Single Car Incident, NO Ticket Issued

[3forme]

In April of 2005, I had a tire blow out while driving in the fast lane on the freeway. I lost control of my car, spun and hit the guard rail head on, then bouced back into the fast lane. I immediately moved my car out of traffic onto the shoulder next to the guard rail. No other vehicle was involved. Some one that was behind me called 911 and stopped to assist me. An Ambulance, Fire Truck and Patrol car arrived. After being released by the paramedics (no injuries, just shaken up pretty bad), the police officer asked me what happened, I told him that I think my back tire blow out, there was a loud boom and all of a sudden I was not able to steer my car. I tried to pull over the the shoulder and slow down, I lost control of the car, it spun and I hit the guard rail. He agreed that the tire looked like it had blown out. He then went and spoke the the people that had stopped. When he came back to speak to me, he told me that my car was not drivable and that a tow truck was on its way and he would stay with me until they arrived. No ticket, no anything. Yesterday I recieved a bill in the mail for $1500 from the department of transportation for the guard rail! Am I responsible to pay this?

 

[Duranie]

Technically, probably. You still damaged the guard rail. You might want to ask your insurance company if they will cover this, but it might not be worth pursuing through them.

you could always feel free to see an attorney for a consultation for a second opinion.

 

[MichaelW]

This happened to me as well. The bill is for the property damage and is only a financial renumeration. (nothing will be on record).

In my case, my insurance covered it since it's a part of property damage. Check with your insurance company and review your coverage.