I headed out yesterday morning to do errands and didn't get more than 5 miles from my house when I had a car accident. Both I and the other guy were sitting facing each other at a red light. He was going to turn left in front of me.

When the light turned green, we both started out. I tend to start out cautiously while looking left and right to make sure nobody is running the redlight from the other direction. Well, I guess I was going too slow for him and he hit his gas pretty hard to zip in front of me and the right corner of his van plowed dead center into my bumper.

He gets out of his car screaming about how he had a green light. Yes...so did I. And his light is still green. Yes...so is mine. He never seemed to understand that I had the right of way. Then he starts talking about how he doesn't want any problems and let's just go our own way. Ummm...the hood of my car is buckled in half and he's destroyed my radiator and it looks like there's most likely over $6K damage...don't think so.

When I told him 'no' because I needed a police report for my insurance company, he kept insisting that he didn't want any problems and started getting back in his car! I'm standing outside my car and he starts driving off but to do so he literally had to shove my car out of the way because he's buried in the front bumper! So I'm busily scrambling out of the way to keep from getting run over by my own car, not believing that this guy is just leaving and I hear a 'whoop whoop'. No joke...the sheriff deputy just happened to be driving by!

The guy got about 2 blocks down and must've looked in his mirror and saw the flashing lights because he stopped and then had the nerve to tell the deputy that he was just moving his car out of the intersection.

I think he lost all credibility though when the deputy discovered he was driving on a revoked license because of a DUI. They towed his car and took him off to jail. I guess he thought risking a hit and run (and maybe never getting caught) was better than this.

For all those times when I wished a cop was around, thank you God for putting this one right where I needed him when I most needed him!

Glad you are OK, Elfie. I hope they fix your car quickly, but with the holidays here, I don't think that will happen.

Mimi

A couple of pieces of advice. I live in Atlanta, GA LOTS of traffic and I have a 84 mile round trip commute each day.

1. Always have your cellphone with you and charged.

2. If your cellphone doesn't have a camera in it get a new phone.

3. If you're in an accident ALWAYS call 911 before you even get out of your car.

4. When you get out of your car, go to the back of the other car (if he's at fault or not) and take a picture of his license tag.

5. If any other drivers stopped, ask if they actually saw the accident and if so, would they stay to talk to the police with you.

6. If the other driver is belligerant, do not engage in an argument with him because it will only escalate.

7. Compose yourself and think through exactly what happened so that you can tell the police when they arrive.

If you do all this, you've done everything you can do to have the facts for the police. I was in an accident where the other driver didn't realize I took a couple of pictures of the accident and one that had his license tag in it. He moved his car and then told the officer a pack of lies about the accident which made me the at-fault party. When the officer talked to me, I whipped out my cellphone, brought up the pictures and the jerk got the ticket, not me.

I was in another accident with a 19 year old girl who drove away from the scene of the accident, finally stopped, told me the accident was my fault, hopped in her car and drove away. I managed a picture of her tag when I was following her. The police found her from the tag, found out she'd never had any sort of a learner's permit or drivers license in her life, and that her mother had given her the car keys so she could go shopping. Here in Georgia, driving without being licensed is an arrestable offense and that girl went to jail -- and she is prevented from getting a license for several years. After traffic court, the mother was very angry at me! Her daughter wasn't going to be able to go to University of Georgia because she can't have a drivers license. I just shook my head and said "not my fault, m'aam" and walked away.

Great idea about taking photos with your cell! I'll have to tell that one to my 17 year old.

I have to admit that I was shaking so badly though that I don't think any pics would've come out.

.

So glad to hear you are ok! That is what is most important!

Cars can always be fixed.

Merry Christmas!

Glad you are OK, Elfie. I hope they fix your car quickly, but with the holidays here, I don't think that will happen.

Mimi

Thanks, Mimi. Fortunately, my husband is off for the next week and we have another car. After that my schedule is flexible enough that I can drop everyone off at work and school and then go to work.

So no stress to get my car back quickly.

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Glad you are OK, isn't it amazing how things happen sometimes? Have a wonderful holiday!

I am thankful that you are okay. As you said, "a car can be fixed". I know you have already said a thanksgiving prayer. Have a Merry Christmas.

Wow what a story! I'm glad that jerk got caught!

The same thing happened to me last year only the guy side swiped us while trying to hop the curb because he was too impatient to wait on the red light. He looked like a total crackhead and yelled at us, "That's what you get for not moving!" Well where the heck were we supposed to go? Unfortunately he got away and they supposedly couldn't find who the guy was even though I had written down the tag. GRR!!!

But yeah, God was definately looking out for you! haha :thumbup: