| Author | Topic |
|---|
Location:
Canberra
Registered:
August 2003
|
|
Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 12:38
|
 |
I was driving down a three lane road, middle lane and I see two cars in the middle and right lanes with emergency lights on so I slow from 90 (speed limit) to 70 and change into the left lane.
As I approach I suddenly see the overturned vehicle and the light pole across the road!! I hit the anchors but am way too late and do significant damage to my house mate's car!
I know this is technically my fault for hitting the pole, but do I have any way to go after the guy who took the pole down, he was apparently drink driving (many empties in the car, plus a half finished burbon in cup holder) and did a runner from the scene? If nothing else I would like him to pay as much as possible his drink driving cos if he missed the pole he would have cleaned up one of the oncoming cars, and very lucky the pole didn't hit one of thos on the way down. Stupid prick.
|
|
|
I supported Toymods
Banned User
Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 12:43
|
|
Did you contact the police?
If you did report this to the police with all the details, you can then report it to your insurance company and they should pay up and chase the owner of the smashed car for the money through their insurance or whatever.
|
|
|
Location:
Canberra
Registered:
August 2003
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 12:45
|
|
House mates car is a 1986 subaru, hence it aint insured.
I can afford the fix, but would like to chase the guy up just to make him pay for being a cock sucking drunk driver!
|
|
|
Location:
Kellyville, Sydney
Registered:
June 2004
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 12:46
|
|
what was the speed limit? it it was in a 60 zone or something then i'd say your pretty screwed, but if it was 90+ you might have a chance. maybe.
chris
|
|
|
I supported Toymods
Banned User
Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 12:47
|
|
|
No insurance at all?
|
|
|
Location:
Canberra
Registered:
August 2003
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 12:54
|
|
|
Well 3rd part property, but I only damages a fucked up light pole anyways! The govt has no intent on claiming any damage against the pole from me. Further more the seem willing to help my case by listing me as a co-claimant against the guy who knocked it over...
|
|
|
I supported Toymods
Banned User
Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 12:57
|
|
|
3rd part insurance is fine. The information you provided suggests that the other guy is at fault. If your insurance company sees it this way, they will pay up and chase the other persons insurance company.
|
|
|
Location:
Canberra
Registered:
August 2003
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 13:01
|
|
Speed limit was 90, so I was on the limit and slowed to well under!
Shane - I'll look into that!
|
|
|
Location:
Canberra
Registered:
August 2003
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 13:04
|
|
|
Cops said technically I could be charged cos I hit a stationary object, but he said that'd be plain tight as I was doing the right thing and he wasn't.
|
|
|
I supported Toymods
Banned User
Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 13:06
|
|
|
Tell the cop that technically he could be rapped in the ass with a Toyota hilux diff but it would only happen if he didnt keep his donut eatin mouth shut!
|
|
|
Location:
Canberra
Registered:
August 2003
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 13:13
|
|
Nah i asked him what the technicalities are he never considered charging me, he want me to go after the drunk drive too, he just wasn't sure which avenue to take. Will talk to my lawyer (a mate) tomorrow  good to know a lawyer who doesn't charge!
|
|
|
Location:
Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Japan
Registered:
January 2003
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 14:36
|
|
| Squid wrote on Mon, 18 July 2005 22:38 |
I was driving down a three lane road, middle lane and I see two cars in the middle and right lanes with emergency lights on so I slow from 90 (speed limit) to 70 and change into the left lane.
|
hehheh, maybe next time you see two cars stopped on a 3 lane 90km/hr road... in the middle and right hand lanes... with their HAZARD lights on..
maybe, just maybe, you won't be tempted to overtake them on their left at 70 
HAZARD LIGHTS
lucky you aren't geting charged...
good luck with the money chase!
|
|
|
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 14:47
|
|
|
amen
|
|
|
Location:
Canberra
Registered:
August 2003
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 18 July 2005 22:23
|
|
Yes in hindsight I probably should have slowed down more, but I had expected that the drivers of one of the two vehicles would have alerted me to the fact that there was danger in the unblocked lane, I know the first thing I did when I got out was waved other drivers down. It appeared to be a simple breakdown and I was avoiding adding to the problem by rubber necking and maitaining speed, bad call in hindsight I know.
Yes I am lucky I didn't get charged, but the police ruled it as no fault.
|
|
|
Location:
Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Japan
Registered:
January 2003
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Tue, 19 July 2005 02:53
|
|
bugger...
so why did they block the unblocked lanes? or were they all blocked? yar, no points to them for standing around like dumbasses
|
|
|
Location:
Canberra
Registered:
August 2003
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Tue, 19 July 2005 03:19
|
|
| oldcorollas wrote on Tue, 19 July 2005 12:53 |
bugger...
so why did they block the unblocked lanes? or were they all blocked? yar, no points to them for standing around like dumbasses
|
All three were blocked, but they were just standing there watching me. there was actually a 3rd and 4th car just sitting there doing nothing. Admittedly they may have been in shock, but IMHO they should have done something to stop me (and the next 6 cars!!) hitting it! After I pulled over and started waiving people down there were no more collisions with the pole.
but that is life, live and learn, I won't be so complacent around cars with their emergency lights on!
|
|
|
I supported Toymods
Banned User
Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Tue, 19 July 2005 03:25
|
|
|
So have you spoken to the insurance company yet?
|
|
|
Location:
Canberra
Registered:
August 2003
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Tue, 19 July 2005 03:48
|
|
Yeah he isn't covered, stupid bastard!
But Urban Services are keen to progress against the driver, she said she wouls see if I am covered under their insurance (she thinks so) and then they will go after him.
|
|
|
I Supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
December 2002
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Tue, 19 July 2005 05:43
|
|
Just claim it on the other guys insurance company.
If they say its your fault for hitting a stationary object and the cops agree then take whoever owned the pole to small claims court and sue them for damages under the grounds that they did not take appropriate measures to minimise the possibility of someone hitting the pole if it were laying across the road.
There is only really two ways such a court case can go... you win, are awarded damages and on your merry way... you lose on the grounds that it wasn't their fault, it was the guy that hit the pole then you have grounds to go back to the guys insurance company and sue him.
|
|
|
Location:
Canberra
Registered:
August 2003
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 25 July 2005 00:51
|
|
Well turns out the only non panel damage was the control arm rubbing on one of the CV joints/driveshafts. A good whack with a sledgie and kick the panels roughly into place and we are all good! No charge either 
|
|
|
I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
|
|
Re: Your thoughts - accident
|
Mon, 25 July 2005 09:11
|
|
|
If the drunk driver did a runner then can anyone do anything?
|
|
|
I Supported Toymods
Location:
Wollongong
Registered:
June 2003
|
|
|
