hit in run accident

[lebrine]

Do American cars lack handbrakes?

I mean over here your taught to use the handbrake during a stop light...

[mitzi76]

If there was no damage as you say i'd play it cool and call his bluff.

How's he going to prove it?

Sounds like he's after a buck or two.

[HeavyHemi]

Originally Posted by ace33blue

hey gurus, long time reader of the site, decided to join because of my little problem..

So a week ago, i was at a stop light behind a 2002~ Chevrolet tahoe, i sneezed and let go of the brake accidentally and bumped into the car, at most 2-4 mphs. At the stop light i freaked out and waited to see if the driver would get out or anything. Nothing, as soon as the light went he/she went into the turning lane. I saw NO visible damage, i drove off and he/she honked the horn as i went by. i did not see him follow me as he was behind another car in the turning lane and the light was red. I figured there was no chance they could of written my plate number down. I then kept going and went into a neighborhood to inspect the damage to my front bumper. There was a small indent of the tahoe's tow coupler,(what ever you call it, the part you would hook a trailer up to) that was the only thing to come into contact with my car as the tahoe is higher off the ground of my car. Just yesterday a i got a couple of knocks on my door at my house, didnt answer it and someone left a note. I looked outside and I believe it was the same tahoe, at least it was the same color. The note looked formal, wasnt handwritten and there were 3 boxes. one was about being sued, i dont recall the second but one had a check next to it and it says "Civil Summons Requesting defendants appearance to court." What makes me wonder as it says for "my dads name, my moms name" which doesnt make any sense as the title of the car is in my dads name and my name, not my moms. So if the guy somehow got my license plate number, it should have my name in it right? I figured if i were sued, i would have been notified already right? I am 18 btw and live in the US, what are the consequences of what i did and what could this person sue me for?

Several things: Stop for any accident
Call the number and find out what this is about. The process server is by law not a party to the complaint. They are merely the messenger from the court.
Do not ignore this summons. If you do, the court can and likely will issue a default judgement against whomever the summons is issued for.
Contact a lawyer.

[IcE]

Originally Posted by lebrine

Do American cars lack handbrakes?

I mean over here your taught to use the handbrake during a stop light...

No, they don't lack handbrakes. There is just no reason whatsoever to use the handbrake at a stop light. The standard service brake is more than enough to keep you in place, and unless your seat is horrendously maladjusted, having what happened to the OP happen is next to impossible.

[sykozis]

First off, by law, the summons must display the name(s) of the vehicle owner as listed on the vehicle title or the driver of the vehicle at the time of incident. In most states, the complaintant also has to prove the party the summons was issued to was in fact the driver of the vehicle.....except in Va where the vehicle owner is assumed responsible for all actions of the vehicle.

So, my advice....show the summons to your parents. You're better off to risk receiving their wrath, than to risk them potentially facing further legal action for failing to appear in court (if in fact the summons is for them).


Now, onto the lesser part....Trailer hitches or tow-hitch receivers are typically made of hardened steel. If mounted properly, a "bump" at such a low speed won't cause any damage what so ever (to the vehicle or the hitch/receiver).

Originally Posted by mitzi76

If there was no damage as you say i'd play it cool and call his bluff.

How's he going to prove it?

Sounds like he's after a buck or two.

If the summons is actually for his parents....that could be a very bad decision.

Originally Posted by lebrine

Do American cars lack handbrakes?

I mean over here your taught to use the handbrake during a stop light...

Not all cars in America have "handbrakes"....and here the mechanical braking system is typically refered to as the "emergency brake". Some are mounted in the center console to allow hand operation while some are mounted to the left of the brake or clutch pedal on the left side kick panel. If all driving safety rules/laws are obeyed, there is no justification for using the mechanical braking system at a stop light. Since the mechanical system only applies brakes for the rear wheels, it doesn't make a lot of sense to use anyway since most front wheel drive cars in the US can rather easily overpower the mechanical brakes. (they're called mechanical brakes because they operate using a series of cables and levers instead of hydrolics).

[SamW]

Originally Posted by ace33blue

That isn't the official summons. That is, instead a notification that they have a summons to deliver to your parents. There will be more information on the actual summons.

[ace33blue]

I think I will wait and see what happens. I think wearing sandals was also a cause of the problem, can't recall for sure.. of no fault of my own. They've had the note since it was put on the door.

[airbud7]

Originally Posted by sykozis

First off, by law, the summons must display the name(s) of the vehicle owner as listed on the vehicle title or the driver of the vehicle at the time of incident. In most states, the complaintant also has to prove the party the summons was issued to was in fact the driver of the vehicle.....except in Va where the vehicle owner is assumed responsible for all actions of the vehicle.

So, my advice....show the summons to your parents. You're better off to risk receiving their wrath, than to risk them potentially facing further legal action for failing to appear in court (if in fact the summons is for them).


Now, onto the lesser part....Trailer hitches or tow-hitch receivers are typically made of hardened steel. If mounted properly, a "bump" at such a low speed won't cause any damage what so ever (to the vehicle or the hitch/receiver).



If the summons is actually for his parents....that could be a very bad decision.



Not all cars in America have "handbrakes"....and here the mechanical braking system is typically refered to as the "emergency brake". Some are mounted in the center console to allow hand operation while some are mounted to the left of the brake or clutch pedal on the left side kick panel. If all driving safety rules/laws are obeyed, there is no justification for using the mechanical braking system at a stop light. Since the mechanical system only applies brakes for the rear wheels, it doesn't make a lot of sense to use anyway since most front wheel drive cars in the US can rather easily overpower the mechanical brakes. (they're called mechanical brakes because they operate using a series of cables and levers instead of hydrolics).

I have come to the conclusion that>...You Sir^...Are very Smart.............

[mitzi76]

@sykozis yep and good points. i agree if it's for parents then well he has to tell them.

What I dont get is this...

If it was a "nothing" accident and they guy has the address why didnt he try and send a letter or ring the doorbell.

"Hello Mr.x sorry to bother u but I was hit by your car parked over there and there is some damage. Could you take a look."

Or he could have posted a handwritten letter in the letter box.

To me it sounds like he is chancing his arm...

Surely you try and use insurance for a "petty" incident and not say hey right lets get this guy summoned...(unless op was playing loud music and being a xxxx etc).

unless ofc you are a xxxx

[nm+]

Originally Posted by Agent-A01

No I'm not op.

Bull****. Some of us can look up IPs.

PM me to tell me which account you want banned. No duplicate accounts.

[Pill Monster]

Originally Posted by sykozis

Not all cars in America have "handbrakes"....and here the mechanical braking system is typically refered to as the "emergency brake". Some are mounted in the center console to allow hand operation while some are mounted to the left of the brake or clutch pedal on the left side kick panel. If all driving safety rules/laws are obeyed, there is no justification for using the mechanical braking system at a stop light. Since the mechanical system only applies brakes for the rear wheels, it doesn't make a lot of sense to use anyway since most front wheel drive cars in the US can rather easily overpower the mechanical brakes. (they're called mechanical brakes because they operate using a series of cables and levers instead of hydrolics).

You are both referring to the exact same thing, the only difference is how it is applied.
One way is to use the foot (like my old Cadillac Fleetwood or my mothers Nissan) or by pulling a lever mounted in the console (which is the usual method) or another way (like my old Ford Fairmont) is a lever that pulls straight out from under the dashboard....

But yeah it's a bit OTT to apply the handbrake/parkbrake (or whatever you want to call it) at a traffic light (unless maybe you have a manual/stick shift and are parked on a hill).....

[Faces Of Death]

admit nothing! who's to say the guy didn't reverse into your on purpose? if nobody saw it happen deny everything, and stick to it!

[CronoGraal]

Originally Posted by ace33blue

can't recall for sure.. of no fault of my own.

uh, wat? of ****ing course it was your fault. if your car jumps forward everytime you sneeze i'd really hate to be the car in front of you.

[IPlayNaked]

Originally Posted by nm+

Bull****. Some of us can look up IPs.

PM me to tell me which account you want banned. No duplicate accounts.

AHAHAHAHHA GOT HIM. RIGHT?! Right?

Called it.

[Hirantha]

That's why they say stop at least 1 car distance when you are stopping at a traffic light and 2 car lengths on a rainy day.

Good luck to you.

[eat@joes]

Do you drive with both feet and tailgate? That seems the only way you'd be able to hit a car if you were temporarily interrupted and removed your foot from the brake. Cars don't have that amount of torque in idle unless you're driving an expensive, automatic sports car.

Solution? Learn to drive stick. If you sneeze again you'll stall and not cause any problems except make everyone behind you angry.

[Ryu5uzaku]

O_o that's like really big gap to stop at lights :o

[Hirantha]

Originally Posted by Ryu5uzaku

O_o that's like really big gap to stop at lights :o

That's what they say in New Jersey Driver's manual. Its the basic idea, but almost all don't follow that.

[IcE]

Originally Posted by nm+

Bull****. Some of us can look up IPs.

PM me to tell me which account you want banned. No duplicate accounts.

LOL. What an idiot. Makes me wonder what else he's lying about.

[WindtalkerCS]

Originally Posted by lebrine

Do American cars lack handbrakes?

I mean over here your taught to use the handbrake during a stop light...

I think probably the major difference between the UK/Europe and the US is that over here almost nobody drives, or even knows how to drive, a manual transmission. It was even difficult for me to find one, people just don't drive them in the US. That is why we normally have a parking brake, or emergency brake, not always a traditional handbrake. In an automatic this is minimal danger of rollback during hill stops so it isn't really needed for the most part.

[kanej2007]

Originally Posted by Hirantha

That's why they say stop at least 1 car distance when you are stopping at a traffic light and 2 car lengths on a rainy day.

Good luck to you.

When I did my driving licence, we were told that when stopping behind another car, we should make sure the rear tyres are visible.

So yeah, leaving a 2-3 metre gap behind the car in front is advisable...

Ps. What happens if next time the op sneezes and pushes the accelerator?

[Hirantha]

Originally Posted by kanej2007

When I did my driving licence, we were told that when stopping behind another car, we should make sure the rear tyres are visible.

So yeah, leaving a 2-3 metre gap behind the car in front is advisable...

Ps. What happens if next time the op sneezes and pushes the accelerator?

Yes I've heard that tire rule also.

Yes he should be fine if he follows the distance rule the next time he pushes that accelerator

[sykozis]

Originally Posted by eat@joes

Do you drive with both feet and tailgate? That seems the only way you'd be able to hit a car if you were temporarily interrupted and removed your foot from the brake. Cars don't have that amount of torque in idle unless you're driving an expensive, automatic sports car.

Solution? Learn to drive stick. If you sneeze again you'll stall and not cause any problems except make everyone behind you angry.

It's actually recommended to put the manual transmission in neutral at stop lights. Even with a manual transmission, releasing the clutch without trying to accelerate will still cause the vehicle to move forward a short distance, even though it should stall if the clutch it working properly.

[---TK---]

Originally Posted by IcE

LOL. What an idiot. Makes me wonder what else he's lying about.

WTF thats agent? I recall Agents from Tennesee, man I`m stupid