New tires caused me to hydroplane? 4runner totalled and going to court. Need advice

[TechWrench]

I've read all the opinions in this thread, and there is still something bothering me about this incident. I am having a hard time understanding the hydroplaning part of the accident. I am pretty sure the front and rear axles on his rig have the same width. If the vehicle is going straight, the front wheels would have been breaking the water surface on the road, and this should have left much less standing water immediately in front of the rear tires which should have reduced the probablilty of the rears hydroplaning unless there was a considerable amount of water on the road in the first place. I have only had a vehicle hydroplane on me twice (38 years on the road), and in both instances, the front end lost traction, not the rear. Maybe I've just been lucky..........

 

[00void]

1st

 

[dancojgl]

If the vehicle is going straight, the front wheels would have been breaking the water surface on the road, and this should have left much less standing water immediately in front of the rear tires which should have reduced the probablilty of the rears hydroplaning unless there was a considerable amount of water on the road in the first place.

In most vehicles, there is less weight on the rear axle (in an unloaded vehicle), and hence it's easier to hydroplane the rear axle...

 

[Kanab]

Re: New tires caused me to hydroplane? 4runner totalled and going to court. Need advice

The cop was apologetic, and said "sorry, its basic procedure, i have to write you a careless driving ticket....just take it to court, and they should drop it"

I was a commissioned police officer for several years. The Cop BS'ed you. He gave you a careless driving ticket because he determined that road conditions did not warrant your lose of control, so he assumed that you were either speeding or doing something careless. He looks bad if he writes a lot of tickets and then the court just drops them. You need to get a "good" Lawyer and have your story straight. What did he write in his police report? If you don't beat this ticket your insurance will go out the roof!!! Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Lime02sport]

Sorry but I have to ask. When you felt the rear end sway did you hit your brakes?, if so then your at fault.

 

[Lime02sport]

and no his insurance wont go out the roof, I have a horrible driving record and my insurance rates arent that bad, and Im 24 years old even. Good luck dud,e dont sweat it.......... shit happens.

 

[Kanab]

and no his insurance wont go out the roof, I have a horrible driving record and my insurance rates arent that bad, and Im 24 years old even. Good luck dud,e dont sweat it.......... shit happens.

I thought your insurance rates were heavily weighted on your driving record and accidents?

 

[00void]

I thought your insurance rates were heavily weighted on your driving record and accidents?

he must know someone. or he's FOS. i have two speeding tix. my insurance is $2400 a year. next june MINUS the tix it will be a scant $1950.

 

[Lime02sport]

Yes rates are based on your driving record, but one accident and one ticket isnt the end of the world. it will increase ,but not that bad. Gieco saved me alot more than what I was paying at allstate.

 

[Lime02sport]

Poodle- Oh so im full of shit, yeah I lie on online forums because it puts hair on my chest, If you really did work in law enforcement you would know that one ticket and one accident doesnt make you a high risk driver, besides if I got that ticket I would ask for a trial, half the time those moron cops dont show up, and if the judge isnt really to upset about your past record. he will dismiss the case. I beat many a tickets that way. But like poodle says I could just be full of shit.

 

[00void]

Yes rates are based on your driving record, but one accident and one ticket isnt the end of the world. it will increase ,but not that bad. Gieco saved me alot more than what I was paying at allstate.

truth

 

[DaveS]

Careless driving is a lot more serious than speeding tix (unless they are v high speeds). In Canada it counts as DUI on your insurance, impacts premiums for at least 5 years and doubles them overnight in fact...

 

[00void]

Careless driving is a lot more serious than speeding tix (unless they are v high speeds). In Canada it counts as DUI on your insurance, impacts premiums for at least 5 years and doubles them overnight in fact...

insane! careless is a 2 point ticket (in NJ) and wreckless (ie street racing, etc) is a 5 point ticket.

 

[sharp4runr]

Your credit rating is a new variable when calculating your insuarance rates as well. Insuarance companies will actually raise your insuarance if you have bad credit.

Also, I do not have the best driving record and I only pay about $120 a month for insuarance on my 2004 4Runner V6. I've got some discounts for having my home insuarance, multiple car and not making a claim in a couple of years. Also I have IMO very good credit. BTW, I just turned 25 and I've had that insuarance premium for a couple years now.

You guys really need to switch insuarance if you are getting raped that way.

 

[00void]

You guys really need to switch insuarance if you are getting raped that way.

NJ has some if the highest premiums in the country and is noted as being the worst state for auto insurance. switching insurers wouldn't make too much of a difference in my case.

 

[greasefingers]

NJ has some if the highest premiums in the country and is noted as being the worst state for auto insurance. switching insurers wouldn't make too much of a difference in my case.

:iagree:
Tell me about it. I just added my 16-year-old son to my policy. I'll have to get 60 k miles out of my Dunlops, before I can afford new rubber, now.

 

[00void]

:iagree:
Tell me about it. I just added my 16-year-old son to my policy. I'll have to get 60 k miles out of my Dunlops, before I can afford new rubber, now.

you can get a license now at 16 in NJ?? cool to see you live in SB, i work at Dow Jones there.

 

[TRUST8383]

WOOOOHOOOOOOOOO! Presented my case today in court. Judge dismissed the case, NOT GUILTY!! yes!

He had me nervous at first, because he said " how come no one else wrecked if the weather was so bad...only you wrecked" that's when I presented the claim about the two new front tires. I had a print out from the discount tire website, email correspondence from the discount tire rep., and also a news article...all stating the hazards of only replacing the fronts. He was very understanding.

moral of the story? I'm buying 4 new tires all the time now...

 

[sharp4runr]

Awesome dude. Lesson learned!

 

[jazzy jae]

WOOOOHOOOOOOOOO! Presented my case today in court. Judge dismissed the case, NOT GUILTY!! yes!

He had me nervous at first, because he said " how come no one else wrecked if the weather was so bad...only you wrecked" that's when I presented the claim about the two new front tires. I had a print out from the discount tire website, email correspondence from the discount tire rep., and also a news article...all stating the hazards of only replacing the fronts. He was very understanding.

moral of the story? I'm buying 4 new tires all the time now...

i've done the same thing in my celica. spun out cause of my brakes though, but doing speed limit. got a failer to maintain control ticket, went to court pleaded my case and won also. congrats!