Finally happened: got into a rather brutal scooter accident (I am generally okay, though, thankfully).
I’ll write an abbreviated version
- I was driving a scooter, GF on back, cruising through a green light when a scooter literally popped out of nowhere. I t-boned them at 50+ kmph and went flying. Hurt like a bitch. Ambulance came. GF and I got really banged up, but somehow escaped any real damage. Few cracked ribs for me, scraped and bruises for us both but nothing broken and no concussions or anything.
-After we got all patched up, we met the people we hit. The dude was talking to the police, claiming it was my fault. His parents came and started to yell at me. I didn’t back down. I was in shock, but I KNOW that light was green. But, as the foreigner, my opinion wasn’t hugely respected. The guy I hit suggested that we both pay for our own scooters and go our separate ways (an idea I rejected).
-My scooter is all but totaled. Going to cost 25,000 NTD to fix.
-His mom was being a huge asshole. Whenever I would call to discuss (and ask her to pay for damages), she would be rude and hang up.
-Finally, the cops told me that they had traffic cam footage! Just as I said, I was going through a green light, and he illegally turned in front of traffic and ran right in front of me (and I couldn’t see him as he was hidden by cars).
-After the traffic cam footage was available, he immediately changed his tune. He offered to pay for $25,000 in full.
So, good, right? But, he clearly changed his tune because he knows all the evidence is against him now.
But, is it smart to settle for scooter damages? I mean, I also ruined 2 helmets, 2 pairs of $200 USD sunglasses, etc etc. And, of course, it was extremely traumatic, my GF and I were layed up in bed for 2 weeks, etc.
The fact that offered to pay so quickly scares me; it’s obvious that he is horrified of going to court or something.
My taiwanese friends are telling me to just take the $25,000 and drop it. They say the only other option is to go to court, which is expensive. Is this true? Is it smart to settle out of court? Is there any advantage of continuing the process, letting the cops make an official decision of guilt, etc? Just not sure what to do here, as I am not too familiar with the laws here. In the US, Id probably demand some money for the helmets, glasses, pain and suffering, etc. But, as a foreigner in Taiwan? Maybe its better to just get my scooter fixed and be done with it.
Any suggestions or advice are hugely appreciated.