abandon auto

[VRNMAX]

i stay in louisiana.my car was parked it my house and a young man ran into it.the man asked if i wouldn't file a accident report he would pay for\pay back what it cost to fix my car and would leave his car it my house until the amount is repaid.i agreed and he parked the car it my house and gave me the keys.i payed to have my car fixed-2100$.that was in 8\01 and since then he has moved out of state and i am unable to reach him.the young man say the car was given to him but is in fathers name.i contacted his father and he say that its his son car and troubles.since then i have been unable to locate him also.i beleave the car may have a lein with a bank but not sure.i would like to know if i have any rights to file for the car to offset my damages and storage of the car for last 3-4 months.if so how or what options i may have if any.

 

[JETX]

Sounds like another "life-lesson" in the works:

1) Unless you have some written agreement that he was giving you the car in lieu of payment for the damages, you have no direct claim to the car.

2) Your only direct recourse is to take the person to court to recover your damages. (I know, you can't find him to serve, and he probably has no assets anyway).

At this point, your only hope is to get a copy of the current title and check for a lien. If there is one, contact the lienholder and tell them the problem. Try to get them to cover your damages (extremely unlikely). They have NO obligation for the damages and, depending on the value of the car and the outstanding amount, may either try to retrieve the car or just agree to abandon it in place. If they agree to abandon, you might be able to get a salvage or abandoned vehicle title and have the right to sell the car. Without the legal title to the car, you just have a 'lawn ornament'.