S
SweeteyPi
Guest
What is the name of your state? What is the name of your state? What is the name of your state? OK
I was turning left and had a green light (not an arrow) and I hit a truck that was also turning left. I was watching the corner convenience store closely since drivers frequently drive out from that lot at high speeds (I live behind this store and see this all the time). I was turning left from A street onto B, going south. I hit a car turning left from B onto A, going east. He and his girlfriend, in a separate car behind him, said that they had a green arrow.
It was late at night and the timing of the lights was dependent upon the cars waiting at the intersection rather than being timed. The interval between green-yellow-red can be literally as short as a couple of seconds. The only conclusion that I can make is that the light changed as I was entering the intersection and since I was concentrating on watching for traffic. I wasn't trying to beat the light since the wait-time is never very long at that time of night (about 10:30).
I did not receive any moving violation tickets. I did receive a ticket for not having insurance (Incredibly stupid on my part - it had lapsed the month before). I am waiting for the report to see if he received any tickets. My car is totaled (about $1300 worth). had injury (soft tissue) to hand and chest. I missed a few days at work and this has slowed down my progress on completing my degree which is necessary for me to have to be able to start a new job next month. I've gone through my medical insurance and taken medical leave because I didn't think that my injuries and cost to my car was worth filing a complaint since I've been told that will increase my insurance costs and my student health care would pay for most of the doctor's bills and I would have to hire an attorney as well as hiring someone to help me move now.
His truck was probably totaled as well – the driver’s door was dented and the tow truck driver thought the axle was broken. The truck was an older model as well. More importantly, I received a letter from his attorney asking for payment of his medical bills.
My main question is: What is the usual policy for determining fault in cases like this? Since I probably entered the intersection without allowing enough time to clear, and since his girlfriend acts as a witness, I realize that I'll be probably assuming some % of the liability up front. I don't think that the guy and his girlfriend were lying, but the last thing I saw as I reached the intersection was a green circle. Is he also at fault for not waiting for the intersection to clear?
I realize that some people seem to believe that technicalities can get them "off the hook," but I am trying to understand how these decisions are made. I know I'll have to hire an attorney, but hope to settle things fairly.
Thank you in advance for your advice.
I was turning left and had a green light (not an arrow) and I hit a truck that was also turning left. I was watching the corner convenience store closely since drivers frequently drive out from that lot at high speeds (I live behind this store and see this all the time). I was turning left from A street onto B, going south. I hit a car turning left from B onto A, going east. He and his girlfriend, in a separate car behind him, said that they had a green arrow.
It was late at night and the timing of the lights was dependent upon the cars waiting at the intersection rather than being timed. The interval between green-yellow-red can be literally as short as a couple of seconds. The only conclusion that I can make is that the light changed as I was entering the intersection and since I was concentrating on watching for traffic. I wasn't trying to beat the light since the wait-time is never very long at that time of night (about 10:30).
I did not receive any moving violation tickets. I did receive a ticket for not having insurance (Incredibly stupid on my part - it had lapsed the month before). I am waiting for the report to see if he received any tickets. My car is totaled (about $1300 worth). had injury (soft tissue) to hand and chest. I missed a few days at work and this has slowed down my progress on completing my degree which is necessary for me to have to be able to start a new job next month. I've gone through my medical insurance and taken medical leave because I didn't think that my injuries and cost to my car was worth filing a complaint since I've been told that will increase my insurance costs and my student health care would pay for most of the doctor's bills and I would have to hire an attorney as well as hiring someone to help me move now.
His truck was probably totaled as well – the driver’s door was dented and the tow truck driver thought the axle was broken. The truck was an older model as well. More importantly, I received a letter from his attorney asking for payment of his medical bills.
My main question is: What is the usual policy for determining fault in cases like this? Since I probably entered the intersection without allowing enough time to clear, and since his girlfriend acts as a witness, I realize that I'll be probably assuming some % of the liability up front. I don't think that the guy and his girlfriend were lying, but the last thing I saw as I reached the intersection was a green circle. Is he also at fault for not waiting for the intersection to clear?
I realize that some people seem to believe that technicalities can get them "off the hook," but I am trying to understand how these decisions are made. I know I'll have to hire an attorney, but hope to settle things fairly.
Thank you in advance for your advice.