Got hit by a truck

"Frank Grimes" (FrankGrimes)
12/30/2014 at 18:54 • Filed to: crashlopnik

A huge truck not a semi a huge fully complete tanker truck. I was in the right turn lane he was in the left turn lane we were both turning right, apparently he needed my lane as his own well he hit and wrecked my miata's precious quarter panel. Luckily a police officer was there and a report was filed. He didn't cite either of us. Apparently there was a witness statement that I hit the truck. How that is even possible I don't know but I guess I technically did hit the truck as it was coming into my lane because he couldn't make a turn and I doubt he could even see me.

Insurance companies have been called and I am still stressed out and tense down in my stomach area.

The car looks banged up but nothing seems wrong except smashed quarter panel and a chunk out of the lip of the wheel.

The truck driver had the gall to keep telling me that I should be careful around big trucks!!! This was after him telling me he got lost and had to turn around and that he shouldn't have been in the lane he was in. What am I supposed to be careful about? I don't know if his truck can't make a turn nor can I be careful enough to prevent one from coming into my lane and hitting me mid turn.

The good thing is the car can be repaired I didn't die and the best thing is the cop congratulated me on controlling the car when I spun out into the intersection.

hopefully the nerves will go back to normal the truck insurance company will pay me to fix my car and all of this will be behind me.

right now I think I am just gonna be stressed out and worried for a while.

DISCUSSION (28)

CB > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 18:58

No injuries though, right? Do something relaxing this evening to take your mind off of things.

Sending my best wishes and a speedy recovery, for you and your Miata.

jkm7680 > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 18:58

Glad you're ok, Know if he saw you?

Frank Grimes > jkm7680
12/30/2014 at 19:02

I dont know if he did or not. his right end of the bumper hit me on the wheel opening of the quarter panel so maybe he could out the windshield. but I dont know why he would be turning left on the inside lane with a huge tanker truck and why then he decided to swing out into my lane there are the white painted lane marks so you dont do what he did. I was just drivin along paying attention to traffic and the next second I am spun out and sitting in the middle of the intersection.

44444444444 > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 19:11

Glad you're ok. Being next to big trucks still scares me even in a Volvo wagon.

505Turbeaux > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 19:12

Best things in order - you didnt get hurt, your car is repairable, you didn't catch a ticket you didn't deserve. Glad to have you among the living and healthy!

HammerheadFistpunch > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 19:13

where were you? what truck? (caldwell, perchance?)

dogisbadob > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 19:16

That's what happens when you overwork tired truckers and pay them by the mile with third-world quality trucks with drum brakes and no synchromesh. The only way they ever get any rest is when their CDL is suspended.

No really though, hope you're OK and everything works out and that the trucker's insurance pays.

Steve in Manhattan > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 19:17

Glass half full - someone's insurance will pay for it. Make sure your insurance company has all the details, because they should negotiate with truck idiot's insurer to get it sorted.

Frank Grimes > HammerheadFistpunch
12/30/2014 at 19:18

2012 perterbilt 389? I dont know much other than that.

HammerheadFistpunch > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 19:19

freeway or in town?

Funktheduck > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 19:25

Glad you're all right.

Frank Grimes > HammerheadFistpunch
12/30/2014 at 19:35

in town.

Frank Grimes > Steve in Manhattan
12/30/2014 at 19:36

they said they cant really do anything since I dont have collision they dont have anything to collect and that something to the effect that I will be dealing with the insuance company of the truck.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 19:37

Shit, man. You have my feels.

damn truckers

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 20:02

Isn't is sorta common knowledge that large trucks needs two lanes to make corners, often starting in the left and cutting into the right? Don't they still have those warning signs on the back?

Takuro Spirit > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 20:07

Glad you're okay. Sorry about the Miata. :(

Tis why I never trust trucks. If they be turning, I either hang back to make sure they can make it/leave me room, or get ahead of them before they start their turn.

PushToStart > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 20:18

damn, sorry to hear that, and I'm glad you're alright.

Hopefully things work out for you, however I'm not sure what your chances are of being found not at-fault since most trucks have a sticker on the back warning that trucks take wide right turns.

deekster_caddy > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 20:34

that's crazy, and for the other 'witness' to say that you hit the truck is crazy too! Just keep telling your insurance company a consistent story and they will have to back you up. Did you take pictures of the scene/interchange/truck?

deekster_caddy > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 20:36

Yeah that sounds about right if you don't have collision. When somebody hit my wife's car, I got on the phone with their insurance company the following day (before THEY had reported it) and pushed the whole thing through. Our rental car was paid for directly by their insurance company right from the start.

HammerheadFistpunch > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 20:39

your making this more difficult than I was hoping, where in salt lake? I thought I saw an accident with a caldwell truck, could have been you...just curious.

Frank Grimes > HammerheadFistpunch
12/30/2014 at 20:58

not in salt lake. wasnt me.

EL_ULY > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 21:11

sheeeet :(

Frank Grimes > deekster_caddy
12/30/2014 at 21:11

nope but the police officer took photos. What gets me is the commercial drivers handbook specifically points out that all left turns should be done from right lane to prevent this very thing from happening. the truck driver should have been cited but I guess the police officer didn't witness it so he was being impartial. The truck driver wasn't in the right lane and came into mine. end of story he should be to blame and should have been ticketed.

I dont know why the witness thinks I ran into the truck I dont know how that would even be possible. I know this turn very well and there are lane markers to prevent this from happening and I know I was in my lane.

deekster_caddy > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 21:20

I have a CDL. I haven't driven commercially in years but since I don't have air brakes or tractor trailer certifications it doesn't cost me anything extra to keep it on my license renewals. I don't recall seeing 'turn left from right lane' in any of the material but they definitely warn about needing to turn wide and watching both sides for tail swingout, etc. Ugh.

It's such a rotten feeling, the whole mess. Good luck getting it sorted out!

Hooker > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 22:02

Glad you're OK. Stay safe. The nerves will calm down. Settle in with a glass of wine and a nice fire.

Frank Grimes > deekster_caddy
12/30/2014 at 22:28

I think it only refers to when there are two turn lanes. The dent isnt horrible but still a mess I dont want to deal with and enough of a dent to make me consider/worry about replacing the quarter. Pain in the butt and its my daily driver so it being off the road for a while sucks.

I keep trying to stay positive and tell myself it isnt bad and what if the car was much worse or undriveable or if I got hurt etc. but the fact is it still sucks.

Frank Grimes > Hooker
12/30/2014 at 22:30

I dont drink so I am screwed! JK.

I tried petting my cat and it seemed to work.

Hooker > Frank Grimes
12/30/2014 at 22:49

Well then, try to get some rest!