I was dropping a friend off at class & when turning his car around in a parking lot I tapped a car, got out and assessed that there was no damage to the big metal bumper on the parked pick-up truck, and left. I only have my permit and am 20 years old. The cops came to my apartment and made me fill out a report on what happened (where I wrote what's written up above) and gave me two tickets. 1 for leaving the scene of an accident (which said there was damage) and 1 for driving without a license.
What should I do? I definitely don't have money for a lawyer and I feel like I can't mail in the ticket not guilty because I already wrote that it did happen. Should I go to court anyway? is there anything I can do to plea down anything? There really are minor scratches on the huge trucks bumper and they're all over, not just on the back part I hit. I'm going to take pictures of it later today. I never drive without someone else in the car with me and with my luck this happened.
Help!!
2006-10-11 03:52:15 · 15 answers · asked by Amanda M 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
You should consult an attorney. In my state, an accident in a parking lot, also referred to as private propety, has a no fault result in the event of an accident with no injuries. I don't believe you can be cited as long as you were not on a public roadway.
2006-10-11 03:55:52 · answer #1 · answered by Letsee 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It seems, unfortunately, that there is very little you can do.
1) You left the scene of the accident *regardless* of whether there was visible damage or not. Even if you saw no damage caused by the tap/hit, there might have been damage to the undercarriage/exhaust/etc. Also, unless you can *prove* that those scratches you saw on the truck's bumper were not caused by your accident, the police/truck driver's insurance company has every reason to believe that you caused them.
2) In MA anyway, you can only drive with a permit if there is a licensed passenger in the front passenger seat at all times. I'm fairly certain this is a NY rule as well...(or, well, it *should* be.)
Since the police knew it happened either they saw it and followed you home (not so likely, as they probably would have stopped you from leaving/pulled you over,) or a camera/someone spotted you and noted your license plate number.
You could call your insurance company to see what they recommend...otherwise, I don't know....good luck.
2006-10-11 11:03:27 · answer #2 · answered by Moxie1313 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, if there were witnesses you probably should have stayed or left a note on the truck. If it was in a parking lot the cops dont really have jurisdiction. If there was under 500 bucks of damage you dont have to file anything. At least this is the law in some states. The DA may cut you a deal on one of the charges if you dont let it drag out to court. Call asap. You might as well plead guilty to the driving without a liscense if you've admitted it. Ask for community service to pay the ticket, it wont be that much.
2006-10-11 11:00:31 · answer #3 · answered by rand a 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are pretty well screwed! The driving without a license charge will be enough on it's own for the court to suspend your driving privileges.
By leaving the scene of the accident you left yourself wide open for a civil suit for damages to the other vehicle.
A lawyer will be expensive, not having a lawyer could prove to be even more expensive!
2014-08-15 01:44:12 · answer #4 · answered by ornery and mean 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if your friend wasnt with you when you hit the truck you were driving alone and hence breaking the law...now you took the risk and you must be responsible now. this is what you should have thought of before you drove alone. responsibility is tough man...thats why so few people seem to be taking it nowadays. i guess the only hopes you have of getting out of being responsible is hoping the cop is a no show in court. but if you did the RIGHT thing you would be responsible and not look for a way to be blaming others. like the guy having scratches on his truck. it doesnt matter if he did, the fact is you hit his truck and you at the very least could have left a note but you didnt because you knew you were breaking the law. ....so now you are left with being responsible. are you a man or not? the world is full of losers who want to blame thier own actions on others. dont be one of those....you probably got busted by security cameras.
2006-10-14 12:39:30 · answer #5 · answered by polyesterfred 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How did the cops find you?? You were driving your friend's car. Shouldn't they have come looking for your friend? Are you sure the car wasn't in another accident and your friend sent the cops to you. I'd have a look at the damage to the other car to make sure you caused it. Used to be if the damage was under a certain amount it didn't have to be reported, though that is by mutual consent of both drivers.
2006-10-11 11:07:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yikes! You definately need to get your license and also car insurance if you have it, and whatever you do in the future, don't ever leave the scene of an accident----that is what is going to hurt you in the long run----you can always get your license, but if you run from the accident, that can cause sooooo many problems-----Good Luck!
2006-10-11 10:57:37 · answer #7 · answered by SuzyBelle04 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You did a bloody stupid thing, and if you've got a remote ounce of commonsense in you, the only thing I believe you can do in this situation is go to court....... put your hands up and admit you screwed up....... apologise for doing so (without getting overly dramatic about it).... promise you'll never do it again....... tell them your financial situation..... and cross your fingers the judge is in a good mood.
2006-10-11 14:45:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How did the cops find you? I always carry a camera with me just in case!
In future if there are witnesses, get out, look at the "damage" write a note and leave it on the windsceen.
The note should read "i was seen bumping your car so i am writing this note so that the witnesses think its my driver details...but its not"!
2006-10-11 11:02:10 · answer #9 · answered by puffy 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
NOTHING YOU CAN DO. IF YOU DON'T SHOW UP TO COURT IT THEN BECOMES A BENCH WARRANT WITH AN ARREST ORDER.
GO, EXPLAIN YOU HAVE NO MONEY, ARE IRRESPONSIBLE AND EAT WHATEVER FLAVOR ICE CREAM THE JUDGE DISHES OUT WITH A SMILE.
YOU BLEW IT AND YOU KNOW YOU BLEW IT.
2006-10-11 16:03:33 · answer #10 · answered by saucylatina 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋