Witnessed Accident - Responsibilities?

[abitkt7raid]

Well it wasn't really an accident, more if a hit and run. I was in a mall parking lot, near the back, I park out of the way because I have twin toddlers and need to be able to unload them, stoller/gear away from traffic.

I was unloading when I heard a scraping noise and looked over to see a truck backing out of it's stall and scraping the entire side of the vehicle beside it with it's front bumper (old truck, old steel/chrome bumper). It scraped the side of the other vehicle (a big SUV) so bad that when it hit the wheel well area it looked as if the SUV lifted off the ground.

As he drove away I got his license plate number and rough description of the vehicle and driver. The driver of the SUV came up co-incidentally and I explained what happened. I gave him my contact number, the vehicle license plate number/description etc.

He called me later to tell me he was filling out a police report, but as I witnessed it (and my wife too technically) what will we be required to do? Fill out a report? Go to Court and testify?

I ask because this is a hit and run and isn't that criminal? If the cops want to press charges they will need my "testimony"?

[wewillsee]

Good thing you did there. We need more people like you.

As far as testimony, the police may call you to verify a few details/ or come to collision center to write a report (?) and if they decide to press charges you may be summoned to testify (expenses paid). If they need you they will get in touch with you through the contact information you provided. Otherwise nothing to worry about.

Secondly, the insurance company might call you as you are the only witness to confirm that the driver who got hit is not-at-fault and doesn't raise premiums.

[zilber]

I am glad to see people doing the right thing, good job op!

[msqrade]

We need more people like you, OP

[spike1128]

+1 for the OP being responsible and screwing the offender!

I hate people who destroy other people's cars then pretend it didn't happen and drive away.

[vaportech]

sounds like a lot of damage.

yes op you will be summoned as a witness in court if the hit and run driver chooses to go to court.

However you probably won't have ot give testimony because those cases rarely go past the plea deal.

[Ironsmack]

I agree, we need more people like you.

I myself wouldnt hesitate to be a witness if i saw something. I would've pulled my phone and recorded it (if i was by myself. If i have my twins, that'll be a different story).

[abitkt7raid]

Thanks for the info all, the guy was actually from BC while I am in Alberta so we'll see what happens. I was definately not comfortable doing anymore than just writing down the plate/description with 2 15 month old baby's sitting in a stroller near by that's for sure.

I will update here when if/when the police contact me.

[DavidY]

Thanks for the info all, the guy was actually from BC while I am in Alberta so we'll see what happens. I was definately not comfortable doing anymore than just writing down the plate/description with 2 15 month old baby's sitting in a stroller near by that's for sure.

I will update here when if/when the police contact me.

Great job, OP! Too many people look the other way and not be bothered. A video or photos from a cell phone would have been ideal. You might want to put down some details in a diary...time of incident/hit and run, brief description of what you had seen, etc.

Many years ago, I drove thru an intersection and then proceeded to hit an older car that had run a red light. No witnesses although the intersection was on a highway and an major roadway with lotsa traffic. Luckily, the other driver admitted that the accident was his fault.

Dave

[appleb]

Similar to what happened to me many years ago. I was parked at Canadian Tire, went inside, and when I got back to my car I noticed someone had hit the front of my car. Damage was very obvious to the front license plate and bumper. Apparently the guy who hit my car left a paper on my windshield (probably blank), walked away, then a few minutes later came back to take the paper back (presumably after witnesses left) and then he left the scene. How do I know this? Because someone was watching him the entire time. The witness left me a business card detailing exactly what happened along with his license plate.

I went to the police and told them everything, including the license plate. The police said "ok thanks, we'll take it from here". I already contacted insurance but didn't make a claim yet. So a month passes and nothing happens, I still have the damage on my car unfixed and waiting for word on who this guy is before proceeding with repairs. I call up the police to see what they're doing. I figure with a hit & run they would go knocking on his door and he would fess up. But apparently the police only sent him a letter and they were waiting for him to respond. wtf, is that how police deal with hit & run? By sending a letter? Anyway, if I wanted to get compensation for the repairs I thought somehow between the insurance company and the police that it would get resolved, but apparently the police said here's his phone number, you have to contact this reckless criminal directly and then negotiate the repairs yourself. Great. In other words, the police and insurance company did nothing.

Given that, I have a feeling the police won't contact you. Even if they do, they'll probably only want to get your verbal statement over the phone to be filed away somewhere.

[abitkt7raid]

DavidY:

I took cell phone pics of the scene so I could help recall/show what happened if need be, after the offender left of course.

AppleB, that's a bit disheartening as I would expect this to be followed up by the police, if he did this, what else could he do? There is a community police station across the street from my house actually, I might just ask them out of my own curiosity and see what they say.

[torspiker]

Great thing you did here, OP !

[Ballroomblitz]

A few years ago I witnessed a car parking in a spot panicked hit the accelerator and hit another parked vehicle, they then proceeded to back up and speed away leaving the scene after causing a lot of damage. No note, nothing just took off. I waited and reported the details (including plate number) to the vehicle owner fully expecting that I would be contacted by police for the direct report, thing is I was never contacted after that by anyone. After a long while I eventually forgot about the whole incident, reading the last post or so I wonder now if the culprit was ever dealt with. Maybe since it was a private mall parking lot the police don't care and think it a private matter I don't know, just disheartening to think someone could get away with damaging hard working peoples vehicles.

Good job reporting, it is the right thing to do even if nothing ultimately happens or you don't hear of the final outcome.

[jackiechan511]

OP, it's great to see that you are being an independent witness. If you weren't there to witness it, what would the outcome be.

[chickibum]

I had a similar situation as appleb, where someone hit my car not once, but three times, and drove off. Thanks to witnesses who watched the loser do this, ( he also got out of his car and looked at my car, and I guess determined my smashed headlight and dented bumper were not a big deal), I got the license plate number, and thanks to the macs, a video of it. Cops came, talked to me and the witnesses, watched the macs security tape, ran the license plate. Found out it was rental car and told me there was nothing they could do. >:(>:(>:(

So don't be surprised if nothing happens. At the same time, you're awesome! I wish more people were like you! :D

[Offspring22]

I witnessed one bout 15 years ago - same idea, old guy hit 2 parked cars and took off. I got the plate and gave it to the owners. Police came by a week or so
Later and took a statement of what happened and discription of the car and driver. They said it fit the car and owner and thanked me. Never heard anything for it again.

[Talon88]

:::

I've been Witness before & go to Court.
They have give me some money depend on the dist. between
the court & where you live.

And I want to say, you do a good job...! We need more people
like you to stop the idiot...!

Next time, maybe you can use your phone to take video..!

:::