Hit and Run Time to press charges

[michin]

What is the name of your state?
California

I was the victim of misdemeanor hit and run and found the driver and notified the sheriff. I will not press charges if restitution is made to make me whole, but am curious as to how long I have to press charges for the incident.

 

[moburkes]

What is the name of your state?
California

I was the victim of misdemeanor hit and run and found the driver and notified the sheriff. I will not press charges if restitution is made to make me whole, but am curious as to how long I have to press charges for the incident.

Why are you pressing charges? Contact your insurance company. Provide them with the information about the driver, and let them know that you have filed a police report. Pay your deductible to get your vehicle repaired, if there is damage. Use your medical payments for any medical bills. Your insurance company will try to get your deductible back for you.

 

[michin]

Why are you pressing charges? Contact your insurance company. Provide them with the information about the driver, and let them know that you have filed a police report. Pay your deductible to get your vehicle repaired, if there is damage. Use your medical payments for any medical bills. Your insurance company will try to get your deductible back for you.

Hmmm I was actually told by the sheriff that filing a report might actually hurt me in the long run, and to hold of doing that unless a problem arises with obtaining restitution from the other party's insurance company or the party themself.

The sheriff told me that if the other party changes their story to call her and she will proceed with filing the report.

Is this just a load of crap or is there any credence to what she is saying?

I'm assuming the sheriff was referring to this part of the DMV handbook...

-----------
Every accident reported to DMV by:

Law enforcement shows on your driving record unless the reporting officer says another person was at fault.
You, or another party in the accident, shows on your record if any one person has over $750 in damage or if anyone is injured or dies.
It does not matter who caused the accident, DMV must keep this record.

 

[moburkes]

Hmmm I was actually told by the sheriff that filing a report might actually hurt me in the long run, and to hold of doing that unless a problem arises with obtaining restitution from the other party's insurance company or the party themself.

The sheriff told me that if the other party changes their story to call her and she will proceed with filing the report.

Is this just a load of crap or is there any credence to what she is saying?

I'm assuming the sheriff was referring to this part of the DMV handbook...

-----------
Every accident reported to DMV by:

Law enforcement shows on your driving record unless the reporting officer says another person was at fault.
You, or another party in the accident, shows on your record if any one person has over $750 in damage or if anyone is injured or dies.
It does not matter who caused the accident, DMV must keep this record.

All accidents that were reported to the police show on your driving record. It simply reads "accident", but does NOT show fault. If the other person files a police report before YOU do, what will it say?

 

[michin]

All accidents that were reported to the police show on your driving record. It simply reads "accident", but does NOT show fault. If the other person files a police report before YOU do, what will it say?

understood