Yellow Lights....

[05silvycrew]

about a year ago, I got a ticket for running a YELLOW light. I fought the ticket in court stating that there was no way I could have stopped in time, and I lost. nothing I said was going to change the judges view. $100 and a point on my license

 

Ever since that day I've been paranoid about getting another ticket for the same infraction. Today I'm cruising down the road, light turns yellow, I probably could have made it through, but decide to hit the brakes. stop with my front bumper just over the stop line and instantly I hear "SCCCCCCRRRRREEEEAAAACH" I looked up just in time to see the car behind me slam into my back end (I'm guessing about 30 MPH). myself and the other driver are ok, she's a lot more shook up than me.

 

Luckily the car was a little ford and didn't do much damage to my truck, bumper has some dents and scratches, and the electrical connection for my hitch is smucked up pretty good. pretty sure it totalled her car. I'm glad I drive a truck for exactly this reason.

 

Worst part is I have a $500 deductible on my insurence, so claiming it probably isn't going to be worth my time. Actually might have been cheaper to take a ticket, lol! what's wrong with this picture?

 

Hope your weekend goes better

Stay safe out there...watch out for the other guy/girl

[compulynx]

Uh, she hit you from behind, HER insurance fixes your truck.....

 

C

[merlin5577]

That sucks man. Sorry to hear about your bad luck. You should be able to get a new bumper for around $300 and less if you go to a junkyard. Hopefully the wiring isnt so messed up that you cant fix it. Good luck.

[wcortesi]

Definitely her fault, and her insurance should pay.

But she may be a little miffed at you for stopping at a yellow light......

 

If I was following you in my semi, things could have been a lot worse.

[compulynx]

If you have to take it to court, carry a copy of the "yellow light" ticket with you. You will be guaranteed a win.....

 

C

[05silvycrew]

that's the great thing about Michigan Insurance. It's "No Fault" insurence. this pays for injuries to people, other peoples non-automobile property damage, and properly parked automobiles. meaning even though she's 100% at fault, and cited for the accident, her insurance takes care of her car...my insurence takes care of my truck.

 

On top of your "no fault" insurance you can get collision coverage (which I have) that requires a deductible of an amount which you choose with your insurence company, and pay premiums accordingly (lower deductible=higher premiums, higher deductible=lower premiums). any repairs over said deductible are picked up by the insurence company.

 

I'll get an estimate and if it's not anywhere near $500 (which I don't suspect it will be) I won't claim it.

[MS3DALE]

Uh, she hit you from behind, HER insurance fixes your truck.....

 

C

 

Thats the way it works here in Pa.,If you get hit from behind its "their" fault for "following too close".

[merlin5577]

Uh, she hit you from behind, HER insurance fixes your truck.....

 

C

 

Thats the way it works here in Pa.,If you get hit from behind its "their" fault for "following too close".

 

 

+1, thats the way it is in MA as well.

[compulynx]

Go to the best body shop around (the highest priced) and get an estimate for over 1 grand. It is amazing what they can run up the charges to. Be sure you tell them you want it back "perfect".

 

Here in Georgia, we can get the check cut directly to us. That works only if there is no lien on the vehicle though.

 

Then get the check cut from insurance, take that and go get the parts and fix it yourself.

 

Lets say the estimate is for 1150. You will get 650, and have that to fix it.....

 

Been there done that.....several times...

 

C

[iminaquagmire]

Don't worry about it being 500. Mine was almost 2000 when it was all said and done. You forget about all the little things that need replacing. Your hitch will never be the same, the frame rails could be tweaked, the harness may need replacing, etc. All the little plastic pieces, brackets, bolts, and such all add up. My estimate sheet had almost a full page of parts and it sounds like you got it worse than I did.

 

I don't know how your insurance works there though. I understand the "no fault" concept, but do your rates go up if you make a claim for an accident that's not your fault?

[D&SYukonDenali]

Go to the best body shop around (the highest priced) and get an estimate for over 1 grand. It is amazing what they can run up the charges to. Be sure you tell them you want it back "perfect". Here in Georgia, we can get the check cut directly to us. That works only if there is no lien on the vehicle though. Then get the check cut from insurance, take that and go get the parts and fix it yourself. Lets say the estimate is for 1150. You will get 650, and have that to fix it..... Been there done that.....several times... C

 

And people wonder why insurance costs so much. There is such a vicious circle people getting more than what the repair is, then costs go up, then people get more, then costs go up. . . You get the point.

[compulynx]

Go to the best body shop around (the highest priced) and get an estimate for over 1 grand. It is amazing what they can run up the charges to. Be sure you tell them you want it back "perfect". Here in Georgia, we can get the check cut directly to us. That works only if there is no lien on the vehicle though. Then get the check cut from insurance, take that and go get the parts and fix it yourself. Lets say the estimate is for 1150. You will get 650, and have that to fix it..... Been there done that.....several times... C

 

And people wonder why insurance costs so much. There is such a vicious circle people getting more than what the repair is, then costs go up, then people get more, then costs go up. . . You get the point.

 

 

 

No. the reason insurance goes up is friggin lawyers suing and giving the victim 10% while they keep 90%....THAT is the vicious circle....

 

There is absolutley nothing wrong with getting a body shop estimate, then fixing it yourself. You are just able to do it cheaper, cuz you buy the parts and do the work yourself.....the insurance check is paying you for the labor instead of an 80 dollar an hour body shop.

 

 

C

[D&SYukonDenali]

I was referring to the highest estimate you can get. I've got no problem with repairing yourself and keeping the labor costs.

 

I also agree that law suits are to blame, in part, for the high insurance costs.

[redvett]

Get your truck fixed correctly, you have no fault and as others have said its the other persons fault they didn't stop not yours. File a claim with your insurance company and have the accident report with you to substantiate the accident. Failure to get it fixed correctly will lower the value at trade in.

[Tucson_02Silverado]

I'll preface by stating, I'm not a traffic control engineer so the numbers stated are approximates based on driving experience.....

 

The average duration of a green light is about 90 seconds. There is visual clue to a control light change, the cross-walk indicator turns red about 20 seconds prior to the traffic indicator changing to yellow. Of course the timing all changes with traffic congestion, municipalities' ordances, etc.

 

With regards to avoid ticketing, there's always the safety reasons of course, several cities are puting up red light cameras and learning the timing of the signal changes is needed to avoid 'your soul being taken' (photographed).

 

No-Fault states seuck, it punishes the good drivers by forcing them to place claims on there insurance thus increasing premiums based on the frequency and total dollar amount of the claims. If the situation was different and you were in say something like SnakeEyes325i's Vette and the driver behind was in truck, the truck has $1500 of damage and the Vette would most likely be declared totaled. How is that anything but complete state punishment for the driver NOT AT FAULT? The state just tells you too bad, so sorry, get out of my office, and then your insurance company gives you a $8000 (less your deductable) check. Provided you had comprehesive coverage.