Accident advice
#1
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Accident advice
So I got in an accident. The short of it is that a lady pulled out in front of me from a stop sign; I had no traffic control devices and had the right of way. I tried to slow but it was wet and collided. I called the police and the officer filed a report stating that the driver is at fault.
Here's my dilemma. I'm not hurt; my bike needed a wheel trued and handle bars aligned. All the fixing I've done myself. I'm not looking for cash for damages and etc. What I want is to get this driver re-evaluated for driving. The driver was an old lady, ~70 yrs old. She claims that she never saw me, clad in neon blue. She needed help from bystanders to dial a phone number; she couldn't see the keys. She didn't even know that I hit her car; she heard a "thump". Her car was all beat to hell from prior collisions. How do I go about doing this? I talked to the officer, I was told that there was nothing that could be done on their end.
Here's my dilemma. I'm not hurt; my bike needed a wheel trued and handle bars aligned. All the fixing I've done myself. I'm not looking for cash for damages and etc. What I want is to get this driver re-evaluated for driving. The driver was an old lady, ~70 yrs old. She claims that she never saw me, clad in neon blue. She needed help from bystanders to dial a phone number; she couldn't see the keys. She didn't even know that I hit her car; she heard a "thump". Her car was all beat to hell from prior collisions. How do I go about doing this? I talked to the officer, I was told that there was nothing that could be done on their end.
#4
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
Bikes: 1986 Pinarello Pista
I would suggest that she have to take a driving course and retake her driving test. I though they passed a law where once you pass a certain age, you have to retest? Im probably wrong there
#5
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Atlanta
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
Did the police show up and issue her a ticket?
In most places if you are issued a ticket where a collision has happened you are required to apear in court. You cannot simply pay the fine.
You being the person that she hit should have been given that court date as well since you were involved. On the court date you may be able to speak with the prosecutor before the trial and explain your concern that the driver may no longer retain the skills needed to safely operate an automobile and see if they will ask the Judge to require the lady to be evaluated to retain her license.
If the officer did not cite her you are basically screwed.
In most places if you are issued a ticket where a collision has happened you are required to apear in court. You cannot simply pay the fine.
You being the person that she hit should have been given that court date as well since you were involved. On the court date you may be able to speak with the prosecutor before the trial and explain your concern that the driver may no longer retain the skills needed to safely operate an automobile and see if they will ask the Judge to require the lady to be evaluated to retain her license.
If the officer did not cite her you are basically screwed.
#6
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From: Boston (sort of)
Bikes: 1 road, 1 Urban Assault Vehicle
You're wrong. There is talk about creating such laws in some states, but currently only Illinois and New Hampshire require a road test for drivers aged 75 and over to renew a license.
#10
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Winchester, VA
Bikes: Too darn many.. latest count is 11
A lot of states have a way to contact the DMV for complaints of this type. They're the best route anyway since they're the ones that would be the ones to retest. Might want to be armmed with at least a police report # when you do it.
Congrats for calling the police, a lot of people wouldn't. Now the rest *will* be an exercise in frustration and will require a lot of followup on your part.
Next place would be to actually file an insurance claim. Regardless, they may require testing for her as a pre-requisite for continuing her coverage. You may actually be able to get the insurance company to require it in return for your releasing the claim.
Congrats for calling the police, a lot of people wouldn't. Now the rest *will* be an exercise in frustration and will require a lot of followup on your part.
Next place would be to actually file an insurance claim. Regardless, they may require testing for her as a pre-requisite for continuing her coverage. You may actually be able to get the insurance company to require it in return for your releasing the claim.




