Hit by a cop car - Cop denies responsibility!

[S-Type1]

About 2 hours ago, I was driving in downtown L.A... On the far left lane, there was a silver crown victoria with CA exempt plates, so I instantly switch to "perfect driver" mode. I pull up along side the car and wait at a red light. There were two LEFT turn lanes which were also marked with solid white lines all the way through the turn (I have photos). When the light turns green, we both move forward at the same pace and I begin to turn left, pretty much staying within the white lines.

I look over to the left and I notice that he isn't turning yet... and I keep thinking "he's gonna turn soon" but, guess what? he didnt.

so I pull over and he basically denies all responsibility and claims that I drove into him. Maybe he thought I'd play stupid and double think my own actions. But I was perfectly calm and confident. My 2 passengers were also very confident that it was completely his fault. He goes on telling me that he drives there all the time and that he's a good driver as a defense.

Looking into his eyes, I knew that he was completely aware that it was his fault, but he just couldn't admit any guilt on the spot. So we exchanged information while my passenger photographed the intersection. When I asked if I should call a cop over, he insisted it wasn't necessary (I figured, hey, he's a cop)

The biggest challange now would be to prove that I wasn't some idiot that tried to make a left by swirving over from the 3rd lane. Afterall, its the cops word vs my passengers and I. As far as my record goes, I've never been in an accident and I haven't had a ticket in at least 4 years.

So far, I've already reported the accident to my insurance and taken photos. Other than that, I'm not sure what else I could do.

Any tips so i dont get completely screwed?

[ryans]

If you have 2 witnesses that should be pretty good. I doubt it would go to court but hopefully his insurance will pay for it.

[S-Type1]

I'm gonna head back tomorrow and photograph the scene with a real camera. But this is basically what happened.

http://markjsebastian.com/cop/left1.jpg
2 left turn lanes. I was on the outside left. the cop was on the inside during a red light

http://markjsebastian.com/cop/left3.jpg
When it turned green, I turned left while he went straight into me

its pretty straight forward

[Euro_rev]

You should of taken pictures of the accident, so that if you did go to court, you would then have some recources to back up your argument.

[Jay]

x2 pics at the scean are allways good.

[DK]

I take it the damage to his car is on the front passenger corner and you have driver's side damage somewhere along the side of your car, right? You were well aware that he was a cop by sight of the car, as you said, so in order for you to have hit him and caused that damage you would have to be hauling ass off of the signal. Not only would such behavior be uncharacteristic to your record (no ticket in 4 years), but it would be especially stupid to do right in front of an officer so that's impossible for you to have done. You had a much longer distance to cover in turning from the right hand lane and I would cite these features in whatever pursuit occurs. The damage and timing neccessary for his claim do not correlate.

[hellspare]

^ Dude, =] he pwns, listen to him.

[91ChevyZ34]

i may have mis read but if you rear ended him its your fault at least thats the way the law works in ny you have to be in controll of your cr at all time if some idiot were to jam on his breaks on the parkway and u hit him cause of the sudden stop even if he had no reason to jam on his breaks its your fault for hitting him.

[91ChevyZ34]

also i relise you didnt back into him but you still hit him even tho he didnt turn when he should of you hit him and although if you bring it to court as long as the judge is not an ass you may be able to win a case against him but idk.

[S14Eric]

as long as the front of his car hit your car and the lane you were in and he was in is for left turns your ok

I have been hit by a cop befor in the rear it was a little scratch he begged me not to report it


don't give in if your in the right fight it all the way to the death