Dear ol' Dad Hit Someone

[Iamchris]

What is the name of your state? Massachusetts

Hi all, and thanks for taking the time for my post.

Today my father was in a auto accident, pretty straight foward scenerio.
He was pulling off of a light and taking a left behind a trucks. He went a good 75 feet down the road travelling at aprox. 20-25mph with 25-30ft of distance between his vehicle and the truck infront of him.
The truck infront of him suddenly slammed on his brakes in response to the individual infront of him. My father then slammed on his brakes and slid into the truck infront of him, crushing in his front end and denting the trucks bumper.
(If it matters, the guy infront of the truck was swirving around trying to figure out where he was going, and caused the truck to slam his brakes. The guy in the truck stated that this was the cause for him slamming his brakes.)
Nobody was cited, nobody has yet claimed injury. He has full coverage.

My initial thoughts are that he had sufficient braking distance for his speed, and that his speed was not excessive. However, he did end up hitting the truck anyway.
I am also thinking the area could be excessively sandy due to the long winter and melting snow.

Thoughts?
Do you find him liable? Do you think that sandy road conditions could be a factor that would effect the liability? Anything else?

Thanks again for your help.

[WuWei]

>>Thoughts?
Do you find him liable?

Yes.


>>My initial thoughts are that he had sufficient braking distance for his speed, and that his speed was not excessive. However, he did end up hitting the truck anyway.


He either didn't have sufficient distance or he was not paying attention. Either way, he will be found liable.

Braking distance depends on what you are driving and the conditions. For example if the roads are slippery, sandy or icy or any condition that is not ideal, you will have to adjust your distance accordingly. They say that when the roads are wet, it is a general rule to allow twice the distance so it is a minimum 4 secs for regular sized vehicles, cateris paribus.

[Iamchris]

Well, if I have nothing else to go on... my best chance is the sand anyway.
Not that I intend for this to become a real legal issue, but perhaps it will bring leniance from the insurance company.

Hopefully his insurance wont suffer dramatically. My parents can't really afford more bills, and this is his first accident in his 25+ years of driving. He also only has two tickets ever. Not sure if that stuff figures in at all... maybe.

Oh, and thanks you much for your response

[Lynx 36]

Quote: "Well, if I have nothing else to go on... my best chance is the sand anyway.

No it isn't. The sand is irrelevant.

Quote: "Not that I intend for this to become a real legal issue, but perhaps it will bring leniance from the insurance company.

It will go as an at-fault accident. If he hasn't turned in a claim in a few years, or had any recent tickets, then they may leave his rates alone.

Have him turn it into his insurance co. and let them handle it unless he wants to pay all the money out of pocket. He is liable f/ the accident, and it doesn't matter what the road conditions were. If a driver chooses to drive in road conditions, then they also take the responsibility should they cause a wreck.

[Iamchris]

As an update, no claims were made against my father at all.
My father claimed against his own insurance for repairs and admitted fault rather than arguing it. His insurance was not affected as far as I know.