I went shopping in Ali Mall earlier and parked on the third level. I was away from my car for 2 hours. I was shocked to see my license plates missing when I returned to the parking slot. Can I sue the management of the mall? Someone from their security accompanied me to the precinct to report it, but he made no mention of any next steps. What should I do?
2006-12-22 04:01:57 · 12 answers · asked by thomas 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
Contact your locate DMV, and ask for the steps. Each state is different, you need to check for the steps from them.
2006-12-22 04:07:53 · answer #1 · answered by chris210150 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Whenever you park at a mall or use any of their facilities, it is at your own risk. There's posted signs which tell you that.
However, there's reasons malls have security guards and cameras... without them, people wouldn't feel safe enough to visit and shop. The records are used as evidence in court as well.
There are many cases of people suing malls when they're injured or their property is damaged/stolen, and if you're lawyer is good enough you could prove negligence on the mall's part (poor lighting, no camera, security doesn't prowl, etc) you might win.
Losing your license plates probably wouldn't be deemed damages enough to sue, however.
You can get a police report filed, contact your insurance company, and have your car insurance repay you for replacing your license plates. When you report them stolen to the Secretary of State, they will be on a "stolen alert" list.
2006-12-22 04:20:33 · answer #2 · answered by Mmerobin 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, the mall isn't liable. At the same time, you need to report this theft IMMEDIATELY. Because if somebody is stealing your license plates, that means they're up to no good. And the last thing you need is the hassle of a police investigation for something that somebody else did.
2006-12-22 04:11:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I hope you have immediately contacted the local police to report the stolen plates.
Usually these will be used in criminal activity to prevent quick identification. With plates reported as stolen there is a better chance they will be caught, and no chance that johnny law comes knocking on your door because they traced those plate numbers back to you.
2006-12-22 04:14:01 · answer #4 · answered by shovelkicker 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They aren't responsible because it is a public place. They can,however help you out by supplying video of the parking lot at the time of the theft. Maybe they can find out who did it, and at least be more alert in that area for theives. Your best recourse is to report the stolen tags to the DMV/MVA.And hope that the person that stole them is dumb enough to get caught by the police using them on their vehicle.
2006-12-22 04:08:04 · answer #5 · answered by omegalibra927 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Just get new tags at the DMV. No, the mall is NOT liable for this. It would hardly be worth suing for the $20 or so that new tags will cost.
2006-12-22 05:27:23 · answer #6 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Contact your DVM as they need to know your plates were stolen. Most times when plates are stolen they use them for stolen cars that's why you need to report it and let them know. Your best bet is to cancel those plates and get a differnt number for a set of plates. Also call your insurance company and let them know what happened and when.
2006-12-22 06:32:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Gosh, I wouldn't get the insurance company involved in this. They would probably raise your rates ten fold. Replacing stolen plates can't cost more than 10 bucks or so.
2006-12-22 05:22:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You won't win a case like that. The mall isn't responsible for what happens to your car in their parking lot. There's no way that they could be expected to.
2006-12-22 04:05:29 · answer #9 · answered by Jess H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The mall didn't steal your tags. Get new ones and see if you can put zip ties through two of the mounting holes and bolts in the other two. It may make them harder to steal.
2006-12-22 18:39:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋