Police Report

According to my last doctor’s appointment (which happened to be about a month ago), I am now officially fully recovered.  I was able to start operating my motorcycle 5 weeks ago and 4 weeks start participating in sports outside of the therapy (swimming) I’ve been doing.  My shoulder is sometimes a bit sore after working out, but definitely not as much or as frequently.

The police report was finally closed on October 26.  The whole thing did not go as I would have hoped.  I wasn’t asked any questions (then again, they didn’t ask the other party any questions either - though he probably gave a statement at the scene) and didn’t have an opportunity to give an account of events from my point-of-view.  I’m sure the police heard from other witnesses and from the Thai people representing me, but I was never given a chance to speak.  As a result, I ended up signing a statement saying that I accept my carelessness and confess to allegation that I drove carelessly resulting in the hitting and damaging of the other person’s car.  Of course after everyone signs, the case is closed, and I get the official English translation of the report that this is the outcome.

Though I’m glad this piece is finally settled and all behind me, I was heartbroken by the results.  Maybe I was driving slightly carelessly, but it wasn’t as though I was trying to race the car and I had my turn signal on!  I wasn’t driving 20 - 40+ kmh over the speed limit like the car was (I actually don’t know how fast the car was driving, but as I’ve driven on the road since the accident, I’ve checked my speed and estimated the speed of cars passing me leading me to believe that the other car was going close to 80 kmh - 40 kmh over the posted limit).  If anything I think we both share the blame, but the report says I accept responsibility.

As a result, I was fined by the police for my ‘careless driving’ and had to pay for the other party’s car repairs (a busted side mirror along with some dents/scratches).  

I haven’t yet heard from my medical insurance - other than when I was told at the beginning of October it would take up to 45 business days to process my request.  When I was finally able to send them the police report information 2 weeks ago I was told that my claim would be processed the following week. I don’t know what processing my claim will look like, but I haven’t yet heard from them, so I’m hoping I hear early next week (now that Thanksgiving is upon us).

This whole thing has put quite a strain on my finances.  Already my financial donations have been lower this year than last and I am almost fully dependent on donations (though the church I youth pastor for here gives me a small living stipend). You can join me in praying that the reimbursement comes through or that God will continue to provide for my financial needs in other ways. (If you are interested in helping in this way, check out the "Join In" page or click the "World Outreach Ministries" logo)