Fitting end for a year,

[Troublco]

I suppose.

I'm enjoying sleeping in a little this morning, and I'm woken by a persistent little noise (Almost anything wakes me up) that turns out to be the phone. It's my wife. A City of Aurora Snowplow was making a u-turn right in the middle of the street and didn't see her. She managed to avoid T-boning the truck, but took the tip of the plow down half the passenger side of her van. One of the trucks is supposed to block for the others according to the cop, but that didn't happen. I have a sneaking suspicion they're going to pin this on her, but the plow driver didn't see her and admitted that, and it sounds like they didn't follow their own procedures and have the rear truck block traffic for the other 3 (there were 4 total) making the u-turns. But if they all coordinate stories, she's going to get it.

So my hope here is that (1) we don't have to fight this one, and (2) we've worn out the bad luck, and it's on to bigger and better things. Between this, the old lady hitting me in the BX parking lot (that was my fault, of course), losing my dad, and being involuntarily retired I've had about enough!

[blackford76]

Glad she didn't get hurt.
DO NOT ask what's next...trust me.
Happy New Year

[kidicarus13]

A city plow in the process of plowing is considered an emergency vehicle. Even if the driver didn't follow procedures they could still find your wife at fault, especially if the plow had its overhead light flashing. Hopefully the city will take the high road.

[StagLefty]

Hang in there-a little advice that I learned the past 10 months of unemployment and other crap-if it's out of your control don't let it drive you crazy. It is what it is Bro ! Easier said than done ? Yup-but not worth your sanity and health. Appreciate what you do have and know your not alone-family and most of us on the forum. Happy New Year [Beer]

[RCCrawler]

A city plow in the process of plowing is considered an emergency vehicle. Even if the driver didn't follow procedures they could still find your wife at fault, especially if the plow had its overhead light flashing. Hopefully the city will take the high road.

Yep, if his flashing lights were on it's your wife's fault, period.

[Troublco]

You guys are NOT making me feel better here![ROFL1]

Frankly, I don't give a shit if a plow is considered an emergency vehicle just because they have flashing yellow and blue lights on top. If they're pulled over on the right side of the road and stopped, how the hell are you supposed to divine what they're going to do? You just stop and wait, blocking traffic and causing another accident waiting to see what they do? Emergency vehicles have procedures they have to follow too, it's not just a freebie to do whatever the hell they want. Even the police usually have restrictions on chases. This is just a friggin' snowplow.

OK, rant over![ROFL1]

[BigBear]

Feelin' sorry for you Trouble... Keep that chin up.

Besides, involuntarilied retired just means you can now go do what you really want to do! lol.

[gnihcraes]

it always happens in three's, so maybe you're done.

[DeusExMachina]

Call your insurance immediately if you have not already.

Get a copy of the police report ASAP.

Write down everything the cop said and ride on the fact the plow driver admitted guilt.

[BPTactical]

Call your insurance immediately if you have not already.

Get a copy of the police report ASAP.

Write down everything the cop said and ride on the fact the plow driver admitted guilt.


Not gonna make a bit of difference. "Governmental Immunity"
Unless the driver flagrantly violated traffic law such as running a red light willfully chances are slim he will be cited.
You may be able to recover damages or may have to rely on your insurance. I would go to Auroras website and look up their "Snow Removal Policy". I know that they have a emergency snow plan that was instituted after the blizzard of 82 that pretty much holds the entity harmless in a "Snow Emergency".
It sounds as if the plows were following SOP as far as pulling to the right. We would always let traffic pass and the last two trucks in line swing out and block while the lead trucks swing around.
On a side note- when a truck has no beacon or just a yellow beacon and no equipment mounted on it is a "vehicle" and is bound by standard traffic law and protocols.
The minute it has the blue beacon on and has equipment mounted(plow) it then is considered a piece of "equipment" and a different set of protocols apply. You do not even have to have a CDL or license to operate a piece of equipment.

Bummer deal for you Troublco.
Good luck

[DeusExMachina]

Making a U-turn into another vehicle is a good traffic violation.

Its not a snow emergency, no where near enogh snow to call for it.

[Troublco]

I would go to Auroras website and look up their "Snow Removal Policy". I know that they have a emergency snow plan that was instituted after the blizzard of 82 that pretty much holds the entity harmless in a "Snow Emergency".
It sounds as if the plows were following SOP as far as pulling to the right. We would always let traffic pass and the last two trucks in line swing out and block while the lead trucks swing around.


Thanks, that's a good thought. I'll check Aurora's website. I don't think what we've got going is a snow emergency, and the last truck/trucks did NOT block anything. They were not staggered, and they were not actively plowing. They just started whipping U'eys from the right side of the road.

[Elhuero]

too bad someone didn't catch it on video


kt_r-jO3lKE

[Irving]

It doesn't matter if the snow plow driver admitted guilt or not, it's not his call. People admit guilt all the time when it was 100% not their fault. Snow plows are considered emergency vehicles. The biggest issue though, is if they are self insured or not (like RTD).