tipz Posted August 26, 2012 Was sitting at the red light this morning on my way to work at a high speed intersection. Watched the intersecting lights turn amber and then red... my light turned green and i took off kind of fast to get around the cars on my left to get in front of them and make a turn just past the intersection. Anyway... a car was coming down the main road and was planting it to get through the lights.. and he t-boned me at a good 90 km/hr. he took out the front end... a seconds difference and he would have hit me square in the passenger door and i doubt i would be here typing this right now. He was in a tiny old little hyundai and i was in a big statesman... so he was a bit of a mess and was suffering a minor heart attack. Hope he is ok. My first car serious car accident ever, so i'm unsure how the insurance works and whether his third party property covers my car or not. Problem is a witness at the scene said i took off just before the lights went green... which i am 100% percent sure is not accurate. I took off the split second it turned green. But i don't know how that or his statement will affect the situation. I don't know whether i should be seeking legal representation or what to do from here. Kind of worried about this actually. I think my employment agency has me covered under there insurance for traveling to and from work... but am unsure as to how this works and whether or not it will be applicable. Anyway, my dad has loaned me a car and i have been given the day off so I'm going to spend the days organising all the orders for my trades. to let them callous sufficiently before posting. It should not delay any of these trades, so don't worry guys. Crazy start to the day that is for sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
space cadet swami Posted August 26, 2012 Feeling for u man...glad we still have u here, as I'm sure ur family are also. Keep ur chin up brother... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gollum Posted August 27, 2012 Shit man, glad you are ok. Scary way to start the day. Did the accident investigation guys turn up? If so they usually take measurements and stuff to piece together where each car was at time of impact and what speed they were travelling. If they guy was speeding through the intersection to beat the light they wil probably find out. Did you get any other witnesses names or details? Relying on one witness statement might not be enough. Hope you get it all sorted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
at0m Posted August 27, 2012 Ouch. That sucks man. Glad you're alright. Not a lawyer and I haven't been in a crash myself so I won't comment on the legal & insurance side of things. Hopefully another SABer can be of more help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tipz Posted August 27, 2012 No accident investigation team... I dont think the injuries were serous enough to warrant an investigation. they just made sure no-one was under the influence and that we were both registered and under full licence. Which we both were. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazonian Posted August 27, 2012 Sure gets the heart pumping hey tipz. I don't understand why someone as generous and kind as you has so much bad luck?!. It really sucks. ( Maybe it was good luck...you know, since you are unharmed ). I hope the insurance company pays all expenses...and gives you a chauffeur driven stretch hummer until the issue is resolved. All the best tipz. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jox Posted August 27, 2012 The main thing YOUR ALIVE!!!!! As far as witlessness go, is there any cameras at the lights or cc cameras facing the lights? If so this might help. Thank fu#k for the statesman. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tipz Posted August 27, 2012 (edited) there was jox, but it was a six lane road and the camera didn't capture a thing.. the police have allready checked.It is there to capture cars heading n the other direction on the opposite side Edited August 27, 2012 by tipz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bread Filter Posted August 27, 2012 I hope your OK Tipz. That kind of stuff can really shake you up. I like how your thoughts immediately went to the other guy who was at fault but was having problems. Good karma is coming your way mate. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sallubrious Posted August 27, 2012 I don't know if a statement from one person would have too much weight. If you have ten people witness an accident and you asked them what happened you'd have several different stories full of half truths. Stick to your story and never concede that you could be at fault & you'll be fine. It sounds like a close call that was very nearly a fatality, did it all happen in slow motion or was it all over in a flash ? It's good to hear you're OK mate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tipz Posted August 27, 2012 a slow motion flash if that makes sense... i saw him maybe half a second before the crash... but the brain is amazing in life threatening situations... i seemed to have time to assess whether braking or accelerating was going to result in the most beneficial point of impact and had time to brace myself and slightly shift more towards the center of the car. If i had have accelerated He would have hit me and not the front end. After that it was an airbag to the face ( not pleasant ) then a quick scan of my body to check for injuries... soon as i knew i was ok... . I asessed further risks... smoke was billowing out from under the bonnet and petrol and the smell of petrol was strong so i quickly had turn it off as it was smoking and looked like a possible scenario for a fire. Then by the time i was heading over to the other car, the police were allready on the scene ( in minutes ). So i was asked to stay back while they attended to his wellbeing. Next my mind immediately turned to whether i had anything i would not want them to see in the car. I grabbed a few small things while i had the chance. Nothing serious... mainly my prescribed dexamphetamne... which i am cleared by my doctor to drive on... but i just didnt want any further scrutiny. I have calmed down now and am going to grab my surfing gear and go for a good long surf.. it's five foot and offshore at victor... and it's the best way to refresh and zone out.. cheers for the kind words guys. tipz 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jox Posted August 27, 2012 victor..Iran........hmmm..........LOL Hope you have a good arvo tipz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
myco Posted August 27, 2012 (edited) Shit man glad your alright there buddy I think you should be all good with your insurance Make sure you check the mail today you should get lucky might make your day a little better Edited August 27, 2012 by myco Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chnt Posted August 27, 2012 glad you're ok buddy. i thought i was gonna die once, waiting to turn right at a T junction (speed limit 70) a truck turned left and the back corner of it clipped the back of my car though it felt like someone had just smashed into me at high speed... for a split second everything slowed down and i foresaw the car getting smashed into oncoming traffic and braced myself for death.... kind of funny since the car only move several inches, there were 3 of us in the car and we all shat it, but it was nothing serious in the end. hope all goes well with insurance and stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
planthelper Posted August 27, 2012 make sure, you didn't get traumatised. try to talk to people (or even trauma specialists) about the accident. if you can do it in a calm manner, it's ok. if you re live the accident, everytime you talk about it, than seek professional advice. sometimes the reliving the accident thing, comes out a bit later, so make sure, you will not suffer any trauma. going for a surf sounds excellent, go and spoil youreselfe! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halcyon Daze Posted August 27, 2012 Nice escape! You won't want to hear me say this but even if the light was green for you, you are still supposed to check to see if it's clear before you start driving again. I could be wrong but, I have heard that people who run red lights can get it all put on the guy they hit if they take it through the courts etc. Maybe seek some legal advise or something. I sincerely hope it doesn't go against you because that would be the biggest case of bullshit ever. Good luck with it all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waterboy 2.0 Posted August 27, 2012 Take care brother, any sign of even a minor injury make sure you see a doctor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Justler Posted August 27, 2012 (edited) Hey man, glad to hear you are okay! Not sure how things work over in SA, but in NSW this is how we roll; - If the other driver is deemed to be at fault and he/she has third party property insurance it will cover the cost of your car and you won't have to spend a cent. - Also his compulsory third party "green slip" insurance will cover you for any medical treatments if required. - Unfortunately (atleast in NSW legislation), I'm pretty sure "journey claims" are no longer covered by employment insurance. Journey claim is anything that occurs to you on your way to or from work. If you've started working for the day, and have to travel for work, than its still covered. This is a new change is NSW legislation do it may not apply to SA. You might wake up sore tomorrow. If so see a doctor incase there are ongoing problems, atleast it will be documented that it was a result of the accident, so you won't have grief trying to claim for treatment later on. Take care man! *edit Journey claim info is based in NSW legislation Edited August 28, 2012 by Justler 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qualia Posted August 27, 2012 glad to hear you're aright man, sending positive vibes over the border Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LokStok Posted August 27, 2012 jeez Tipz, helluva way to start the week! (the lengths some of us go to get a surf in ) Glad your ok man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tedzr Posted August 27, 2012 thats fucked man, your poor motor vehicle and hip pocket. Good job you had a bit of life luck there. In other news - I went out on to my balcony to have a cigarette before, belched after a couple of beers and started to watch this chick cross the road. She nearly got axed by oncoming traffic, the road was silent one minute and then cars fanging it down the road the next second. They beeped, two in unison, and she jumped backwards very much like a cat. I was SHOCKED. I'm sure she was too.. Just a reminder of how dangerous our roads can be. Stay safe everyone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
r2pi Posted August 27, 2012 (edited) Congrats mate - could have been far, far worse from what you describe. P.S, the above is pretty good illustration of why everyone should have a fire extinguisher under the driver's seat. Pop the bonnet or smash a headlight if you need to and spray through the hole. Cars go up very quick - if it catches, by the time the fire brigade gets there it's a write off in most instances. Edited August 27, 2012 by r2pi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
