" drivers don't force others into difficult situations, as you did to this girl. Having excellent car control is nice, but it never compensates for those who don't.

"Good" drivers make mistakes. I didn't know who or how old this girl was until the accident happened.

I'll have a good cry over that one.

Oh please. There was at no point any need for your rude sarcasm. I simply said I don't feel you're calling me a bad driver was justified. Grow up.

 

[Matt R]

Update.

After speaking with both parties parents over the telephone, things seem to be in my favor. The girl told her parents that I was in tears begging for the cops not to be called because I had to many points on my license. I informed the parents that my record is clean and even gave them my driver's license number. I went on to tell them that she was in fact the one pleading for the cops to not be called for fear of getting into trouble when she got home. She gave her parents false exit numbers and told them this had happened in GA. The girl has a history of accidents which was also brought forth by me giving my defense to them. The girl also found other things about the accident to lie about. Not to mention that she told her parents she was going to the movies with 3 girlfriends when in fact she was out of state with a group of around 25 people.

Both parties parents have told me they've heard nothing but good things of me and that they were impressed with the respect I had given them over the telephone. So the longer the parents and I spoke, the more trouble their daughter got in, and the more her story of the accident became less believable.

The truth always works itself out. I have agreed to pay 20% of the cost of repair. Only because I feel somewhat responsible since I did make an illegal lane change. That 20% was offered by me out of respect, and it was respectfully accepted.

So as of right now, unless they get tricky, things should be fine.

 

[sn00pie]

Update.

After speaking with both parties parents over the telephone, things seem to be in my favor. The girl told her parents that I was in tears begging for the cops not to be called because I had to many points on my license. I informed the parents that my record is clean and even gave them my driver's license number. I went on to tell them that she was in fact the one pleading for the cops to not be called for fear of getting into trouble when she got home. She gave her parents false exit numbers and told them this had happened in GA. The girl has a history of accidents which was also brought forth by me giving my defense to them. The girl also found other things about the accident to lie about. Not to mention that she told her parents she was going to the movies with 3 girlfriends when in fact she was out of state with a group of around 25 people.

Both parties parents have told me they've heard nothing but good things of me and that they were impressed with the respect I had given them over the telephone. So the longer the parents and I spoke, the more trouble their daughter got in, and the more her story of the accident became less believable.

The truth always works itself out. I have agreed to pay 20% of the cost of repair. Only because I feel somewhat responsible since I did make an illegal lane change. That 20% was offered by me out of respect, and it was respectfully accepted.

So as of right now, unless they get tricky, things should be fine.

Wow, that girl sounds like a real bitch to me... [/offtopic]

However I still don't think it's okay what you did.

 

[Kylehnat]

Oh please. There was at no point any need for your rude sarcasm.

At no point in this thread have I said anything sarcastic. I've meant everything I have said.

I simply said I don't feel you're calling me a bad driver was justified.

I never said you are a bad driver--just that you weren't exactly helping matters when this happened.

 

[Slicks]

Jjacks, was it wet or dry out?

Just curious to know.

 

[Matt R]

Just to clear things up.

I do not think what I did was right. I am fully aware that my actions were more than questionable. I made a very dangerous and stupid move. I've learned, and I'll never act so stupidly behind the wheel again.

It only took one mistake for me to learn to never take chances.

Edit:
kylehnat, I won't argue with you. The posts are self explanatory.

Slicks, it was dry out. No rain in sight.

 

[Sharky.]

Adding to Slicks' post: did the car have ABS?

 

[McLaren]

Everyone made all the points I would've so I'll just say take em to Judge Judy!

Jjacks would lose even if he had 30 witnesses testifying for him, and the girl had the world's worst driving record....

 

[Slicks]

Adding to Slicks' post: did the car have ABS?

No, obviously not. He locked up the brakes.

The Civic behind him probably didn't either.

 

[Loon]

Oh please. There was at no point any need for your rude sarcasm. Grow up.

What goes around, comes around.[/offtopic]

 

[Wolfe]

I'm glad things worked out, Jjacks, but I'm still at a loss as to how the collision occurred after you already entered the exit lane. I'm also trying to figure out how a lane change and three seconds of wheel lock-up could occur at the same time.

 

[Matt R]

I'm glad things worked out, Jjacks, but I'm still at a loss as to how the collision occurred after you already entered the exit lane. I'm also trying to figure out how a lane change and three seconds of wheel lock-up could occur at the same time.

I'd imagine that she had trouble handling her braking seeing as how all three cars had to brake quick and dart into the exit ramp.

The lane change and lock up happened almost together. I darted lanes and used my brake. Once I was in the exit lane, I locked my brakes to slow myself down more since I was still traveling to fast. Around that time, the two cars hit one another.

 

[Joey D]

You weren't by chance in excess of the speed limit now were you?

 

[Matt R]

You weren't by chance in excess of the speed limit now were you?

I can't say for sure, but I'd lean more towards no. Nobody was acting or driving crazy. The exit came up closer than we had all expected is all. We didn't know which exit it was, but when the first car darted off we followed suit. That's the reason for the three cars having to brake so suddenly.

 

[Max Powers]

Give it a rest, Joey, at least his accident was real.

 

[Joey D]

I can't say for sure, but I'd lean more towards no. Nobody was acting or driving crazy. The exit came up closer than we had all expected is all. That's the reason for the three cars having to brake so suddenly.

I don't sure seems like all of you were. But whatever.

Give it a rest, Joey, at least his accident happened.

Meh, there is no way to prove it but whatever on that one too.

 

[Matt R]

Joey, I'm not understanding where you're going with this. I'm getting hassled for making one stupid mistake. Jeez, I wasn't trying to hurt anyone. I ask for help, and I get jerked around for it.

 

[McLaren]

Give it a rest, Joey, at least his accident was real.

That was cold.....

 

[Joey D]

You posted your story on the internet so you are going to get hassled for it, it happens to everyone who posts something like this...whether they are sorry for it or not.

I personally don't think you are given us the whole story, but whatever, it's your issue not mine.

That was cold.....

Yet justified.