Rear-end collision. Distracted driver with phone in hand caught on video

[Klis]

Make sure you make diminished value claim. New Model 3 lost $5k in value for minor accident in NY

I'll definitely keep that in mind as I proceed with the claim. It really sucks that someone else's decisions have a negative impact on your life.

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[Cybertruck 1974]

Distracted driving should have way more consequences. I, like you and along with thousands out there yearly, was rear ended by a selfish idiot on their phone and almost lost my life. Should be loss of license for 6 months and pay up the WAZOOO with classes to kick the addiction just like drunk drivers!! Absolutely should be same category as drunk driving, impaired driving is IMPAIRED driving.

 

[btcrealm]

Always get yourself checked out after an accident like that. I got rear-ended when I was stopped at about 60mph. Years later I found out I had lower back problems from it. Had I done chiropractics after it I probably would never have had issues.
I was young and dumb and invincible at the time (20 year old). I hurt for a little bit and got over it and was 'fine'.
The spine is a pain in the ass with jolting impacts.

 

[FlykidCT]

Distracted driving should have way more consequences. I, like you and along with thousands out there yearly, was rear ended by a selfish idiot on their phone and almost lost my life. Should be loss of license for 6 months and pay up the WAZOOO with classes to kick the addiction just like drunk drivers!! Absolutely should be same category as drunk driving, impaired driving is IMPAIRED driving.

15 years ago the most hazardous folks were drunk drivers you could typically avoid them by when you drove, my guess is that on most nights after 10 .. about 5-10% had alcohol in em.. 5% were drunk and every one of them said “oh I’m a better driver than most so I can do it”

now phones in use 24/7 by I’d guess 70% of people using the justification of “oh I’m a better driver than most so I can do it” yes even phone calls can distract you especially *ahem* elevated emotional heated discussions.

The threat of being hit by one of these punks is so much higher than being hit buy a drunk!!! Plus it’s a temptation for every one of us regardless of time of day.

Not you guys though, our phones are Bluetooth linked and voice operated.

 

[wtibbit]

Not at all. I was really upset but I was waiting for her to apologize and she never spoke. Although I wanted to yell at her, I just couldn't do it. If she were a man, I might have voiced my opinion.

But I really thought she was under the influence of something so I was trying to observe her actions and record her through sentry.

I've seen and heard a lot of advice from the legal community to say nothing and admit nothing after an accident, regardless of whether or not you are at fault. I'm not sure I could do that, but maybe she was following that type of advice.

 

[Klis]

I've seen and heard a lot of advice from the legal community to say nothing and admit nothing after an accident, regardless of whether or not you are at fault. I'm not sure I could do that, but maybe she was following that type of advice.

She rammed me at over 30mph and stood there with like a grin on her face as she waited for me to react. She didnt call the police, she didn't grab her documents to exchange with me; wtf?. You have no idea how upset I was in that moment. I hope her car is totalled ?

 

[CTInProcess]

Im so glad the CT is the toughest vehicle on the road. Any other vehicle would have been totaled. In 3 weeks you’ll be up and running again.

 

[Klis]

Im so glad the CT is the toughest vehicle on the road. Any other vehicle would have been totaled. In 3 weeks you’ll be up and running again.

I appreciate the support, it means a lot to me. It's been a depressing 48 hours but this forum and it's members have kept me afloat.

 

[SentinelOne]

Dude I'm still recovering from a woman that turned left infront of me. Totalled my Triumph Street Triple and totalled my left leg. 3 fractures and torn acl. This was like 18 months ago.

sorry to hear that, it can take a while to heal for sure, wishing a speedy & complete recovery - be safe!

 

[REM]

Sorry to hear about the truck; glad no-one died from her wanton recklessness. I urge you to do the following:

1) Schedule an appointment with an orthopedic specialist (directly, if you can) and tell them up front that you would like a full exam to determine if you have any injuries at all from the crash. Many people don't get whiplash symptoms until days or even weeks later; and if you do not document it early as you can, the insurance companies will fight you hard on it. Don't try to diagnose yourself as "I'm good, no worries". Have a certified professional do it.

2) Have someone else help you catalog absolutely everything that was damaged; including cargo you were carrying (even small stuff like your license plate frame). Take pictures and video.

3) Make sure your insurance claim includes diminished value as well as time lost with the vehicle if you have absolutely any kind paper trail where you show you are missing out on money because of this extreme negligence on her part. This includes the increased cost of transportation if you are now having to fuel with gas for a loaner instead of being able to charge up for free at your place of business, for example. Also includes things like trips (business or pleasure) that you may have had to cancel because the truck was the primary resource for it.

4) Don't think of any of this as merely retribution. People need to be brought the fullest extent of justice for distracted driving. This type of thing will only get worse right up to the point where full level 5 autonomy becomes available (and even mandated). And everyone speaks money. Hit them where it hurts the most and maybe they will get the picture.

p.s. - There are a lot of scumbag layers out there, but see if you can find one from friend/family references. You may need them in a case like this. People who risk others lives on the highway need to start feeling the full force of justice. It may be too late now, but I would have also talked to the police department writing this incident up and ask them to perform a toxicology on the driver that hit you.

 

[Klis]

Sorry to hear about the truck; glad no-one died from her wanton recklessness. I urge you to do the following:

1) Schedule an appointment with an orthopedic specialist (directly, if you can) and tell them up front that you would like a full exam to determine if you have any injuries at all from the crash. Many people don't get whiplash symptoms until days or even weeks later; and if you do not document it early as you can, the insurance companies will fight you hard on it. Don't try to diagnose yourself as "I'm good, no worries". Have a certified professional do it.

2) Have someone else help you catalog absolutely everything that was damaged; including cargo you were carrying (even small stuff like your license plate frame). Take pictures and video.

3) Make sure your insurance claim includes diminished value as well as time lost with the vehicle if you have absolutely any kind paper trail where you show you are missing out on money because of this extreme negligence on her part. This includes the increased cost of transportation if you are now having to fuel with gas for a loaner instead of being able to charge up for free at your place of business, for example. Also includes things like trips (business or pleasure) that you may have had to cancel because the truck was the primary resource for it.

4) Don't think of any of this as merely retribution. People need to be brought the fullest extent of justice for distracted driving. This type of thing will only get worse right up to the point where full level 5 autonomy becomes available (and even mandated). And everyone speaks money. Hit them where it hurts the most and maybe they will get the picture.

p.s. - There are a lot of scumbag layers out there, but see if you can find one from friend/family references. You may need them in a case like this. People who risk others lives on the highway need to start feeling the full force of justice. It may be too late now, but I would have also talked to the police department writing this incident up and ask them to perform a toxicology on the driver that hit you.

I will see an orthopedic on Dec 30 as a follow up from a knee surgery from my motorcycle accident a year and a half ago.[other diver "didnt see me" and broke my leg and tore my acl] I will talk to the doctor then regarding this accident.

Funny you mention the license plate frame. I put that on 3 hours before the accident. Bought it from one of the vendors on this forum.

I'll make sure my adjuster takes EVERYTHING into account. I waited 4 years for this truck and spent a lot of money on it and now it'll always be recognized as a vehicle that was involved in an accident. Ughhh.

And you're right, if it comes to a lawsuit, I will make sure we go to the "full extent". I don't feel bad for someone that couldn't even apologize to me or ask me if I was OK.

 

[P_Slaw]

I was rear ended here after having my truck for 30 days. Like you said, I made an appt and 30 days later dropped my truck off at the Tesla Collision center on Monday and they had it back to me on Friday. My bumper didn’t look quite as bad as yours, but mine was just the plastic bumper cover and a few brackets which was about $1,100. If none of the metal of the body is damaged I bet it is a quickish repair from what they told me. I was rolling when she hit me so I think that lessened the damage, but at impact I bet she was going <15 mph

 

[Klis]

I was rear ended here after having my truck for 30 days. Like you said, I made an appt and 30 days later dropped my truck off at the Tesla Collision center on Monday and they had it back to me on Friday. My bumper didn’t look quite as bad as yours, but mine was just the plastic bumper cover and a few brackets which was about $1,100. If none of the metal of the body is damaged I bet it is a quickish repair from what they told me. I was rolling when she hit me so I think that lessened the damage, but at impact I bet she was going <15 mph

Thank you for sharing. I'm really glad you had a positive experience considering the circumstances of course.

I can see mangled metal in the trailer hitch area but it appears it's a bracket thats bolted to the frame so it could be just a part swap ??

In my case she pushed a static 6k lb. truck several feet forward. The impact was quite hard. I only hope the CT is as durable as Elon promised. Heck she hit my tailgate going at least 30 mph and left a dirt mark on it but didn't dent or scratch the tailgate. I'm quite impressed there was no damage to the tailgate.

I'll be sure to list the damage as soon as tesla collison reports it to me. I'm sure there are many wire harnesses, modules, and maybe sensors in the bumper that will need to be replaced.

 

[M0unt41nm4n]

I'm so upset.
I was rear-ended by someone last night. The other driver slammed into the back of my CT due to being distracted (cellphone). She never even slowed down.

Now I have to wait 3 weeks to find out if there is structural damage to the rear of the CT.

I researched online but haven't found anyone document their experiences with this type of accident so here I am.

You need to contact these guys:

https://www.dsslaw.com/car-accident-attorney/types-of-accidents/texting-while-driving

Note its a criminal act in NJ and you also may want to go to the police or perhaps district attorney with your video.

 

[koolio]

Damage doesn’t look that bad given her speed. Hope everything is okay.

Glad you got it on video and the pic of her holding her phone in her hand. I’d make sure her insurance and yours see that…her premium should skyrocket for having evidence of distracted driving that caused an accident.

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