Need Advice (accident, legal)

[WheelmanSS]

Hey yo,

Some of you may remember that I was in a serious hit-and-run accident last weekend.

This was the thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296325

Unfortunately, I have a lot more stress from this incident than just trying to get my car fixed.

When I met with the police, they asked if I could identify the driver from a picture line up. I had only seen him for a split second, so I wasn't confident. But low and behold, I actually was able to point him out.

After that, the officer gave me the "motorist incident" report form. Not sure of people's experience with this form, and I know if varies from state to state, but...

I am looking at the form: It has my personal information (address, phone, license ID, etc.) and it has the driver of the other vehicle's information - a man facing felony charges. I almost had a heart attack.

So, a man facing criminal, felony charges gets a copy of a document with my name and address and personal information?

The police are asking me if I am willing to testify, since I am the only one who was able to ID the driver. However, since this is a standard accident form, they can't do anything to protect my information.

Does anyone have any experience with this? How the hell can I feel comfortable knowing that a felon has my address information.

I told the police to have the state's attorney contact me directly so I can better understand the process. Right now, I know the driver is back in jail, as he violated his parole. He won't be there forever though.

I can't even begin to express how stressed I have been this week. This sucks. I don't want to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for your opinions.

[upflying]

No worries, the suspect has a legal right to know who his accusers are. The suspect and his attorney are entitled to "discovery" before the trial so they will know all about you regardless.
In any event, this began as a collision, an unintentional act. This is not murder, robbery, drug dealing, gang related or an assault. The chances the suspect will retaliate against you in this situation is very remote.
Fill out the forms and relax. Do your civic duty and put this guy behind bars.

[PIPE]

Id say use youre God given right and start carrying , but then I see youre in Chicago and we all know they have the lowest crime rate in the country so no need. Maybe seek some legal council on youre end to help ease youre mind.

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by upflying

No worries, the suspect has a legal right to know who his accusers are. The suspect and his attorney are entitled to "discovery" before the trial so they will know all about you regardless.
In any event, this began as a collision, an unintentional act. This is not murder, robbery, drug dealing, gang related or an assault. The chances the suspect will retaliate against you in this situation is very remote.
Fill out the forms and relax. Do your civic duty and put this guy behind bars.

This.

and - technically, he's not a felon yet.

[WheelmanSS]

Originally Posted by The Stig

This.

and - technically, he's not a felon yet.

Well, he actually is. He violated his parole (which is one of the reasons he hit and run, I'm assuming) so he is now back in the slammer, hopefully serving his entire original sentence.

If this was just some guy running because he had no insurance, I would not be as stressed. But, and I quote the police, "this isn't the guy's first rodeo." That uncertainty regarding his history is what makes me nervous.

[PoorMansCamaro]

Are you able to look him up, to see why he was in prison to begin with?

[WheelmanSS]

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

Are you able to look him up, to see why he was in prison to begin with?

I have tried. But he has fairly common name that makes simple google searching difficult. I would have to make a more formal request for the information, which I don't think I want to dive into.

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by WheelmanSS

Well, he actually is. He violated his parole (which is one of the reasons he hit and run, I'm assuming) so he is now back in the slammer, hopefully serving his entire original sentence.

If this was just some guy running because he had no insurance, I would not be as stressed. But, and I quote the police, "this isn't the guy's first rodeo." That uncertainty regarding his history is what makes me nervous.

Ah gotcha - have you explained your concerns to the police? Don't know if they can, but you could ask to see if they could black sharpie out your address. Of course having your full name makes getting your address only a google search away.

[PHXLT1]

Its unfortunate but its true he will have your info. Hopefully he doesn't hold it against you for his mess up. Good luck and if you need some back up ill be more than happy to help you. I've dealt with **** ups like this before.

[WheelmanSS]

Originally Posted by The Stig

Ah gotcha - have you explained your concerns to the police? Don't know if they can, but you could ask to see if they could black sharpie out your address. Of course having your full name makes getting your address only a google search away.

Yes, I definitely told the police my concerns when I first spoke to them. He said he would "look into it". However, he came back and said there was nothing he could do.

I even proposed to re-do the form and list my work address or something. He said the form could not be changed.

I was pretty dissappointed. The only saving grace is that he spelled my name wrong on the report. So if I ever move, I at least have that going for me.

I was hoping my information could be redacted like you said, but I get the feeling I need to go the lawyer route to take care of that. I don't really want to pay more money, since I have to eat my deductible, but if a lawyer can get the information redacted it would be worth it.

[90503]

I wouldn't worry about anything...the guy hit your car, you were able to ID him, not like you're being a rat on him for some other bs...go to court, testify as to the truth...and call it a day. You might actually help to save some innocent victim from the guys bs in the future...

P.S. I never thought you'd be such a pu$$y....lol...j/k!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

[WheelmanSS]

Originally Posted by 90503

P.S. I never thought you'd be such a pu$$y....lol...j/k!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

Ha! I deserve that

Everyone at the gym is like, "you're a fighter, wtf do you care?"

Well, I'll fight any man on this planet, but you can't fight a gun. That's my only fear.

[mikeyg36]

It's unfortunately his right to know who you are. My advice? Start carrying if you aren't already.

[PIPE]

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

It's unfortunately his right to know who you are. My advice? Start carrying if you aren't already.

He's in Chicago LOL. He's got the same corrupt people as we do that limit our abilities to carry. But yeah thats what I'd do if I could.