LD1
Epic Contributor
My brother was in an accident this morning with a car while he was driving his RTV to work. He is fine and the other guy is fine just two damaged vehichles and I would like some opinions and advice on what he should do.
Background info:
We live in Ohio. He is legally blind and has been riding a under 50cc moped two miles to his work for the last several years as he can never get a license due to his vision. This summer he decided he wanted something a little warmer. After much research we determined that the RTV's, if equiped with signals, flasher, lights, SMV sign, were in fact road legal. So he got a RTV 500 with cab and heater and the works for about 14000.
The accident:
On his way to work this morning, he signaled for the left hand turn into the school where he works and proceeded with his turn when he was struck by a car trying to pass him. (think god he was not still riding the moped).
The principal of the school came out and just suggested swapping insurance info but then it started turning into a "he said she said" as to who was at fault so they called the highway patrol.
The part that I need advice on is that they sited my brother. The other driver claimed my brother signaled too late but knowing my brother he always signals way too soon. The cop based the sitation on 3 reasons
1. He said that with the flashers on, when you turn the signals on it is very difficult to see the signal.
2. SMV signs allow drivers to pass anywhere, even on a double yellow
3. My brother struck the other car in the passenger door area, instead of being t-boned, which means that the car was already beside him.
He has the kubota insurance, which only covers the RTV after the $500 deductible and his grange ins only covers offroad mishaps, NOT onroad. He has not contacted grange yet as they weren't open yet.
So do you guys think he was fairly sited or should we seek legal advice???
I just spoke to my dad and I told him this could have happened to any of us, not just him in the RTV. I personally know that I rarely look behind me when I am making a left turn. So if some ***hole tries passing me is it my fault if I hit his door instead of being t-boned???
On a couple of positive notes
1. The officer never said anything about the rtv not being road leagal and didn't say anything about him not having a license.
2. The rtv are vert stout and stable. It skidded him around a bunch but never rolled/flipped. It just messed up the brush guard and tweaked something that doesn't allow the door toclose tight.
Thanks in advance
Background info:
We live in Ohio. He is legally blind and has been riding a under 50cc moped two miles to his work for the last several years as he can never get a license due to his vision. This summer he decided he wanted something a little warmer. After much research we determined that the RTV's, if equiped with signals, flasher, lights, SMV sign, were in fact road legal. So he got a RTV 500 with cab and heater and the works for about 14000.
The accident:
On his way to work this morning, he signaled for the left hand turn into the school where he works and proceeded with his turn when he was struck by a car trying to pass him. (think god he was not still riding the moped).
The principal of the school came out and just suggested swapping insurance info but then it started turning into a "he said she said" as to who was at fault so they called the highway patrol.
The part that I need advice on is that they sited my brother. The other driver claimed my brother signaled too late but knowing my brother he always signals way too soon. The cop based the sitation on 3 reasons
1. He said that with the flashers on, when you turn the signals on it is very difficult to see the signal.
2. SMV signs allow drivers to pass anywhere, even on a double yellow
3. My brother struck the other car in the passenger door area, instead of being t-boned, which means that the car was already beside him.
He has the kubota insurance, which only covers the RTV after the $500 deductible and his grange ins only covers offroad mishaps, NOT onroad. He has not contacted grange yet as they weren't open yet.
So do you guys think he was fairly sited or should we seek legal advice???
I just spoke to my dad and I told him this could have happened to any of us, not just him in the RTV. I personally know that I rarely look behind me when I am making a left turn. So if some ***hole tries passing me is it my fault if I hit his door instead of being t-boned???
On a couple of positive notes
1. The officer never said anything about the rtv not being road leagal and didn't say anything about him not having a license.
2. The rtv are vert stout and stable. It skidded him around a bunch but never rolled/flipped. It just messed up the brush guard and tweaked something that doesn't allow the door toclose tight.
Thanks in advance