QuestionIm a 1st timer, never hit anyone or have been hit, HELP!!! Sorry for spelling was typing in a hurry
I Stopped And waited for around 3-4 min to pull out of a gas stanchion, and made a right hand turn, there was a high bank of snow blocking a portion of my visions(we got 1 ½ feet of snow the week before on top of what was like of the 1 ½ feet from a storm a few weeks before, but I could see cars coming, I saw the light at the intersection, that’s a good ways from where I was pulling out, the light went yellow I saw a car approaching the intersection ,(the others stopped for the light) but Fully believe I had time to pull out. After pulling out onto shady grove Road and speeding up I saw +++++s car in my driver’s side mirror approaching quickly, he attempted to swerve(at that point I was not to worried thinking he was not going to hit me) into the middle lane but reacted to slow I guess, I was hit on the back side of the driver’s side and all the way down to the front. When I came to a stop the front of my car was facing the curb he came to a stop about 20 yards down the road(guessing). I striated my car out, the car made a lots noise and didn’t feel right at all. I believe he speed up to make the light and did not react in time to prevent the collision. And I can’t believe no one stopped who could serve as a witness?? At that point I called the cops and got out of my car. The guy in the other backs up and parks in front of my car to my car gets out and starts talking about his car just getting out of the body shop. I asked him the road name and he told me….after getting off the phone I said “can’t believe no one stopped” and he look like something clicked in his head and he want from worried to getting up in my face and saying it was my falt, and made a point to tell who ever he was talking to on his cell that a dumb ass white boy pulled out and he side swiped me. I didn’t say much of anything and got back in my car getting all my paper work handy, the cop pulled up and asked me what happened I said “ well I pulled out and he hit me!”, I said to this cop the “snow did block a small spot but I saw him coming from the light and idk what happened?” he and another cop went over and talked to him, when they came back they just asked “if I could drive the car home.” I pointed the my front drivers side tire witch looked bent and mangled (I was hit on the back side 1st / Drive a 2005 civic…kinda car with idk? A big ass?) he did not hit right on the back but the vary back side. ( I Felt this 1st like a push I guess? next thing I know my mirror smashes and my car spines front end left and I stop facing that way) it is now 2 days after…….I have talk the the 24 hour line ppl for my car inherence but not talked to the lady to take my statement, I am in a Really good culinary school One of the top 10 in the USA. ….{Cant really tell my teacher, the French chef from the white house or the other the chef from the French embassy I was out side on the phone at 9:30am trying to handle stuff out side of class} and don’t get out until 4:00-4:30pm and head into school at 5am…….. The lady has called but when I get out of class and try to call her, Or anyone from her office only get the machine. Leaving about 5 messages for her so far! I called the 24 hour line agen today…the lady said the guy has called then and is now trying to go to the doc. And that they were saying im at falt. But they had the date wrong! I was like this happen on the 16th this month not last!...and told her about what happened and she said I need to write everything down and talk to her as soon as I can, She called the claims adjuster and left a message as well, and then called and left messages for all the employs that work under her, and call the Manager for the area and left messages for them as well. Now his inherence ppl are calling but I don’t think I should talk to them before mine? Even know they called at a time I could not reach mine….Nationwide + a guy from my class came up to me today and said “Man did I watch you get hit the other day?” I was like yea he said “ I was at the light going right and saw the guy speed up the make the light. Right after I turned I saw him in the middle lain and u spin”….but I don’t really know this guy and don’t wana say someone saw it and drag him into it unwilling, b.c. the body shop I had my car towed to said it looked from the damage that he was at wrong. Idk help!!?? Was I at fault or him!!!
AnswerHi John,
In most cases when you pull out of a parking lot and get hit by somone that was already on the road, it will be considerd to be your fault. This is because the person already on the road has the right of way.
In your case you would have to have this witness you located to be willing to give a statement to the insurance company. Even with his statement that the other driver was speeding to try to beet the light, about the best you can hope for is 50/50 liability. This means that you would each be considered to be half at fault. But even half is better than none, so you should try to get the witness to give a statement.
I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh
