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the death of my WRX

Wumpus

makes avatars better
Dec 25, 2003
8,161
153
Six Shooter Junction
here's a draft of my proposed statement to the traffic lawyer/court. please suggest revisions as appropriate:
I would just enter a not guility plea and then talk to the judge when you are called up on your day. I would definitely not submit anything before then especially if you are thinking of hiring a lawyer.

Good to write things down now while they are fresh and gather your info.
 

trailhacker

Turbo Monkey
Jan 6, 2003
1,233
0
In the hills around Seattle
here's a draft of my proposed statement to the traffic lawyer/court. please suggest revisions as appropriate:
Leave out the part about almost getting hit by other spinning cars. Mention other spinning cars but not the part about almost getting hit. Its not relevent and takes away from the focus of what you are trying to convey.

Also, if it is posted 40, I belive that to be in reasonable conditions. In a downpour, that is an unreasonable condition for lack of better words. In that situation you would be expected to reduce your speed below the posted speed limit.
Not trying to be an ass, just trying to look at it from a potential jurist perspective.
 

Toshi

Harbinger of Doom
Oct 23, 2001
38,037
7,554
DRB, this is to avoid a ticket which would make the accident my fault vs. no-fault, thus avoiding a big hike in insurance rates and possibly being dropped.

Wumpus, duly noted. i probably will just submit this to the lawyer as i hope to not have to show up to court myself.

kevin, thanks for the comments. i'll remove the camry near-miss section and will add a note to the 40 mph section to aid clarity:

revised statement said:
After the impact Chris and I unbuckled ourselves and exited the car. As we surveyed the damage another car, a white late-model Toyota Camry, spun at the same spot and nearly hit my car.

[...]

There is a 40 mph section from the Highway 16 onramp extending for about 1/2 mile, and upon entering the onramp I dutifully slowed down to 40 mph. It is of note that I was following approximately 3 seconds behind a gold Toyota Highlander SUV at this point, and maintained this 3 second gap throughout. In other words, I was traveling at the prevailing rate of speed chosen by other drivers during identical conditions.

[...]

Furthermore, in consultation with other passers-by who drove that particular stretch of Highway 16 on the morning and afternoon of 10/15/06, I have discovered that at least 4 additional cars spun on that section of road, on top of the 6 detailed above (with these 6 in chronological order the Kia, my Subaru, and the 4 vehicles detailed three paragraphs above). The following are statements from two individuals who saw these vehicles first-hand.

[witness1] states, “I drove the stretch of westbound Highway 16 from I-5 to the Union St exit at approximately 7:30 AM on 10/15. At that time I saw two cars with front end damage, presumably as a result of contact the concrete barrier on the left side of the offramp. I returned on eastbound Highway 16 along the same stretch at approximately 2:30 PM, and saw three more cars in the same spot of westbound Highway 16, each with similar damage. I make the drive through that area at least 4 times a month and more often than not there is evidence of a recent accident on the offramp.”

[witness2] also reports seeing one vehicle damaged after hitting the concrete barrier at approximately 7:45 AM on 10/15/06 at the same turn described above as the scene of my accident.
better?
 

DRB

unemployed bum
Oct 24, 2002
15,242
0
Watchin' you. Writing it all down.
DRB, this is to avoid a ticket which would make the accident my fault vs. no-fault, thus avoiding a big hike in insurance rates and possibly being dropped.
It was single car accident correct? If so it probably doesn't matter whether you got a ticket or not. Single car accidents almost always get classed as fault accidents on the part of the driver by insurance companies regardless of whether you are issued a ticket or not. Tickets don't determine legal liability.

If you haven't discussed this with your agent you might want to find out how they determine fault in a single car accident. And what you have to do to get it classified as no fault. Getting out of the ticket will certainly help but is probably not going to be the end of the road for your fight. You may also want to look at your state's insurance commission's website for any information on the relevant laws and policies. Also if you didn't can it, the policy book you get from the company may also spell out what steps you need to take.
 

Toshi

Harbinger of Doom
Oct 23, 2001
38,037
7,554
interesting. washington is a no-fault state for personal injury (in the context of car accidents) but, like all other states, assigns fault for vehicle damage. so you're right, i might be screwed anyway.

i'd rather pay $250 to a lawyer, however, than $153 for a ticket, both out of irrational principle and because then i'd be clean in the eyes of the law, if not in the eyes of my insurance company.

new updated line:

update said:
There is a 40 mph section from the Highway 16 onramp extending for about 1/2 mile, and upon entering the onramp I cautiously slowed to a safe speed, for the given conditions
(changed from "dutifully slowed down to 40 mph.")
 

loco-gringo

Crusading Clamp Monkey
Sep 27, 2006
8,887
14
Deep in the heart of TEXAS
I just want to go on record noting that I drove a rental in the rain in Seattle last Thursday night and didn't crash. :rofl:

*in all fairness...I can't brag about Monday's trip since it was dry.
 

Skookum

bikey's is cool
Jul 26, 2002
10,184
0
in a bear cave
I just want to go on record noting that I drove a rental in the rain in Seattle last Thursday night and didn't crash. :rofl:

*in all fairness...I can't brag about Monday's trip since it was dry.
You should have contacted me, i would have put you to doing trail work while you were here.;)
 

loco-gringo

Crusading Clamp Monkey
Sep 27, 2006
8,887
14
Deep in the heart of TEXAS
You should have contacted me, i would have put you to doing trail work while you were here.;)
I started to, but I was afraid of that. :D

I did get to sneak away to rent a Stumpy FSR and rode Tokul West. I don't know why they complain about the cold up there. The trails would have been muddy if they weren't frozen solid. :think:

Truth is...it was my best friend's wife's birthday and I thought it would be rude to keep making plans that didn't involve her. I liked it up there a lot and will be back. For a week next time...bike in tow. :thumb:
 
I started to, but I was afraid of that. :D

I did get to sneak away to rent a Stumpy FSR and rode Tokul West. I don't know why they complain about the cold up there. The trails would have been muddy if they weren't frozen solid. :think:

Truth is...it was my best friend's wife's birthday and I thought it would be rude to keep making plans that didn't involve her. I liked it up there a lot and will be back. For a week next time...bike in tow. :thumb:

You rent that from a shop in Issaquah? Veloce velo/Mtnside? If so I think I remember renting that to you!!!
 

loco-gringo

Crusading Clamp Monkey
Sep 27, 2006
8,887
14
Deep in the heart of TEXAS
Loco , was it the guy in Blue ?




you should have hooked up with skooks!!
Splat...not entirely sure I can tell from the pic. I didn't get a huge image, so I can't say for sure. The hat is throwing me off too.

Yes...agreed...two things I do regret is not seeing Skookum and not seeing Collonade (sp?).

It was a little rushed up there and I was there to see friends.