Improper lane change?? Physics??

Question

I was in a car accident where the driver to my left changed a lane on top of me after I had already completed my lane change. He claims I got over on top of him without signaling, however I was more than 3/4ths into the lane when he drove from BEHIND me and got over, thus side swiping me. My car is larger than his, as I drive a 2001 Mitsubishi eclipse and he was in a 95/96 Honda accord however I suffered significantly more damage than he did. My damage is in the front driver side his damage is on the back left side, which is where he was getting over on me before he completely passed me.

After we stopped somewhere his argument was that he was on cruise control at 75 (spd limit being 55 in the atlanta area) and i was going at roughly 60mph. Is there a way to prove that he collided with me as it relates to physics???

Answer 1

So, is this right?  Was it a 3 lane highway and you moved into the middle lane from the rightmost lane and he moved into that lane from the leftmost lane?  Also, you say your damage was driver side and his was left side, which is also the driver side.  Did you mean his damage was passenger side (right side)?  And where exactly was the damage, for both vehicles?  Was it on the front or side of your car?  I know it was on the front-side, but if it was on the side of the front or the front of the side makes a difference.  And what about his car, was it on the back of the side or the side of the back?  I doubt physics will help you, but if there were more accurate information, maybe it would help.

And as far as the ticket, that sounds ridiculous.  If the officer can't prove you did anything wrong, then that ticket will not stand up in court and never should have been issued.  I would challenge that (unless he does have proof and you are just leaving that out....)

Answer 2

First, he was speeding.

Second he was overtaking you, and it is totally the overtaker's responsibility to keep clear of other traffic, i'e, you.

It's not a matter of Pysics. He was in the wrong, and in the wrong.

Answer 3

Other than the responsibilty thing of over taking and him speeding, I don't think physics is going to help you.  In fact from your description, something weird was going on because it looks more like he was beside you and tail end of his car moved into middle side of your car OR you moved sideways and struck the rear of his car.  From the damage to your cars, you should have been able to see him but he was going too fast and got into position after you were moving.