Sued for hypermiling ??

[Cd]

Mr. Paranoia here with a question :
Let's say I put an 'ecomodder.com' sticker on my car and get into an accident, or contribute to an accident ( " But officer, he was driving so slowy that I coudn't possibly avoid hitting him. " )
We exchange information, take a few pictures of our cars for the insurance, and go about our way.
A couple of weeks later, I get a letter from a lawer that has noticed the sticker on my car and visited the site.
Because the car has been 'modified' I get sued. Big time.

How likely is this ??

[Daox]

I believe it would be their responsibility to prove that your modifications caused the crash. This of course is incredibly unlikely.

[tasdrouille]

That would be just like getting sued because you have a lowered suspension, ridiculous. It would need to be proved the modifications caused the accident. But then again anyone can sue anyone else for whatever frivolous reason for a ridiculous amount of money in your country. I guess even if you're right, you're better off never getting sued in the first place. So, I'd guess that from a paranoiac standpoint, you want to blend in as much as possible to minimize your exposure.

[Christ]

Oh, tas, it's not that bad...

Some guy did sue "God", though. Included pain and suffering, I think.

[MetroMPG]

Topher: who won?

If you're actually worried enough to ask, I say ditch the decal and sleep better at night.

Some lawyers give all lawyers a bad name for good reason. (If you know what I mean!)

[Christ]

Darin -
Man sues God • The Register

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by Christ

Some guy did sue "God", though. Included pain and suffering, I think.

Well, why not? We've got all the insurance companies using the "act of God" to get off the hook. Of course suing God directly presents a problem for process servers, but since various churches & televangelists of the more "religious right" sort claim to be speaking directly for God, then we should be able to sue them. Isn't it just the same as e.g. suing American Honda because of a defect in your new Civic?

[vtec-e]

Originally Posted by Daox

I believe it would be their responsibility to prove that your modifications caused the crash. This of course is incredibly unlikely.

Higher tire pressures? They could use that. Of course, there's the extensive online database that says traction is lowered at higher tire pressures...................oh wait, it doesent exist! But they'll still try.

ollie

[Christ]

Originally Posted by vtec-e

Higher tire pressures? They could use that. Of course, there's the extensive online database that says traction is lowered at higher tire pressures...................oh wait, it doesent exist! But they'll still try.

ollie

Of course, they'd have to prove that the tires were ever over-inflated to begin with, and not based on forum posts which claim it. (Forum posts and email, except in certain cases, are not admissible as evidence, due to the likelihood and simple ability to "clone" printed text.)

[Wonderboy]

I don't think your concern is unfounded: Tas is right - we have some pretty ridiculous lawyers here. Some even get off on defending the bad guys (Seen "Thank You For Smoking?") On one hand I wouldn't expect anyone including the police to really notice a small EM sticker seeing as I got stopped by the police the other week and they were LOOKING for things to peg on me and didn't even notice I had one windshield wiper. They let me off (I guess I ran a stopsign???) Anyway, I worry a little bit, especially around town where if you have very noticeable modifications like my wheel skirts. People start to recognize your car if you have an unusually memorable attribute. I think about if I happen to piss someone local off with my driving that it would be easy for them to recognize my car in a parking lot ("hey, this was that jerk that....!") and vandalize it. The same line of thinking goes with someone who notices the mods, wonders why the blazes you have them, moves their eyes to the sticker, and says AH-HAH. I worry, but I still think it's pretty unlikely. The benefits of promoting EM outweigh the risks for me. Don't feel bad if you feel better with the sticker(s) off.

This talk about suing god (which is a great satirical gesture on our sometimes ridiculous legal system) reminds me of the Church of the Flying spaghetti Monster, linked for anyone who hasn't heard of it.