Hit by a drunk driver, but mostly okay

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This has been a tough week, so I was really happy to have a day off today. I was on my way to buy groceries and sitting at a red light, waiting for it to turn green, at about one o'clock in the afternoon, when there was this horrible noise and a huge thud/impact. It turns out the motorist behind me was hit by a drunk driver, then hit my car when his was pushed forward. All of us were physically okay, but our cars aren't. (Both the other motorist and I had just bought our cars new, over the last few months, too).

The drunk driver was pretty beligerant and had a really aggressive dog with him that I was afraid was going to attack us, so I was relieved when police showed up. We'd exchanged insurance and contact info before the officers arrived, so the DUI motorist has my name and address and, it turns out, he lives practically around the corner from me. That makes me somewhat nervous, since I was told I was going to have to go to court to tesitfy against him.

Two odd things happened, when the officers were arresting the guy for failing a sobriety test, they were trying to figure out what to do with the dog. Just then, a guy walked up, said, "Hey, that's my brother's car!" and talked to the officers. The DUI guy's brother, just happened to be walking by and they wound up giving him the dog. Also, a witness from a nearby shop came over and started talking to us. Turns out, he went to high school with my mom (who is not from the area where the accident happened) and was my aunt's ex-brother in law. He was also somehow related to the other motorist, also via an in-law. So, we'd never met, all came from different walks of life and different towns and were all distantly related by marriage.

My car was in good enough shape for me to drive it home, so I got home and dealt with calls from the three insurance companies involved for a few hours. That was stressful, especially since I learned the at-fault motorist has only the minimal coverage required in PA and it may not be enough to fully pay for our repairs. My neck and shoulder were sore earlier, so I'm keeping an eye on it and might need to see a doctor if it doesn't go away.

The thing, though, is that the experience drudged up some memories. I'd been planning on going hiking at a state park tomorrow, but was having second thoughts about going because of some bad memories from visiting that park growing up. Mainly, it was recalling the time my alcoholic late father almost got us all killed on the way home by insisting he drive, even though he was drunk. I have a lot of anger associated with that, mainly at my mother for allowing it happen. So, here I had that on my mind and this happens today. Plus, a few years ago, while I was living in the town where the accident happened today, I had to file a report because I was being stalked and threatened by someone. The officer who filed the accident report was the same one who filed the incident report on the stalking and threats. I instantly remembered him.

So, besides the stress of being hit and trying to deal with getting my car fixed, I'm also feeling shaken from the some of the other feelings and memories the experiences of the day have drudged up. I'm really hoping things start to look up soon and the thing with my neck/shoulder won't be serious.

Wow. Sounds stressful. I'm sorry you went through that. Also sounds a bit surreal what with the coincidences. I feel your distress at the drunk driver knowing your address. Seems like court procedure should forbid him knowing that if you're going to testify. I'm also sorry about the traumatic memories this has triggered.

Greetings blueroses,
Dang! That was one hectic day indeed.
So glad you are ok, but I do totally recommend that you see a doctor or urgent treatment clinic very soon about your neck and shoulder.
Talking from experience here, that you can feel relatively fine for a couple of days, then be in major pain.
Plus, having a doctors report cannot hurt when you go to court.

The DUI driver will probably somehow twist it around in his mind to make it yours and the other motorist's fault.

Don't leave your wrecked car visible if possible, that will make it easier for him to locate you if he does decide to be less than civil.

shrox is entirely right on both counts - garage the car so he can't come and trash it, and expect him to fight tooth & nail over the "it was THEIR fault" issue (to him, seeing as he was drunk, it probably is a distorted version of the truth already anyway).

Good luck on recovering the cost of repairs. And yeah, a sad reminder of what the road brings - so many crap, careless drivers.

Indeed, fight the good fight and don't let the DUI driver blame you for squat. The guy was obviously drunk and you and the other driver should be witness enough to ensure he pays the consequences for that. And yes definitely bring the doctors records, and any other info crash-related to court just for good measure. In a case like this, I'll be surprised if he doesn't go to jail. I know that no one died, but I figure the punishment should be more severe than a DUI since there were life-risking injuries and damages involved.

Last edited by raisedbyignorance on 02 Sep 2011, 9:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Yeah, this is very important to keep in mind. Reasoning with him will probably be a bad idea. Also, he has a few contacts at the scene of the crime who might twist things in his favor. The brother that "just so happened to be walking by" that's not a coincidence. You don't just "happen" to be walking by right after your brother magically failed a sobriety test for a DUI. I would ignore that coincidence, but the other witness who is distantly related who also just happened to be there gives me second thoughts. The best thing you can do is to stick to the facts. Having the doctors note and all the paperwork you can muster would be a good idea, since the pathos is on his side. The least you can do is control the logos. As for ethos, I don't know. It depends on this guy's character. Staying calm is very important. He might try and get your goat. Don't fall for it.

OMG how awful!

I had that happen in a much milder form (far less damage to my car) several months ago. The DUI guy ended up pleading guilty so I never had to testify. I think that's pretty common, especially if the guy had a high blood alcohol level, so hopefully you'll get off the hook too...

People are such idiots.

I did, at the strong urging of a few people, go to the ER today. They did x-rays, but did not find major problems. I was sent home with ice and a sling that makes it impossible to do anything, since I'm right-handed and it needs to be worn on my right arm. Not optimal, but it could have been worse.

Just to clarify, that witness was not related to the at-fault/DUI driver; he was the ex in-law of relations of both the other motorist who was struck and myself. He was actually quite helpful and the one who called the police for us. The DUI driver's brother did not witness anything; he walked up to the officers after the accident and the DUI guy had been cuffed. The DUI driver was taken in and is facing criminal charges, so I don't think many would be feeling too badly for him. He rear-ended someone at a red-light, so it's not really a question of he-said vs. she-said. My main concern is dealing with his insurance company and getting my car fixed, since he's under-insured.

OMG, I just Googled the name of the guy who caused the accident and he has quite a rap sheet. In addition to multiple DUI's, he also broke into a local high school drunk, led police on a high-speed chase and has been arrested for domestic violence and assault numerous times. Awesome.

Sounds like a real winner!

Given the nature of the accident, and that stellar track record, it's almost certain he'll take a deal and not go to trial.

The insurance company will handle everything else - I think there's a real good chance you'll never see the guy again.

Hope your injuries are not long-term...

(((((Hugs)))))

That seems very stressful. I hope that you start feeling better emotionally very soon. The fact that the driver did that deliberately makes me fear for you as well. I hope that guy gets lock up in jail where he belongs.

^^ Thanks, CockneyRebel!

I really, really hope so. Given his record, I don't know how he is even still driving. Makes me wonder if he had a suspended license.

By the title I thought at first that your body was hit by a car and I was wondering how you made it ok ......

Well, look at the bright side, that man would remind you that you're not a social loser, some people are much worse, like this idiot....

Yeah, suspended in alcohol...