Collision in Right Turn Lane

[helloyumyum]

My question involves a traffic accident in the State of: California


This past Tuesday I was involved in a collision involving another car. I was travelling eastbound on a single lane street behind the car who ended up colliding with me. I was to turn right and head southbound at the intersections so as the intersection approached I got into the right turning lane that had just opened up. Less than a few yards away from the intersection the car that was directly in front of me decides to make a lane change into the right hand lane, the lane that I was in, without signaling intent or checking the blind spot. Immediately I was hit by the other car on the left side, driver side of my car, bending back my rear view mirror as the other cars right side hit my driver door. At the same time I was struck the force of the impact caused the right tire of my car to jump up the curb and back down again.

To make a long story short the person who hit me has put me through the works and is now claiming I hit them, causing scratches to their car, which is definitely unbelievable because I have real damage to the left side of my car (dented and scratched fender, dented and scratched driver door at the hinges, scratched left rear view mirror, a scratched side of my bumper and red pain scratches underneath the passenger side door). I made sure to take my car to get estimates and to be assessed by the insurances body shops. My only concern is the person who hit me is trying to shirk responsibility by claiming I hit them, which is largely untrue. From what I can gather they're claiming that, 1. they turned right, 2. that I tried to pass on the right 3. that I hit them then 4. hit the curb. I'm just worried racking my brain over the idea this person can just make these outlandish claims with such heavy damage to my car and expect to get away with it so easily.

Is there anyone out there who would be able to put my mind to rest about this conundrum! I do not feel that the information they gave was correct because I wouldn't be able to pass them if they made a right turn (there is only 1 turning lane) because I wouldnt be able to hit them with my car and sustain the damage it did, which is all on the left side of my car. My estimate for damages is at least 1,400 including new parts, refinishing parts and a wheel alignment. Who is at fault in this situation?

Photos of my damage:

[cdwjava]

Were you in a clearly marked lane? In other words, was your lane separated by the other driver's lane with dashed or solid white lines?

Don't fret over the whole thing, just turn it over to your insurer - this is what they get paid to deal with.