I had a car accident last January 12, 2005. It all happened in a T-Intersection between 87 Avenue Exit of West Edmonton Mall and 178 Street. I had the flashing green left turn light so I began to enter and was slowly turning left. Suddenly, a car ran a red light and hit me at the LEFT driver side door and LEFT front fender. I was really shocked , this was my first car accident, clearly not my fault because it is my road right-of-way already because of the flashing green left turn light. Yup, in ALL my experiences worldwide as a driver, this is my first car accident/collission. My car cannot be driveable anymore after the accident occured.
Nobody had even stopped and bothered to offer help/assistance or even stand as a witness . Life really became harder when I began to communicate to the guy that hit me, I was surprised to the fact that he was not able to speak good English , I had to use my hands and act out trying to explain to him, still in a calmy manner though, that he ran a red light, asked him if he has an insurance pink card, his drivers license and details. Both of us had, and later a friend of his arrived as an interpreter.
Later, one constable came and asked each one of what happened and made each one of us sign a collission statement. Also, later, another constable came and took over for the first one.
The bitter parts of this incident/accident, are as follows:
1. I had a flashing LEFT turn green light, the road is clearly should have been given for me to pass. The other guy was really stupid enough to ran a red light and hit me.
2. There were no witnesses to this incident. This is the most bitter part of this whole thing and really made my life miserable right now. The other guy is also claiming that he had a GREEN LIGHT!!! Who wants to bother in owning the blame? His insurance company is threatening a possible 50-50 claim, which is the most unfair part for me because I never did anything wrong, I followed/obeyed the traffic light signal intended for me and some stupid guy ran a red light and hit me. My insurance company will be paying half the cost of the damage of my car and my premium will rise sky high if 50-50 will really be the unfair decision/finding of the other guy's insurance company. There is really NO JUSTICE for me!!!
3. My car insurance is only Third Party Liability . That means, I dont have a collision/damage coverage for my own car. And I have to face and deal all these problems by myself, with no help from my own insurance company. Again, it is really painful and a tiresome process for me because I have to persuade and follow-up my claim to the other guys insurance company. Let this be a lesson/an advice for you people out there who also has PLP-Third Part Liability to consider FULL COVERAGE as the BEST OPTION to have. The other guys insurance company is really giving me one HELL of a time!!!!
4. I had to quit my job in W.Edmonton Mall because I have no more car and my left arm/shoulder injury, until now is still bothering me.
5. I called a couple of injury lawyers, and because there was no serious CRACK or BROKEN BONE, all of them declined to take my case, adding it is gonna be expensive for me. And yes, it really is.
Best Chance For Me Adviced From A Friend To Win 100%:
1. Police Report. Talking to the Constable if he had issued a ticket to the other guy. Or if I could get him or both of the constables to be witnesses. The two constables' could better tell their views about the accident. I was never issued a ticket, my car insurance price is still the same. I couldnt confirm yet, if that guy was issued one because I was with my car being towed already and left the scene.
If you guys out there can lend your advice/s, your thoughts, please do share them with me. I really need them badly. If you guys think I should consult a lawyer, please tell me.
Much thanks for all your time.
---Miguel
Alberta Class 5 License holder, UK-British/European Union license holder.