Well Im about to talk to some claims people for my insurance and I just wanted to ask people to tell me what they think.
Im driving a white van, my girlfriend was sitting next to me in the passenger side. We were stopped at a red light. When my light turned green (it was a green arrow), I waited for a bit there were no cars stopped in the oncoming lane but a car or 2, 1 block to 2 blocks down. I began my left turn, when I was about 80% done with my turn, I was close to the crosswalk. A car hit my van on the right back side, my van spun a whole 180 degrees. When i got out of my car i saw the damages, my right back tire was face down on the floor, a huge dent on the right middle door, the window was shattered.
Is there anyway that this was my fault? Or anyway that the other parties insurance can spin this to make it my fault? The other insurance company is disputing whose at fault. I just need some advice to brace/prepare myself for what is to come.
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? Best Answer
A green arrow means you’re OK to turn left because traffic in the oncoming lanes still has a red. Cross-traffic also has a red light when that happens, so if the other vehicle disobeyed a red it’s entirely their fault. If the other vehicle was in the opposite left-turn lane and you were turning too wide (just for example), that’s a different story.
Also, there’s a rule saying you’re allowed to voluntarily accept fault (or part of it) in an accident. That’s why your insurance company tells you to never admit fault, and that’s why the other guy’s insurer always asks you to do it. If and when the other guy’s insurer contacts you, tell them to ask your insurer for a copy of your statement. They will probably try to talk you into accepting at least some of the responsibility, so don’t do it.
If you really did make the left turn on a GREEN ARROW (not red or just plain green light), then you have the absolute right of way. In fact, for the oncoming traffic, it should have been a red light for them. Which means the other car would have ran a red light to hit you.
However, if it was just a plain green light, you have to yield to oncoming traffic (because their light is green too), so that might be difficult to assess…it may be your fault in that case. I’m not sure why you waited for a bit if you had a green arrow because that is a 1% you-can-go signal.
If these are facts, it is clearly NOT YOUR FAULT! The other driver was not aware of his surroundings and put on the gas when his light turned green without noticing your vehicle half way in your turn. The other parties Insurance will not try to spin it around. Insurance companies are not the creeps lawyers try to make out. Reputable Insurance companies are more than willing to pay out. However, his company will want a statement from you. It’s okay to tell them the facts from your point of view. If you do not cooperate, they will close the claim for noncompliance with the process.
Source(s):
Insurance Agent
since you were making a turn on a green arrow than you had a right of way. you were hit from the rear, this is always other drivers fault. there is nothing for you to worry about. was there police present on the scene of the accident? did they site other driver? did they file their report? you can see from their report what is what.
Oh yeah, and don’t talk to other guy insurance, only to your own insurance. let your insurance deal with them.
They could say that you ran the light or entered an unsafe intersection.
Just don’t say anything to imply you made a bad decision.