And now, more waiting

[fbhjr]

My appointment for my appeal about the traffic accident was at noon. Even
though it is only about 30 miles, I left at 10.
Good thing as there was major highway construction and it took me more than
an hour.

The courthouse allows nothing electronic in and has metal detectors at the
entrance to stop you. This must make it difficult for jury duty as no
phones or music players.
It seems an extreme thing to me, but it is the way it is.

It took me a bit to find the room I needed as there is little signage, but
I did finally find it.
There was a man at a desk sitting there with a few chairs near the door.
I sat down in a chair and waited.

“Are you here for an insurance hearing?” the man asked me.
“Yes, I have a noon appointment. I know I’m early.”
“Wait outside!” he said.
Another person came and made the same mistake. And, then just hung around
the door instead of sitting on the bench outside. The guy in the room
slammed the door shut.
Again, instructions would have been nice. Go to room 3001 does not appear
to be the correct procedure, even when written on my form.

So, I waited outside. I brought a book. A collection of short stories by
one of my favorite authors. I had read most of them. But, in this one she
writes a bit of background about each story after it. So, that was a nice
read.
There were no clocks in evidence, but I figured the guy in the room would
let me know.

A different guy came and got me. His watch said it was just noon when he
did.
Turns out this was the layer from the insurance company.
The door slamming guy in the room turned out to be the judge.

He swore me in. Never done that before.
Then the insurance guy read the company report and read my submission on
the accident verbatim.

The judge asked if I had anything else to say.
I pulled out my package of photos of the accident side, the results, the
Google images from above of the intersection. All on large paper so you
could get a good view.
I explained how I feel it happened which differ from the insurance version.

They say I side swiped the Jeep. I say it turned into me.

“You can see in this image my drivers mirror was embedded in his fender,” I
told the judge as I handed him a photo. “That wouldn’t happen if I had hit
him. It would have been elongated in the direction I was traveling. The
fact it is a clear print indicates he turned into me and pressed his car
against my mirror.”
The judge nodded.

“Why do you think he hit you?” the judge asked.
“I think he didn’t see me,” I said. “He was coming up from Connecticut on
his way to Vermont to go skiing. He got off at this exit to buy gas. I
think he looked up the road on the left to see if there was another gas
station, and when there wasn’t turned right into the one at the
intersection.
“He said he didn’t see me and I believe him. I’ve got a small car. It was
Sunday morning and I don’t think he thought anyone else was there.”

“Why did you try and pass him on the right?” the judge asked.
“You can see in these images there are two lanes. I was going straight in
this one, he pulled left into this one and then turned right. I’ll grant
you that there isn’t a white line still in place on the road, but wear
patterns in the pavement clearly show two lanes.”
“Did you ask the Department of Public Works how many lanes there were?”
“No, Sir. That didn’t occur to me. I took the word of the officer who
responded when he told me there were two lanes. But, I did not get that
from him in writing.”

“How do you know he was from Connecticut?” he asked me.
“It’s on his license,” I said, putting the copy of the guys license in
front of the judge.
“He let you copy his license?”
“He let me take a photo of it, which I printed.”
“Oh, I see.”

He did ask for copies of all my photos and other material. But, not
decision was made.

“I’ll take this all into consideration and make a decision,” the judge
said. “I will send you and the insurance company a letter with my decision
some time in the next two weeks.”

So, I drove back to work.

Hopefully he finds in my favor. But, I paid the $500 deductible back in
April, so I have nothing to lose if he doesn’t. But, it would be nice to
get that money back.

Comments

[padiwack.livejournal.com]

The last time I went to court, I was warned...NO CELL PHONES!

So I left MINE in my glove compartment. When I found the room I had to wait in, everyone had their cell phones! I was miffed!

Good luck!

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

Ooof. Good luck.

[endlessblush.livejournal.com]

You were so prepared - I cannot understand why he couldn't make a decision then and there. My goodness your legal system loves to draw things out - ridiculous!

I'm crossing my fingers for you.

[morgan-lafaye.livejournal.com]

I wish you luck. Hopefully the Judge will rule in your favor. You presented you case quite clearly.

[hindustar.livejournal.com]

I think you made a great case, and I hope he finds in your favor.

[postingwhore.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[chaquir.livejournal.com]

It sure sounds that you made a point. I hope you can get a refund.