Hit and Run on my car, noooooooo(but its on tape)! ADVICE? | FerrariChat
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Hit and Run on my car, noooooooo(but its on tape)! ADVICE?

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by JSinNOLA, Apr 11, 2005.

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  1. JSinNOLA

    JSinNOLA Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #1 JSinNOLA, Apr 11, 2005
    Crap.

    Just bought my brand new Infiniti G35 Coupe in January(http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44876).

    Get a phone call this morning from the front desk of my apartment building, "John? You drive the dark blue Infiniti? Well, before you flip out, just want to let you know that we have it all on video. Someone in a delivery truck sideswiped your car this morning and fled the scene, come see the video."


    What a great call to get. So I immediately grab pen, paper, and digital camera, head to the front desk, and view the tape.

    My car was parked on the street corner to the side of my building. This big delivery truck comes creeping up the block from behind my car. Apparently the driver thought he didn't have enough room on the left, so he slightly cuts his wheel to the right and the side of his truck begins making contact with my driver's side front quarter panel. He visibly stops for about 2 seconds, realizing what he is doing, then starts up again completing the damage. Pulls off and is never to be seen again, or so he thought.

    The videotape is too grainy to make out a license plate #, but if played in slow motion, I could clearly see "A.J.'S Produce Co. Inc" written in huge letters on the side of the truck. And guess what was conveniently written under that part? Yup, their telephone number! HAHA!

    So I call them and they are closed for the day, but I leave a message explaining who I was, were I lived, and the fact that they are responsible for a felony hit and run as evidenced by videotape footage AND a witness.


    Now, here is the issue I have. I DO NOT want to get my insurance company involved because I know my rates will go up one way or another. My record is 100% clean for the past 3 years, yet I still have to pay close to $6000/year for full coverage. I don't want to know what it will be with a tarnished record.

    So what is my next move in the morning? I am getting a copy of the footage, I have pics of the damage, and I left them the message alerting them of the situation.

    The company is local, so I guess that is a good thing. But please, what say you experts?

    Will post pics of the damage once I find my USB cable, its not horrible, but the side panel, rim, and front bumper will need to be replaced.
     
  2. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

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    #2 62 250 GTO, Apr 11, 2005
    First of all, too bad that happened.

    Second of all, hang the driver high in the town square.

    Third, why would you call your insurance co.? Shouldn't they call their Ins. co.?

    4. Before anyone calls any Ins. co., meet face to face and stay calm, show the tape, tell the owner you will price the damage to your satisfaction and you will expect cash before any work is started., add monies for time off work, a rental or just a Pi$$ed off fee.

    5. If he says no or gives you flak about where to get the work done, the deal is off.

    6. If he says no, contact his ins. co. and tell your story. If they hang upin your ear {don't care to listen}, call your ins. co..

    7. Call your ins. co. and tell them to put in their "biting teeth".

    Other than you owning a vehicle that will never be as valuable as it could be {make sure you get the difference in price from somone}, it should be somewhat stress free and hey, that's life... you own a crobar?... Never mind...
     
  3. LAfun2

    LAfun2 Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #3 LAfun2, Apr 11, 2005
    Get a police report.
     
  4. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

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    #4 62 250 GTO, Apr 11, 2005
    Umm yeah. Good idea, I left that out. :(
     
  5. whart

    whart F1 Veteran
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    #5 whart, Apr 11, 2005
    Exactly. Hit and run is a crime. Your insurance shouldn't go up because of this. You'll need to report it to the police anyway. Who has custody of the tape, because that's critical evidence, and the chain of custody could become an issue if it wasn't retained by your building's security personnel.
     
  6. LAfun2

    LAfun2 Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #6 LAfun2, Apr 11, 2005
    Its ok, you are Canadian :D :p

    You guys go to battle and forget the gun. Nothing new. :)

    Good luck John.
     
  7. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 darth550, Apr 11, 2005
    (response forthcoming?)

    SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.......have a cookie!

    DL
     
  8. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    #8 FarmerDave, Apr 11, 2005
    John, buddy, THAT SUCKS.

    Whassamatter, you already forget my phone number? :D

    Are you 110% sure your car was legally parked? Either way, get a police report! As long as you were legally parked, this shouldn't affect your rates. If you have any more questions, call me at the office.
     
  9. 2000YELLOW360

    2000YELLOW360 F1 World Champ

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    #9 2000YELLOW360, Apr 11, 2005
    Call the police, make sure that they understand that a felony was committed. They probably won't charge anyone because you can't ID the driver, but it will sure make this very easy to get resolved, because the driver will not testify because if he does, they can get a conviction. I'd make sure that you get a comparable rental, and any loss of value that the car has after it's been repaired, since it will have a CARFAX record which will reduce its value on resale.

    Art
     
  10. JSinNOLA

    JSinNOLA Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #10 JSinNOLA, Apr 11, 2005
    I spoke with the security people at the front desk and they tell me that I can get a copy of the footage first thing in the morning. They keep up tapes for 2 months before erasing them. At this time I plan on calling the police to get an officer to come to my building, view the tape and car, and get the paper work going.

    I am thinking I need to contact the perps immediately after the police report is filed in the morning. Unfortunantly the footage is not good enough to make out who is driving, but everything else is sufficient. It also shows that I was parked legally. The car has not been moved, and will not be moved until the police report is filed in the morning.


    As for loss of value, I am not sure where to get this in writting? The infiniti dealer here has done a lot of business with my family over the years, so I suppose I can contact them and see if I can get anything about vehicle value loss in writting on their stationary.

    Correct me if I am wrong, but even though I am clearly not at fault in any way possible, this will still go down as an 'occurance' on my record no? Meaning that, although they can't raise my rates now because of it, they CAN raise my rates a little extra amount if I ever get a violation or accident that is my fault. Is this wrong?



    Anyone have specifics on sorting out the loss of value?
     
  11. Etcetera

    Etcetera Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 Etcetera, Apr 11, 2005
    I'd let the mounties handle that.
     
  12. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    #12 FarmerDave, Apr 11, 2005
    If you call your company, then yes, it will definately be present as a "Fault Free" incident or "Questionable Fault" incident. It will not be a "Negligent Incident."
    Having a fault-free incident should not cause an increase in rates, if your company does not pay anything out. A questionable fault incident where your company pays out may have a slight effect on your rates. It would be paid as a "comprehensive" claim, not a collision claim, and having one comprehensive claim shouldn't have any huge effect on your premium.

    Call me, I am still at the office right now. I'll be here till about 7:45 or so. 1 (800) 667-6898
     
  13. Dave328

    Dave328 Formula 3

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    #13 Dave328, Apr 11, 2005
    What do you do?
    Well, first you call me and my two buddies. Heckler und Koch. Then we go straight outta Compton on their a$$es.;) Seriously, that really sucks bro. FWIW, there is a red/tan '88 328GTS in todays TP classified for $42K, you know, just in case you can't stand to drive your "damaged goods".;) :D

    Dave
    BTW, new house is almost done, get ready to PAR-TAYYYYY!!
     
  14. JSinNOLA

    JSinNOLA Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 JSinNOLA, Apr 11, 2005
    LOL, I'll call up you and your buddy, and maybe see if Brotha Bruce can send some bada-bing boys down for a Louisiana 'get togther' LOL.

    All joking aside, I had been wondering how the house was coming along, I am sure you have been swamped(pun intended) with it. Hopefully my car is back to normal by the time you are finished and we'll go for a cruise and meet up!
     
  15. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 Napolis, Apr 11, 2005
    Trust me. Call John H. Take his advise. Call the Police. DON'T CALL THE TRUCKS OWNERS!!!! NOTIFY YOUR INSURANCE CO.!!! This will not effect your rates.
    Best
     
  16. Ike

    Ike F1 Rookie

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    #16 Ike, Apr 11, 2005
    I know you probably know a few lawyers but I have an atty that handled my wreck, he is in chalmette if you want his # let me know.

    Sorry to hear that. That is a gorgeous car.
     
  17. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 UroTrash, Apr 11, 2005
    Diminished value is real. Get compensated.
     
  18. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

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    #18 62 250 GTO, Apr 11, 2005
    And you guys have a crappy educational system. If it was up to par would would know, forgetting to bring something is different from not being able to afford something but pretending you have it. ;)
     
  19. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

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    #19 62 250 GTO, Apr 11, 2005
    And Darth, you hurt me deeply. :(
     
  20. LAfun2

    LAfun2 Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #20 LAfun2, Apr 11, 2005

    1. I wasn't educated in the US

    2. what does "would would" mean?

    3. Your sentence makes no sense.

    :) :)
     
  21. MarkPDX

    MarkPDX F1 World Champ
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    #21 MarkPDX, Apr 11, 2005
    Anybody else think it's time for Mr Congeniality to take a vacation? Me too :)
     
  22. JSinNOLA

    JSinNOLA Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #22 JSinNOLA, Apr 11, 2005
    Has anyone here actually done this?
     
  23. Ike

    Ike F1 Rookie

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    #23 Ike, Apr 11, 2005
    The way I look at it is that it will always be a wrecked and repaired car. When you try to sell it or trade it or anything that has a chance of lowering its value.

    Even when the car is repaired you may find things you are not happy with.

    I would try to get money with the diminished value angle and after everything is settled I would order a new one. Every car I have had repaired has had things I was unhappy with and it always bugged me.

    I would talk to an atty. Preferably one that you are your family is friends with that may help you without charging you much if anything.
     
  24. JSinNOLA

    JSinNOLA Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #24 JSinNOLA, Apr 12, 2005
    So here is the latest...


    The police came over this morning to write the police report. Apparently all they can do is write that there was a hit and run. They don't even look at the footage I have of the incident occuring, which apparently is how it works here.

    Meaning that they can't assign fault. Which irks me considering that a hit and run is a felony. I am slightly confused as to what all that means.


    So, I wait 10 days before I can actually obtain a copy of the report.

    I call "A.J.'S Produce" today and briefly explain the situation to her over the phone. She says, "Hold on one second.....*******(trailing off like I couldn't hear it)."

    Yeah, sure, I am the ****** in this situation.

    So she gets A.J. on the phone, I explain to him the situation in detail telling him I have the police report filed and video footage to prove it. I tell him I will give him one chance to do the right thing, and if he decides to delay this process, I will notify the authorities, press charges, and get his insurance company involved.

    He kinda beats around the issue for a second, tells me he is gonna find out which driver is responsible, and wants me to go get an estimate on the damage. And he 'promises' to call me back...

    So I am off to get an estimate from the dealership really quickly and to begin thinking about which lawyer I should get involved.

    Man I hate this :mad:
     
  25. Ike

    Ike F1 Rookie

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    #25 Ike, Apr 12, 2005
    I would talk to an atty about why they can not watch the video and assign fault. They may just be lazy. I would probably talk to someone in the DA's office. I once had to have the DA's office call the police and make them do their jobs because they didn't want to do anything for me.

    Maybe you could get one of the ADA's to look at the tape. If he says they would prosecute it then they could get the cops to do more.
     
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