Met with an accident

[Cat_tang]

Hi all

 

After much hesitation, I decided to post this here as I don't want unfamiliar people to know about this.

 

Just as Gad was wondering where are all of us, I met with an accident on the night of 1 Jan.

 

The traffic light just turned red after my car went straight across the stopline and the car from the opposite direction started to turn right. We collided in the middle of the traffic junction.

 

He was an old man, not aggressive but kept insisting that it's my fault. As I was still in shock then, I told him I would pay for his repair, and we agreed not to call the police. He wrote down it in his diary that I would pay for his repair and made me signed against it. I hesitated, but signed eventually. He was calling some friends who suggested him making a police report, but he told his friend :"no, the gal is scared".

 

1 hour later, when 2 tow trucks arrived, an ambulance came behind them and traffic police came. The ambulance claimed that someone called the police who activated them. I had slight chest pain due to the impact and he had slight pain on the side of his right foot. Without knowing the consequences, we went with the ambulance to Hospital for check-up as advised by the paramedic.

 

The traffic police called us for an interview and we might be charged under the dangerous driving act with 60:40 me and him at fault. I was told by the sergeant that if we had not go to the hospital with the ambulance, but on our own later on, it would not be a police case.

 

Few things now that I think back:

 

1. We are still not sure who called the police

 

2. He didn't seem aggressive, but now I think he is quite cunning

 

2a. He could have let his friend called the police

 

2b. I told him I would call him the next day to make appointment to meet at IDAC. When I called him, he told me he was there already. And he didn't tell me. I think he wants to cut ahead and claim from my insurance. Later on, found out that he only has 3rd party insurance, and he cannot send to NTUC authorised workshop.

 

2c. I don't know if he used what I signed as proof to IDAC and the police, but I told the police that "he made me signed it after I told him I could be at fault and I would pay for his repair cost".

 

3. I am very worried now that the police is handling it.

 

Don't know what I need now, but I would greatly appreciate any advice from you. Thanks.

[Gadgeter]

Cat,

 

Glad that you are okie. Sorry to hear about what have happened to you on the day of a new year.

 

Question:

 

After your collision. did both of you shift your vehicle to the side of the road?

 

Sorry to say this, but you really shouldn't have signed that. But since you did, you should have left the scene, after you have signed.

 

I will check with my brother on his case, he was involved in a accident years back. Same situation. But in his case, the other party was at fault but he twisted his story while making the statement.

[Cat_tang]

we left the cars in the middle of the traffic junction waiting for tow trucks, don't think can move the cars.

[Gadgeter]

Just called my brother.

 

In his case, there was no demerit points to either parties as it was hard to proof who's right and wrong..

 

But in your case, since you have signed the paper (seems like the old man is very experience). What you can least do now, is to call the old man, try to get that piece of paper back from him, pay him a few hundreds if need be.

 

In worst cases, if the old man have shown the paper to the police, you will be in losing end, then you might get demerit points for beating the red lights.

[Panda]

You, a vulnerable, shocked and injured fairlady, have been COERCED by 2 men to signing the paper. You were NOT IN A RIGHT STATE OF MIND immediately after the accident to have been able to make a concious effort to understand what they attempted to MAKE YOU SIGN. In retrospect, you felt victimised in this episode, by the fact that there were 2 men against you, with obviously more experience on the road.

 

You are NOT SURE if you beat the red light, but you were DEFINITELY SURE they only STARTED MOVING ACROSS YOUR PATH when you were NEAR THE MIDDLE of the junction.

 

Unless of course you're positive on alcohol, I dun see why that piece of paper can stand.

[Presea]

Hi Cat.

 

I'm sorry about your demise...

Anyway,....in your case, the first thing that comes to mind is... "do you have a good lawyer?"

It may not be that serious, but just in case, you should consult with someone with a firm grasp of our country's legal proceedings. Don't worry about the police, as they can only enforce criminal cases, in which case, this is not one.

The only problem now is that by admitting guilt, your insurance company may have problems.

Try to find a way to get the "letter" to be seen as done under coercion,... ok.

 

Next time, carry gadgeter's (kel's) handphone number with you... very useful in emergencies

 

take care

 

Presea (DL)

 

 

BTW:

I too was in an accident recently, hitting another car from the rear (my fault of course)... I agreed to pay $100 (bumper damaged only), but didn't have the cash.

Now, the guy (who is Malaysian, staying in JB) has not contacted me...for all I know, he could be concocting some elaborate scheme, faking some whiplash injury and all.... sad to say, I can't do anything until he contacts me for the money...

[Cat_tang]

i do have lotsa numbers in my hp, but bad luck as it is, it went flat then and i had to use his phone to call home, call the tow trucks, call my fren, the only few numbers that i can remember (the tow trucks one was on my insurance cert, that's not counted).

 

in my statement to the traffic police, i said i told the man i COULD BE at fault and i offered to pay for his repair cost, and he made me sign after writing it down. maybe i should check with the sergeant in-charge of my case.

 

as for lawyer, i don't know, maybe i should check with my company legal dept.

[BoneStock]

Hi Cat,

 

Sorry to hear about your accident. Since it has already happened, what's most important is that you're ok and the other party's not injured as well.

 

If I can still recall, you're driving a new Kelisa rite? Since both cars had to be towed away, I guess the damage must be pretty bad. You wouldn't want to pay for the repairs out of your pocket. My suggestion is to send to a w/s that you can trust to get an assessment of the damage....you may want to claim from your own insurance first as the results from police arbitration can take quite a while(from my own experience). You may also want to seek advice from your insurance company to see what is the best way out as well.

 

Since that fella's car is insured under 3rd party, it means that he cannot claim his own insurance to do repairs on his own car....so I can tell you that he will die die want to claim from your insurance....so be mentally prepared.

 

Can't give anymore advice except this....just hope that the coming new year will be better than the last for everyone!

[Presea]

I guess you have to move forward now, and hope that the "evidence" shows that you are not at fault.

Was there a traffic-light camera?

 

...just remember never to admit guilt (even if you are wrong) in an accident, unless you don't mind losing your no-claim discount

and don't trust the other party's looks... just imagine that everyone out there is a crook

 

take care....

[Cat_tang]

becos my insurance is with ntuc, i had to send it to idac for assessment before going to workshop. he's also with ntuc, so both were tow to idac. we went to make report and assessment at idac the next day, and i'm just leaving it to the insurance. mine is being repaired at ntuc quality workshop.

 

my insurance agent (not for the car) who is my friend's brother was with me for those 2 days and he said i might not be at fault. don't know lah, it seems all quiet now. idac never call to tell me which workshop is doing my car, the police never call.

 

abt the police, i was told that if both of us agree to sign a letter stating that we want to settle it on our own, they would look at it in a lighter manner, but not meaning that demerit points and fine would not take place.

[BoneStock]

i see. at least your car is now in safe hands...not those backyard garages who're known to inflate the repair costs excessively and use cheap non-genuine parts for the repair.

 

>>i was told that if both of us agree to sign a letter stating that we want to settle it on our own, they would look at it in a lighter manner, but not meaning that demerit points and fine would not take place. >>

 

As I have mentioned earlier, I guess the repair costs should be quite high as both cars need to be towed[pls correct me if i'm wrong] under this situation I will recommend claiming the insurance instead of attempting to foot the bill yourself. Can be in the range of thousands.

 

BTW, since your car is still very new, you may want to request that your car be sent to the agent for the repair. Some agents will void the warranty if repairs are not done at their designated workshops.

 

HTH.

Edited January 7, 2003 by Vtecc

[Carben68]

Hi Cat,

 

Sorry to hear about your problems, especially in the new year. I hope that this incident wipes up all the bad luck for the year.

 

Sorry also, that I can't help on the details.

 

Hope you okay and well...

[Cat_tang]

Vtecc

 

Both cars were towed because we do not know if they can still move, but his most likely cannot since I collided into his left front wheel.

 

I decided to send to NTUC authorised workshop for replacement of original parts and claim from the insurance. If I send to the dealer, they have to re-assess the cost and resubmit to NTUC. Also, I have to pay for the excess and will not get the transport allowance. Both workshops guarantee 6-mths for the replaced parts.

[Volume]

Hi Cat,

 

Just stumbled upon your sad state of affair. As long as you are alive and well, everything else will blow over.

 

Take this as a good lesson and always be prepared. After my wife's few 'encounters', we keep a cheap camera in the car. Has been used at least three times! After twenty two years of clean driving record, my NCD is a big fat zero!

 

By and large, the police would not intervene if no injuries were involved. Without injuries, even if the drivers were to dispute, they would try and steer clear. Who wants extra work?

 

The rule of thumb during an accident is(not to admit liability, regardless. Read the fine prints of your insurance contract and you will know what I mean. A very experienced motor insurance insider told me that the insurance company can choose to repudiate all claims if the insured prejudiced the case by admitting fault - but it is uncommon. Since both of you are insured by NTUC, settlement, presumably, should be easier.

 

This is where the dichotomy of the present system ( private settlement ) as advocated by the TP lies. How can compensating the other driver not be accompanied some admission of guilt? Perhaps the insurance contract needs some overhaul too in light of the current method.

 

Make it a point to call a trusted friend who could be at your side whenever you are faced with such situations.

 

Don't worry too much. Things will eventually work themselves out - believe me, I know how it is.

 

Drive safely.

[Cat_tang]

Thanks for sharing, Volume. But it has become a police case, and both of us could be charge in court for Dangerous Driving, according to the Act.

 

Now I have phobia of driving. Even when I take public transport these few days, I feel uncomfortable.

[Gadgeter]

Cat,

 

What's the status of your case? Care to update?

[Cat_tang]

Thanks, Gad.

 

It's been 3 weeks now. The police didn't call after 2 weeks, which according to them, they should. The insurance also didn't call. So was very quiet for the past 3 weeks, until they ask me to collect the car from IDAC yesterday. Managed to get the car back in extremely good condition, the kind of feeling when driving a new car out for the 1st day, with the high clutch, etc.

 

IDAC said investigation still on-going and it would be 3-6 mths if there's no injury. Got $700 (max) for 14 days allowance too, but who would wish for such money?

 

But the after effect of the incident is still with me, so I have slight phobia whenever I get near traffic junctions. Drove to work this Sat morn, which road condition is good with light traffic. But it's the 1st time I drive long distance, was so stressful and my body is aching from being too stiff...

 

Wonder if I dare to drive on Mon morn...

Edited January 25, 2003 by Cat_tang

[Eric19]

Hi Cat

 

Glad everything is back to the norm. The initial "aftermath" will be there for a while. Just take it easy and turn up the "ICE" in your car and drive carefully.

 

Cheers