First Accident in 27 Years, T-Boned by Another Driver (Video of the crash uploaded)

First accident in 27 years, I just got T-boned by another driver.

This is what happened:

I was driving straight passing a T-section, she was turning right, not sure what she had in mind at the time, she just straight way turned right and T-boned me, lucky there was no car on the incoming traffic.

The rear of my car has big scratches near the petrol section, the hinge on the petrol door is broken. Looks like a minor accident but still needs repairs as the back door and back panel is all dented. I will take this car to my mechanic to see if its still ok to drive first thing tomorrow morning.

She first said she doesn't have license, then I said need to call the police then and she was able to produce it, took some photo of the damage and her license. When asked about her number she said her phone is out of battery, which I can not verify as I don't know its true or not. She did say she is fully insured and will contact her insurance company tomorrow. She did give me a phone number which she asked me to send the photos to her phone.

So the question is, what do I do next? Wait for her insurance company to contact me? Or do I contact my insurance company first and report the accident? Or do i need to report this accident to police as a record?

Also, did I miss out anything I should have done at the time?

Member since 2008! Here is a video of the crash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kj7Sfa0OJY

Comments

    • +10

      So you did what you should have done after the accident.

      That's why you pay for comprehensive insurance.

      You make it someone else's problem and move on with your day.

      At least you know for next time.

    • +2

      also confirmed my renew wont go up.

      Get it in writing 🤣

      have the car accessed..… ¯_(ツ)_/¯

      • +2

        well, they need to access it to assess it
        .

        • What are all these excessive access comments about?

          • -1

            @cashless: @cashless see here and all comments below 😅

            And then also this

          • @cashless: not really an excessive ask to access the car, for assessing damage and figuring out excess liabilities.
            Sometime the excess can be excessive so good to get it assessed properly - which requires access.

    • +11

      You can be sure that when she contacts her insurance company she will say it was YOUR fault, keep your dashcam footage for evidence, You will probably need it.

      • True, it's happened to me.

      • +2

        Happens every time.

      • +1

        Yes, you might receive a letter from their insurer, lawyer or themself. It will try to get you to reply and accept liability, which then would compromise your own insurance process. Just place the letter neatly into the recycling bin when you it comes :)

    • which insurer are you with, if you dont mind me asking…

    • -1

      A major point when going through your own insurer:

      Even though your insurer will do all the legwork on your behalf for a not at fault accident, your insurer will only pay out up to your own policy cover amount.

      Even though the they know by law the perp needs to "make you whole" (including hire car), your insurer will not go above your own cover level with them. And they will not provide you a hire car unless you have that on your own policy, even though you are entitled to one from the perp.

      So if there is a discrepancy between your own policy cover, and the actual damages/loss, you may end up having to pursue the perp yourself. This is pretty easy if the perp has insurance, or pretty damn hard if they don't. Eitehr way its best to let your insurer do all the legwork initially, then if they don't get the right result, you can take over at that point when most of the legwork is already done.

    • Glad to hear it is going smoothly. Saw the footage, you’re clearly in the right, she either doesn’t know the rules or wasn’t paying attention, just drove straight into a T with an oncoming…based on the interaction you described had with her however might even be both.

  • Member since 2008!

    Thank you for your service

  • MS Paint required OP.
    I hope you are okay.

    • +53

      How about ASCII?

      │           │           │
      │                       │
      │    ┌──┐   │           └───────
      │    │^^│
      │    │OP├─────┐
      │    └──┤<3rdP│         ──── ─ ─
      │       └─────┘         │
      │                       │
      │           │           │
      │                       ┌───────
      │           │           │
      │                       │
      
      • +2

        exactly what happened! Good picture

      • +4

        this takes me back to my gamefaq days

      • +2

        Not all heroes use MS paint

      • what happened to the 2ndP ? They drank to excess ?

  • +1

    Call your insurance company, lodge a claim. Let them manage it. Don’t waste time with the mechanic, the car sounds fine.

    End of story, no further correspondence will be entered into.

  • +7

    No license then has license, flat battery, sounds dodgy as, let your insurance company handle it. If there is something shady going on they can handle the mess and have the other party held accountable.
    There are way to many dodgy characters on the roads nowadays, if your not at fault just immediately pass it to your insurance company. Sometimes you need to pay your excess first to kick off action but get it refunded later.

  • -1

    it goes from their fault but once insurance comes into it then they become "knock for knock" andthey spread the love between each other (as well as the cost)

  • +4

    I've been t-boned by a car with an eerily similar story… They ended up lying and not having insurance and leaving the country to avoid paying. Repairs on my car cost almost $17k and took about 8 weeks. It didn't even look that bad…

    • +1

      your lucky your car didn't get written off

  • +9

    second she lied about the license I call the cops

  • +1

    OP needs to be reminded to post details on OzBargain before they exchange details with other driver.

  • +2

    I had a similar incident where someone else rear ended my car, I took all her details and gave it to my insurance. They couldn’t locate this person despite all the details I gave. However, they still fixed my car and didn’t charge me an excess ( I think, long time ago). This person may have borrowed that car she was driving or the address details on her license were incorrect ?

  • -3

    A T-bone would be hitting you in the middle, but as you were hit towards the rear it is more of a L-bone

    Also, do you have dash-cam footage? If not, could you record a role-play of the situation with a friend standing in as the person that hit you?

  • +5

    Pretty obvious she is trying to weasel out of it. Dont let her control the situation (because she might report with a totally different story). Reporting to the insurance company first might be favourable to you. Just send them all the details including picture of the licence and let them deal with it.

    It is a chargeable offence in NSW (and other states i assume) to drive without having a copy of the licence with the person at the time of driving. That is why she took out the licence the moment you mentioned the police.

    • +2

      Yes dealing with insurance now, crash report submitted also. Dashcam saved.

      Now waiting to hear the next step from my insurance.

  • +7

    This didn't need a post. All you needed to do is contact your insurer and let them deal with it. That's what you pay them for.

    /end thread

  • +4

    OP wanted attention.

    Received it in spades.

    • +1

      Received it in spades comments

      Done.

    • You are mistaken me with something called influencers

    • +2

      OP didn't know what to do. When i got hit in a much worse fashion, I was in shock and couldn't think clearly. Didn't know the process to begin with.

  • +4

    https://www.police.wa.gov.au/Traffic/Reporting-a-traffic-cra…

    When to report a traffic crash
    The driver of a vehicle must report a traffic crash when the incident occurred on a road or any place commonly used by the public, e.g. carparks; and

    the incident resulted in bodily harm to any person; or
    the total value of property damaged to all involved parties exceeds $3000; or
    the owner or representative of any damaged property is not present.

    Pretty hard these days to do less than $3k damage across both vehicles. Report it. Also there is a new thing on the internet called 'the google'.

    • I am doing one now!

    • +1

      Also there is a new thing on the internet called 'the google'.

      True we previously had to Ask Jeeves!

  • +10

    Just had my car assessed, tthe guy said he reckons it wont be more than $3000 to repair it but final bill will be different.

    However, I just had another accident on the way back, while I am waiting in a parking lot, the old lady in front reversed directly onto my car……….yes got dashcam footage for that one also.

    2 in a row in 2 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • +3

      Hopefully she didn't tell you that she didn't have a licence either! 😁

      You're going to be a pro at this insurance claims process now. I wonder what they'll say when you ring them today. 🤣

      • +1

        Well at least I know the process now! Hope this is the last of it

    • Hmm sounds like you are being gangstalked

    • thank god you had insurance rightttttt?

      • +1

        Well always had insurance, but never had a dashdam before, only purchased in the last few years, thought was a waste of money at the time.

        Now I totally gets it!

    • Fingers crossed tomorrow you don't get the lucky third! Don't drive!

      • +2

        I am stay home tomorrow and the day after and the day after!

        • Download the new footage thanks. And never underestimate drivers ability to crash into stationary objects

  • Sounds like a simple sideswipe.

    A T-Bone is usually serious destruction… not driven even after you get out of hospital…if you do.

    Lucky you in this instance.

    Now, call your Insurer.

    • +1

      Well this is a T-bone type of accident, just in a lower speed.

      You can watch the video of the crash as I have just uploaded it.

      • +1

        Nope. That is just a side swipe.

        If you have been in a true T Bone…you would appreciate the difference.

        • +1

          Yeah that's not a T-Bone. When I got T-Boned, I spun out and ended up on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic and was sore for a few days. Needless to say, car got written off.

          • +1

            @kerfuffle: More like this. Now that's a T-Bone.

            • +1

              @MS Paint: Mine thankfully was not that horrific, despite the collision speed of 100km/h (70km/h from me going straight, 30km/h or so from the person who turned right into my car)

      • +1

        Medium rare T-Bone.

  • -1

    Suspicious female with no licence but loves to t-bone guys.

    Hmmmm

    She may be trying to get your attention for something else.

  • +2

    Please share all Dashcam footage to this post.

    • +4

      Just did

      Video of the first accident uploaded.

      What do you guys think? Her fault 100%?

      Didnt upload the second accident yet

      • +3

        Her fault turning into oncoming traffic, though a bit of defensive driving might have avoided it in the first place.. but yay for dashcam footage, you're in the clear

        • When you said defensive driving, do you mean I should have accelerated to avoid the crash? If not, what else could I have done? Thanks

          • @Aerith-Waifu: Scanning the road(s) ahead, considering someone may pull out.. it's more a state of mind thing but not being harsh on you, happy holidays

            • +1

              @Bafranz: I am not sure scanning the road will help in this case as she just came out of nowhere from a side street crossing 2 incoming lines.

              There is also nowhere I can go as I am on a straight line with no side street to avoid her.

          • +1

            @Aerith-Waifu: Accelerated? No, you could have braked to avoid the crash. Doesn't make it your fault, but it was definitely something you could have done.

            • @AlanHB: I agree. Very avoidable but it is what it is.

          • +2

            @Aerith-Waifu:

            When you said defensive driving, do you mean

            I suggest you complete a defensive driving course if you are unaware what this means or even exists.

            It appears to be a built up residential area (so 50km/h max?). The other car rolled through a wide open intersection and was easily within view and that something was not right. Defensive driving would allow you to identify the threat early therefore reducing your reaction time and overall braking distance. The fact that it was dry and I'm guessing your car is well maintained then, in my opinion, this accident was avoidable.

            To be fair, I wasn't there so I don't know everything that lead to the event and the other driver was not defensive either.

            Stay safe out there ozbrother.

            • +1

              @MS Paint: Yeah I would probably have slowed to avoid the idiot on the right

              but then again I haven't had an accident in 50 years

            • +1

              @MS Paint: I agree generally about the point about defensive driving, but I'm thinking it's possible that OP didn't even know that car was approaching that intersection? It's very possible the pillar on the right side of the windscreen obstructed their view of cars approaching from the right? If this is the case OP would have only seen the car milliseconds from impact when it was almost next to them?

              If you watch the footage again, you can see OP does slightly veer to the left when they see the car. I'm not convinced there was much else OP could have done to avoid impact besides just not being there lol. We could see it on the dash cam because dash cams are usually installed higher up on windscreens with not much obstructing the view

              • -1

                @kanmen: Agree. Hence my disclaimer…

                To be fair, I wasn't there so I don't know everything that lead to the event

      • +1

        upload better/best resolution of the footage..

        360p looks terrible.

      • 100% her fault either failing to give way at stop sign or give way sign. At worst depending on what was said careless driving ,report it , an easy post out infringement, if in WA.

  • +1

    Recently had my first accident as well. Identical road situation as OP but I’m the one turning right at the intersection. Gonna post it up here to have some criticism.

    No one was reporting to be injured at the scene. The other driver walked out and asked me to immediately admit fault, and I did orally (stressed and panicked, realised that I should not have done that after calming down). We then exchanged contact, licenses, and took photos before driving away. I also mentioned to the other party that I have comprehensive insurance.

    I lodged my claim with my insurance right after I had the chance. Later the other party told me that they only have 3rd compulsory insurance and was asking for my claim number. Since I already lodged my claim I do not feel obligated to directly reply them from that point but stated that the claim was lodged with X. Got my inspection booked and done two days later. In the week after I submitted drawings (inkscape instead of MS paint) and photos as required by my insurance. The other party texted me several times regarding the progress. I did not reply but kept my insurance updated about these messages.

    Few days ago my insurance let me give the claim number. I followed their instruction. See how will this proceed next.

    • I guess as long as you are OK and the other driver is OK just take this as a cheap lesson, could been a lot worse, I actually said the same thing to the lady driver who hit me and she agreed as well.

      Just imagine if there was a incoming car traveling at opposite direction and hit her head on with her kid in the front seat? Wont be walking away too easy like this time.

    • +1

      You did what you needed to do and so did they. They tried to contact you directly first as they had no representative in this case.

      My advice (from similar experience) to the other driver in your story is to contact the insurance company of the driver at fault directly with names and license number, they will open a case and cross match the data so you can be contacted and updated faster.

  • +3

    Has insurance, post video on ozbargain. .. mspaint and we've got a trifecta

    • +2

      Let me guess, you were expecting no insurance, first time on here, no dashcam and expired license? LOL

      • +1

        Lol yeah

  • +1

    Who else thinks the OP could have avoided that collision ?

    • +3

      Possibly, but it's always easier to critique such things on after the fact replays than in the moment.

      But I will admit I had the same thought - however the other vehicle begins to pull out at 0:24 in the vid and the contact occur between 0:25-0:26. If OP wasn't in a fully defensive driving mindset they may not have been prepared to react that quickly.

    • +1

      Totally, 100%. But people want to be right, even if it means paying the price for it…

      • +1

        OP wants to be right even tho' they were on the left

        you can't have it both ways

    • +1

      Maybe, but at the risk of having a more serious accident by swerving suddenly or braking hard?

      If that happened, the question of who's at fault would be blurry too.

      • And yet taking little action and not being reactive can also blur things.

  • So she refuses to give you a phone number to contact her but then gives you a phone number cos she wants the photos you took?

    This is a pretty simple case of lodge a claim with your insurer and provide all the details the other party provided. Given that she lied about having a licence and probably lied about her phone, don't contact her or send her your photos of the accident, even if she requests them, you're under no obligation to do so.

    • She actually didnt refuse to give me her number, she just said her phone is out of battery, she did give me her number though.

  • Stopped reading after “she was”, she is guilty.

  • Man, I was expecting a little more than that when I was watching the video lol

    In terms of steak, this is less than a kid's minute steak compared to a proper cowboy t-bone.

    • yeah most unsatisfying - not a proper T-BONE - more a limp biscuit

  • Some defensive driving would have gone a long way. For those drivers who seem to have no idea what this is - essentially you assume everyone else on the road is out to get you! If you ride bikes of any type you are generally doing this.

    Think it of it as a "what if …" statement running at high speed for anything / everything that could hit you. Instead of relying on the rules of the road to protect you, you rely on awareness of everything around you and consider the "what ifs".

    In this case you could have easily braked, even from the cameras limited view it is pretty obvious what could go wrong.

    https://www.drivingsolutions.com.au/driver-training/defensiv…

  • +4

    I don't agree with the comments about defensive driving, by the time anyone could tell that the other driver was not going to stop at the give way line it's already too late. Remember, dashcam footage looks much closer than the driver sight due to the position they are placed in the car in relation to the driver's head. It is also evident from the crash being at the rear quarter of the car instead of the front quarter despite OP being at a relatively constant speed.

    • -1

      'I don't agree with the comments about defensive driving, by the time anyone could tell that the other driver was not going to stop at the give way line it's already too late'

      then you don't understand defensive driving - as mctubster said 'assume everyone else on the road is out to get you!'

      if OP was defensive driving they would have braked on seeing the vehicle on the right, but they didn't seem to even lift off the throttle, and now it's gee why didn't the other driver stop …

      • +3

        I did try to avoid it going left a bit but there is no where I can go, in this case, if i brake suddenly, she would have hit the front driver side of my car rather than the bad side of my car, which would cause more damage and harm as I only I had like 1 - 1.5 second to react.

        • -5

          then you were going too fast under the circumstances - not taking into account the possibility of a car coming from the right and not stopping

          the other car was in view for 2 seconds before they reached any stop line at the T - https://youtu.be/1kj7Sfa0OJY?t=22

          but hey I can't guarantee it wouldn't have happened to me

          so time for the insurance claim - good luck with that … she sounded slippery from the get-go

    • +1

      I agree, I think it's possible the right pillar blocked OP's view so they wouldn't have seen the car until just before impact. OP veered slightly left when they saw the car but at that stage nothing would have stopped impact.

      • …..except perhaps acceleration.

  • +2

    Definitely never take the word of an fault driver at the scene. Their statement to the police can change dramatically afterwards where you are the at fault driver.

    A friend of mine was in a slightly different scenario where they were T-bone by a car turning left at a traffic light's "turn left at anytime with care". Incident occurred around midnight. The at fault driver apologised and admitted fault at the time. My friend exchanged details, went to sleep as it was late. Next morning he is contacted by the other drivers insurance company who were told my friend drove through a red traffic light. My friend told his recollection of events. The other driver stuck to their made up story. My friend had to pay for both cars as if he was a maniac unlawful night time driver.

  • people are outraged at medibank hack yet they will produce their license and have somebody take a photo of it, oh yeah she is at fault

    • +1

      I don't want someone taking a photo of my license. I'm more than happy to write down the details legally required for a claim though

      • That's fair enough, however I would want to write the details down myself not have you do it, especially if you had just lied about not having your license. I believe you have the right to refuse that but at that point I would request police to attend so that I have someone that can demand to see it and record the details.

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