Got my first ticket and accident, if you can call it an accident...

"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
12/19/2013 at 15:15 • Filed to: None

Well Oppo, after 5 years of a pristine driving record I finally managed to get a blemish. I was at a 3 way intersection with a lone stop sign (where I was) and was making a left turn. Before turning I did my usual look both ways, was clear an set off. Half way through my turn I heard metal on metal and felt a small bump. A parked truck with a snowplow on the front decided it would be a great time to pull out. He was looking behind his shoulder while pulling out and didn't see me going through the intersection, anyways his plow hit my right front, tore off my license plate holder, smashed my reflector, and scratched and cracked my bumper. Nothing real major but very noticeable. Anyways even before Im out of the car he calls his state trooper buddy who's on duty to come over. There wasnt any damage to his truck, not even a scratch on the plow. Anyways the cop gets there looks over it all and decides that I get a ticket because I had the stop sign and insurance was involved, despite the fact that I was moving before him and was more than content to pay out of pocket for a new bumper. Long story short I got screwed because the guy knew a state trooper. Oh well, live and learn I suppose.

DISCUSSION (23)

oldirtybootz > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 15:17

Much douche bag. Very anger.

CalzoneGolem > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 15:18

Wait ... what did you learn again?

Trunk Impaired 318 > CalzoneGolem
12/19/2013 at 15:20

It pays to have friends in law enforcement

505Turbeaux > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 15:23

My sister got hit by a drunk driver who happened to be the son of the mechanic of the towns police force it happened in. It would have been his 5th DUI and he had no license, and he told my sis he would kill her if she said anything about him driving...literally. Cops show up and want to let him literally walk away and let his passenger say he was driving. Sister sued the shit out of the force and won. Passenger had a clear conscience after spilling his guts. No longer drive anywhere near those town limits. I feel for you man. Fuck tha police (when they pull shit like this)

Takuro Spirit > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 15:26

I hate to say it, but FUCK plow drivers.

Most of them are running on little to no sleep (work all day, plow all night), drive way too fast and way too aggressively (gotta get to that next lot to get PAID), and seem to forget the fact they are driving a huge truck with an even huger Blade 'O Death hanging from the front of it.

Trunk Impaired 318 > 505Turbeaux
12/19/2013 at 15:27

This was my first poor experience with the police, Ive been pulled over twice for little things (light out and failing to finish a pass before a double yellow, barely) both were state troopers and were very polite and professional about it and gave me a warning as I had no points etc. This guy though was just looking out for his friend and I took the fall for it which sucks

505Turbeaux > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 15:29

typical, real sorry to hear about that man. I am not even going to ask the state you live in, but my home state it is all intimidation from Staties. And you cross a friend of the force? Playing with fire

Trunk Impaired 318 > Takuro Spirit
12/19/2013 at 15:30

My only issue with the guy was that he called his state trooper buddy to get out of any blame and since he had no damage its not like he was gonna have to pay for anything, as I said even though its pretty much his fault I was all for paying out of pocket for a new bumper (which I was going to get anyway) and avoiding all the hassle of an accident report, and for essentially trying to be a nice guy I get points on my license, a fine and jacked up insurance rates now

Takuro Spirit > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 15:31

See? Fuck 'em.

Trunk Impaired 318 > 505Turbeaux
12/19/2013 at 15:32

Im in upstate New York, the state troopers are usually the good guys up here, plus Im friends with a couple, but I just was unfortunate enough to get clipped by an asshole who only wanted to cover his ass

505Turbeaux > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 15:35

I agree, I have caught a few pull overs up there (for much over, with out of state plates, left with warnings), and I agree. They are professionals up there, same with Maine where I live now.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 15:37

See if you can take it to court. contest the ticket.

dammitjim1 > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 15:39

That's one ticket I would fight in court. No way would I pay (or the resulting insurance rates) it until after a judge or two issued a verdict.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
12/19/2013 at 15:43

I'll be back at college on the court date

Trunk Impaired 318 > dammitjim1
12/19/2013 at 15:44

Ill be back at college on the court date so Im SOL

jariten1781 > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 15:45

You can fight that. It'd most likely going to turn into a partial fault (50/50 I'd guess) accident if he was entering the roadway and you were making a turn. If he was already fully in the roadway by the time of the collision though, you'll lose. Hope you got pictures. Good luck.

The Dummy Gummy > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 15:49

You should have called 911 and asked for back up. That would have ended the fraud pretty quickly if it was evident that the other guy was in the wrong. Also, did you take pictures? You can try to contest it that way.

This situation is really really unfortunate. Sorry to hear man.

That Guy > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 15:57

Something similar happened to me with my first accident.

You know those yellow crossing lines that appear before a left turn lane that you're not supposed to go over? Well, when I was getting into a left turn lane (with my turn signal on) right at the moment when those yellow crossing lines finished and the actual lane begins a car passed me on my left slightly over the oncoming lane and then over the lines trying to get into the left lane as well as passing me and hit me on my left side.

The guy called his friend who was a cop and I got the ticket.

deekster_caddy > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 16:02

I second this - fight it in court. You were on the road, you "were" traffic (even though at a stop sign), you had the rights of way. He was pulling out into traffic and required to yield to traffic from any direction. You can request a new court date, or submit a written statement.

no reason for having a ticket on your driving record. You never know when you may need to refer back to that 'clean driving record'...

Leadbull > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 16:07

You can probably request a different court date.

BKRM3 > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 16:32

Hire a lawyer to go for you. You don't need to be physically present. You can also write the court to ask for a continuance (move the case forward) to a date you can be there. If you were already through the intersection and the guy just pulled out right into you without looking then I think you have a pretty good case for avoiding fault. And anyway I'd make everyone show up to court on principle just for pulling that call-your-buddy BS.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Trunk Impaired 318
12/19/2013 at 17:58

Reschedule. I had a court date for a ticket while I was at school. They rescheduled to a later date. By that time the cop forgot all the details and I was off the hook.

TwoFortified > oldirtybootz
12/19/2013 at 18:39

Such plow