Why Following too close and not Careless?
I was involved in an accident in November. I was heading south on a major four lane street in midtown Toronto. Stopped behind several vehicles at a traffic red light and after 2-3 seconds was hit from behind. The impact exploded my rear window,crumpled my tailgate and bumper dead between the taillights, broke my seat and sent my dogwalking dogs into my barrier and back again (no injuries to the dogs). My mini van was a write off. My van was sent into the small pickup in front of me and his damage was that his cab shifted from the impact. The SUV that hit me had extensive front end damage, including a broken radiator. My front license plate came off when I hit the truck ahead...and was found under my back wheels. It was a very hard hit and I was moved forward at least one and a half car lengths.
I did not hear any sudden application of brakes prior to impact, it was a blind hit.
I am injured with whiplash (improving) and post concussive syndrome. The driver of the SUV was deemed 100 percent at fault.
Here are my questions: I recently received a subpoena to attend court in March. The driver of the SUV was charged with FTC. Does this always go to court or only if she is fighting it? Why did she only get FTC instead of CD? Given that this particular stretch of road at 330 in the afternoon is pretty busy and there are lights every two blocks or so, she would have had to have been pretty far behind me AND going at LEAST at speed to hit me three seconds after I was at a complete stop. If she was following too closely, IMO, this impact would have been considerably less, both in damage to the vehicles and to me. I am no physics master but it seems to me that the charge is wrong...
So...what goes into choosing the difference between the two charges?
Based on your description of events, I'd agree that follow too close was not the appropriate charge. Unless the officer has some additional supporting evidence, I can't see the accused being convicted. The Crown might end up withdrawing the charge once they've reviewed the case file in more depth.
Thanks. Does this above sentence mean withdraw and changing the charge or just withdraw generally?Stanton wrote:The Crown might end up withdrawing the charge once they've reviewed the case file in more depth.
Sorry if I'm a bit dense, sometimes my brain has some difficulty processing things. PCS is a pain in the butt.
Can I also say that I'm pretty upset that given the damage she has done to my life that she is contesting the charge when it is the less serious one? Sigh.
Have a good long weekend.
Court was today. Since I had not actually seen her coming up on me from behind, the charge could not be prosecuted. She got off completely.Stanton wrote:Most likely just withdrawn completely.
I am sad and angry.
Thanks again for your help, just wanted to update the post.
-
- Similar Topics
-
-
New post What can happen when following too close
by Observer135 in General TalkLast post by rank Wed Aug 31, 2016 12:13 am
-
-
-
New post Would I get charged for stopping too close to stopped bus ?
Last post by bend Thu Nov 15, 2018 11:47 pm
-
-
-
New post Careless charge
by rwkenwell in Careless DrivingLast post by rwkenwell Tue Jul 25, 2017 5:58 pm
-
-
-
New post Careless in a parking lot
by Sflynn in Careless DrivingLast post by daggx Sun May 13, 2018 10:21 pm
-
-
-
New post Careless driving +3 more tickets
by clone702008 in Careless DrivingLast post by highwaystar Tue Jan 09, 2018 7:21 pm
-
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests
Help us, Help You!
Hello, we notice you may be using an adblocker...