| Author | Message | ||
     Dako |
OK so my gf backed out of her parking spot at a bowling alley, slid a little on the icy parking lot and bumped rear bumper to corner rear bumper causing quite a crack in the cold plastic on the other car. Then she did something stupid, after inspecting, and seeing the crack in the other bumper, she freaked and left. we called up there the next day to admit to it and offer to take care of damages. Now the owner of the damaged vehicle is trying to blackmail my gf! Telling her they have a security tape, and they'll turn her in to the police for "hit/skip". she is willing to let her insurance pay for the damage, but they want an extra $500 for the tape! So I guess what I'm asking is..... Is it "hit and run" if it happens on private property? I know the police can't site anyone for an accident on private property. It has happened to me and my mother both. This is in ohio btw. | ||
| Damnut |
go to the police first and tell them what they're trying to do. You're trying to make it right and if you explain it to them I doubt they would press charges. What they're doing is extortion and, I believe, is a worse crime than a simple hit-n-run. | ||
| Skinstains |
I think you are also alloted a certain amount of time to report if the damage is limited to property and under a certain monetary limit. I have used notes under wipers in the past. I also doubt that their "tape" is of high enough quality to clearly show a plate #. Call their bluff and tell them to shove it you aint giving them shite. | ||
| Ourdee |
Talk to a detective with a detective card in the offices at the police department. You don't really want a street cop on this one. They may want her to wear a wire. I say stick em'. | ||
| Dako |
Oh, I want to take them down in the biggest way possible! But I'm not willing to risk her record to do it. If it were me, I'd take the plates off my truck and go smash their spare tire into the glove box! Cooler heads will prevail though, I just want them busted to the fullest extent of the law! | ||
| Dako |
When i called this punk-a$$ kid to offer to take care of it, he was all...F&*K the insurance, I just want to swing on you. To which I replied "we can do that, but thats not gonna get the car fixed". Besides he doesn't know who may or may not have taken 7yrs of Goshin Jitsu! Thank God for Xanax! That's all I have to say. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
simple fix... new girlfriend. Never was one with great interpersonal skills though. | ||
| Dako |
"simple fix... new girlfriend. Never was one with great interpersonal skills though."  LMAO | ||
| Damnut |
I agree with what Ourdee says. Go see a detective. Like I mentioned earlier, I doubt that a LEO will charge your girlfriend with anything, ESPECIALLY if the other party did not report it. Go to the police. You guys are trying to resolve this the right way and they are trying to extort money from you. | ||
| Brumbear |
Burn his fing house down and kill his pets he'll back off | ||
| Bhillberg |
I had a similar thing happen to me. I am in Ohio too. I once backed into a "buddy's" truck on a friday after work. It was very minor damage and I was 17 and wanted to get to a party. I know that I should have ran in and told him but I was a dumb 17 year old and figured that he was going to a vocational school for body work that he could fix it himself and I would front him some money for the supplies and labor. I figured, at that age, that it could wait until the next monday. His truck was a POS and I doubted he would even notice. Monday rolled around and I told him about it and he said that he noticed it, had already gone to some body shops and it was going to be $500. I asked him if he could do it and pointed out that his bumper wasn't worth $500 dollars. By lunch time word got around that he had said that he wasn't going to fix it, he was just going to take my money. I approached him about it and he said the police were already involved and he would drop the charges if I gave him the money. I called my Dad, who was a police officer in a neighboring town and asked him what legal ramifications I could face. The place we worked did have it on tape but I found out that they deleted the tape every 48 hrs or something. I told him to f**k off and take me to small claims court because legally, at that time 11 years ago in Ohio that was the only thing he could do. | ||
| Dako |
My gf already started the claim on her end.(before the extortion threat). I just need to know if she's in the clear, so we can cancel the claim, and go after them for extortion. I think it might look a little incriminating if I go in and start asking a detective "hypothetical" questions. I am however very thankful for the responses. THX. | ||
| Svh |
I wouldn't even do hypothetical questions. Tell him what happened and what they said. Extortion is a much higher crime than a bump and run. Tell them the truth and see what happens | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Seriously, and I hate saying this, but you might want to consult with a lawyer. | ||
| Sardawg2dpd |
Ok as an LEO, your right can only write certain tickets for private property. Technically she did leave the scene of an accident however. Depending on state law, you are supposed to leave a phone number and everything would be fine. You have 72 hours to report an accident to the state, if the damage is over $1000 total. if it is under $1000 it does not need to be reported to the state. We all freak out and I personally would not write a ticket for leaving the scene since you are trying to correct it. The $500 for the tape is BS. That is extortion. Since the accident is after the fact there will be no report filed, and they would just exchange information. Go talk to the local PD and tell them about the $500 and let them take care of that. Tell your gf not to freak out next time. It was an accident and they happen. It was just a bumper. I had a guy blow a light and total my $75k squad car. then you can freak out. Again talk with the local PD. Hope all goes well. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
In Florida, you could be charged with leaving the scene w/ property damage. Thought private property, the parking does have public access, so traffic laws apply. But... She is trying to do the right thing so I doubt she will get a ticket (ya never know)... As for the punk trying to get an extra $500, be sure to inform the investigating officer about this. | ||
| Thumper74 |
I live in northern Ohio too... In Ohio... they wouldn't even send out an officer for a small collision on private property. We were at WalMart a few years ago and some lady in a conversion van did $4000 in damage to our Tbird while it was parked. The police would not come out due to it being private property with no injuries. My wife is a police dispatcher as well and she said that she reported it and that's all that most reasonable people would do. She messed up. It's her responsibility to pay for the damages or for her insurance to report. Screw the extortion money because there most likely wouldn't be any charges filed anyway. I think the best option would be to talk to a detective. Explain the situation and get a case file, etc from your insurance company. Let the detective guide you. She's on the hook, but at least he has the opportunity to get what's coming to him. | ||
| Dako |
Thanks, I'm going to talk to the police, and cancel the ins claim. or at least tell them whats going on as well. I've said it before, I always seem to find the smartest people on Badweb!! | ||
| Ratbuell |
I wouldn't even cancel the insurance claim - it shows due diligence on your part. That, and the fact that she contacted the owner of the other vehicle, proves her willingness to take care of it. Inform not only the LEOs, but also the insurance company, of the extortion threat. Let the insurance company decide whether they want to pay or not. Let the LEOs decide whether they want to prosecute or not. Do YOUR part, do it right, and let the other parties make their own decisions. If the LEOs recommend dropping the claim, MAKE SURE to document with the insurance company WHY you're dropping it - extortion attempt by the other party. Keeps your hands clean should it come down to "he said / she said" in court later. Document, document, document. By the book, by the book, by the book. Cover YOUR ass. They'll get theirs. Maybe the next guy isn't on xanax  | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Out of curiosity, what's with the "go speak with a detective" thing? Detectives don't work traffic crashes. If you went to a detective at my Dept, you are going to get refered to a Uniform Deputy/Officer or the Highway Patrol. Coincidentally, FHP will not work parking lot crashes. As for the extortion, again the detective will refer you to a Uniform Deputy/Police Officer to take the report before he can do anything with it. Why? Generally speaking, detectives don't "write reports". Uniform Deputies/ Police Officers do. Then, depending on a multitude of things, the Uniform will investigate, or the report will be forwarded to a detective for investigation. (Message edited by paint_shaker on February 05, 2009) | ||
| Damnut |
Well that explains why I'm no LEO and you fine folks are. | ||
| Hitman44139 |
Isnt a parking lot accident a no fault thing? I don't know just what I remember my Dad saying. Black male on the other hand is another issue..... | ||
| Froggy |
Yes black male is a serious offense   | ||
| Gunut75 |
OMG! LMAO Frog and Hitman! Not at your situation Dako! Be honest, f@#k the extortionist, and talk to the detective. Yes, I'm still laughing Frog and Hitman!  | ||
| Hitman44139 |
CRAP! DIDN;T KNOW I TYPED THAT THAT WAY.....  | ||
| Hammer71 |
Paint, It's the wonderful world of television. If people actually knew what we did..... | ||
| Ourdee |
Out of curiosity, what's with the "go speak with a detective" thing? Detectives don't work traffic crashes. If you went to a detective at my Dept, you are going to get refered to a Uniform Deputy/Officer or the Highway Patrol. Coincidentally, FHP will not work parking lot crashes. Paint, All my police experience was military. That said, I know I'm not an expert. I suggested a detective in that they know the ropes and could recommend the best course of action or at least present the options available. My hope was that they would not run into Barny Fife without Andy there to keep them from getting tazed. I've known a lot of good cops. I do know what good proactive officers do. Thanks for serving. Hammer, I don't have a TV. I'm just joking about Barny tazing them.  | ||
| Etennuly |
Had a body shop customer like that a long while back. These types of people are habitual hosers and looking to stick it to whom ever they can. He likely has a record or no license and doesn't want police or insurance involvement on his behalf anyway. The one I dealt with was trying the same kind of thing to one of my good customers. So he called the police after he got information on the guy, and then informed the insurance adjuster. Of course the guy claimed every scratch on his car and the bill went way beyond the damage caused by my customer. The adjuster recorded the guys insistence on the "extra" repairs and told me to go ahead and fix it. They did some investigation and found that some of the other minor damage had already been paid for by his own insurance company. Long story.....but the car sat at my shop for four months after being completed because the 'hoser' went to jail for insurance fraud, falsifying a police report(he lied when questioned), driving without a license, driving without insurance. The adjuster got me paid for all of the repairs and the storage, then they took the car as part of the fraud reimbursement. It was actually kind of fun to watch it unfold. | ||
| Dako |
Thanks for all the help. I just got home from work, and about to call the police. I'll let you know what happens. (when I can) And thanks for the laughs also, I needed that. | ||
| Dako |
Well I guess I have to wait another night. They told me to call back tomorrow between 8 - 4 and ask for accident investigations. Oh well, it'll wait. |
