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I was involved in a rear end collision yesterday. I was sitting still number one at a red light when a gentleman hit me from behind claiming the light turned green. If it had turned green it was only for a second at the most. Either way he gunned it into my car pretty hard but at least neither were hurt. I filed a claim with his insurance. Just out of curiosity, I think this is a pretty black and white case of liability, but does anyone know if the city of Houston keeps recordings of their intersection cameras? Just in case there is any question the insurance might have or any other proof they might need i would like to have everything available to me. No witnesses who saw the accident stopped, and the police refused to come out saying that it was minor, no one was intoxicated, and we were both insured and licensed. If i want to make a police report i must go down to the station and do it. I really wanted them to ticket the guy just to put any question that his insurance might raise to rest but oh well. So if anyone has any info on the traffic cameras i would appreciate the info. thanks- Rob.

It would seem to me that it would not matter if the light had turned to green or not, he should not have tried to proceed until you did. I can't see where he would have a legitimate case against you.

I thought that if an accident happened on the street or within 3 feet of a public street, that the LEO had to come out and make a report. I know they don't issue tickets on private property such as a Sam's parking lot (from experience, but the LEO did show up when I called). How did LEO know that no one was intoxicated? If you are the one that called did they do a breathalizer over the phone? What about the other guy? Even if the light had turned green why did he bang into you if you had started moving your vehicle? He could have been under the influence of something besides alcohol. Sounds really strange to me. To answer your question, I don't think the cameras take pictures unless the lights are red so they can catch people running the signals. An LEO will most likely be here shortly to give you better/correct answers. Glad you didn't get hurt. You can take pictures of your vehicle showing the rear end collision. I do believe any time someone hits you from behind it is their fault so you shouldn't have any problems. Just make sure to take pictures.

There won't be any questions. He hit the back of your car, so he looses unless you were backing up.

I've been on both sides of that coin. You win.

Thanks for the replies so far. I wasn't moving at all. I was completely stationary. I stressed this fact with the insurance. To be honest i was completely surprised they would not send an officer since i called to request one. I forgot to mention an officer actually saw us after we cleared the road because we were blocking traffic in our lane, and kept on going. I don't know i have always had some kind of police report to go on in my two other accidents. This is my first time without one. And yes i am documenting with pictures, pictures, and pictures!!!

He would have been cited for failed to control speed.

Since an officer didn't come out to take a report, its up to the guy's insurance company whether or not they will pay.

I would get your insurance company involved as well.

gigag04 wrote:I would get your insurance company involved as well.

ABSOLUTELY! Your insurance company will have a lot more influence with his insurance company than you ever will.

Oldgringo wrote:

gigag04 wrote:I would get your insurance company involved as well.

ABSOLUTELY! Your insurance company will have a lot more influence with his insurance company than you ever will.

Ditto. This is one of the things you pay them for. If the other insurance company refuses to pay, then you will be making a claim against your own company, and they would like to avoid that. Make sure they know.

I wish i would have really pressed the issue with the HPD operator. I probably should of just said i was involved in an accident with no injuries but i must have an officer on scene and not given anymore details. The good news is that i DID call my insurance company when i arrived home and gave them a detailed recorded statement of exactly what happened to document. They gave me the option of claiming it through my insurance or going through the other guys. They said if I went through my company i may or may not be covered for the deductible depending on what the other guys insurance said. So mabey i should just go ahead and file a claim through mine. My insurance company stated i would be able to do this since it has now been documented.

seniorshooteress wrote:I thought that if an accident happened on the street or within 3 feet of a public street, that the LEO had to come out and make a report.

I wasn't aware of that law. DO you have a reference?

I don't think there is such a law. Of course, I could be wrong. However, I don't think the police must involved unless there is an injury. Otherwise, just get out of everyone's way if you can, exchange your information, and be on your way.

tacticool wrote:

seniorshooteress wrote:I thought that if an accident happened on the street or within 3 feet of a public street, that the LEO had to come out and make a report.

I wasn't aware of that law. DO you have a reference?

No I don't have any reference only personal experience that is why I wrote "thought" not I Know.

C-dub wrote:I don't think there is such a law. Of course, I could be wrong. However, I don't think the police must involved unless there is an injury. Otherwise, just get out of everyone's way if you can, exchange your information, and be on your way.

That is correct; no such law. As a retired LEO I've found most departments have policies re non-injury crashes that they do not dispatch an officer. Insufficient manpower. They want drivers to move their cars out of traffic and exchange info from their insurance cards and licenses. Then contact their respective insurance companies to work out the settlement.

Lean on your insurance company to file the claim against his first. Good luck.

Once upon a time, I was told that the police will be routinely dispatched only if someone is injured or if at least one of the vehicles is no longer drivable.

Of course, I've slept since then and IANAL.

LarryH wrote:Once upon a time, I was told that the police will be routinely dispatched only if someone is injured or if at least one of the vehicles is no longer drivable.

Of course, I've slept since then and IANAL.

Larry,

In your hometown, the police will always respond to an accident, major or minor, if you request them. I could post all of the laws concerning when a crash report has to be completed, but it would likely give you all a headache...LOL.

Jason