Am I at fault?? *Verdict: NOPE (technically)* - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

chas3wba0 · 07-30-2014, 02:14 AM

Had a shitty fender bender this morning. Some jackass in his mom's soccer van cut me off at a yellow light and I had to brake hard and steer away to dodge him, but ended up contacting his driver-side door. Damages have been appraised at just over $5k.

Excuse the language; couldn't stand the sound of my baby scraping against that oaf of a car:
[ame]http://youtu.be/96R5fk7U54k[/ame]

I've already submitted the DashCam video to insurance, hopefully it does more good than harm. I feel like an argument could be made that I was trying to "run the yellow light", but I was kind of on the borderline of being able to stop safely and being able to just drive through it. Also, the other car clearly cut me off without signalling or checking his blind spot, aka unsafe lane change.

1. What do you guys think, am I in the clear?
2. Will it buff out? I don't feel like the impact was enough to mess up the alignment/structural integrity of the car... but it still pisses me off that I have to get bodywork done on the car already, at barely over 9k miles. I really hope it's just the body panels that are messed up T__T
3. How's that FT86SF Catted UEL Header sounding???

*CONCLUSION*: An official decision has been reached; check the end of the thread for details. Removing the video now because I don't need any more retrospective, online driving advice regarding this incident. Thanks all for the support and the critical insights, but it's time to move on. I hope everyone at least learned a little something from this; I know I did.

N1rve · 07-30-2014, 02:16 AM

To me it looks like you were driving in the blindspot of the other driver, the other drive didn't check and changed lanes and boom.

Yellow light does not mean slow down. It does not speed up either. It means to proceed with caution.

I feel like you should be in the clear.

Fastbrew · 07-30-2014, 02:20 AM

As a dude - I would say that's his fault. As an insurance co - you were accelerating to a red light - right?

N1rve · 07-30-2014, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fastbrew

As a dude - I would say that's his fault. As an insurance co - you were accelerating to a red light - right?

What if you were a ma'am? What would you say? LOLOL

jebuwh · 07-30-2014, 02:23 AM

Door repaint, new fender.

Possibly no fault accident.

chas3wba0 · 07-30-2014, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fastbrew

As a dude - I would say that's his fault. As an insurance co - you were accelerating to a red light - right?

Judging from the engine sound, I don't think I can deny that I got on the gas a little bit when it turned yellow. Just not sure if it's a valid reason to pin any fault on me in this case... yes, I'm just fishing for confirmations here

Fastbrew · 07-30-2014, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1rve

What if you were a ma'am? What would you say? LOLOL

I would say as little as possible and then say something like "oh, the car got a little scratch today"

N1rve · 07-30-2014, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chas3wba0

Judging from the engine sound, I don't think I can deny that I got on the gas a little bit when it turned yellow. Just not sure if it's a valid reason to pin any fault on me in this case... yes, I'm just fishing for confirmations here

To me, the other drive dove into your lane. I didn't see a signal either. Unsafe lane change.

Fastbrew · 07-30-2014, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chas3wba0

Judging from the engine sound, I don't think I can deny that I got on the gas a little bit when it turned yellow. Just not sure if it's a valid reason to pin any fault on me in this case... yes, I'm just fishing for confirmations here

I guess it will all depend on the companies, their relationship and the adjusters. That truck next to you doesn't help your case because he is braking well in advance. Well, riding his brake most of the way down the hill.

Main thing - that sucks. Hate to see a nice car damaged by a knucklehead. Make sure they check his phone records if possible. If he was texting or anything - it will help!

Rocket.BRZ · 07-30-2014, 02:31 AM

I believe it is the other drivers fault. I do think you were driving a bit aggressively towards that yellow light. Just my opinion.

Fastbrew · 07-30-2014, 02:34 AM

Hey - maybe both adjusters will own twins. Could happen.

Rocket.BRZ · 07-30-2014, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1rve

To me, the other drive dove into your lane. I didn't see a signal either. Unsafe lane change.

Check the video again the other driver did turn on his left turn signal.

ZionsWrath · 07-30-2014, 02:36 AM

I think you would have been fine to not submit the footage. I don't see what he could say to put the blame on you. I can't tell really but from the video it looks like you could have reacted a bit faster?

I had a fender bender where me and someone else change into same lane. My insurance charged me 50% deductible and my rate stayed the same.

Hope it works out for you OP

chas3wba0 · 07-30-2014, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket.BRZ

Check the video again the other driver did turn on his left turn signal.

Nah, he definitely didn't. Confirmed on the HQ raw video file. You're probably seeing his brake lights.

07-30-2014, 02:14 AM	#1
chas3wba0 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Drives: Yes Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,052 Thanks: 1,629 Thanked 813 Times in 407 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Am I at fault?? Verdict: NOPE (technically) Had a shitty fender bender this morning. Some jackass in his mom's soccer van cut me off at a yellow light and I had to brake hard and steer away to dodge him, but ended up contacting his driver-side door. Damages have been appraised at just over $5k. Excuse the language; couldn't stand the sound of my baby scraping against that oaf of a car: [ame]http://youtu.be/96R5fk7U54k[/ame] I've already submitted the DashCam video to insurance, hopefully it does more good than harm. I feel like an argument could be made that I was trying to "run the yellow light", but I was kind of on the borderline of being able to stop safely and being able to just drive through it. Also, the other car clearly cut me off without signalling or checking his blind spot, aka unsafe lane change. 1. What do you guys think, am I in the clear? 2. Will it buff out? I don't feel like the impact was enough to mess up the alignment/structural integrity of the car... but it still pisses me off that I have to get bodywork done on the car already, at barely over 9k miles. I really hope it's just the body panels that are messed up T__T 3. How's that FT86SF Catted UEL Header sounding??? CONCLUSION: An official decision has been reached; check the end of the thread for details. Removing the video now because I don't need any more retrospective, online driving advice regarding this incident. Thanks all for the support and the critical insights, but it's time to move on. I hope everyone at least learned a little something from this; I know I did. Attached Images __________________ "If thy pleaſure be in Underſteere, thou art Weird." - Distraxi Last edited by chas3wba0; 10-16-2014 at 02:21 AM.

07-30-2014, 02:16 AM	#2
N1rve Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2019 BMW ///M4 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 102 Thanked 1,167 Times in 714 Posts Mentioned: 28 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	To me it looks like you were driving in the blindspot of the other driver, the other drive didn't check and changed lanes and boom. Yellow light does not mean slow down. It does not speed up either. It means to proceed with caution. I feel like you should be in the clear. __________________ N1rve 2019 BMW ///M4 - Alpine White \| Sakhir Orange/Black Leather \| M-DCT \| Executive Package \| 19" Black 437M Wheels \| Carbon Fiber Trim \| Sunroof \| Active Blind Spot \| Heated Steering Wheel \| Adaptive M Suspension

07-30-2014, 02:36 AM	#13
ZionsWrath Thanks Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: BRZ Location: NY Posts: 4,163 Thanks: 5,989 Thanked 3,100 Times in 1,498 Posts Mentioned: 38 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	I think you would have been fine to not submit the footage. I don't see what he could say to put the blame on you. I can't tell really but from the video it looks like you could have reacted a bit faster? I had a fender bender where me and someone else change into same lane. My insurance charged me 50% deductible and my rate stayed the same. Hope it works out for you OP __________________

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07-30-2014, 02:20 AM	#3
Fastbrew Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Drives: 2014 Pearl White BRZ Location: USA Posts: 764 Thanks: 123 Thanked 461 Times in 233 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	As a dude - I would say that's his fault. As an insurance co - you were accelerating to a red light - right?

07-30-2014, 02:23 AM	#5
jebuwh Village Idiot Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: '13 FR-S Ultramarine Manual Location: Irvine Posts: 402 Thanks: 230 Thanked 222 Times in 111 Posts Mentioned: 11 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Door repaint, new fender. Possibly no fault accident.

07-30-2014, 02:31 AM	#10
Rocket.BRZ Banned Join Date: May 2014 Drives: 2010 WRX (sold) 2013 brz Location: my mind Posts: 345 Thanks: 6 Thanked 113 Times in 89 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I believe it is the other drivers fault. I do think you were driving a bit aggressively towards that yellow light. Just my opinion.

07-30-2014, 02:34 AM	#11
Fastbrew Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Drives: 2014 Pearl White BRZ Location: USA Posts: 764 Thanks: 123 Thanked 461 Times in 233 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Hey - maybe both adjusters will own twins. Could happen.

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