(Minor) legal advice

[milosz]

In late January, a private investigator knocked on my door and wanted to talk about a Mercedes that I supposedly bumped in a Central Market parking lot in Dallas in December.

I was definitely at that restaurant on the day in question, but didn't (to my knowledge) bump anyone's car, and there's no sign of it on my truck (it's a Ram Quad Cab work truck). PI claims the guy wants to work something out instead of filing a hit and run, there was video (I was on the very outside of the side parking, AFAIK), etc.. I gave him my phone number, he gave me the guy's, I decided to send the PI an e-mail asking for the guy's e-mail. I left it at that, because I didn't want to start talking about anything via e-mail when I'm not sure what happened.

Didn't hear anything from the PI or guy for the rest of January and February. Now I get an e-mail today from the car owner about the matter.

I don't have any money to pay the guy cash (and I'm not sure I did anything - it's possible, but I think I'd have felt some kind of impact) or to hire a lawyer. Should I offer (over the phone) to file it as a new claim with my insurance and just eat the possible premium bump (I've got Allstate and no other accidents, so it shouldn't even matter), or since months have already passed just continue to let it sit and try to fight it if he files? PI said it would be a class C misdemeanor (essentially a strong traffic ticket) if he did.

I didn't understand in the first place why he went through a PI instead of the 5-0 if it was actually clear what happened?

 

[dv3]

Careful, sounds like it could be a scam.


Personally, I would call the police and talk with them. If it is a scam, it probably happened before and may have been reported.

 

[Ataturk]

This isn't legal advice, but tell him to go to hell.

 

[JustinW]

I'd call Allstate and tell them the whole situation and that you think someone is trying to scam you. Get their lawyers onto it.

The whole thing sounds pretty dodgey to me.

 

[Dakota rube]

Originally Posted by JustinW

I'd call Allstate and tell them the whole situation and that you think someone is trying to scam you. Get their lawyers onto it.

The whole thing sounds pretty dodgey to me.

Yes, what he ^ said.
And doesn't Allstate have that accident forgiveness thing?

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by JustinW

I'd call Allstate and tell them the whole situation and that you think someone is trying to scam you. Get their lawyers onto it.

The whole thing sounds pretty dodgey to me.

Seconded, or thirded, or whatever order I fall in here. I don't like the sound of that at all.

 

[rdawson808]

I seem to recall that I needed a police report for my insurance to cover a dent in my car caused by a hit-and-run. So if the police could ID you, they would have come for you. At least that's what I would think would happen.

This really smells like a scam. I'd call your insurance company, as JustinW suggests. DO NOT admit to doing anything wrong to these potential scammers. Tell your insurance company the truth, you were there, you didn't hit anyone.

b

 

[PiperInAlberta]

It's a scam (I've heard of the same type of thing before, I'll try and dig up a reference).

Call the guy/PI and state that you'd like to involve the police (since he's calling it a hit and run he should have filed a police report) and have a report filed. Watch how quickly he turtles.

Then calls the cops with all the info you have (phone numbers, names whatever else they gave you).

 

[mordecai]

Originally Posted by PiperInAlberta

It's a scam (I've heard of the same type of thing before, I'll try and dig up a reference).

Call the guy/PI and state that you'd like to involve the police (since he's calling it a hit and run he should have filed a police report) and have a report filed. Watch how quickly he turtles.

Then calls the cops with all the info you have (phone numbers, names whatever else they gave you).

this./

 

[NorCal]

Originally Posted by JustinW

I'd call Allstate and tell them the whole situation and that you think someone is trying to scam you. Get their lawyers onto it.

The whole thing sounds pretty dodgey to me.

Plus 1, this has scam written all over it. Also consider calling the police, this might be an ongoing scam in the area and they might be interested in finding the guy.

From a legal perspective, don't put anything in writing, ask for everything in writing, ask for photos and check ID, make copies, don't admit to anything, not even being there that day, don't let the "PI" into your house, don't pay anything unless your lawyer or insurance company suggests you do.

Even if you did hit this guys car, there is no way he can recover damages months later without a pretty major fight.

 

[cross22]

The other guy hired a PI instead calling his insurance company???!?? Very unusual.

You have insurance for exactly this reason. Call them up and let them handle this, including any legal costs. They will let you know if they require a police report.

Not a legal advice btw...

 

[DNW]

It's a trap!

 

[TerryWogan]

It's almost certainly some sort of scam. Who hires a PI to hunt down someone who bumped into their car?

 

[JayJay]

Call your insurance company and the police.

 

[JustinW]

Originally Posted by TerryWogan

It's almost certainly some sort of scam. Who hires a PI to hunt down someone who bumped into their car?

I miss your Eurovision commentary!