A driver changing lanes clipped me on a city street. I stopped, but the other driver kept going and I didn't get a license number, make and model, or description of the driver. I pulled into a parking garage immediately at the scene and had only a small ding and a light paint smear on my front passenger side. Since I couldn't describe the driver or the car and there was no real damage, I did not call the police. I left the car parked in the garage and walked to the theater were I had been heading. When I returned, there was a card from a police officer in my window asking me to call about a hit and run. I called and left the officer a message but a day has gone by and he hasn't called back. I am terrified that the other driver filed a report and claimed that I committed the hit and run. Maybe he claimed he was just driving to a safe spot to stop. The collision occurred in Kentucky. Was I required by law to call the police? Is what I did considered a hit and run?
2007-05-30 08:10:23 · 7 answers · asked by mary e 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
just paint over it
2007-05-30 08:17:25 · answer #1 · answered by thomas n 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
State laws vary.. but your problem is you do not know the EXTENT of the accident you were involved in.
It is obvious that the OTHER person has reported the accident you need to or you will be considered as a hit and run regardless of what he claimed.
Try this
1) Return the call.. leave a message saying you are trying to reach him regarding the accident at___ on ____. Do not go into more detail. Explain that you need to file an accident report and ask for assistance - click.
2) Call your insurance company and tell them what happened. Give them a statement and explain what has happened to date. If there is a mandatory state filing they will do that for you.
3) Prepare a minimal written statement (I was involved in an accident on... at.. with an unknown driver who did not stop.. or whatever the situation was. Do not assign or accept blame at this point simply say that you have not been able to contact anyone to date about this and that your insurance company is processing the form. Include a photo of your damage if possible Take this letter to the police and hand carry it to their offices. Get the name of the person to whom you deliver it to or, better still, get a signed receipt on a duplicate letter (ask for a 'received' copy). Give your contact information and your insurance company info.
Now you are likely covered from that point on. You will show that you have tried to respond and that you have acknowledged that there was an accident as soon as you could.
Do this quickly...(you should have done it when you found the note on your car). Otherwise you stand to get a ticket or lose your license - no matter who you think is at fault.
good luck..
2007-05-30 15:27:25 · answer #2 · answered by ca_surveyor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to the police station in that town....and file the police report yourself. Even if he wanted to report it or reported it. Also you can go speak with that cop personally. Thats a reason why you should've contacted the police department immediately following the accident. For the future, whether a report is made or not, your insurance company doesn't know about it until you open up the claim yourself. You still have time to file the report, so I suggest you do it. Also, check if there were any video cameras pointing towards the direction of the accident, you may be able to use it to your advantage, in case the other driver claimed you hit and ran.
2007-05-30 16:53:03 · answer #3 · answered by Rica 82 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well this is a hit and run situation, but I don't know about the law in Kentucky but in Georgia it is against the law to not file or report a hit in run situation.
You can check at the site below for the hit and run laws in your state. But if its not a big deal like the other guy said paint over it.
17-3-2.
The period within which a prosecution must be commenced under Code Section 17-3-1 or other applicable statute does not include any period in which:
(1) The accused is not usually and publicly a resident within this state;
(2) The person committing the crime is unknown or the crime is unknown;
2007-05-30 15:32:29 · answer #4 · answered by lexbksfinest718 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm going to guess that someone ELSE phoned your license number in and pointed the cops to your car.
Because there were no injuries, and it sounds like the other driver doesn't want to get involved in the situation, I don't think you're going to have any trouble. Unless you're in a really small town where the cops don't have anything more important to do, I doubt you'll hear any more about it. Of course it wouldn't hurt to get your side of the story into the report, if the officer files one, or in case the other driver does show up.
2007-05-30 15:29:47 · answer #5 · answered by HyperDog 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, it is considered a hit and run and you should do a follow up before something more serious becomes of it.
if indeed the other party reported it, the police should have their info for their vehicle also.
good to know the date and time at time of incident to see if info that police have is correct and take it from there.
2007-05-30 15:24:39 · answer #6 · answered by james 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give your side of the story as honestly as you can. If he has a witness you might have a problem unless you can also produce one.
I don't believe you are in trouble as long as you get a fair hearing of the facts.
2007-05-30 17:11:08 · answer #7 · answered by united9198 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋