Some idiots just hit my car !!

[*Robert* 2]

Sorry you had to go through this. We just picked up our car yesterday from the body shop. SOmeone backed into us at a parking lot and then went on to curse and yell at us saying we must be drunk or high or something. (NOTE-- we were no way in the wrong here) So we just remained quiet. Took pictures and waited for the police. She then asked the police to give us drug and alcohol teste and started yelling at the police. I was sure we were going to have some sort of investigation--but when we called the insurance the next day--there was no fuss.

Still I understand the injustice you must feel. Hubby and I were so ticked at this lady fornot only causing damage to our car but also having the gall to say we were lying (she insisting that we were backing up too--which we weren't) and that we were drunk and high.

Was it a local, or a tourist?

[onwa 6]

Sorry you had to go through this. We just picked up our car yesterday from the body shop. SOmeone backed into us at a parking lot and then went on to curse and yell at us saying we must be drunk or high or something. (NOTE-- we were no way in the wrong here) So we just remained quiet. Took pictures and waited for the police. She then asked the police to give us drug and alcohol teste and started yelling at the police. I was sure we were going to have some sort of investigation--but when we called the insurance the next day--there was no fuss.

Still I understand the injustice you must feel. Hubby and I were so ticked at this lady fornot only causing damage to our car but also having the gall to say we were lying (she insisting that we were backing up too--which we weren't) and that we were drunk and high.

Was it a local, or a tourist?

I think she was a new arrival--military-- Had no idea about local, laid back ways- The officer was like "are you done yelling at me now?" Just thankful she must have calmed down later and that their insurance paid for it all.

[JAYKE 0]

Yeah, I know this is frustrating - I investigate automobile claims for an insurance company, and the hit and runs are the most frustrating for the owners.

However, I must agree with the officer.... If the tire impacted a car while moving, the scuff mark would be a CIRCULAR pattern......

Of course, this is not to say that someone tried to rub out any other damage... but based on that photo, those scuff marks were almost certainly NOT made while the vehicle was moving.....

Oh yeah, and I forgot to add...

Keep in mind that the POLICE investigation is completely separate from the INSURANCE investigation... The officer was not there for the loss, therefore the insurance adjuster's conclusion is no less valid than the officers. There have been MANY times I've denied (or paid) a claim based on my investigation which comes to a completely opposite conclusion than the police. And if the two insurance companies don't agree, the file will go to subrogation to let a panel decide. It may take months to get your deductible back, but just because the officer doesn't think that car did it, doesn't mean it's a done deal.

Important - You may want to make sure your company knows there is a tape, and that they see it fast, because most convenience marts will re-use their surveillance tapes. They may need it to go after the other insurance company!!

[Garfield fan 0]

Yeah, I know this is frustrating - I investigate automobile claims for an insurance company, and the hit and runs are the most frustrating for the owners.

However, I must agree with the officer.... If the tire impacted a car while moving, the scuff mark would be a CIRCULAR pattern......

Of course, this is not to say that someone tried to rub out any other damage... but based on that photo, those scuff marks were almost certainly NOT made while the vehicle was moving.....

Oh yeah, and I forgot to add...

Keep in mind that the POLICE investigation is completely separate from the INSURANCE investigation... The officer was not there for the loss, therefore the insurance adjuster's conclusion is no less valid than the officers. There have been MANY times I've denied (or paid) a claim based on my investigation which comes to a completely opposite conclusion than the police. And if the two insurance companies don't agree, the file will go to subrogation to let a panel decide. It may take months to get your deductible back, but just because the officer doesn't think that car did it, doesn't mean it's a done deal.

Important - You may want to make sure your company knows there is a tape, and that they see it fast, because most convenience marts will re-use their surveillance tapes. They may need it to go after the other insurance company!!

Thanks for your info, it was very helpful. Well, I must add a bit more information here: this truck hit my car and stopped for a brief moment with his tire (or whatever part of his truck) still touching my bumper (so it didn't hit and keep backing up), and then pull up a bit, then back up again. So would it be possible that this caused that kind of mark ? I will attach the picture of my front bumper damage too.

And about the tape, can anyone view the tape without asking police permission ? Would it be possible for us to see it ourselves ? Both my husband and I was quite sure that this was the truck that did it, but of course there was a possibility that we misidentified the truck. If there is any way that we can see the tape ourselves, that would be great... Oh, and I first thought that it's only the police that can see the tape, that's why I didn't tell my insurance about it. The police even told us that hubby's workplace complained because our insurance company were trying to go after them, claiming that they were liable for the damage, and he said that if his investigation prove otherwise , the insurance cannot go after them.

Edited June 24, 2006 by theangells

[JAYKE 0]

Yeah, I know this is frustrating - I investigate automobile claims for an insurance company, and the hit and runs are the most frustrating for the owners.

However, I must agree with the officer.... If the tire impacted a car while moving, the scuff mark would be a CIRCULAR pattern......

Of course, this is not to say that someone tried to rub out any other damage... but based on that photo, those scuff marks were almost certainly NOT made while the vehicle was moving.....

Oh yeah, and I forgot to add...

Keep in mind that the POLICE investigation is completely separate from the INSURANCE investigation... The officer was not there for the loss, therefore the insurance adjuster's conclusion is no less valid than the officers. There have been MANY times I've denied (or paid) a claim based on my investigation which comes to a completely opposite conclusion than the police. And if the two insurance companies don't agree, the file will go to subrogation to let a panel decide. It may take months to get your deductible back, but just because the officer doesn't think that car did it, doesn't mean it's a done deal.

Important - You may want to make sure your company knows there is a tape, and that they see it fast, because most convenience marts will re-use their surveillance tapes. They may need it to go after the other insurance company!!

Thanks for your info, it was very helpful. Well, I must add a bit more information here: this truck hit my car and stopped for a brief moment with his tire (or whatever part of his truck) still touching my bumper (so it didn't hit and keep backing up), and then pull up a bit, then back up again. So would it be possible that this caused that kind of mark ? I will attach the picture of my front bumper damage too.

And about the tape, can anyone view the tape without asking police permission ? Would it be possible for us to see it ourselves ? Both my husband and I was quite sure that this was the truck that did it, but of course there was a possibility that we misidentified the truck. If there is any way that we can see the tape ourselves, that would be great... Oh, and I first thought that it's only the police that can see the tape, that's why I didn't tell my insurance about it. The police even told us that hubby's workplace complained because our insurance company were trying to go after them, claiming that they were liable for the damage, and he said that if his investigation prove otherwise , the insurance cannot go after them.

It's pretty much up to the store who they allow to see the tape. No, you or your insurance company cannot FORCE them to show you the tape; however, most of the time they are willing to cooperate in the interest of customer service. We get tapes sent to us all the time. The police are the only ones who can demand to have the tape, however. If the store says no you can't, you (or your insurance company) is out of luck.

Further, the officer is 100% WRONG about your insurance not being able to go after the other party if his investigation concludes he is not at fault. Unless the officer is there, his investigation is not more credible than the insurance company's.

Good luck!!

[maria_b84 0]

Way too many clowns on the roads these days.

I agree

Maria

[*Robert* 2]

That's why I love the scene in "Fried Green Tomatoes" when she hit the girls car in the parking lot and said... "face it girls... I'm older than you and I have more insruance"!!!

[Anyta Holland 0]

Hope you get this sorted...

[Garfield fan 0]

Thanks everyone for your info and support. I'm still waiting for the police to get back to me, I just wish I could get a better police officer to handle this case...