Cause-and-run accident
By The Horse
@TheHorse (238298)
Walnut Creek, California
October 25, 2017 9:17pm CST
I was heading home from work at the preschool in Berkeley CA today. I was in the left/straight lane, second in line. When the light turned green, the car in front of me started to move forward when a car from the right lane shot in front of it, causing it to screech to a halt.
I slammed on the brakes, harder than ever before in this 200,000-mile-old vehicle (I bought it new), and avoided hitting the car in front of me by about 10 inches. But I knew I was going to be rear-ended, so I braced for impact. Fortunately, the driver behind me was texting, got a slow start, and didn't hit me.
The car that caused this almost-accident made a left turn and sped off. The car in front of me honked, paused to gather their wits, and proceeded straight, as did I. I almost made a hard left to follow the offending driver and get a plate number. But I wanted to get home so I could see my afternoon kid client.
We all know about hit-and-run drivers. They are in an accident an then speed off, generally because they are driving on a suspended license, have outstanding warrants, or are illegal immigrants. All of the above are common in California.
But have you ever been involved in, or witnessed, a cause-and-run accident, where others suffer, and the driver who caused the accident speeds off with impunity?
13 people like this
10 responses
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Oct 17
No, thank goodness. Only one major accident for me, t-boned in Costa Mesa, CA, at age 19, no seat belts, broken nose, concussion, broken vertebrae in neck (not one that would leave me paralyzed, fortunately.) I have not seen one like you describe, but am sure they are common.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Oct 17
@TheHorse Tough to ID I'm sure.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (238298)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Oct 17
@JamesHxstatic Oh, I saw it clearly, though I didn't follow it and get a plate number. It was a ...
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174387)
• United States
28 Oct 17
Yup! Ignorant people do things like that here, too, pony... *sigh!*
I just LOVE the people who drive 50 miles an hour to gather a long string of cars behind them then speed up to 70 once they reach the passing section of the highway... when they reach the area past the passing lane, they hit their brakes so they are driving 50 and holding up traffic again. Several times I have seen them slam on their brakes and wait to see if anyone hits their car... SMH!
When that happens, I try to get their license plate numbers and report them to the police.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174387)
• United States
28 Oct 17
@TheHorse Without a plate number the police just laugh about the stupid things people do. SMH!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238298)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Oct 17
@DaddyEvil Even WITH a plate number they have to catch them in the act.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
26 Oct 17
No, I've never witnessed a cause-and-run accident, but other similar incidents. We've had many close calls and had the wreckless driver look daggers at us, like we weren't suppose to be driving on that road. One girl slammed into the side of our car, as we drove past a McDonald's Restaurant. She acted like we were invisible!
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
26 Oct 17
@TheHorse With no fault insurance, our company paid for the damages to our car and then, went after her insurance company for their money.
@FourWalls (86660)
• United States
26 Oct 17
I had someone pull out of a parking lot onto a wet street into the inside lane instead of the outside lane, hit me, then take off like a scalded dog. It caused less than $400 in damage...but that was a long time ago (today it'd be more like $6000 
).
).1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86660)
• United States
26 Oct 17
@TheHorse — here in Louisville. Like I said, a good 25 years ago.
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
26 Oct 17
Yes. There is the joke around here. Tony said he is never in accidents and we said all the people behind him wrecks to get out of his way.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43586)
• Denver, Colorado
28 Oct 17
No, I've never seen, nor been involved in one, thankfully. Happens all the time.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
27 Oct 17
That bites! I'm happy your brakes are working well. I'm sorry that people aren't better drivers. Driving is a huge responsibility
1 person likes this
