Hit and Run

95E320cab · #1 07-09-2003, 01:08 AM

So, today I went to an office building here in Dallas to take care of some personal business. I had to go to about the 12th floor where I was waited for about 15 minutes while an older man and his wife chatted with the two employees there about their IRA.

I finished my business within about 30 minutes and on my way out stopped to say hello to the security guards. They said, "Hey man, what kind of car you drive?" I said Mercedes. They said "Black Convertible?" I said yeah. They said "Man, somebody just pulled into a parking spot and hit your car." I could feel the blood rushing out of my head. It felt the same as when I was a kid and somebody brought that stuff called "Rush" to school and you sniffed it. It must have killed brain cells.

So it just so happens this courier outside the building was waiting in his 82 300D. He got the womans license plate and car type and color. Gave it to me and the security guards called the cops (Addison Police. They drive BMW 1100 motorcycles!) The officer comes and takes a report. Says he'll trace the plates and call me. The courier is my new hero.

I imagine the damage will be around $1,500. She nailed the driver's rear corner. Got out of the car to see what damage she had done, got back in and hauled ass. Crunched up all three pieces of the bumper. A little paint smear between the taillight and the bumper, but I think it will polish out. My perfect car isn't anymore!

Anybody else have any idea what a new bumper plus intallation will run? I sure hope they locate the driver. I am not interested in pressing charges, but hit and run like this is a Class B misdemeanor according to the cop. My insurance will have to pay the repairs, less the $250 I'll have to pay if they don't find her.

The last wreck I had was also the fault of an uninsured motorist. Knocked me off the road going about 75 and trying to cut in front of me to make an exit. That was about 6 or 8 years ago. I'll try to get pictures and will continue the story as it progresses.

wjm · #2 07-09-2003, 06:01 AM

Aweful! Sorry to hear it. I hope they find her as well. Of course, they know where she lives and will probably say that she was not the one driving the car at the time. Hopefully she's got some good damage as well and will have to explain it off.

Here in Michigan, there are no-fault laws. So, if you are 50% at fault or less, the deductible is waived. Also, some insurance companies will waive the deductible if you were hit by a driver insured by the same company.

cerbomark · #3 07-09-2003, 02:24 PM

Same thing happened to me once but instead of putting through my insurance I got the guys address and sent him a letter and a $700 est. saying if I didn t recieve the money in 1 week I would issue the summons for leaving the scene. He then wanted to turn it into the insurance company and I told him he would then be getting the summons. He should have stayed and not tried to get away with the damage he caused. He took the chance and lost. He said he could nt afford another ticket on his lic and payed me the next day. Your in the drivers seat now, don t let it cost you anything, the time and aggravation to you is more than enough.Just my $.02.

wjm · #4 07-09-2003, 02:52 PM

Oh yea, go to the police station and get a copy of the police report. You may see the address of the driver on it.

bjcsc · #5 07-09-2003, 03:21 PM

I'm with cerbomark, offer to let them pay or let the police deal with them. I can't believe you are not interested in pressing charges. The reason people do this is because they can get away with it. I would find out who she is, give her the estimate for the damage plus $5 for a sandwich and 48 hours to pay, etc. just like cerbomark. Take a pic of her paint on your car or leave it be until this is settled. To hell with letting her get away with it and letting your own insurance company pay for it. There is no question as to whether or not they can locate the driver - they have the plate! Follow it through...sheesh!!

95E320cab · #6 07-09-2003, 03:36 PM

Yeah, I don't really want to sound litigious on this BB, but I'm ready to put her in front of a firing squad. I have her name and address. Got it today from a buddy at the MB dealer and also the insurance company. The insurance company is trying to locate her now. I'll know more in a few days. If they don't find her, you can bet I'll be paying a visit. It will not be a friendly one.

Unfortunately I don't get the feeling the insurance company is going to go after them real hard. You can't get blood from a turnip, and this country bumpkin bought this car for $3,000 from some "D paper" car lot and borrowed the money. Probably paying an interest rate equal to usury minus .05 percent. She will be required to have insurance on it by the lender as well as the State of Texas, but I bet that lapsed, too. The registration expired in May and hasn't been renewed. Poverty is cruel.

wjm · #7 07-09-2003, 03:43 PM

Why would your buddy at the MB dealership have the address? Does she service here vehicle there? If so, she's OBVIOUSLY not poor... or maybe just stupid.

95E320cab · #8 07-09-2003, 06:42 PM

I guess my last post was confusing. She drives a Taurus (probably not serviced at all, definitely not at Park Place Mercedes/Porsche) . The dealer looked her up on the DMV records. Have her address, some small town about an hour south of Dallas and Fort Worth. I think she must be poor and stupid. She apparently has no phone, at least not in her name.

Willy, I have the Alpine 7894. Did you get a tuner for XM? If so, how do you like and where did you install? Antenna?

wjm · #9 07-09-2003, 09:53 PM

No, your post was not confusing... I just did not read yours correctly. I thought that *SHE* was the one driving the 82 300D... oops!!

Anyway, I did get a tuner for the radio. Don't buy the tuner by itself. It's about $249. If you buy the universal kit (which includes this same tuner and other unneeded accessories), it's $100 cheaper. See:
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-3shM3dAeldg/ProdView.asp?s=0&cc=01&c=3&g=79800&I=500XMAT200

I've had XM for a few weeks now. It's cool... not bad. I got a magnet mount antenna and run the wires around the rear window channel then into the trunk.

See:
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-3shM3dAeldg/ProdView.asp?s=0&cc=01&c=3&g=102500&I=209XM3++++

I also have an extra one I'm willing to sell. It's:

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-3shM3dAeldg/ProdView.asp?s=0&cc=01&c=3&g=102500&I=209XM11+++

bjcsc · #10 07-09-2003, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 95E320cab
Yeah, I don't really want to sound litigious on this BB...

Why not? The law is your best friend unless you're on the wrong side! Look up your state laws regarding leaving the scene of an accident and the associated penalties, get your estimate, and send her a letter. Be explicitly clear that you have witnesses, you can prove she did it, you want $xxxx, plus $5 for a sandwich, or else these things (outline of the law and penalties) will happen. Give her no more than 72 hours. No phone calls, no financing, certified funds - or else. If you don't hear from her, file the case. When you talk to the prosecutor (many months later), ask about the possibility of court ordered reparations. You would be surprised at what you can do. I had a guy steal $5,000 from my business. I knew I could prove it, even though no one saw him. I called him into my office on a Friday, told him so, and gave him until Monday to pay me back - or else. He denied it, I filed the case. He was poor, too. Poor in litigation = public defender. That's a good thing. The charge was an A Felony. After a few meetings between all of us, the prosecutor asked me if it was acceptable to me for him to plead guilty to a C felony, with 3-years probation as the sentence, contingent upon his paying me back $xxx per month. When the $5,000 is paid back, his probation ends. I am still getting a check every month. Most people would have just dropped this, but it was a matter of principle to me and I drove my point home.

Quote:

Originally posted by 95E320cab
You can't get blood from a turnip...

True, but you can grind it up until it looks like you did.

Quote:

Originally posted by 95E320cab
Poverty is cruel.

Poverty is the manifestation of socialism interfering with natural selection - it isn't cruel, it just is.

I apologize if this is coarse, but the hit and run scenario makes me crazy, it's happened to me twice but with no witnesses or recourse (not to my MB). It's the ultimate denial of responsibility and the epitome of cowardice. Some people have to be taught their lessons and sometimes you have to be the teacher.

95E320cab · #11 07-10-2003, 08:29 AM

Working on a letter. You're all right. Thanks for the ass kicking.

cerbomark · #12 07-10-2003, 10:06 AM

Be nice, don t put anything that can be taken as a threat. That letter may be in court with her someday. (if it goes that far). The biggest thing you have is the right to sign a complaint for leaving the accident scene. And that is what should motivate her to do the right thing. good luck.

#13 07-10-2003, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 95E320cab
Yeah, I don't really want to sound litigious on this BB, but I'm ready to put her in front of a firing squad.

For a dent in a piece of friggin metal, Man, I have never heard so many arrogant, self centered *****heads as are on this BB. No wonder so many poor, stupid HARD WORKING people hate Benz drivers, most of you are as I stated above. Class war.