two years ago when i was 17 i was driving home from school when i rear ended someone (not major) who had stopped all of a sudden to take a left turn. the damages cost $500 to repair my end. i dont think it cost any more on her part. anyway, she had left to take a turn, it was a busy street, and i had too. say there was a police there and he had pursued action or she had complained and a witness was there. now if i agreed to pay her damages as well, would i still go to court and jail? or would i get off? thanks. btw i live in massachusetts
the girl who drove the car in front of me left to take the turn before i could even do anything, so i left too
2007-08-12 07:21:01 · 11 answers · asked by Rickyyy 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I'm confused.Why would you go to jail?
If she had just left the scene then you should have reported it to the police.
Also,it was only $500 of damage.I am sure you both had insurance...right?
2007-08-12 07:27:25 · answer #1 · answered by Kitty? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your question seems to jump around and I'm not clear exactly what happened. I will try and address all the issues I can identify in a logical order.
1. Many states have laws requiring drivers to maintain 'Assured Clear Distance". Than means you have to stay back far enough to stop no matter how suddenly the car ahead of you stops. In short, if you rear-end them, it is AUTOMATICALLY your fault.
2. The only thing here for which jail is possible would be leaving the scene of an accident. If she left first, reporting the incident to the police within 24 hours would probably satisfy your duty to report the accident.
3. Paying her damages settles the CIVIL claim she has. It does NOT address the traffic offense. IF you had been cited, you would most likely have paid a fine in addition to the damages.
I am not sure how this was not addressed at the time if there was an officer present. Was that a hypothetical statement?
2007-08-12 08:37:26 · answer #2 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF you were going to go to jail, you would have heard something from the courts by now, ...2yrs later.
. Constitutionally, you are entitled to a speedy trial....bench trial or jury trial. YOU MUST HAVE ONE OR THE OTHER TO BE SENT TO JAIL.
IT seems, hypothetically speaking, to me that LADY LUCK was on your side because you should have at least been ticketed for "tail gating!" I think TAILGATING is a traffic violation in all the STATES.
SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOU PAID $500.00 to repair your own car, if that is so and the police did stop you, and you did get a tailgating ticket, YOU WOULD BE OBLIGATED to pay for the damages to HER car as well, EVEN if it is a "no fault" State.
AT ANY RATE, I don't see your having to go to jail on a MINOR TRAFFIC INFRACTION, but OR UNLESS you were driving on a suspended license or driving on a license with a curfew or some other problem is attached to your driving record.
The scenario of the accident is too vague to give a really coherent answer but I hope this information will relieve some of your anxieties....
take care
2007-08-13 11:06:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You both left the scene of an accident if a cop was there u should have stopped and she would have ended up repairing your car. But odds are you wil get a fine and a slap on the wrist. and why the hell did you pay someoen who fled the scene of an accident in the first place. You really should have just hung out there and reported it but hindsight is always 20/20 so just pay the fine hope it doenst get back to your insurance company.
2007-08-12 07:29:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not familiar with Mass. law but, if you stopped and exchange information and not hit and run, then it is a civil matter. She would have to sue you, and if you didnt pay the court ordered costs then you could go to jail, but for not complying with the court order, not hitting her.
That is if it was a true accident and not intenitional, then you are in trouble.
2007-08-12 07:31:20 · answer #5 · answered by railer01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Under a 1000 dollars and no injury, and the person you hit toook off too? You wouldnt go to jail.
2007-08-12 07:40:05 · answer #6 · answered by zebj25 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would've hypothetically sued this hypothetical girl for slipping some hypothetical Viagra into my hypothetical drink for hypothetically causing bodily harm to my body. I would've also hypothetically sued even more money if my ***** hypothetically didnt function properly anymore and would've hypothetically sued even more for hypothetical pain and suffering.
2016-05-20 22:34:32 · answer #7 · answered by lucille 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you go to jail? you paid the damages, just keep the receipt or cancelled check that proves you paid her and then forget it.
2007-08-12 07:26:21 · answer #8 · answered by Tapestry6 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure the statute of limitations on such a minor infraction would have expired by now. You're safe.
2007-08-12 07:27:16 · answer #9 · answered by LolaC☼ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ur not gonna go to jail for any kind of accident.. my sis's bf totaled her car by hitting another, yoiu'll be looking at fines
2007-08-12 07:30:51 · answer #10 · answered by lilmomma86 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋