Close call tonight, nearly involved in a multiple car accident (dash cam)

Video basically explains what happened. A car tries to get into the same lane that I have already 50% merged into and swerves likely due to their lack of situational awareness (possibly because of a PHONE), hitting a Toyota 4Runner which looks like it was at least two lanes over and causing it to flip multiple times, nearly taking me out in the process. I had my window down so I looked over and saw the headlights of a 4runner completely on it's side barreling right towards me, only happened for a second but it felt like slow motion. I just held on and looked ahead and tried to accelerate out of the way, hoping that I wouldn't get clipped in the rear. The 4runner flipped over the guard rail on the right and went down the bank. I dialed 911 immediately after pulling to the shoulder. I was too far ahead so I decided to take an exit and turn around. By the time I got back, mutiple emergency personnel were on the scene. Somehow, miraculously, the 4Runner people walked away with only bruises and lacerations.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVufDXBMRps

 

Can't tell, but is your blinker on as you were merging into that lane?

 

What camera u got running

 

Yes. I always, always use it. However, people in Nashville have the really annoying habit of NEVER using it. One of the reasons why I invested in this camera.

 

Street Guardian SG9665GC

 

I figured it was, just couldn't see the reflection.

 

I thought about putting LEDs in my ARB bumper signals, but not sure I want to fiddle with the flasher relay. In this situation only a mirror signal would have helped, but I merged slowly enough into the lane while keeping an eye on the driver next to me. I never would have guessed that the driver would react by swerving so hard. That's something you're never supposed to do... but I guess driving a lifted Tacoma means you have to be a little more calm with evasive maneuvers like that so I always have that engrained in my head..

 

I wish my Tacoma had the side mirror blinkers like my chevy does. It can help in a case like that if they at least look at the vehicle.

 

Yep, I just edited my post to reflect that. A mirror signal likely would have helped, but the driver next to me should have noticed my slowly coming into the lane. The reaction the driver had seems to indicate that they were not paying attention and panicked.

Had the 4runner not been there, the car would have probaby smashed into the middle barrier which was three lanes over.

 

One of the reasons my fog lights are now turn signals. Very bright, day or night, and visible on my dash cam at night.

 

Why isn't the failure to use the turn indicator subject to execution? Anyone?

Glad you're ok OP.

Edit: I'm a perfect driver, BTW, I drive a Taco, after all. (my statement is only half true)

 

I might have to wire something up to my sliders maybe.

 

Thanks guys, and yes, I think the cops need to pull people over more often for "improper lane change"

 

And a rear facing camera.....

 

Ha, I guess that needs to go on my ever growing list.

 

Yeah well, on my way to work tonight I had a cop behind me. I watched him change lanes without a signal then drive just past me and cut over into my lane without a signal. He didn't seem to be going anywhere too quickly as I followed him another mile or so before turning. Wonder if he would have pulled me over and poked through my truck if he had seen me do two improper lane changes?

 

Yep, I've seen cops do that plenty of times. Really irks me when not even THEY do it...

 

Cops do that all the time here in LA. If I had a dollar for every time I watched a cop merge through multiple lanes without signaling, or rolling straight through a stop sign, or coasting through a red light (they never have their sirens on during these instances either), I'd be a millionaire.

Don't get me wrong, I support our local PD and I know they have probably the hardest job in the country, but my biggest gripe is that I wish they would follow the traffic laws like the "rest of us" have to. After all, they are examples of the law, not above the law.

 

Yikes!! Now we just need side mounted cams lol