Comments on Yakko Warner: Maybe treating it as a four-way stop is best

Ouch.. hope everything comes back clear from the d...

2011-05-20T00:04:57.233-06:00

Ouch.. hope everything comes back clear from the doctor's office. I know it took me forever to get back in working order after my accident a few years ago.. You're right that the other driver should have been paying attention to the visual cues, sounds like she was the careless one..

First, I think so. Just sore. I have a doctor appo...

2011-05-19T19:19:09.111-06:00

First, I think so. Just sore. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow morning though.

Second, the body shop has a preliminary estimate of $8200. Insurance hasn't looked at it yet, but that number is pretty close to totaling it. (I got a trade-in appraisal on it not that long ago, and that was only $6000.)

Last, I managed to find the number of the city traffic manager, and he confirmed when a tech went to check on the light, he noted the lights were completely dark in my direction. He told me he'd check to see what it takes to get an "official" statement to that effect. Court is in two months, so I have time to check back with him.

First, I hope you are alright. Lights malfunctioni...

2011-05-19T18:40:07.272-06:00

First, I hope you are alright. Lights malfunctioning is a great way for things like that to happen, and being T-boned is one of the most dangerous types of accidents to have.

Second, any info on your car (the Prius I assume) or do you need to wait for the insurance to look at it?

Last, you're right, images and video of the light would have gone a long way towards helping you. Is there a way you could contact the city's transportation folks and see if they have record of the malfunctioning lights? Since everything is computer controlled these days (and cameras on every intersection), maybe they have evidence to help your case.

BTW why didn't Mr. Turnleft get hit?

Now, for the ranting. I'm kicking myself for ...

2011-05-19T10:38:56.452-06:00

Now, for the ranting.

I'm kicking myself for not getting video of the lights. I don't know if the officer noted the dead lights in my direction in the police report, after I pointed them out to him. (Aside from being shaken, I was concentrating on the insurance agent I was on the phone with and had difficulties hearing.)

I question whether the other driver was driving safely at all. Flashing lights and a whole lot of stopped cars should've been a hint to slow down. Her airbags deployed, which would suggest some speed was involved. (Although not definitively. The NHTSA states airbags typically deploy at about a 28mph collision with another vehicle, although it's only estimated and other factors apply.)

I will definitely fight the careless driving charge. The circumstances suggest I was doing the right thing at the right time. While I won't go so far as to say she should be cited for anything, I am confident that I was not "at fault".