Why taking pictures in all types of crashes is so very important
Q You advised readers that when involved in an accident, take a photo of the other driver's license. I recommend also taking a photo of the license plate of their car. There are lots of scammers out there!
— Fawn Alvarez, Loomis
A Good advice. This all started when two people had a fenderbender and the driver most likely at fault wanted to avoid going through insurance. He gave a phone number to the other driver involved the incident, but the phone number was no good. Read on for others' advice.
Q Good advice about taking a photo of each other's license — but with a caveat. Your personal safety is paramount. If the other driver is quick to anger and gets visibly upset when you want to take a photo of his/her license, it might be best to back off.
Keep your antenna up and be safe.
— Mark Carbonaro
A And…
Q When someone is in an accident, they also should take a photo of the other driver's insurance card, even if they offer to handle it without involving their insurance company. Photos should be taken of the damage done to both cars, the other car's license plate, and of the accident scene. This documentation will be very useful if the other driver contradicts what happened or doesn't cover repairs for damage they caused.
— Dale Allison, Sunnyvale
A
Good advice. Remember, you must report to the DMV any accident with more than $1,000 damage, or if anyone is injured. Even seemingly minor damage can easily cost more than $1,000 in repairs.
Q The only time I see CHP on our freeways is behind a Caltrans crew cleaning up litter. This seems to be a waste of a highly trained officer. Do other states similarly deploy their officers primarily for Caltrans guard duty?
— Jim Silva, Los Gatos
A
Yes. This is a common practice across the country, protecting road workers.
Q
My wife was driving her car northbound on Highway 101 from Gilroy to Morgan Hill and hit a pothole just before the Tennant Avenue off-ramp. It blew out her front passenger side tire. Between the towing charges, replacing the tire and checking alignment, the cost was well over $500. Can any of this cost be recouped through Caltrans?
— Brad Westbrook, Morgan Hill
A
You can try, but not many of these get approved.
Q
There is an area along Highway 85 where at night it is hard to see lane lines. Are any repairs planned?
— Emily Chow, San Jose
A
Yes. Starting Monday, Caltrans will be on Highway 85 to install thermoplastic striping between the Almaden Expressway and Stevens Creek Boulevard. This work should be finished in October.