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Post by rockyraccoon on Aug 23, 2005 21:51:09 GMT -5
today i look out the window and see the city police pulling up. i'm really worried since i don't live in the city and am thinking he's coming to tell me something bad has happened to someone. so i rush out and he's smiling and hands me a paper to go to court. i asked if someone was taking me to court and he said i was taking someone to court. i am looking dumbfounded at this point and he is laughing. a guy pulled out in front of me and caused a wreck over 2 yrs ago (maybe 3). he looked drunk and said nothing was hurt. the front bumper on my vehicle was crushed and i said i was calling the police and he jumped in his car and left. i did get his tag # as he was leaving and had witnesses as to what happened. the police came, ran the tag and said there was a warrant out for the guy, and that i would need to file papers against him if i wanted anything done. i filed the papers, called and called the police, but he never got picked up so i gave up. i got a new vehicle 1-1/2 yrs ago and haven't thought a thing about it. it takes about 5 minutes to drive anywhere in town. does it seem excessive to have taken over 2 yrs to drive 5 minutes and pick this guy up?? the policeman that came to the accident and took the report no longer works there. who knows if the witnesses are still around. the vehicle is gone. if i remember correctly, the officer said the guy didn't have a license, insurance or job but could be fined for not having a license or insurance. should i film this for court tv lol. i think i'll show up with a neckbrace lmao.
kim
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Post by Cher on Aug 23, 2005 22:00:15 GMT -5
That's unreal Kim. The only thing I can say is if you get him put away, it might protect someone else from his drunk driving.
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Post by Alice on Aug 23, 2005 23:10:59 GMT -5
incredible. Please keep us posted as to what happens.
Reminds me of a friend of mine who once had his canoe stolen.
He filed a "missing canoe report" etc... and then the canoe was returned to him 15 years later.
Apparently someone bought the canoe at a garage sale, stuck it in the water, and some guy at a marina punched in the # and it was declared as "stolen". Police later returned the canoe to the rightful owner 2 states away.
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Aug 24, 2005 12:11:04 GMT -5
Un believable! The rusty trusty wheel of the law! Well kim go to court and make sure they put the guy away! DWI is no laughing matter- and no insurance to boot- well my insurance is so riddled with extra fees for the boners that don't want to play right! I get so sick of these idiots- If you want to drink- don't freakin drive! ooops sorry- back up on the soapbox-
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Post by krazydiamond on Aug 24, 2005 15:26:54 GMT -5
um, not to mention leaving the scene....did your insurance company pay to fix your car? if the police aren't interested in this guy your insurance company surely will be....even if he has/had no insurance.
that would make me jump to see the long arm of the law pulling up my driveway, too, even tho i haven't done anything wrong (lately, lol).
wild story Kim, keep us posted...
KD
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Post by rockyraccoon on Aug 24, 2005 22:58:05 GMT -5
kd i paid it out of pocket so my insurance wouldn't go up. it didn't get fixed until i swapped vehicles so i had to call the dealership today and they have found all the info on when they fixed it and how much it cost me. i don't know about other places in the world but in mississippi so many people don't have licenses or insurance, no jobs and nothing to take that the insurance companies rarely go after them. i won't get my money back but i hope he is fined for all the other things. he won't be able to pay the fines so he should get jail time BUT i bet he won't. not because he shouldn't but because they don't want to deal with him. i'm going to do my part though!
kim
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Aug 25, 2005 10:41:51 GMT -5
Yea that is screwed up- Here in NY the guy would face heavy fines- if he could not pay he would likly go to jail (which we taxpayers pay for)- hmmm maybe your way is better after all!
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Post by rockyraccoon on Sept 12, 2005 16:23:54 GMT -5
well i did my civil duty. the fellow said he had never seen me & was in chicago at the time of the accident. the car is in his wife of 30 yrs name and i could identify him immediately even after 2 yrs. they fined him $100 for leaving the scene of the accident and he's going to make payments on that. no reimbursement for me, no fine for not having insurance, or the fact that his license was suspended. of course he left the scene so they sure couldn't prove he was driving under the influence too. and the looks he and his wife gave me leaving the courtroom were not good ones! so unfair. if i'd been the one to leave the scene i'd be under the jail with a nice fat fine.
kim
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Post by Cher on Sept 12, 2005 17:16:08 GMT -5
I'm sorry Kim, that really sucks. I feel the same way, if it would have been me, I'd be in jail. Of course, I don't drive without insurance, or drive drunk, nor would I ever even think of leaving the scene of an accident, my fault or not.
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Debs
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,252
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Post by Debs on Sept 12, 2005 17:41:48 GMT -5
Hey Kim
After working in Law Enforcement for over 26yrs it doesn't surprise me. I'm not sure how things are handled there, but this is how it is handled here in Iowa. If you ever have an accident always call law enforcement in the juristiction where it occured. In our state accident reports are completed and sent electronically to the state. Try to insist that the officer make an accident report and/or insist that he obtains all the other drivers info and gives it to you. You can either take that info to your insurance agent and/or file it will small claims court. How much combined damage did the accident cause? If it is under $3,000 you can take him to small claims court in our state. You may wish to check on this in your area and see what the amount is and how long you have to file against him. If it were me, I would certainly do it. I don't care if that driver has to pay me $1 a month, I would make him pay! Reason being, about half the drivers out there are driving someone elses vehicle, don't have a driver's license or insurance. In our state you the driver and/or vehicle owner have to have vehicle insurance. If not, the state can suspend your drivers license until damages are paid in full. You may also want to check and see if he was issued any citations like no drivers license, no insurance or any others. This helps your case alot when you appear in court. Of course, that even depends if this yoyo shows up. Lots of time they don't, thinking they can get out of it. If he doesn't show up in court and they rule against him, they will probably take his driver's license away and put him under suspension until further notice. Lastly, if you ever have another accident you will want to followup with the original officer who worked the call. Otherwise this paperwork just sits on someones desk and than just gets filed into the file drawer. I know from experience...LOL! Really though, it help's put your case back in front of them to follow up on and complete. I remember dealing with alot of unhappy drivers and talking with them about their cases. Good Luck! You won't need it as it sounds like you have a slam dunk case! LOL!
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Post by krazydiamond on Sept 12, 2005 18:48:56 GMT -5
that purely sucks, Kim....and you are right, sounds infinetly unfair to you. plus the fact this guy obviously LIED under oath!! you don't think they will try to take any vengeful action, do you?
KD
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Sept 12, 2005 19:02:26 GMT -5
Take the fool to court...that way if he should come into some money you will be entitled to your part. Also check to see if you can get his income tax refunds ...it works here in Texas.
Just a thought.
Pho
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Post by rockyraccoon on Sept 12, 2005 20:46:37 GMT -5
debs & pho - this was the civil suit - they didn't fine him for the suspended license, not having insurance, or make him pay me for the damages - just a slap on the hand of $100 for leaving the scene and he can make small payments on that.
kd i sure am hoping not. they were watching my vehicle as i was driving away and of course i had to tell where i lived in court.
kim
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Debs
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,252
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Post by Debs on Sept 12, 2005 21:18:34 GMT -5
Even in Civil or Small Claims Court I would say he got off easy. Big time! If he was at fault for the accident he should have been responsible for the damages as well. That stinks Kim!
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Sept 13, 2005 8:26:49 GMT -5
You still did your duty- and the guy was hasseled- maybe next time he will be a bit more careful- too bad he didn't go to jail
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