%$&#*@# Court system!!!!

[Steve1968LS2]

When my Camaro got smashed into I called the CHP for an accident report to cover my ass.

The cop that showed up wasn't one of the cool ones, he was the robot type. Since the back of my car was destroyed I couldn't open my trunk to get my proof of insurance out. I offered to call the insurance company and get the policy number or have my wife bring proof since she was on her way to get me.

The cop said "Just mail proof that you had insurance to the court and they will dismiss the case". I asked him if he had to give me the ticket even though the accident clearly wasn't my fault and he said "Then I would have to let everyone go"

Anyways, the notice comes and I send in the proof that I had insurance. It made no mention of a fine. I should have photocopied it.

Now I get a letter that says I owe $778.60!!!

and the remark "INS NOT Acceptable for correction on this violation or appear in court"

I call today and the lady says "Since there was an accident you can't show proof later, you need to show it there"

Well f%#$! I couldn't open my trunk!

Now I have to take a day off work and drive across the planet to go before a judge to explain the deal.

And knowing most judges he will just screw me over so the city can make a bit more revenue.

[67SSDan]

Another good example of "the Man" try'n to stick it to ya. On this side of the tracks we call that robbery... I believe they refer to it as "due process". :eek:

That SUCKS.

Dan

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

Ffuuuuch..

[Damn True]

When my Camaro got smashed into I called the CHP for an accident report to cover my ass.

The cop that showed up wasn't one of the cool ones, he was the robot type. Since the back of my car was destroyed I couldn't open my trunk to get my proof of insurance out. I offered to call the insurance company and get the policy number or have my wife bring proof since she was on her way to get me.

The cop said "Just mail proof that you had insurance to the court and they will dismiss the case". I asked him if he had to give me the ticket even though the accident clearly wasn't my fault and he said "Then I would have to let everyone go"

Anyways, the notice comes and I send in the proof that I had insurance. It made no mention of a fine. I should have photocopied it.

Now I get a letter that says I owe $778.60!!!

and the remark "INS NOT Acceptable for correction on this violation or appear in court"

I call today and the lady says "Since there was an accident you can't show proof later, you need to show it there"

Well f%#$! I couldn't open my trunk!

Now I have to take a day off work and drive across the planet to go before a judge to explain the deal.

And knowing most judges he will just screw me over so the city can make a bit more revenue.

I had a similar problem and the judge gave me a pass since I was able to prove that I was in fact insured at the time.

Lesson: I now keep my proof on insurance in my wallet so I have it no matter what car I am driving.

[Steve1968LS2]

I had a similar problem and the judge gave me a pass since I was able to prove that I was in fact insured at the time.

Lesson: I now keep my proof on insurance in my wallet so I have it no matter what car I am driving.

The problem is my insurance doesn't give me a little card.. it's a big piece of paper..

It's really lame since it's the easiest thing in the world to forge. lol

[Damn True]

The problem is my insurance doesn't give me a little card.. it's a big piece of paper..

It's really lame since it's the easiest thing in the world to forge. lol

Photocopy reduce?

[bingham72]

This is like Georgia requiring electronic submission of proof of insurance to the state and then requiring you to have a copy in your car. Why? The cops have a computer in there car and can check there. Dumb.
Sucks for you man.

[LateNight72]

That blows.

I definetly would talk to your insurance and see if theres anything they could provide you that would prove you were in fact insured prior to the accident..

[6'9"Witha69]

Been there, done that. ~4 years ago I was cruising the Camaro in Newport Beach. Pulled over for tinted windows and only ticketed for no proof of ins. Cost me time to go to the court, see the clerk to show proof I was insured @ the time and pay a $10 court assessment fee. They screwed up the doing it by mail thing then too.

[BA.]

wow, you're getting screwed.


Sorry to hear the troubles Steve.

[Ron S]

What I want to know is,Where did the Cops go that had common sence?Did he think that you would drive a $100,000 car with no insurance?If you explain the circumstances,and he still writes you a ticket{WHAT A TOOL}.Its no wonder everyone gets an additude with the police,to protect and serve,yeah right.Ron

[JEFFTATE]

That sucks Steve !

My wife was hit by a hit-and-run driver about 5 years ago.
He rearended her in rush hour traffic and then drove away.
The police showed up seconds later because they were sitting on the side of the road anyway.
The guys car could still be seen weaving through traffic up ahead and the cop wouldn't even go after him .
He just calmly and lazily wrote up the accident report and told my wife to turn it in as uninsured motorist.

What a f$@^ed up system we've got.

[Chevrolaine]

Hi, I'm from the government and I'm here to help you.:here!:

Just an obvious question, who keeps their proof of insurance in the trunk? (besides Steve) I thought that's why they made glove boxes.??

[Steven]

Take in photo's of the damage and insurance policy that showed it current at the time of the collision. Explain your case to the Judge. He should dismiss, however do not pass out when you have to post money to see the judge first. This is the fault of those who do not or did not have insurance and our lawmakers in Sac. trying to solve it.
Oh, for those in California, make sure your insurance cards show current dates.

[Patrick]

Wear a suite, brush your teeth, comb your hair....Start by politely telling the judge that the system is broken and you don't appreciate spending your valuable time sitting in his court room. If that doesn't work, end with..."so did you aspire to be a judge of traffic violations??"

[Magntik]

That sucks. Sounds like you got my Karma as my wife calls it.
But on the bright side, if you were going to have to screwed over on something, much better a ticket than fighting to get the car fixed!!
Seems a lot cheaper, a couple hours of hassle than a couple thousand $$$ to either fight the insurance company or to cover a shop bill.

Good luck

[dropit69]

add 1 more reason to the list not to live in cali..that wouldnt hold up for 2 mins in my neck of the woods..lol..sucks to hear Steve..add that to your phr story!!!!!!!!!

[Steve68]

I had a similar problem and the judge gave me a pass since I was able to prove that I was in fact insured at the time.

Lesson: I now keep my proof on insurance in my wallet so I have it no matter what car I am driving.

EXACTLY!!! it sound like you live in Califlorda, BS tickets for county revenue, gotta love it, I hope you beat there AZZ in court!

[Damn True]

Yes, Rupp and I both live in CA. He in the southland and I am up north.

[WS6]

I'm gonna recommend you not listen to Patrick even if it is true and damn funny. Man would I like to sit in a court room and listen to someone go off like that. That was pretty good Patrick.

As for GA. I just titled my TA into my name. It's been in my dad's since I was younger. The lady at the DDS(that's tag office for the rest of you) said I could title it without insurance but to not be surprised if a county brownie showed up with a ticket for no insurance. I told her if they can find the car first I may let them. The car isn't in this county nor is it even street drivable, but it's gotta have insurance to be titled according to GA.

[HEMIDAYTONA]

supplement the ins company thru the body shop as the car is being fixed. you should be out nothing. you have the rite to have the car fixed how you see it and where you want. the one at fault owes all damages!!! its the law or is in TN.

[jeffandre]

Good luck Steve! Be cool and professional and you should be alright. If not, carry copies of your insurance info in enough places to flood the next cop that asks for it.

Due process, friggin penny ante tickets, argh!!! Almost got a ticket for no front license plate a few weeks ago, had an expired insurance card too. I think the only reason I walked is because I looked and acted ready for the final showdown and after jawing with me for a few minutes the cop just got in his car and left...Good thing, it could have been a bad day for both of us! If I am speeding, fine, give me a ticket. If you pull me over to be an a$$, expect it right back.

[mpozzi]

Hi Steve,

You will be okay!!! Yes, you'll have to take a day and go tell this story to a judge. However, once you show photographs of the back of the vehicle, it should offer a legitimate answer as to why you could not show proof of insurance on the day of the accident.

Bring the police report, your current proof of insurance, photographs of the Camaro, and perhaps an original letter from the insurance company (on their letterhead with the agent's signature) confirming your effective dates of coverage.

The law states you have to show proof of insurance to a peace officer upon demand (usually from a traffic stop or accident). It is recommended that this proof of insurance be in the vehicle. It doesn't say that the document must be in the glove box or interior, and the trunk is definitely part of the the vehicle. Again, you will be okay.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[Cruiser]

Any fines should be the responcability of the person that hit you. You were insured, you could not get to your proof since they hit you and it was in your trunk, that is their fault not yours.

[Randy67]

I'm gonna recommend you not listen to Patrick even if it is true and damn funny. Man would I like to sit in a court room and listen to someone go off like that. That was pretty good Patrick.

As for GA. I just titled my TA into my name. It's been in my dad's since I was younger. The lady at the DDS(that's tag office for the rest of you) said I could title it without insurance but to not be surprised if a county brownie showed up with a ticket for no insurance. I told her if they can find the car first I may let them. The car isn't in this county nor is it even street drivable, but it's gotta have insurance to be titled according to GA.

Trey,
There is a legal way around this, like I did with my el camino which I have owned for 5+ years but never driven it (rolling chassis when I got it). First, get insurance and then title/register the car. Then you go back to the DDS and tell them the car is not driveable (being restored is what I told them), they suspend the registration but you still have to pay the ad valorem tax (whopping $2 for mine) every year and then you can cancel the insurance. Once you are ready to drive it, get insurance and then head to DDS and get the tag & registration. This keeps you from having to deal with the lawman. I was told this by the DDS of all people. Hope this helps.

[jc70chevy]

yeah that bad situation to be put in i was in a simular situation but didnt get my car fixed lady rear ends me but she tells the cop the i rolled back into her how the heck do you roll a 70 camaro on top of the hood of a honda huh so my insurance told me there was a conflict of sorys and i showed them the pics and nothing happened sure nuff im sueing the insuracne company and know go with a different insurace company

[paul67]

If you have to take time off log milage time and any expence and then charge it to the other driver cause if he had not hit you in the rear you would not be going through this its up to you were you put your doc's not the government+ I would think there safer in the truck in case of theft , who would bother to look there for doc's.

[yellowrallys]

and they wonder why the courts are backlogged.......ain't they got some criminals they could be chasin'?

[Bow Tie 67]

I had an old man make a right turn on red into the side of my Maxima yesterday. The police showed up wrote up a report and gave him a citation, I hope this does not become a headache. We both did have insurance cards, and he admitted fault. So am I dreaming that this will be a smooth case of his insurance paying for my damage? I'm hoping to take the cash and stick it into my project car, I have already worked on the damage just enough to get my door to close and seal.

[blackbeast]

As for GA. I just titled my TA into my name. It's been in my dad's since I was younger. The lady at the DDS(that's tag office for the rest of you) said I could title it without insurance but to not be surprised if a county brownie showed up with a ticket for no insurance. I told her if they can find the car first I may let them. The car isn't in this county nor is it even street drivable, but it's gotta have insurance to be titled according to GA.

in indiana you have to show proof of insurance before you can get plates. However I have a feeling that the DMV has no way to verify the policy, moroso what is all insured on that policy. I just give them my policy # they type it in, and viola.

So, assuming you already have insurance, use that policy number to title it and they should be none the wiser.

Also, why don't you have storage insurance incase your garage goes up in flames? Most homeowners policies will not cover vehicles. Think it costs me $25 every 6 mo.

[WS6]

I rent for one and the car isn't at my house. It sits outside too which is a bummer. However, it is on concrete.

[seymore]

mpozzi has got it right. A proof of insurance is good, but get your insurance agent to write a letter confirming that there was coverage at the time. Take the pictures, and explain that the proof of insurance was in the trunk. I'm sure you'll get asked why it wasn't in the glove box (which I'd be curious to know the answer to), but politely explain to the judge why it was in the trunk. If you had thrown it in there with some other stuff, just tell the judge that.

Don't go in there full of righteous indignation, either. Think of what judges have to deal with on a regular basis. They get tired of dealing with riff-raff and *******s, so dress up, look neat, and be polite and respectful of the court's authority. You might still get hit with some sort of court cost, but it's better than the whole ticket. And even if you do get hit with court costs, you can walk out of there knowing that you took the high ground. Maybe at least someone in the court room will take notice of your demeanor, and maybe it'll make their day easier and they'll "pay it forward" so to speak.

[EFI69Cam]

mpozzi has got it right. A proof of insurance is good, but get your insurance agent to write a letter confirming that there was coverage at the time. Take the pictures, and explain that the proof of insurance was in the trunk. I'm sure you'll get asked why it wasn't in the glove box (which I'd be curious to know the answer to), but politely explain to the judge why it was in the trunk. If you had thrown it in there with some other stuff, just tell the judge that.

Don't go in there full of righteous indignation, either. Think of what judges have to deal with on a regular basis. They get tired of dealing with riff-raff and *******s, so dress up, look neat, and be polite and respectful of the court's authority. You might still get hit with some sort of court cost, but it's better than the whole ticket. And even if you do get hit with court costs, you can walk out of there knowing that you took the high ground. Maybe at least someone in the court room will take notice of your demeanor, and maybe it'll make their day easier and they'll "pay it forward" so to speak.

While your right about being polite in court, why in the heck is it better to to pay court costs than the whole ticket? He had insurance on the car, and a dip**** wrote him a ticket. Why should that cost him anything, much less an entire day in court and court costs? He was not at any fault in this accident!
People are too ready to accept injustice.

[nancejd]

Maybe you should just include the cost of the ticket in your damages claim....

[BonzoHansen]

The problem is my insurance doesn't give me a little card.. it's a big piece of paper..

It's really lame since it's the easiest thing in the world to forge. lol
But that big piece of paper is the policy contract known as the Declarations Page (could be >1 page). It is proof.

In NJ, the ins co has to issue cards. Mine are always buried 1/2 way through the renewal package.

[bretcopsey]

While your right about being polite in court, why in the heck is it better to to pay court costs than the whole ticket? He had insurance on the car, and a dip**** wrote him a ticket. Why should that cost him anything, much less an entire day in court and court costs? He was not at any fault in this accident!
People are too ready to accept injustice.

The point though is that he was required to "show proof" of insurance when requested. It seems chickensh!t, but the fact that Steve had insurance at the time is not enough. Therefore, he is in violation of the law. All that said, I feel that should you be able to prove you were insured at the time of the accident, you should bear no responsibility for any fines or court costs. In reality, I think you'll be lucky to recieve court costs.:ripped:

[jjump59]

It's all about Karma. You shouldn't have a problem in court though.

[CraigMBA]

How'd this wind up?

[dslwizard]

I am stunned at what has happenned to your car, Steve. I was curious about something. Does the penny have a third brake light? Do you think a third brake light would have helped?

thanks
mike

[68Formula]

I am stunned at what has happenned to your car, Steve. I was curious about something. Does the penny have a third brake light? Do you think a third brake light would have helped?

thanks
mike

Not even sure a neon flashing "don't hit me dumb @$$!" sign would've helped. But doesn't hurt to take all precautions.

[Chad-1stGen]

I wonder if that same cop shows up to injury accidents and writes tickets to unconcioius or injured motorists physically incapacitated and unable to provide proof of insurance too...

[CraigMBA]

Hello?

No response?:drive2: