Hit and Run

[RAubry]

Hi guys,

I keep getting luckier and luckier.

I was involved in a minor hit and run on Saturday. I was on 4th St NW at a red light and a drunk guy didn't brake enough and nudged into my car. So naturally I put my hazards on and turn the corner and get out, well the bastard just drove off. I got back into my car, got my co-worker (that I was going to his house for some beers after work with) to call the cops while I was following the pickup to get his plates. Ended up stopping in front of the guy's house and he stumbled out of his truck, and just looked at me clueless as to why I was there. Don't even think he realized he hit me. So it took about 30-40 minutes for the cops to show up to his house. I filled them in on the situation and they knocked on his door. Naturally the guy didn't answer his door. So then the cops told me to file the report and that they would try again tomorrow to get his contact and insurance policy number. (The truck is registered to a company). Yesterday I had the insurance lady call me and ask me for another report of the events. Then she said that it was highly unlikely that the cops would contact my insurance company with the drunk guy's policy number, (But the cops told me they would do that?? ) So yeah I don't know what to think or do now. My insurance said that if they don't get the guy's insurance policy number that I would have to pay my deductible as if I was at fault? I literally have no idea how this works, I've been driving for 6 years and I've never had an accident before. But I think this is ********. For one the guy was drunk, but they can't prove that now, (I knew that the minute he walked into his house he was going to get away with it). Now I might be paying the deductible because he wont give up his information (assuming he doesn't?).

Is there anyone I can call for legal questions about this? I mean come on, first a hit and run, second he's drunk, and third i'm the one that might end up paying?

Now I just hope that i'm jumping to conclusions and that I panicked way too much and everything turns out for the best, but something tells me I haven't finished hearing about this...

Here are some horrible pictures of the minor damage:

[Geobmx4life]

Re: Hit and Run

As long as you write down exactly what happened and stay on the police, his insurance will have to take care of the damage. As far as him Bering drunk, yeah he'll get away with that, unless he admits it. But I would think he would be charged with leaving the scene. Did you happen to take any pictures of his vehicle and any damage to it? It doesn't take much to do $1000 damage, and that means he would have to report it as well.

[whtrabt]

Re: Hit and Run

Unfortunately the Calgary Police are a joke in these types of instances. The exact same thing happened to my brother last fall on Macleod trail by Chinook. Guy rear ends him and doesn't stop. Instead, when he pulls up beside him the guy laughs, says F%&%* and drives off. He called the cops and they told him to pull over but he just kept going to get the guys plates. Once he had the info he filed the report. The cops did absolutely nothing. They kept saying check back with us so he did. After a few days he checked in every day. Nothing. The only thing that saved him was his insurance agent. For some reason she kept after the guy until he finally admitted it. Then when he did my brother asked her if he was getting charged with any sort of leaving the scene ticket or hit and run or something and she said no the police are not pursuing it. So this guy managed to get away with hit and run and police didn't even care. Luckily he had a good agent and the guy finally told the truth. Hopefully your agent is just as good and persistent.

[witchcraftz]

Re: Hit and Run

That really sucks. I think we should all get Dashcams.

You should be able to file a police report yourself charging the guy with reckless driving.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/why-da...rity-1.2706838

[MechEngg]

Re: Hit and Run

How do you know he was drunk/drinking? Do you have any proof? I would have been adamant at the scene that the guy be taken in for a sobriety test instead of just leaving and filing a report later. This is how people get away with it and it's not right.
Seems like he was oblivious to the fact that he hit you. It might not be considered a hit and run if the damage could have been caused by a vehicle that "accidentally" rolled gently against your car without the occupant of the other car being aware.

[RAubry]

Re: Hit and Run

His vehicle was an old GMC sierra 2002 with plenty of previous damage to his front bumper. Unfortunately it was his metal tow hook that dug that small dent into my bumper so no damage to his car.... I should have said "intoxicated". How do I know he was drunk? Well I don't for sure. But stumbling out of your pick up truck, and stumbling with your keys and almost falling over shows a lot of signs of being drunk, and well if he was just "naturally disoriented " he shouldn't be driving. But yeah I'll go to CMP body shop in the NE since that's where my insurance said they did a good job and they guaranteed the work.

And whtrabt did your brother have to pay his deductible?

[ryukin2000]

Re: Hit and Run

hope it all works out. Makes me want to get a rear dash cam for cases like this. I've been in a hit and run as well. Pulled over and they just took off.

[witchcraftz]

Re: Hit and Run

I've been seriously considering getting this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...&tag=dacata-20

[stefan]

Re: Hit and Run

I've been seriously considering getting this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...&tag=dacata-20

The Blackvue one looks good too. There was one in the classifieds for a bit. Has the front only, or front and rear option.

[RAubry]

Re: Hit and Run

If only I had 300$ to spare.. Going to hold back on any spending just in case I need to pay my deductible.

[whtrabt]

Re: Hit and Run

His vehicle was an old GMC sierra 2002 with plenty of previous damage to his front bumper. Unfortunately it was his metal tow hook that dug that small dent into my bumper so no damage to his car.... I should have said "intoxicated". How do I know he was drunk? Well I don't for sure. But stumbling out of your pick up truck, and stumbling with your keys and almost falling over shows a lot of signs of being drunk, and well if he was just "naturally disoriented " he shouldn't be driving. But yeah I'll go to CMP body shop in the NE since that's where my insurance said they did a good job and they guaranteed the work.

And whtrabt did your brother have to pay his deductible?

No his insurance ended up getting it paid by the other guys insurance. But that was only after he admitted it. At first he was supposed to pay but he refused and few weeks later they managed to get it covered.

[witchcraftz]

Re: Hit and Run

If only I had 300$ to spare.. Going to hold back on any spending just in case I need to pay my deductible.

I was thinking that my deductible is higher than the cost of the dashcam. Seems like a worthwhile investment.

The Blackvue are also good, a tad pricier though at $350 USD.

Some dashcams that hit the right points that I have found (Full HD front + rear, parking more, heat/cold resistant,...) are:


Cowon AW2
$400-$450 USD




Blackvue 650 or 750
$350-$450 USD
650

750





Lukas 7950 or 9350 or 9750
$280-$400 USD
7950

9350

9750




Panorama X2

$350 USD


Maybe we could get a group buy going for one of the above? My personal favorite is the Cowon AW2 but it's the most expensive. The lukas has the same specs, a bit bigger for the front camera, but way cheaper.

[ryukin2000]

Re: Hit and Run

i am too cheap to spend over $100 on a dashcam. Especially since i just leave it in the car 24/7. i have a Mini 0801 and so far so good. its small and barely noticeable. down side is it mounts with double sided tape so not vehicle transferable.(eg most have suction mount so can switch from wifes car to mine). may end up getting the budget G1W for the rear.

[Geobmx4life]

Re: Hit and Run

Get an old iPhone, jailbreak it and get the dashcam app for it!