Has anyone dealt with a hit & run?

[SouthPaw]

A few weeks ago, I was rear ended and the driver fled the scene. I chased him for about 40 min while on the phone with dispatch. Dispatch eventually connected me with the officer that was assigned to the call, and he instructed me that they were not going to pursue the vehicle and to stop chasing. I argued that I was not going to stop chasing until the police showed up, and he told me they were not going to pursue the vehicle since they had the license plate information.

I met with the officer after I turned around and he took my information and stated he was going to the registered owners address to investigate. He called a few days later saying the registered owner 'sold the vehicle to a friend a few weeks ago' and was no longer the owner. Most likely a BS story, but nothing I can do about it. This was a few weeks ago, and the officer called today and said they haven't gotten any further with the case, but he would send me the insurance information for the vehicle. The policy on the vehicle is current. I've been told that if they cannot identify the driver, they will not cover it. I contacted his insurance company today and they started a claim, but who knows if anything will come of it.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or work in auto insurance that can give me some pointers? If I had to guess, my vehicle has at least $1500+ in damage. I'd love for this scum bag to be charged, but ultimately want my car fixed.

[ruthabagah]

Yes, and unless you have any witnesses or a recording of the other vehicle hitting yours, there is nothing anyone will do? The other party insurance will most likely refuse to pay? Your insurance will cover the repair minus your deductible and might attempt to recover some money by either directly contacting the other party or their insurance. But again: without any witnesses you are out of luck. I am still out of my deductible for a hit and run in the same situation m. Followed the perp home, called the cops, since his vehicle had no visible damage and no witnesses, cop refused to do anything more.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SouthPaw]

Yes, and unless you have any witnesses or a recording of the other vehicle hitting yours, there is nothing anyone will do? The other party insurance will most likely refuse to pay? Your insurance will cover the repair minus your deductible and might attempt to recover some money by either directly contacting the other party or their insurance. But again: without any witnesses you are out of luck. I am still out of my deductible for a hit and run in the same situation m. Followed the perp home, called the cops, since his vehicle had no visible damage and no witnesses, cop refused to do anything more.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I did have a passenger in the car, so maybe that will count as a witness. Crazy you followed the person all the way home and the still did not do anything.

[Fromk]

Many years ago I was rear ended on the freeway. Guy gave me bogus information and since I was on the way to the airport I didn't have time to wait for the police. Luckily it wasn't anything too costly or serious but I was on the hook for it. Lesson learned.

Another time I got a call from my insurance company that a car I sold was found abandoned after being involved in a hit and run. The guy never registered it so I was the last owner on record. They just asked me to verbally verify that I sold it and never heard anything about it again. Part of me wished that I asked if I could have the car back just to see what would happen.

[MED]

I was rear ended by some illegals on I25 north of I70...late 90s. They ran and I went after them (before cell phones). I finally got them cornered and got their plate number and a verbal exchange (they basically said from what I could understand that I will never find them). I filled the report but the plate was registered to a bogus address. I never got anything from it, and I fixed my vehicle out of pocket to avoid the claim against my insurance. One of my hobbies is vehicle restoration so it wasn't a big deal in terms of cost. Basically, don't expect much help with it. In a lot of the cities now, you will be the one charged if you pursue a criminal.

[Clint45]

Supposedly Denver is #1 for hit and runs in America.

Few of these people have licenses, let alone registration or insurance, many of those cars are stolen.

[Rooskibar03]

Supposedly Denver is #1 for hit and runs in America.

Few of these people have licenses, let alone registration or insurance, many of those cars are stolen.

I really miss living in Colorado but man the place has gone downhill quick in the 5 years since I left.

[MED]

Supposedly Denver is #1 for hit and runs in America.

Few of these people have licenses, let alone registration or insurance, many of those cars are stolen.

I drove my truck down to the metro area from hell on Saturday to run some errands and pick up a few things. I cam out and my hitch mount was gone; I was so excited and relieved that is all I lost.

It's a west coast shit hole now.

[rondog]

A few weeks ago, I was rear ended and the driver fled the scene. I chased him for about 40 min while on the phone with dispatch. Dispatch eventually connected me with the officer that was assigned to the call, and he instructed me that they were not going to pursue the vehicle and to stop chasing. I argued that I was not going to stop chasing until the police showed up, and he told me they were not going to pursue the vehicle since they had the license plate information.

I met with the officer after I turned around and he took my information and stated he was going to the registered owners address to investigate. He called a few days later saying the registered owner 'sold the vehicle to a friend a few weeks ago' and was no longer the owner. Most likely a BS story, but nothing I can do about it. This was a few weeks ago, and the officer called today and said they haven't gotten any further with the case, but he would send me the insurance information for the vehicle. The policy on the vehicle is current. I've been told that if they cannot identify the driver, they will not cover it. I contacted his insurance company today and they started a claim, but who knows if anything will come of it.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or work in auto insurance that can give me some pointers? If I had to guess, my vehicle has at least $1500+ in damage. I'd love for this scum bag to be charged, but ultimately want my car fixed.

Sounds like you've already been bent over and lubricated, just waiting.....

[SouthPaw]

The officer sent me a picture of their insurance card, which is current and the vehicle does have current registration. It has their name and address on it.

He believes the person that was driving at the time, is known to the owner, but likely doesn?t have a license or isn?t a citizen. I spoke with their insurance (Dairy Land) and they started a claim. I?ll be curious to see what happens next. They said it is an active policy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ray1970]

Part of me wished that I asked if I could have the car back just to see what would happen.

I got a truck that I sold back from a police impound years ago.

Sold the truck and probably a year later got a letter from one of the local police departments saying that if I didn?t come pay the $200 to get the truck out of impound they were going to dispose of it. All I had to do was bring my drivers license as proof of ownership and they turned it over to me. A quick trip to the dmv to replace my lost title and I was easily able to sell the truck a second time.

[Bailey Guns]

I really miss living in Colorado but man the place has gone downhill quick in the 5 years since I left.


Yeah, me, too. But the Colorado from the 70s till the early to mid 90s...not the current Colorado. You can have it. There are much better choices out there for those that have the ability to relocate.

Sucks about the H&R stories. Seems to be pretty common. Things must've really changed...when I was working the street a H&R was a BIG deal and we'd actively pursue every lead we had to find the offending driver.

[Bailey Guns]

I got a truck that I sold back from a police impound years ago.

Sold the truck and probably a year later got a letter from one of the local police departments saying that if I didn?t come pay the $200 to get the truck out of impound they were going to dispose of it. All I had to do was bring my drivers license as proof of ownership and they turned it over to me. A quick trip to the dmv to replace my lost title and I was easily able to sell the truck a second time.


That's awesome!

[fj605]

We got hit by a gravel truck on I-70 a couple years ago. Once we got clear of traffic, I was able to pull up next to them and get a picture of the company logo. I called the company and they told me to get the repairs done and send them the bill. They were glad I didn't file a report on one of their drivers.

[SouthPaw]

Not much of an update, but I spoke with their insurance today to give them my statement/interview which was recorded. She asked basic questions, what I was driving, if there were any passengers, any pictures of the accident, location, etc. At the end of the interview, she stated that the registered owner of the vehicle is stating they sold the vehicle a few weeks prior and was no longer the owner. Their insurance is waiting for them to provide documentation to prove they sold the vehicle. She advised that this can take a few days, to several months before they figure anything out. She also mentioned that if the PO does not provide documentation on the vehicle being sold, they would still need to determine who the driver was before the claim would be accepted. Obviously she just works for the insurance company, but she said the claim would likely be denied either by the PO selling the vehicle, or not being able to identify the driver. I spoke with my insurance company and they said I could submit a claim against my own insurance, and after the repairs, they would try to go after the other persons insurance to get our money back. He did advise that its not very successful doing it this way unless their is concrete evidence.

This is the second time something like this has happened to me. The first time, someone in purposely threw something at my truck as I passed them going the opposite direction. I chased them until the police finally caught. During the call, dispatch kept telling me to stop chasing them which I declined. It ended up being some young kids that threw some food or a water balloon, I can't remember. No damage so nothing to do. This time, I knew there was some damage. I spoke with a buddy who is LEO and he said I should have stayed with him until the police should up. He said even if dispatch and the officer assigned to the call said they were not going to pursue, they would have got the sheriff or CSP involved if I did not let up. I could still be in the same boat if the story is true about them selling the vehicle, but at least this dirt bag would have been hauled off in handcuffs.

[Brass]

I think you're wasting time speaking with either insurance company. Since you know who did this, just file a small claims suit against him. Costs about fifty bucks to do so, and another eighty or so to get him served. The loser will most likely not show up at the hearing, and if he does, he'll probably lack any evidence that he sold the vehicle.

It will help you if your passenger can ID the driver. It will also help you immensely if you have photos of that "sold" vehicle parked at his house or work. And, of course, you'll need a witness who can testify as to when you took the photos.

Of course, collecting on that judgement will be another drama...

[Wulf202]

Yeah your options are basically eat the repairs or file on your insurance and let them sort it out for you.

[MarkCO]

Yeah your options are basically eat the repairs or file on your insurance and let them sort it out for you.

Sadly, this is true.

The irresponsible, criminal, cheats have been given the pass and the rest of us end up paying. Part of the reason insurance costs so much. Even if you are in an accident and the person stays, if they lie to the cops and the insurance, you might get screwed over.

Dairyland is a budget carrier and most of their customers are high risk. Their adjusters are low paid clerks.

[SouthPaw]

Well, finally got an update last Friday. The other person's insurance called and said they are accepting liability on behalf of their insured. I sent in the pictures of the damage to them on Saturday, and confirmed today that they have everything they need to start an estimate. They said they will send me a check for the damage they can see, and if any additional repairs are needed, it would be paid directly to the shop that is working on it.

I am not sure what changed, but glad they are doing the right thing.

[rondog]

I wonder how one goes about getting footage from traffic cameras to help with accident claims? Since most major intersections have several cameras these days.....

[Aloha_Shooter]

Glad you got an update. I'm betting the owner of the vehicle can't provide proof of sale and that combined with the fact the policy was still active forced him to accept liability.

[OneGuy67]

I wonder how one goes about getting footage from traffic cameras to help with accident claims? Since most major intersections have several cameras these days.....

Those cameras are live feed and do not record.

[Clint45]

Glad you got an update. I'm betting the owner of the vehicle can't provide proof of sale and that combined with the fact the policy was still active forced him to accept liability.

When you sell a vehicle, first you remove and retain the plates registered to you... next, you immediately go online and remove that vehicle from your insurance.

Apparently the vehicle owner did neither, lied about selling it, and allowed an unauthorized person to operate same. That makes him, and his insurance provider, 100% liable. Since it was a hit & run with a police report filed, that case is a slam dunk.

[rondog]

Those cameras are live feed and do not record.

Wow, seriously? That's kinda useless....

[Grant H.]

Wow, seriously? That's kinda useless....

It's CDOT. Are you really surprised?

[encorehunter]

Several years ago I sold a minivan. I left the plates on because they were almost expired, and the buyer asked if he could use them to get home. I had a signed bill of sale and cancelled the insurance. Seven months later I got a ticket from Florida from a red light camera, my old minivan, still with the expired plates. I was able to use their photo to show the tags were expired and send them a copy of the bill of sale to get out of it. Always take your plates. They can get home with a bill of sale.
I am glad to hear the insurance admitted fault.

[kidicarus13]

Report Release of Liability online at: https://www.mydmv.colorado.gov/_/#3

Use this request to voluntarily report an ownership transfer for your vehicle. You will need your license number and VIN number or the verification code from your registration receipt.

Pursuant to C.R.S 42-6-109(3), created with Senate Bill 18-073, a person transferring ownership of a vehicle may voluntarily notify the Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles within five days of transfer of ownership. This notification serves to remove the seller's liability for the buyer's actions involving the vehicle after the sale is complete. Information entered into this system is available to law enforcement agencies.

Vehicle owners are still required to sign their title over to the new vehicle owner and the seller should remove their license plates before completing a motor vehicle sale.

[fosbibr]

Those cameras are live feed and do not record.

FWIW - If you get hit near an RTD bus (and the other driver lies about the circumstances) you may be luckily enough to get their video if you know the nearest stop, time, bus #…..

[SouthPaw]

Glad you got an update. I'm betting the owner of the vehicle can't provide proof of sale and that combined with the fact the policy was still active forced him to accept liability.

That’s what I’m guessing. Couldn’t provide proof of selling, and also didn’t want it removed from their insurance.

[Eric P]

Wow, seriously? That's kinda useless....

What would be the purpose of recording for CDOT? Storage would be a waste of taxpayer funding. All traffic operations is chatged with is managing live traffic.

But, on another point, do you really want to live with the government recording your movement? Sounds like China...

[OneGuy67]

FWIW - If you get hit near an RTD bus (and the other driver lies about the circumstances) you may be luckily enough to get their video if you know the nearest stop, time, bus #…..

That's because the bus has their own recording and storage devices. Can you imagine the storage requirements needed to keep the video feed on all the intersection cameras, just in the metro area?

[JoeRoss]

Going through a hit and run now. My car was parked. There was a witness who left a note on the car with description of the driver and plate number. Called the city where it was parked, they said nope, call this city. Called that city, they said nope call the state patrol. Called the state patrol, he said I have 2 options. 1. File a report online and turn it into MY insurance company...or...2. meet with me and he would file a report and try to get in touch with the driver. I chose option 2. He contacted the driver who admitted fault.

Dealing with his insurance company now. Won't go into what a cluster "F" that has been so far. Got their list of repair shops. Called and found out that you have to make an appointment (no surprise) to get an estimate. Just to get an estimate it is AT LEAST a month out. They had no idea when they would be able to take the car in to repair it.

Found a shop that will give you an estimate online, with pictures. Insurance agent said they can do it that way also. Am going to do both through the shop and through the insurance company. Willing to bet the numbers will not be the same? Have to wait and see how this all works out.


As far as selling a car, just did. Got a signed bill of sale with date and time. Went online to do the "release of liability" thing. Took the plates off years ago, threw them away. Car was not driven on the road for years, didn't keep it registered, and I didn't know the plate number. Called the DMV and got the plate number. Went back to the release of liability, put in all the numbers and it came back with "unable to validate the information provided" took a screen shot of that which has the date and time.
Seems you have to have a CURRANT registration to be able to do the release of liability.

[rondog]

What would be the purpose of recording for CDOT? Storage would be a waste of taxpayer funding. All traffic operations is chatged with is managing live traffic.

But, on another point, do you really want to live with the government recording your movement? Sounds like China...

What's the point of having cameras at intersections then, if they don't record anything? We supposed to believe there's people watching hundreds, maybe thousands of monitors 24x7, ready to call something in immediately?

[MarkCO]

Well, finally got an update last Friday. The other person's insurance called and said they are accepting liability on behalf of their insured. I sent in the pictures of the damage to them on Saturday, and confirmed today that they have everything they need to start an estimate. They said they will send me a check for the damage they can see, and if any additional repairs are needed, it would be paid directly to the shop that is working on it.

I am not sure what changed, but glad they are doing the right thing.

That is awesome. Buy a lotto ticket too.