How not to hit and run

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » July 27, 2006, 9:52 am

Some kid that works in the Subway next to the computer shop my son is working at clipped the front end of his Volvo yesterday afternoon and took off. Didn't do much to the car, did manage to make it move a couple feet though. That's impressive considering the car weighs 3500lbs or so ('86 244).

His manager was watching, my son's manager was watching, two other Subway employees were watching and all signed witness reports. There are security cameras in the lot. To top it off he left pieces of his truck in the parking lot that are pretty easy to match up and expensive to replace. Toyota truck vs. Volvo, the Volvo won.

He's already caught whether he knows it or not, rather than having an accident on his record he's got hit and run instead.

I'd assume he doesn't have insurance, worst case repairs are $500 or so. That's much less than his fine will be.

What a douchebag.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 27, 2006, 10:13 am

Not to mention, a hit-and-run will play havoc with his car insurance rates...when he ever gets insurance.

Deward · Post by **Deward** » July 27, 2006, 10:58 am

I had a parking lot incident the first day I had my license, The driving school I attended neglected to teach me how to park and un-park in a parking lot. It scared the holy shit out of me and I ran. I never got caught thankfully but in hindsight I would probably do it again.

My point is too not get your panties up in such a bunch. If it is a young kid then give him a chance to pay. Americans are just so ready to sue the pants off anyone. The cops will be more than happy to screw anyone they can. Sure the kid did something stupid but you should have confronted him first. He was probably just scared. One of the early lessons I learned is to always avoid getting the "law" involved in traffic confrontations. If you call them to an accident scene then, in most states, they are required to write somebody a ticket. Chances are the person is already going to socked with a repair bill do you really need to rub it in? You can still file a police report for insurance if necesary. Calling the cops for something you can handle yourself is just telling everyone your an asshole.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 27, 2006, 12:05 pm

I had a parking lot incident the first day I had my license, The driving school I attended neglected to teach me how to park and un-park in a parking lot. It scared the holy shit out of me and I ran. I never got caught thankfully but in hindsight I would probably do it again.

Wait a minute...you're saying that you would commit a hit-and-run again? Do you realize that the people doing hit-and-runs and those without insurance are a prime factor in the increase of insurance costs? Payouts are made with no money being taken from the at-fault party.

My point is too not get your panties up in such a bunch. If it is a young kid then give him a chance to pay. Americans are just so ready to sue the pants off anyone. The cops will be more than happy to screw anyone they can. Sure the kid did something stupid but you should have confronted him first. He was probably just scared. One of the early lessons I learned is to always avoid getting the "law" involved in traffic confrontations. If you call them to an accident scene then, in most states, they are required to write somebody a ticket. Chances are the person is already going to socked with a repair bill do you really need to rub it in? You can still file a police report for insurance if necesary. Calling the cops for something you can handle yourself is just telling everyone your an asshole.

No, hitting someone's car and driving off is telling everyone you're an asshole. In some cases, the police do not need to be contacted. Ask your insurance company which they would prefer. They want to know what exactly happened. The police officer gives your word more validity. The only time you should NOT want them there is when you know you're at fault. Since you have no problem with committing a hit-and-run, that would be why you probably don't want them called. Most people in the US, that have insurance, are not going to get "socked with a repair bill." That is what your STATE MANDATED Liability insurance is for. The only time someone WOULD have to pay the repairs themselves after hitting someone would be if they did not carry insurance or had too low of limits. I have NO problem adding to their pile of bills if that is the case.

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » July 27, 2006, 12:15 pm

Deward wrote:Calling the cops for something you can handle yourself is just telling everyone your an asshole.

Once you move the vehicle in this sort of situation you're essentially screwed if he doesn't want to pay, unless you're willing to sue. In this case it's not worth it. A report days after the fact when the other party wasn't present and didn't agree to pay is essentially worthless, again, unless you want to sue.

This is the least effort solution for me, he can kiss my ass.

Had he stopped and agreed to pay or left a note? No problem, I can deal with that. Kid being relative, he's 21-ish or so.

Xanupox · Post by **Xanupox** » July 27, 2006, 12:22 pm

There has to be someone in the impacted vehicle who was injured with a hit-n-run, otherwise it can be classified as an unattended collision.

The guy who hit the car could always make a statement he was unaware that he bumped the other vehicle... based on his statement alone, since he was the ONLY person involved in the collision, it would not be classified as hit-n-run.

So.... if you have so much evidence, and witnesses against him then fill out the paperwork from the adjuster and get a police report. The police report is needed to send it to the county court for a magistrate to hear the case.

Most likely the case will be classified as "careless operation of motor vehicle" resulting in "unattended collision". Perhaps a 100$ fine for the kid, the kids insurance will pay for damages to the parked car.

I really doubt you get a hit-n-run case unless you get the kid to admit he knew he it the car and just went on his way, regardless.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 27, 2006, 12:44 pm

In most states, you are legally required to make every possible effort to determine who owns the vehicle you hit and alert them as to what happened. You should get their plate information and at least leave a note on their vehicle with your contact information at a minimum.

This person has 10 days in Florida to make a written report. While he may or may not be ticketed for a hit-and-run or leaving the scene, he still has obligations. If he does not file the report, he can be charged with a noncriminal traffic infraction (non-moving violation). Now, this all depends on how much damage he actually did. Information on when a written report is required in Florida can be found at the link below, and I will quote the first subsection:

http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index. ... Sec066.HTM

316.066 Written reports of crashes.--

(1) The driver of a vehicle which is in any manner involved in a crash resulting in bodily injury to or death of any person or damage to any vehicle or other property in an apparent amount of at least $500 shall, within 10 days after the crash, forward a written report of such crash to the department or traffic records center. However, when the investigating officer has made a written report of the crash pursuant to paragraph (3)(a), no written report need be forwarded to the department or traffic records center by the driver.

Xyphir · Post by **Xyphir** » July 27, 2006, 12:52 pm

Based on what Aabidano stated, the driver of the truck knowingly hit the Volvo and drove away without leaving a note, or contacting police. That is a textbook hit-and-run. It doesn't matter if no one was there to witness or if no one was hurt. The fact is he drove away without doing the responsible action of leaving a note, or asking around to see who's car he hit. He can't get out of this by simply giving a statement that he didn't know he hit the other car. There were witnesses who will refute the statement if it does go to court.

A similar situation happened to me in college. I was walking out of a convenient store, 42 oz Mountain Dew in hand, and looked across the street just as another car bumped into my truck on the way out of the parking lot. I stared in disbelief as the two women smiled and drove away. I ran over and saw a sizeable dent in the rear quarterpanel. I had the police give me their address and handled the situation myself. I got quotes, and they paid me the money to get it fixed without involving the police. It was extremely irresponsible and if my timing had been off, I wouldn't have seen them hit and run. Fuckin' stoners.

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » July 27, 2006, 1:07 pm

Didn't mention it up top, some of the pieces he left were a 6" piece of rim (lodged in the Volvo), most of a tailight and some sheet metal, plastic, etc.. "Not knowing" isn't likely to happen.

I'm even more impressed with the Volvo after seeing it with the plastic bumper cover (torn) off. The bumper runs from 3/8-1/2" thick. Looks to be stainless steel, held in by 6 large bolts in the frame behind the bumper shocks.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » July 27, 2006, 1:18 pm

Old volvos were such fucking tanks... too bad they are fords now

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » July 27, 2006, 1:42 pm

Good advice. Can you now shed some light on "How to hit it and quit it"?

Nick · Post by **Nick** » July 27, 2006, 2:09 pm

I hate those fucking assholes who ruin your car and then fuck off patting themselves on the back at how sneaky they are.

Post by **Sylvus** » July 27, 2006, 2:22 pm

Fairweather Pure wrote:Good advice. Can you now shed some light on "How to hit it and quit it"?

I'd rather stay and play...

Ramseis · Post by **Ramseis** » July 27, 2006, 11:49 pm

Well I got Hit & run while I was on my motorcycle. Long story short besides me being able to see his plate before he took off my motorcycle had ripped the front plate off the bumper of his pickup made it really easy for the cops to pick hime up 20 minutes later.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » July 28, 2006, 3:56 pm

Don't forget that operating a motor vehicle without a license in Florida is a crime as well. So if this kid fled because he doesn't have a/isn't on Mommy & Daddy's policy, it's to jail he'll be going.

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » July 28, 2006, 4:25 pm

A deputy called the house wanting to ask my son some questions last night. Sounds as if they found the other party already, he claims he just ran over some junk in the parking lot.

When asked where his truck was (last night) he said he didn't know. When asked if someone had borrowed it, or has he reported it stolen his answer was no.

Deputy: "So where is your truck Mr 'X'?"
Dufus: "I don't know"

Once again I'm glad not to be in law enforcement.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 28, 2006, 5:03 pm

Aabidano wrote:Deputy: "So where is your truck Mr 'X'?"
Dufus: "I don't know"

Unless he really doesn't know...he's not that bright of a guy, is he?

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » July 28, 2006, 6:10 pm

Dude, where's my truck?!