I was hit by a drunk driver this morning. Updated w/ pics from Dash Cam

[Quackers]

Last edited Thu Feb 18, 2016, 03:22 PM - Edit history (3)

Just an update. The driver had a court hearing today about the OVI. He was a no-show so they issued a warrant for his arrest.

Edit: now don't hate me for doing this, but they say there's no such thing as bad press and well, I figure this situation doesn't have to be all bad. For those of you that didn't know, I'm raising money for my Service Dog's training. I will be bringing him home on May 3rd. I just received my official documentation and prescription yesterday. So in hopes of spreading awareness, I'm posting this here. https://www.gofundme.com/ServiceDog4Jeremy

I'm all about transparency as well. If you would like to see where you're money is going, I have copies of all the money orders and receipts. Thank you all again!


It's been a rough day. I had just mailed out a money order for my service dog. I left the post office, and this guy almost pulls out in front of me. Thankfully, I missed him. I drive no more than a half mile and stop at a traffic light. Next thing I know, the same guy is flying up behind me. He stomps his brakes and his car turns completely sideways, then BAM! It was enough force to drive the rear bumper on my Durango into the rear wheels. My trailer hitch took a lot of the impact but also caused the frame to bend. Thankfully, my dash cam caught it all. Before the squad took me, I popped the SD card out of the dash cam and put it in my wallet. I found out later that the guy was drunk, had an open container, and some type of narcotics in the car. He also didn't have insurance. So for now, no vehicle for us. I thought I had uninsured motorist coverage. Turns out, I have underinsured motorist and uninsured motorist injury only. I hate insurance companies.

So for tonight, I'm just going to lay here and nurse my head and neck. They're still really sore.
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This is the guy. He almost hit me here. ///

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This is the roadway approaching the light.

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This is the red light I was stopped at when I was hit.

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[Bjornsdotter]

1. I'm so sorry!

Feel better...it's going to take awhile.

[Quackers]

13. Thank you

Hopefully, I'll bounce back in a few days.

[elljay]

66. Make sure you move around!

I had some whiplash last year from an accident (my fault, too, darn it!). Did some research and the consensus was to keep moving and stretching your neck and back. I followed the advice and slowly turned and moved my head throughout the next couple of days and my neck improved quickly. Best of luck to you- feel better soon!

[Quackers]

75. But I don't wanna!

To make things worse, the back board made my lower back hurt worse than my neck.

[elljay]

100. Of course you dont

Cause it hurts! Still, it's good for you!

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. Omg. That is horrible

[Quackers]

14. Yeah.

I'm thankful none of my kids were with me when it happened.

[lunatica]

3. Oh my God!

I hope you don't have any permanent injuries.

Regarding your car. My advice is to lease one. I think the leasing amounts are pretty low right now.

[Quackers]

17. So far

It's just pain in my neck and I've been kind of fuzzy on thinking. I hope it improves in the next few days.

[dorkzilla]

54. As I know only too well

You'll probably end up feeling worse in the next few days. I hope you have some good meds, but muscle relaxers are just as important as pain meds for soft tissue injuries. Take care of yourself and if you want to talk to someone who has been hit 4 times-twice by uninsured drivers-please feel free to PM me.

[Quackers]

73. Thank you!

I'm still kicking myself for not seeing the difference between uninsured and uninsured injury.

[malaise]

4. Glad it's not worse

[Quackers]

19. +1. Thank you!

[onecaliberal]

5. I'm so sorry, but thankful you're going to be okay.

[Quackers]

20. Thank you

I'm sure I'll feel better in a few days.

[icymist]

6. You can still sue the drunkard in civil court.

I hope you recover fast.

[Quackers]

21. True

But I just wonder if I'll ever see anything from it.

[lastlib]

77. Get an attorney. Yesterday.

Sue the f*cker for every dime you can get! DO NOT sign ANY releases EVER! And don't accept any settlements without getting legal advice!

[Ilsa]

78. You never know. He could

Inherit property from his family, so there could be a judgment against him and maybe you could recover something.

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. My MIL's granddaughter used her car to drive drunk, and she hit another car, totalled them both. The girl is broke, probably will never own anything, but at least she did jail time. I'm just sorry I missed seeing her hangover in jail.

Good luck to you. I'm glad you're still with us.

[enigmatic]

7. Oh No!

I'm so sorry this happened to you but I'm very glad you're ok!

[Quackers]

23. Thank you

It definitely could have been a lot worse.

[Warpy]

8. This is a great PSA: get that uninsured motorist coverage!

It's a cheap addition to your policy (even here, where we have uninsured drivers from Mexico on the streets, not to mention uninsured drunks with no licenses) and can save you a lot of problems later.

Your car had a headrest, so your injury is likely to be minor. It's going to hurt like hell for a few days but then it will resolve. You'll also hurt in some surprising places you don't think were affected, crashes do that, too.

If there were drugs in the car and his tox screen is positive, he won't see freedom for some time. If it was just alcohol, he'd get a little slap on the wrist and a few fines he'd ignore.

[Quackers]

24. Yep. Sad thing is, I thought I had uninsured motorist.

But this is what it says.
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[cannabis_flower]

30. That really sucks..

You would think someone who has no insurance is also underinsured. What a crock!

[Staph]

34. Thanks for the reminder!

I just checked my coverage, and I have uninsured motorist (from the same provider, apparently -- the webpage looks exactly the same).

Get better -- and if your doctor tells you to rest and take it easy, pay attention to her. I've found that a long, hot shower is wonderfully soothing on aches and pains.

[Warpy]

80. Your own bills will be taken care of, and that's the most important thing

If you have collision coverage, it might pay for your car, depends on how laws in your state are written.

I know I had to ask specifically about uninsured motorist coverage. I knew that during certain parts of the day, a likely 40% of the other drivers around here have been drinking.

[MagickMuffin]

9. Recover and heal quickly and don't worry about the rest

Last edited Wed Feb 17, 2016, 08:00 PM - Edit history (1)

Worrying too much could slow the healing process.

Best of Luck, Quackers!

[Quackers]

25. Thank you!

[Gregorian]

10. Oh no. Best wishes for a fast and complete recovery.

Hell of a way to get to know you.

[Quackers]

26. Lol

BAM!! Oh hi, I'm Jeremy.

[abelenkpe]

11. Get better soon!

[Quackers]

27. Thank you!

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. I hope you recover fairly fast

[Quackers]

28. Me too!

Being this sore really sucks!

[nadinbrzezinski]

51. Did they tell you it will be worst in the morning?

We will be here for you

[Quackers]

72. They did.

They also gave me a muscle relaxer and a pain med, but ironically, I don't have a vehicle to go get them. Lol. Now it hurts to laugh.....

[Quackers]

146. Thank you again, Nadin!

[nadinbrzezinski]

147. You welcome

[Fumesucker]

15. Godspeed in your recovery...

[Quackers]

31. Thank you!

[MrChuck]

16. Best wishes. eom

[Quackers]

32. Thanks!

[steve2470]

18. so sorry to see this, feel better ASAP! :) nt

[Quackers]

35. Thanks!

I hope too!

[cui bono]

22. Yikes.

Hope you feel better real soon!



.

[Quackers]

36. Thank you!

[GreenPartyVoter]

29. I am so sorry!

[Quackers]

38. It's ok.

It could've been worse. I'm just glad to be able to come home to my kids!

[GreenPartyVoter]

71. Thank goodness for that!

[EllieBC]

33. Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery!

I hate people who drive under the influence.

[Quackers]

39. Thank you!

[bravenak]

37. Feel better soon!

[Quackers]

40. Thank you, bravenak!

[femmocrat]

41. So sorry, Quackers. I hope you can sue the b*stard.

But most important, I hope you recover quickly. What rotten luck.

[Quackers]

76. Thank you.

The police said the judge will automatically put something against him to pay it or lose his license. Unfortunately, I don't think he really cares about his license anyway.

[villager]

42. Crap! But *at least* you are here to post about it!

I will take that as a good thing.

Heal up! Keep us posted -- and healing wishes all around..

[Quackers]

79. Exactly!

I had 3 empty car seat/ booster seats in my Durango. Thank God my kids weren't with me!

[Odin2005]

43. Good to see you are OK!

I hope that fucker gets the book thrown at him.

[navarth]

68. +1

[Quackers]

82. He probably won't get much.

I know he goes before the judge in the morning.

[SoCalMusicLover]

44. I'm Guessing The Drunk Bastard Had Little Damage

Usually the only people injured or suffering damage by these Losers, are the ones they smash into.

It takes a special type of person to be drunk early in the day.

Glad to hear you were not hurt more seriously, and hope you feel better soon. I'm sure the guy who hit you will be back on the streets, with his trusty alcoholic beverage by his side, in no time at all. With or without a driver's license and without insurance.

[Quackers]

83. Actually

His vehicle was completely sideways by the time he hit me. It got his front fender, door pillar, front and back doors, and front tire all on the passenger side.

[A Little Weird]

45. Wow that's terrible!

I hope you're back on your feet soon!

[Quackers]

84. Thank you!

[mckara]

46. Best Wishes for a Speedy Recovery!

[Quackers]

85. Thank you!

[Dont call me Shirley]

47. Quackers, I'm so sorry. Speedy healing to you...

The worse the economic divide, the more people turn to alcohol and drugs.

[Quackers]

86. Thank you

Here in southern Ohio, heroin is very bad!

[lastone]

48. Hope you get better quickly Quackers!

[Quackers]

87. Thank you!

[berni_mccoy]

49. Sending healing thoughts.

Been where you are. You will heal. It will just take time. Feel better my friend.

[Quackers]

88. Thanks! I'll take all the healing thoughts I can get.

[restorefreedom]

50. best wishes and quick healing to you!! nt

[Quackers]

89. Thank you!

[Half-Century Man]

52. You'll be fine, you have an edge.

Beard
Beards make us strong.

[Quackers]

90. Yep. Who needs airbags? Lol

I look so different than in my Army days though.

[Half-Century Man]

92. Navy here, at the time we could have beards.

I don't know about now.

[Quackers]

93. Only SF guys in the Army could. nt

[KT2000]

53. drunk in the AM?

He must have a record.
Sorry this happened to you.

[Quackers]

91. Plus open container and narcotics.

I live in Hillsboro, Ohio where it happened and he was on his way to Dayton.

[Chichiri]

55. Gah! Glad you're okay! nt

[Quackers]

94. Thank you!

[ejbr]

56. Hang in there

[Quackers]

95. Will do. At least until he comes through town again. Lol

[montana_hazeleyes]

57. Sorry this happened to you!

But thank goodness you made it out alive. And, like you mentioned, glad your children weren't in the car.

[Quackers]

96. Exactly! Thanks!

[MH1]

58. Sending healing thoughts for a speedy recovery.

So sorry this happened to you.

[Quackers]

97. Thank you!

[renate]

59. thank goodness you're going to be okay

How incredibly frustrating about the uninsured/underinsured thing. That's infuriating, especially since the &*@# was driving drunk. That's salt in the wound for sure.

But it's at least less frustrating and infuriating than if you'd been permanently injured.

I HATE DRUNK DRIVERS. I hope with the narcotics and the dash cam that he gets sent away for a long time instead of just getting a slap on the wrist.

Tons of best wishes for a quick recovery.

[Quackers]

98. Thank you

If I get a few minutes, I'll get some snapshots from the video of him.

[KansDem]

60. Rest and relax!

And get well.

I've encountered a few morning drunks (not on the road). Definitely not a pretty sight.

[Quackers]

99. I think what makes it worse is that he was trying to get tools

And pull his fender off his wheel. If that had happened, I don't think he would've stuck around.

[rock]

61. I wish you well

And am so sorry for you. Take care.

[Quackers]

101. Thanks, rock!

[secondwind]

62. Sooo very sorry to see a fellow DUer like this.. :-(

[Quackers]

102. I'll be ok in a few days.

I just hope this serves as a wake-up call to those who drive drunk.

[leftcoastmountains]

63. Wow so sorry this happened to you!

[Quackers]

103. I'll be ok soon enough.

It could've been worse but I'm still upset about the vehicle not being covered.

[pinebox]

64. Holy crap

Wow.......I'm speechless

[Quackers]

104. I'll try to get some screenshots or video up soon.

Then you'll have something to say.

[pinebox]

110. Alrighty

[kairos12]

65. Sorry to hear this. I hope you heal soon.

[Quackers]

105. Thank you

I will. I just need a few days or so to shake it off.

[malokvale77]

67. So sorry

Not to sound alarming, but pay attention to your teeth in the coming months. Whiplash can cause your teeth to loosen and misalign. A dentist can put stabilizers in until they re-root properly.

[Quackers]

106. I've never heard that before.

Thanks for the heads up!

[zentrum]

69. That's terrible. Feel

…better soon.

[Quackers]

107. Thank you!

[PWPippin]

70. Rest and feel better.

If you have bruises and other aches, Arnica, a homeopathic remedy works wonders. The gel can be rubbed on any area that doesn't have broken skin and the pellets can be taken internally as directed on the vial. I did a seven point landing on our tiled kitchen floor trying to avoid our puppy. I immediately rubbed Arnica on knees, elbows, hands and hip and had only minimal bruising on one knee. In any case, it can't hurt.

Medicare for all! Wouldn't help with your car's injuries, but might with your bodily ones.

[Quackers]

109. Thanks for the tip!

Thankfully, I started getting Medicare A and B in December.

[PWPippin]

116. I'm glad you're on Medicare.

My husband and I love our socialized medicine. When are the Republicans going to stop using it and return their Social Security checks? I thought a laugh might help you feel better. Take good care.

[Quackers]

119. Lol

And we still pay our monthly premiums for it too! They take it right out of my SSDI

[Spitfire of ATJ]

74. Sounds like it was a hell of an impact. I'm glad you're okay.

[Quackers]

111. Thanks!

It felt like it was! Lol. Theres the obvious body damage on the Durango but it also got the factory installed trailer hitch and caused the frame to bend. I was at a dead stop and even after the hit, the truck was still moving forward and you can here the antilock brakes engaging and disengaging.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

112. Were the roads slick?

[Quackers]

115. Not a bit.

There was snow on the sides of the roads but the road itself was fried from having so much road salt on it.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

117. Good. If you had bounced off each other the g forces would have been higher.

[Quackers]

120. I can tell you this much

I was wearing my favorite hat and at the moment of impact, my hate flew off. We found it in the very back of the Durango by the rear hatch.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

122. If you were in a big rig hauling iron pipe you might not have felt it....

Be glad you weren't in a Pinto.

[awoke_in_2003]

81. That sucks...

almost two years ago, I was sitting behind another car at a red light. The light turned green, the guy didn't move. I honked, and then immediately got slammed in the rear. The guy had to be doing 30 MPH- he broke the steel bumper mounts on my F150. I go to get out, and he runs. I was going to chase him, but I saw he ran a red light and a camera caught him. Guess what- cops cannot access those. They are private property and require a subpoena. Public safety my ass- more like revenue generation. Sorry, went off on a tangent. Well, the cops show up. The guy in front of me is passed out drunk, and the guy that hit me was probably drunk, too (1145 at night), but nothing can be done about it. Luckily, I had uninsured motorist protection. What sucks, I had my right hand on the steering wheel when I got hit. The impact went through my shoulder, and has hurt since.

[Quackers]

113. The rear impacts can be a beast when you don't expect them.

I use to say a lot on here that people should get dashcams for their vehicles. I had mine for almost two years now and it finally paid off. I forgot to mention that the other guy did break his right arm about 4 inches up from the wrist. He declined treatment but it was obvious the bone had jumped up and over itself.

[myrna minx]

108. Oh my god - I'm glad you're ok and I wish you a speedy recovery.

[Quackers]

114. Thank you, minx!

[peabody]

118. Best Wishes for You

I was laid out like that in the ER about 9 years ago and had to spend the night in San Francisco General (in the hallway on a gurney because that place was overflowing with patients). They though it was a fracture vertebrate but luckily it was not. So I can commiserate. Take it easy; count your blessings; and post often (it's help to keep your mind on other things).

[Quackers]

121. Thank you, I will.

I feel guilty if I don't reply to everyone that's taken the time to reply to me. Lol

[peabody]

123. Don't feel guilty about it.

I once started a post here about an incident between my child and my neighbor and I got over 100 replies in a short amount of time. I tried my hardest to thank the people for offering help and advice but after like the first 20 I just couldn't keep up. DU can be a great place although it has its warts at times; still this is where I've been hanging out since 2001 only posting and replying occasionally. What else do you have to keep you occupied while lying there in the neck brace?

[Quackers]

125. Honestly, I've been trying my damnedest to raise funds for my Service Dog.

I had literally just mailed out a money order to the breeder, left the post office and was hit. Lol

[peabody]

130. I just brought you a little closer to your goal.

Great looking dog by the way!

[Quackers]

132. Peabody, thank you! People really don't understand how much it actually cost

And how much I'm paying out of pocket in addition to the fundraiser.

Seriously, thank you!

[tavernier]

124. So sorry!

Happened to us years ago. Bad news was that there was no recourse. The lawyers lined up until they found out that he was was basically a drunk who owned nothing, driving a friend's car who was also as poor as a church mouse, and no one but us had insurance. After the lawyers lost interest, we heard he went to jail for for three days.

We weren't interested in pursuing it after spending a ton of money to make up the difference from our insurance claims and legal bills.

Hope you end up better!

[Quackers]

126. Thank you!

It's been 13 hours since the accident and I'm really starting to hurt now. I think I may be in a similar boat with this guy.

[2naSalit]

127. Yeah, I'd call that a rough day.

Sorry to hear this, I hope it all works out in a good way and soon.

[Quackers]

128. Thank you!

[Whiskeytide]

129. PLEASE see a lawyer right away...

UM and UIM only cover you for injuries caused by another driver, not your prop damage. "Collision" coverage is what pays for your car. But you are injured. You have to place your ins co on notice quickly so THEY can pursue the drunk for anything they might pay you.

If your car was financed, your lender may have force placed coverage on it. Would at least help pay off the note.

You may have med payments coverage that would help with co-pays.

A lawyer can look into possible coverages based on whether the driver lives in a household with an insured person, had borrowed the car from someone with coverage, or was (supposed to be) on an errand for another person or business.

And a lawyer can investigate whether he was over served at a bar or was drunk when he bought beer at the Sac O Suds, possibly leading to a dram shop action against them.

I hope you recover quickly. But please see a lawyer soon. You need one.

[Quackers]

131. Thankfully I owned the vehicle. No payments due.

I definitely will have to look into a lawyer. The next few months will suck as this drags through the courts.

[Archae]

134. I know what that's like...

My Mom, Dad and one sister were T-boned by a drunk driver, a lawyer no less.

He pulled any and every legal stunt he knew to avoid paying.

Took a couple years, but he finally paid up.

The guy's favorite tactic was delay.

[Nite Owl]

133. So sorry to hear this

hope you get well real soon and the other driver pays for what he did.

[Quackers]

135. Thank you!

I'm just waking up really sore

[lunatica]

136. A natural herb from a flower called Arnica is very good for muscle pain

You can get it everywhere, including Amazon.com. Rub a little on the sore spots and the pain really diminishes so you aren't in agony. You can get it in gel or cream and even though at first it feels greasy it very quickly absorbs into the skin and no smell.

I find it's great for all kinds of pain. I have tendonitis and it works for that too.

[malaise]

139. I was going to warn you that you'd be in a lot of pain today

If you can tolerate it - the pain will start easing up tomorrow and Saturday will be much better.

[Quackers]

140. Funny thing is

My lower back didn't even hurt after the crash. Now, it is what hurts the most!

[malaise]

141. Yep - back and neck

always worse on day two.

I like to test my pain tolerance level - to avoid the drugs. This too will pass

[Quackers]

142. They gave me a muscle relaxer and pain meds

But we haven't been to the pharmacy to feel them. I've just used Tylenol.

[snooper2]

137. I just read your gofundme and started tearing up...

get better...

I'll check with wife on what we can contribute tonight

[Quackers]

138. Thank you, snooper!

PleAse don't feel obligated to. If you have the extra, I appreciate it very much! In some ways, just telling my story has been therapeutic in its own sense. Hopefully, things will come together.

[Quackers]

143. Just an update

I contacted a lawyer today. I have my consultation on Monday. The police report is supposed to be ready tomorrow and the guy now has a bench warrant out for him. With that being said, the car was in his girlfriend/wife's name. She knowingly let him use it without it being insured and while he was drunk. Today is our daughters 8th birthday. I'm thankful she nor my other two kids were in the Durango.

[RebelOne]

144. I am glad you escaped without any serious injury.

Two of my family members were killed by drunk drivers. My stepfather was killed by a drunken off-duty cop. This was in the late 1940s when cops could do no wrong just as today, so my mother received no compensation. He was only 37 years old.

Then in the late 1970s, my daughter's husband was run down by a drunken driver as he was walking on the sidewalk. He was only 27 years old.

[Quackers]

145. Thank you

I'm sorry to hear about your family members. Nobody wins when someone drives drunk.

[Quackers]

148. Estimate came in.

$4,400.00 to fix the vehicle. Since it's a 2003 Durango, I don't think it's worth fixing. :/
The guy still hasn't turned up yet. Warrant is still active.