Shifting Blame and Lies
I’m not sure if this is the right platform, but I really just need to vent. Thanks for taking the time to read my story.
About a month ago, I was rear-ended while waiting at a red light. The moment it happened, I glanced in my rearview mirror and saw the other driver looking to the right. She then turned her head forward, backed up, and pieces of her front bumper fell off. I immediately called 911, and as the light turned green and traffic began to move, she stayed in her car and did nothing. When the police arrived, each of us shared our accounts. The woman claimed she “slammed the brakes but the car failed to stop.”
Before the police arrived, I briefly spoke to her, asking if she was okay since she seemed in shock. I reassured her that help was on the way. That’s when she pulled out her phone and told someone, “The police are coming. She did it; the woman called 911, it wasn’t me.”
The police issued her a citation and informed me about the court date. When I asked if I needed to attend, they said it was optional, but if I didn’t show up, her case would be dismissed. I decided then that I wouldn’t go.
I reported the incident to my insurance company. Four days later, they called with questions about what happened and asked if there were any surveillance cameras nearby. Unfortunately, there weren’t. To my disbelief, the woman’s insurance claimed that I had reversed into her! The audacity of this woman was infuriating.
That’s when I made up my mind—I was going to court! I’d never been in an accident before, so I wasn’t sure what the proceedings would entail, but I knew I couldn’t let her get away with this.
Today in court, she and her husband looked both shocked and angry to see me. The prosecutor requested a private discussion, where I explained my side of the story. I pointed out that my car has an automatic emergency brake system designed to prevent collisions. I shared all of this under oath, reaffirming my innocence. The defendant, however, lied under oath, claiming “not guilty,” asserting that “the light turned green,” and, “I was moving with my foot on the brake.” She then brought up her son, saying she looked away to talk to him, and even questioned my integrity by claiming she had medical injuries, which the prosecutor objected to.
Inside, I wanted to shout, “LIAR!” The light didn’t turn green until after I called 911, and just because it’s green doesn’t mean you start moving without checking for cars in front of you.
Ultimately, the judge firmly told her, “Ma’am, you’re at fault. You’re guilty. something something four months in addition to a $100 fine plus court fees, totaling $475. Can you pay this now?”
The prosecutor then said I was free to leave, and I walked out feeling that justice had been served. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s liars and hypocrites!
P.S. If anyone knows what that four-month requirement entails, please let me know.
It sounds like you went through a really frustrating and stressful situation! It’s infuriating when someone attempts to shift blame and lie about their actions, especially in a scenario as serious as a car accident. It’s great that you decided to show up in court and present your side of the story, as it ultimately led to a fair outcome. You did the right thing by advocating for yourself and not letting her get away with dishonesty.
As for her sentencing of “4 months,” it could refer to a probation period or a requirement to attend a defensive driving course, but that often varies by jurisdiction. You might want to check with the court clerk or your insurance company for clarification on what that entails.
In any case, it sounds like you’ve learned a lot from this experience and handled it with a lot of grace. Here’s hoping for smoother roads ahead for you!