So I got in an accident

[malteseracer]

Originally Posted by CR&PW&JB

Hmmmmmm... I just noticed you also have a thread where you just ordered a new $25,000 MINI.

Maybe you don't need the military. Maybe you've got life by the balls already.

Well to be fair I tried to buy an $8,000 truck and was told I need something new and economical...so I picked a MINI so at least I could have some fun with it...what fun is a Scion :P

[malteseracer]

Originally Posted by russgriz

You're 18, you've been driving for under a year, AND you think that you are an ABOVE AVERAGE DRIVER.

THAT is your problem.

Until you realize the problems with that statement, you will be a problem for yourself and the people on the road around you.


Just think about it.

Just think about the other people on the road. Above average driver doesn't mean I think I'm a good driver or a mature driver, because that would be ridiculous to think. I do, however, think I'm a little bit better of a driver than that guy that stops 15 feet before a light and holds up an entire turing lane of cars or that woman who looks up from her makeup, only to realize she's halfway into the next lane...at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

[russgriz]

Originally Posted by malteseracer

Just think about the other people on the road. Above average driver doesn't mean I think I'm a good driver or a mature driver, because that would be ridiculous to think. I do, however, think I'm a little bit better of a driver than that guy that stops 15 feet before a light and holds up an entire turing lane of cars or that woman who looks up from her makeup, only to realize she's halfway into the next lane...at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

You obviously didn't think about it; didn't think long enough at least.

Or, you did think about it but are too young or not intelligent enough to see the error in your thinking.

Don't post, don't reply, turn off your computer, go somewhere quiet, eliminate distractions, sit and think about the accident and what has been said here. Come back in a couple of days and tell us where your thoughts took you. You asked a question at the end of your first post, and these people have tried to help you, but you've got yourself into a situation where you are pretty screwed either way. You are out money, but you will lose a lot more if you don't learn from this.

Or just post some self-serving garbage that will get you nowhere in this world.

I hope you choose to think about it and that it helps you. You will be happier in the long run even if you don't feel so good right now.

Good luck

[clayvt]

I say you should have called the police. even if it was a minor fender bender call the police. If this guy was a "little spacey" there may have ben something bigger there that you arent trained to recognize. Also they can be there to help facilitate the exchanging of the information...and also run the involved persons to make sure the info that is being exchanged is real. plus you never know the guy may have had warrants. And one more thing, i dont know about NY but here in NM all accidents have to be reported to the police. if they arent reported within 5 days, you could actually get cited for failure to report. just somehting to think about for the future. Oh and calling the police wont be reflected in the insurance, the police just make a case number for their records...they dont go out and tell insurance companies.

[malteseracer]

Originally Posted by clayvt

I say you should have called the police. even if it was a minor fender bender call the police. If this guy was a "little spacey" there may have ben something bigger there that you arent trained to recognize. Also they can be there to help facilitate the exchanging of the information...and also run the involved persons to make sure the info that is being exchanged is real. plus you never know the guy may have had warrants. And one more thing, i dont know about NY but here in NM all accidents have to be reported to the police. if they arent reported within 5 days, you could actually get cited for failure to report. just somehting to think about for the future. Oh and calling the police wont be reflected in the insurance, the police just make a case number for their records...they dont go out and tell insurance companies.

Probably would have been a good idea, but like Lisa said...not at my best. In truth, being that it was not only my first accident, but my mindset at the time (was actually on my way to the cemetery to go to my Mom's gravesite), I was not at my best to say the least. Needless to say I would do a lot differently if I could do it over again (like idk...avoid him), but unfortunately I can't do that.

[CR&PW&JB]

Originally Posted by clayvt

I say you should have called the police. even if it was a minor fender bender call the police. If this guy was a "little spacey" there may have ben something bigger there that you arent trained to recognize. Also they can be there to help facilitate the exchanging of the information...and also run the involved persons to make sure the info that is being exchanged is real. plus you never know the guy may have had warrants. And one more thing, i dont know about NY but here in NM all accidents have to be reported to the police. if they arent reported within 5 days, you could actually get cited for failure to report. just somehting to think about for the future. Oh and calling the police wont be reflected in the insurance, the police just make a case number for their records...they dont go out and tell insurance companies.

Police here in the Baltimore-DC metro area don't want to be bothered by minor fender benders. If both cars can be driven from the scene and nobody is claiming injuries at the scene, most of the time they tell you to exchange info and go on your way.

Of course, I doubt the police in New Mexico are as busy as the police around here. I visited NM last year and the pace is a bit different. A bit...

[inimini2007]

Not NYC Cops in Long Island...They love their traffic reports and then trying to find your traffic report...then they still haven't finished the report yet...that's another week or more...good luck!

There is no above-average driver in NYC. If you think that way then you'll have more accidents.

You always have to be defensive and aggressive with Long Island Drivers...your alert level goes up 50% once you hit Sunrise Highway and LIE.

I am a firm believer of "What goes around...comes around!" If someone is trying to scam the system...it will bite them in the butt in the future. If someone is honest...it will work itself out...

Make sure you keep notes on everything, keep copies of everything (photos taken)...etc...

[Bruce/Fl]

Originally Posted by russgriz

You obviously didn't think about it; didn't think long enough at least.

Or, you did think about it but are too young or not intelligent enough to see the error in your thinking.

Don't post, don't reply, turn off your computer, go somewhere quiet, eliminate distractions, sit and think about the accident and what has been said here. Come back in a couple of days and tell us where your thoughts took you. You asked a question at the end of your first post, and these people have tried to help you, but you've got yourself into a situation where you are pretty screwed either way. You are out money, but you will lose a lot more if you don't learn from this.

Or just post some self-serving garbage that will get you nowhere in this world.

I hope you choose to think about it and that it helps you. You will be happier in the long run even if you don't feel so good right now.

Good luck

I think you're being a little bit harsh on the kid. Re-read what he said, the whole sentence was "I think I'm an above average driver, but I think we all think that of ourselves." That last qualifier shows more wisdom than many, many of the more *seasoned* individuals out there are capable of.

Did i make mistakes at that age, of course. Did you? I would think so too.

He didn't come here for lectures, he came for help and support, and probably not to be enthusiastically told to give himself a time out.

JMHO

[malteseracer]

Originally Posted by Bruce/Fl

I think you're being a little bit harsh on the kid. Re-read what he said, the whole sentence was "I think I'm an above average driver, but I think we all think that of ourselves." That last qualifier shows more wisdom than many, many of the more *seasoned* individuals out there are capable of.

Did i make mistakes at that age, of course. Did you? I would think so too.

He didn't come here for lectures, he came for help and support, and probably not to be enthusiastically told to give himself a time out.

JMHO

Thanks for that.
I'm pretty sure if anyone thought they were a bad driver they'd keep from getting in the car. I also have the benefit of a father being a limo driver for 30 years and knowing how to drive better than any person I've ever met. Never saw another person that could parallel park a 15 foot limo into a 2/3 car spot during NYC traffic.

[Dr Obnxs]

I can park a 15' car in a 10' spot! Take that!

Matt

[Robin Casady]

Originally Posted by Dr Obnxs

I can park a 15' car in a 10' spot! Take that!

Matt

Q: Where can you park a Hummer?

A: Anywhere you want.

[COKen]

Originally Posted by malteseracer

Just think about the other people on the road. Above average driver doesn't mean I think I'm a good driver or a mature driver, because that would be ridiculous to think. I do, however, think I'm a little bit better of a driver than that guy that stops 15 feet before a light and holds up an entire turing lane of cars or that woman who looks up from her makeup, only to realize she's halfway into the next lane...at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

That is situational awareness. Something about 90% of the drivers on the streets are missing (young, middle aged and old). If you have it, you are way ahead of the game.

[malteseracer]

Originally Posted by COKen

That is situational awareness. Something about 90% of the drivers on the streets are missing (young, middle aged and old). If you have it, you are way ahead of the game.

I'm not going to say I'm THE most aware person in the world because even if I thought that I'd be lying to myself, but I'm more aware than most. I saw a guy today (in a very cool truck) pull out into traffic literally without looking. I also got off of an onramp and merged into traffic only to see someone in a van who sped up to try and beat me rather than moving into the left lane and almost hit me, but I moved out into the shoulder.

[Jeremy1026]

Originally Posted by malteseracer

I also got off of an onramp and merged into traffic only to see someone in a van who sped up to try and beat me rather than moving into the left lane and almost hit me, but I moved out into the shoulder.

You would have been at fault if you would have been involved in an accident there. You have to yield when merging from a ramp. Wether the van sped up or slowed down, its your responsibility to not hit him if he is in the far right lane. There is also no law that says drivers in the right lane have to move over to allow people to merge, its just a common courtesy.

If I had to guess what your biggest problem as a driver is, I would have to say situational awareness. You may know what you want to do and how you plan on doing it. But that is only half of the equation, you have to know what your fellow drivers are going to do, and be prepared to react to any possible action from them.

[malteseracer]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1026

You would have been at fault if you would have been involved in an accident there. You have to yield when merging from a ramp. Wether the van sped up or slowed down, its your responsibility to not hit him if he is in the far right lane. There is also no law that says drivers in the right lane have to move over to allow people to merge, its just a common courtesy.

If I had to guess what your biggest problem as a driver is, I would have to say situational awareness. You may know what you want to do and how you plan on doing it. But that is only half of the equation, you have to know what your fellow drivers are going to do, and be prepared to react to any possible action from them.

Oh I wasn't saying that wouldn't have been my fault, Truly I should have made sure they were out of the way before moving over, they just sped up and I was not expecting it. I was more saying that I'm at least aware enough to react accordingly to situations...regardless of my contribution to the situation's actual existence.

[malteseracer]

Originally Posted by malteseracer

Oh I wasn't saying that wouldn't have been my fault, Truly I should have made sure they were out of the way before moving over, they just sped up and I was not expecting it. I was more saying that I'm at least aware enough to react accordingly to situations...regardless of my contribution to the situation's actual existence.

That didn't come out the way I meant it.
I was just referencing some ability to react to stuff. All of us contribute to problems, even accidents we aren't at fault for...legally or otherwise.

For instance: With mine I should have waited and it would have been fine...or he could have been paying attention and slightly moved to the right and avoided me.

The thing is that we need to be able to react to things that other drivers as well as ourselves cause and I was just making an example of some ability to do that.

[Jeremy1026]

Originally Posted by malteseracer

The thing is that we need to be able to react to things that other drivers as well as ourselves cause and I was just making an example of some ability to do that.

But with both of the situations referenced, if you didn't act in the first place, there would have been no need for an evasive reaction.

[malteseracer]

Originally Posted by Jeremy1026

But with both of the situations referenced, if you didn't act in the first place, there would have been no need for an evasive reaction.

Thats like saying "well if you don't drive then you won't have anyone to avoid".
I was just trying to add to your point on situational awareness. I didn't say I wasn't partially the cause or that I'm 100% aware 100% of the time, but a car going from 55 to 80 to try and beat me rather than moving over into a clear lane isn't exactly something you assume will happen either. You see one car in the right lane going 55 and you make sure to be able to get in, then you merge. You don't stare them down if they're the only car on the road in case they speed up and almost rear end you for no apparent gain. If it is somewhat crowded you might yield a lot more or spend those few extra seconds top find a hole, but surely not if you are merging onto a road with one car on it, especially if there is no way at their speed they can get near you...

[malteseracer]

So I wrote up this simple thing to have the guy sign just to cover my ass as best I can. Anything I should add/remove?

"I, _________________________________ am fully satisfied with the repairs to my vehicle following the incident that occurred on Thursday, July 2nd, 2009. I sustained no injuries and will not seek any further damages from Bryan Busuttil, Thomas Busuttil, and/or Allstate Insurance. "

<---Bryan Busuttil
My dad is Tom, who's insurance the car is under

[CR&PW&JB]

It's about 1/10th the length of the release form we use, but it's pretty good.

Smart move to include your Father. If your mother or anyone else is named on your Dad's policy, include them as well.

[malteseracer]

Originally Posted by CR&PW&JB

It's about 1/10th the length of the release form we use, but it's pretty good.

Smart move to include your Father. If your mother or anyone else is named on your Dad's policy, include them as well.

Thanks

[Dr Obnxs]

I was in an accident that someone else caused, and used a form like that where the guy addmitted fault, got lots of crap from his insurance agency. when I broke it out, they shut up and cut a check.

Matt

[Lisa Lammert]

Originally Posted by malteseracer

So I wrote up this simple thing to have the guy sign just to cover my ass as best I can. Anything I should add/remove?

"I, _________________________________ am fully satisfied with the repairs to my vehicle following the incident that occurred on Thursday, July 2nd, 2009. I sustained no injuries and will not seek any further damages from Bryan Busuttil, Thomas Busuttil, and/or Allstate Insurance. "

<---Bryan Busuttil
My dad is Tom, who's insurance the car is under

I would change the last sentence to read: "I sustained no injuries and I nor any relations of mine".....

They come out of the woodwork.......trust me.

Good luck!

[CR&PW&JB]

Originally Posted by Lisa Lammert

I would change the last sentence to read: "I sustained no injuries and I nor any relations of mine".....

They come out of the woodwork.......trust me.

Good luck!

Burden of proof. They have to prove they were in the vehicle. If he saw nobody else in the veh, no worries.

[Lisa Lammert]

Originally Posted by CR&PW&JB

Burden of proof. They have to prove they were in the vehicle. If he saw nobody else in the veh, no worries.

I meant it as relatives suing on the behalf of the "injured" relative. Since no police record exists it would be his word against theirs. Could be ugly if it were to occur. I would error on the side of caution.