Have I Ever Mentioned How Much I HATE...

[Michelle Allmon]

Drunk Drivers? I got hit by one on Monday... HARD. Has this ever happened to you? How long will it take for me to get back on my feet? (as in have a vehicle!!) How long will it take before he is punished? Do I need a lawyer? I've called 3, but they are not interested since I am not permanently disfigured. :) Some people have told me all they will do is take a cut of what I will already be getting... some people say they will help me get more. I don't want to end up driving some P.O.S.

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[HotHolly]

My cousin (she was a sister to me) was almost killed by a drunk. She was 17 and in her boyfriends car. Her and her 4 siblings were headed back home after double dates bowling. Weird family. I know. I already established we are all nuts on another thread. The car she was riding in was like a 1970 metal beast. The engine was pushed into her lap on impact. They couldnt get her out. The cops finally cut her out. She was bleeding horribly and her legs were crushed.

Anyway, I recall seeing her afterword. They didnt think she would make it through the night. She did. I saw her a few days later. She looked half dead. All through high school she was in physical therapy getting her legs to work again. Both were broken in the accident. She had a lot of facial scars that had to be fixed. She was in a lot of pain for a long time. It took almost 2 years for her to get her settlements in hand.

The drunk walked away from the accident. My perception of drunk drivers is totally biased. Im not much help. Her life was permanently altered, and she isnt filthy stinking rich.

[Michelle Allmon]

Seems to me she SHOULD be filthy stinking rich.

I keep wondering what this guy is doing right now... having dinner with his wife? Playing with his kids? Meanwhile I am trying to care for my three by myself, with no transportation, no time, no money being made and lots of phone calls that for some reason *I* have to make in order for things to happen. His insurance company (thru work) is trying to reach his boss so that they can at least get me in a rental. He called them several times today, and she was "in a meeting" or stepped out. I am thinking that I need to leave her a message for the morning, reminding her of who *I* am and what I am doing right now while she is chasing bucks, and that her business can wait for a few minutes so she can make a phone call accepting responsibility. What do you think?

[studiocygnet]

Isn't it a criminal offense to run off after you hit someone? Was he booked into jail at all?

[Michelle Allmon]

He was arrested, but I think he is home now. I have to ask 5 different people 1 question to get any hint of information. I just got his name and insurance info yesterday. I'm pretty sure I am entitled to that information the second someone hits me.

[Michelle Allmon]

Also, I am very unhappy that the police did not take very much time to listen to me... now they have misinformation. The initial report says I was on the shoulder... I was in a private driveway. Also, yesterday I talked with the officer on the phone and she told me that I told her I saw him hit a bank in my rearview mirror before calling 911... that is not what happened at all. I slowed down to let him go because I had a feeling he was going to slam into me... instead he hit the bank. I was calling 911 down the road in the parking space when he sped up and slammed me. Nobody cares what really happened, including the DA. I talked to him because I was concerned that the initial report was not accurate or complete. He yelled at me and said I was being distrustful of their investigation. Then my BF googled him and found out he got busted just 3 months ago for having sex in the courthouse... with someone other than his wife.

[studiocygnet]

Sounds like he hit you on purpose because he saw you on your phone, and he thought you might be reporting him hitting the bank. I had someone hit me from behind and push me down the road right through a red light. I had to do a quick 90 degree wheel turn onto a side street to get away. Then I drove up behind him and got the license number. When I reported the number the police said they couldn't do anything unless I could identify the person, well it was at night, and all I saw were headlights behind me.

[Michelle Allmon]

Originally Posted by studiocygnet

Sounds like he hit you on purpose because he saw you on your phone, and he thought you might be reporting him hitting the bank.

THANK YOU! That's what I thought when it happened! But the police and neighbors (who did not see the entire incident - only I did) say, "oh, he's just plastered. it wasn't on purpose." but he TURNED IN to hit me! then he backed up and sat there, I thought he was gonna hit me again! And this was after he sat behind me after I saw him hit the bank! I don't care if he was drunk, that doesn't excuse him from being a psycho! GAH!

I can't even imagine what it would be like if he got away. Thank goodness the neighbors did something, the police weren't on the scene for awhile so he totally could have escaped. He didn't tho, he stuck around, hiding. That scares me, too!

[Michelle Allmon]

Originally Posted by studiocygnet

When I reported the number the police said they couldn't do anything unless I could identify the person, well it was at night, and all I saw were headlights behind me.

So what happened? Your insurance had to cover the damage? Did your rates go up? Did you have to pay out of pocket? Did you ever find out who it was?

[brad]

We (my son - driving for one of his first times with a permit, my daughter in the back seat, and I) were witness to a drunk driving incident in August of 2007.. we'd almost forgotten about it completely when we got a letter in the mail summer of 2008 asking my son if he'd be willing to testify if it came to court... almost a year later! For a three time loser (convicted twice before of drunk driving, but this was the first accident he'd caused)!

Yea.. things move slow. Keep demanding. Your own insurance company should also be helping you fight this.. because if the report gets filed wrong, it could be declared "no fault" and your insurance would have to pay. (Insert argument for having good insurance here.) Their lawyers are paid to do this kind of fighting for you.

[JenJohnson79]

Be thankful the guy has insurance. I was hit by a drunk driver without insurance in 2004. Not fun at all. . . Nothing ever came of it, other than totalling my car and my insurance company paid my medical bills and gave me an extra $500.00 for pain and suffering. . .

[Michelle Allmon]

Originally Posted by JenJohnson79

Be thankful the guy has insurance. I was hit by a drunk driver without insurance in 2004. Not fun at all. . . Nothing ever came of it, other than totalling my car and my insurance company paid my medical bills and gave me an extra $500.00 for pain and suffering. . .

You are right, and I am thankful for that. Did you get your car replaced? Did you take the driver to court?

[CobyPhoto]

Michelle,

I feel your pain. About nine years ago I lost someone very special to me to a drunk driver. I wasn't there nor did I witness the accident, but the questions, pain and constant nagging surrounding the whole thing hasn't gone away in nine years. The driver was totally wasted. I don't think they did enough to him for taking a life and being totally irresponsible and it took 3 years to do what little they did do. It won't be a quick fast and in a hurry deal, unless the driver is willing to cop-out to a deal. This one wasn't, he fought the entire time and plead NOT guilty!

Don't quite. Put his rear end behind bars. There is no excuse for drinking and driving and harming someone in the porcess.

Coby

[iCe]

Dang Michelle... I'm glad your here posting.

My gut feeling is nothing will happen fast.

[kula23]

WOW sound like he was doing on purpose. You should keep going. Drunk driver need to pay. I got in car accident by drunk driver.......it's 18 wheeler slammed into me and my two friends. They both in front seats and I was in back seat and I am only one who wore seat belt. Both of them didn't, they passed away instantly. I was alive but drunk driver walked out fine. I was in coma for a week, then came out and got broken leg, foot, and almost my hips. It's been 13 years now. My two friends who got killed, their both parent blamed me because I am alive today. The drunk driver's company paid in full for funerals and my bills. He end up in jail, not sure how long, though. I never looked back. It was very bad time and It took me long time to moved on. So, I hope this drunk driver do something to pay your damaged and all. Good luck.