waffleking
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| #1 Posted on 31.7.04 0047.52 Reposted on: 31.7.11 0048.00 | Any lawyers in the house?
I had an automobile accident a few days ago, and I was wondering if any of you wieners would have any advice.
Outside on the parking lot while I was at work, a 1978 Chevy pick-up truck came out of park and rolled downhill and smashed into my parked car (1987 Buick LeSabre).
Good news - a policeman saw the entire thing.
Bad news - the white trash piece of sh*t was uninsured.
Anyway, the guy said the truck was his uncle's, and he was just out on parole a little while ago. They couldn't find any insurance in the truck so the policeman gave him a couple tickets and let him go on his merry way (a friend of his had to drive the truck away since he was uninsured).
After work, I call my insurance company and report the accident. Of course they can't do anything because I only have liability, which I can barely afford as is. So I decide my only choice is to take this to small claims court. The officer told me he would be more than happy to be my witness.
Later I call the number he gave me and gave the officer on the report. The people on the other end have never heard of this guy before, the address he gave me doesn't match the address he gave the officer, and I can't find his uncle's name in the phone book. It looks like he's made up most of the information and I don't have much to go on.
I tell the police, they don't seem that concerned. They tell me to go to the City Attorney. I go to the City Attorney and they tell me that there is nothing they can do, and go to the police.
The cost to fix the car is way more than the car is worth. So I'm just wanting to get the money for the value of my car, and everyone I've talked to said that I'm not going to be able to get anything. I have the court forms but I don't have much else than just names.
I'm stuck. Promote this thread! | | StaggerLee
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| #2 Posted on 31.7.04 0052.02 Reposted on: 31.7.11 0054.50 | *Find out who the car is registered to, and take them to court. They let somebody drive thier vehicle. They didnt insure it. They SHOULD be responsible, at least I would think so.
*not a lawyer, but I watch a lot of Judge Joe Brown. | sweetroll
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| #3 Posted on 31.7.04 0138.57 Reposted on: 31.7.11 0139.31 | I am not (yet) a lawyer and I am not representing myself as one. Nothing in this message is intended to be legal advice or legal counsel... In short, the owner of the car is liable for any damage caused by a driver of that car. if you have the license plate number, you shouldn't have a hard time finding someone at fault. | Zeruel
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| #4 Posted on 31.7.04 0147.59 Reposted on: 31.7.11 0148.01 | In Maryland you can get anyone's personal info from a plate if you go to the MVA and pay a small processing fee.
Your state may or may not do the same thing.
(edited by Zeruel on 31.7.04 0248) | EddieBurkett
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| #5 Posted on 31.7.04 0224.16 Reposted on: 31.7.11 0229.01 | Add me to the list of people who are not lawyers, but if you get the info for the owner of the car, and it turns out not to correspond to the info that the guy gave you at the accident, since there was a police officer present, can't he be charged with lying to an officer, or something like that? | waffleking
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| #6 Posted on 31.7.04 0244.50 Reposted on: 31.7.11 0245.07 | Originally posted by sweetroll I am not (yet) a lawyer and I am not representing myself as one. Nothing in this message is intended to be legal advice or legal counsel... In short, the owner of the car is liable for any damage caused by a driver of that car. if you have the license plate number, you shouldn't have a hard time finding someone at fault.
I told the City Attorney's office that I didn't know for sure if the uncle had the truck insured or not. There wasn't any prove in the vehicle. They said they weren't going to investigate for me and I would have to find out for myself. Again, I don't have any information on the guy.
I think I'm going to try to get an officer to run the plates for me and get me some information.
Thanks. | JayJayDean
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| #7 Posted on 31.7.04 0928.42 Reposted on: 31.7.11 0928.47 | Get a lawyer. If the guy is at fault he'll either want to settle or he may MIRACULOUSLY have insurance when you get a lawyer involved.
Don't be afraid to be the asshole on this. Nobody is going to go out of their way to make sure you get every dime of damages you are entitled to unless you do it yourself. | ALL ORIGINAL POSTS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOW AVAILABLE |
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