| Title: | Insurance Industry Conference |
| Moderator: | ICPSRV::DOVE |
| Created: | Thu Feb 18 1988 |
| Last Modified: | Wed Feb 05 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 136 |
| Total number of notes: | 551 |
(Cross-posted in Carbuffs).
HELP!!
I was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Flushing, NY
yesterday. The other car was a taxicab who ran a STOP sign
at an intersection where I had the right of way. I The cabbie banged
my car on the drivers side and immediately reversed and disapperared
even as I was motioning him to stop. I came *VERY* close to death!
My car is badly damaged. I tried to squint to read his
license plate #, (my glasses fell on the floor on impact) but couldn't.
BUt fortunately for me, hios front license plate fell off on impact
and I could lodge a complaint with the police using that evidence!!
The police told me I should sue this cabbie driver.
I am in touch with my insurance company. But what do I have to do
sue him? I missed my friend's wedding, hurt my back and am suffering
mild concussions.
What are my rights? How do I go about teaching this reckless NY
driver a lesson???? (BTW, the police have found out his name, address,
insurance company code etc.). What should I do from here?
I have never been in an accident before. Should I talk to the other
insurance company if they call me? How can I get maximum
compensation for the mental anguish caused to me? I could have died
and no one would have known because the cab driver didn't even stop
to see if I was alive or not.
Any advice will be gratefully accepted. (BTW, my insurance company
is USAA, in case you want to know).
Regards
Gopal.
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97.1 | Talk with USAA or your lawyer | FOOZLE::BAKER | Fri Apr 13 1990 16:27 | 10 | |
I am always surprised at the NYC police. I would have thought that the
Taxi driver was in violation of a number of laws (leaving the scene of
an accident for example) and that they would have taken him to court.
My suggestion is to call USAA and ask them these questions -- or talk
to your agent. Failing all that talk with your lawyer. It sounds as if
you have many bases for legal action, but in a court it will be the taxi
driver's word against yours and you can never tell how that sort of
case will turn out.
Good luck.
| |||||
| 97.2 | Talk to a lawyer | FACT01::MCMAHON | Paul McMahon-386 PC's of interest, part time hacker | Wed Apr 18 1990 18:44 | 15 |
Evading responsibility is a misdemeanor in most states. Charging the cab driver and arresting him is the responsibility of the police. In this case they don't seem interested. You probably are not going to get very far trying to prosecute the cabbie yourself. I suggest that you work with USAA (who has an excellent reputation) and get your immediate claims problems settled -- repair of your car, medical bills, etc. If you feel you should have further compensation then talk to a lawyer. In the meantime make sure you document everything, file accident reports, get X-rays, go to doctors to establish your case. If you are out of work, you can claim reparations from your no-fault insurance (I think NY is a no-fault state) even though DEC pays you while you are out of work. Generally you should talk to a lawyer about what your rights are and what the process is that you need to go through soon to make sure that you do all of the things that you need to do. Paul. | |||||