Leaving the scene of an accident but returned later
What is the name of your state? I live in the state of Georgia
on thurs, oct 13, 2005, I was pulling out of the parking lot. I cleared my way in back to make sure there were no cars and then proceeded to back out in the lots across from me. I then looked in my rear view and slammed on brakes as i have a blind spot on the drivers side in my van. I thought I had just slammed on brakes before making contact with this vehicle. I then backed in to the space and left. I sincerely thought I had missed hitting it when I slammed on brakes.
When I arrived home I noticed paint missing of the back rear driver side bumper. I then got in my car and went back to the office where I spoke with the receptionist and asked if anyone had inquired about an accident or had the police been there? she said no so I proceeded to give my name and phone number. She said she would try to find the person for me. On sat oct 15, 2005 the person left a message on my phone stating that he was the one that was hit he filed a police report but we could take care of this matter on our own. So I agreed. He told me that day that the repairs was 250.00 and I told him that I would have it by Nov. 1.
My friend wanted to call and make sure that I was not being scammed as I am new to Atlanta. She said old folks are scamming people so she just wanted to verify that the repairs were 250.00 so she asked them to fax over the estimate. She told him that she was on her way to a lawyers office and she wanted to see the estimates to make sure that it was correct. I did not speak with him again until oct 31, and that's when he told me this. When I called him the night before to tell him that I would be mailing it, he said no, its too late. you had your lawyer friend to call me. you went and got a lawyer. I said no I didn't that was my friend to make sure that you were not trying to scam me. He said why did you have to tell somebody? So he said I have turned it over to the police.
So I went to the police station and gave them my info as I should have done from day one. I saw that there was a witness that said he saw a silver van back into the car and that he saw me get out and look at the damage which is not true!! I would not be in this trouble if I had looked also my van is gold not silver. From day one I was trying to do the right thing as soon as I found out. I have insurance a clean record and I have no need to leave the scene of the crime. I saw people in the parking lot that day. I believe I saw the witness that made the statement. So it does not make sense that I would do this with witnesses around in broad daylight!! At no time did I get out and look at any damage.
If I had I would have went back to the office to find the person or have waited in the parking lot. I have just been trying to pay this man for the damages since day one as soon as I realized. Now he has taken this too far and this has gotten out of hand. The only thing I am guilty of is not following the correct procedure for an accident. But I unknowningly hit this man's car. Do I need a lawyer? and what kind of fines am I facing? I saw that you can get up to 12 months in jail.
What is the name of your state? I live in the state of Georgia
on thurs, oct 13, 2005, I was pulling out of the parking lot. I cleared my way in back to make sure there were no cars and then proceeded to back out in the lots across from me. I then looked in my rear view and slammed on brakes as i have a blind spot on the drivers side in my van. I thought I had just slammed on brakes before making contact with this vehicle. I then backed in to the space and left. I sincerely thought I had missed hitting it when I slammed on brakes.
When I arrived home I noticed paint missing of the back rear driver side bumper. I then got in my car and went back to the office where I spoke with the receptionist and asked if anyone had inquired about an accident or had the police been there? she said no so I proceeded to give my name and phone number. She said she would try to find the person for me. On sat oct 15, 2005 the person left a message on my phone stating that he was the one that was hit he filed a police report but we could take care of this matter on our own. So I agreed. He told me that day that the repairs was 250.00 and I told him that I would have it by Nov. 1.
My friend wanted to call and make sure that I was not being scammed as I am new to Atlanta. She said old folks are scamming people so she just wanted to verify that the repairs were 250.00 so she asked them to fax over the estimate. She told him that she was on her way to a lawyers office and she wanted to see the estimates to make sure that it was correct. I did not speak with him again until oct 31, and that's when he told me this. When I called him the night before to tell him that I would be mailing it, he said no, its too late. you had your lawyer friend to call me. you went and got a lawyer. I said no I didn't that was my friend to make sure that you were not trying to scam me. He said why did you have to tell somebody? So he said I have turned it over to the police.
So I went to the police station and gave them my info as I should have done from day one. I saw that there was a witness that said he saw a silver van back into the car and that he saw me get out and look at the damage which is not true!! I would not be in this trouble if I had looked also my van is gold not silver. From day one I was trying to do the right thing as soon as I found out. I have insurance a clean record and I have no need to leave the scene of the crime. I saw people in the parking lot that day. I believe I saw the witness that made the statement. So it does not make sense that I would do this with witnesses around in broad daylight!! At no time did I get out and look at any damage.
If I had I would have went back to the office to find the person or have waited in the parking lot. I have just been trying to pay this man for the damages since day one as soon as I realized. Now he has taken this too far and this has gotten out of hand. The only thing I am guilty of is not following the correct procedure for an accident. But I unknowningly hit this man's car. Do I need a lawyer? and what kind of fines am I facing? I saw that you can get up to 12 months in jail.
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