Shifting Blame and Lying
Feeling the need to vent, so here’s my story (thanks for reading).
About a month ago, I was stopped at a red light when I was rear-ended. In that moment, I glanced in my rearview mirror and saw the other driver looking away, then suddenly reversing her car after the impact. I noticed pieces of her bumper falling out as she did so. I immediately called 911, and as the light turned green and traffic began to move, she did not exit her vehicle or take any action. When the police arrived, we both shared our accounts of the incident, during which she claimed that she “slammed on the brakes, but her car failed to stop.”
Before the police arrived, I had a brief exchange with her to check if she was okay, as she appeared to be in shock. I reassured her that help was on the way. In response, she quickly got on the phone and told someone, “The police are coming… she did it, the woman called 911, it wasn’t me.”
The officer issued her a citation and provided me with a court date. When I asked if my presence was required, he said it was optional but warned that if I didn’t attend, her case could be dismissed. I decided then that I wouldn’t go to court.
I promptly reported the incident to my insurance company. Four days later, they called to discuss the details and asked whether there were any surveillance cameras nearby. Unfortunately, there weren’t. To my shock, I was informed that her insurance claimed I had reversed into her! The audacity of this woman!
Realizing I needed to attend court to prevent her case from being dismissed, I made up my mind to show up. I had never been in an accident before, so I wasn’t sure what would happen.
Today in court, I could see the surprise and anger on her and her husband’s faces when I walked in. The prosecutor wanted to speak to me privately, and I explained my side of the story. I mentioned that my car has an automatic emergency brake system designed to prevent collisions. I spoke under oath to prove my innocence. Despite my testimony, she lied under oath, claiming she was “not guilty” and that the light turned green, and she moved forward with her foot on the brake, only looking away because her son said something to her. She even questioned my integrity when it came to her claimed medical injuries, but the prosecutor objected.
I wanted to shout: “Liar!” The light didn’t turn green until AFTER I called 911! Plus, when a light turns green, you wait for the cars in front of you to move first!
In the end, the judge firmly told her, “Ma’am, you’re at fault. You are guilty,” and then imposed a $100 fine plus court fees, totaling $475 due immediately. The prosecutor then told me I could leave, and as I walked out, I felt that justice had been served. I can’t stand liars and hypocrites!
P.S. If anyone knows what the four-month consequence entails or what happens thereafter, please let me know.
It sounds like you went through a really frustrating and stressful situation, and I’m glad to hear that it ultimately resulted in a fair outcome. It’s so disheartening when people try to shift blame and lie to cover their own mistakes, especially when it puts others in a tough position.
Attending court must have been nerve-wracking, but it seems like you made the right choice in standing up for yourself and presenting your side of the story. The fact that you had the support of evidence, like your car’s emergency brake system, certainly helped reinforce your account of what happened.
As for the “something something” regarding the sentence of 4 months, it likely refers to some sort of probation or a period during which she may have to meet certain conditions, or it could be related to a suspension of her driver’s license. It might be a good idea to check with the court or her insurance for detailed information on what that entails.
Overall, it’s great to see you advocate for yourself. Here’s hoping for smoother roads ahead!