Unbiased Opinions

TripleSix -

The van is behind him as he took the picture. I have other pictures but don't feel comfortable posting his personal pictures. This one was generic in nature and was the first he sent to me asking which lane I thought the truck turned from. I thought the turned from the right and then asked all the other questions too. Why? Etc. My buddy said the truck slowed quickly, which is why he drew so close quickly, my buddy was doing about 40-45 when the truck turned left. No idea how fast the truck was moving. The truck hit my friends van on the passenger door, slid down the side and then hit his 4x6 trailer. All of which ended up behind him from where he took that picture.

 

Wooly -

As I understand things now, my friend is going to be cited for the accident. Not really sure how the insurance will be determined. His van and trailer were totaled. The blue book value check for the van isn't going to replace his and the trailer was uninsured ($1K value) so he'll have to pay for that himself, in addition to whatever incidentals occur. He's going to come out of pocket $17K plus so he's going to pay for his mistake.

I hope the driver doesn't lose his job. Nobody deserves that for an accident (unless it was negligent). It's bad all the way around, I just wanted more opinions on the picture because I felt biased when I answered.

Thank you for the replies.

 

Wore out, I may not be describing it perfectly. I'm really just going off his description. When I say slowed quickly, I'm not sure at what rate. My buddy said the truck had his flashers (hazards?) on as he was going down the hill. My buddy was a few hundred yards behind him when the truck reached the bottom of the hill. At the bottom of the hill, the truck went into the right lane, when my buddy got to the bottom he moved to the left lane (nobody in that lane ahead of him). It was at that point, the truck 200 yards(?) ahead, turned immediately left crossing over the left lane my friend was in. My friend went further left to avoid contact because he saw no option right and daylight left.

All I have.

 

David_Simpson - thanks for the reply. I know of 4 vehicles - my buddy, the truck, the guy behind him and the guy oncoming down the other hill. When my buddy moved to the left lane to climb, he said it was clear as far as he could see until the truck turned left from the right lane.

 

TripleSix - front left bumper of the truck made contact with the van and the trailer. Left tire/wheel well too? I did see some red paint on his trailer picture. He said after the initial investigation truck pulled over from the spot where he had taken the picture and then when it was done, drove off. The trooper said it didn't suffer 'significant' damage.