Hypothetical situation here,

Say you're driving along a 4 lane median divided highway, at about 55mph.

Then out from behind one of the median bushes, a kid who couldn't have been more than 17 or 18 and only wearing a pair of ripped up jean shorts - jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes (ABS of course kick in) and you slow down considerably but still manage to hit the kid with the front right quarter of the car causing a bit of cosmetic damage to the vehicle. The kid is able to get up and walk around after he gets hit. Even though you try to get out and help him, he doesn't speak a lick of English and refuses to even let you help him up.

Do you try and garner reimbursement for the damages?

Do you feel bad for the kid?

Do you feel like Social Darwinism didn't live up to the hype and wish he became a permanent hood ornament if he was going to cause damage to your beloved vehicle in the first place?

8/9/2005 3:39:04 PM

make them pay for damages

8/9/2005 3:41:39 PM

Quote :

"make them pay for damages"

but only as long as the $$ wont be put into that weird vehicross thingy

8/9/2005 3:42:48 PM

call the cops and file a police report. more than likely, he could be ticketed and you would have grounds to sue him if he doesn't pay up in the first place.

8/9/2005 3:47:01 PM

this hypothetical person did call the cops who were completely sympathetic towards the hypothetical person's situation and did inform said hypothetical person that legal options may be available if the hypothetical hispanic kid was indeed a legal citizen or offspring of legal citizens.

if not, hypothetical person my be screwed.

8/9/2005 3:49:37 PM

really though it doesnt matter what yuou do cause you wont get any money
and may have to pay some

8/9/2005 3:52:26 PM

not true, if his parents have the money and you sue them and win, they are required to pay it. if they don't have it, you can garnish their wages till you are repaid.

if they are illegal, then you probably won't get anything, but they are worse off as they will probably be investigated/deported.

Either way, i would suggest a lawyer as they would know what evidence to collect and how to present it to better your chances than just you going to a judge.

8/9/2005 4:22:07 PM

i'd throw him in the trunk and make him work off his debt cleaning my house

8/9/2005 4:33:26 PM

well, on a morale level i would take a look at what sort of financial situation the family is in, and if they are here legally. if they're here legally and appear they can afford the repairs, make them pay with whatever means neccessary (including a suit if it comes to that). it was illegal, and 17-18 is more than old enough to know how to cross the street. if they're illegals, i would pursue the matter also and at least get them deported. if they're legal here and appear to be struggling financially, i would attempt to get some sort of payment but i wouldn't go so far as to screw someone with a lawsuit if they really can't afford it. maybe your grass needs mowing once a week, car washed, etc... something.

strictly legally speaking no morales or opinions involved, do whatever is within your power (legally) to gain monetary compensation for the damage.

8/9/2005 4:51:58 PM

how much cosmetic hypothetical damage?

[Edited on August 9, 2005 at 4:53 PM. Reason : maybe a pic of what it would look like if it happened?]

8/9/2005 4:53:24 PM

honestly this is easy

turn around, and try again.

8/9/2005 5:59:23 PM

this hypothetical situation wasn't, as most of you are assuming, involving me.

I don't have pics of the hypothetical damage. We're talking about $2k in parts and labor apparently.

8/9/2005 6:51:05 PM

Quote :

"not true, if his parents have the money and you sue them and win, they are required to pay it. if they don't have it, you can garnish their wages till you are repaid"

he was mexican and just wearing a pair of torn shorts
...

8/9/2005 7:25:55 PM

This reminds me of the time that I ran over the hypothetical stroller that a woman was pushing.

8/9/2005 7:36:01 PM

mexicans are just too damn lazy to jump out of the way, what makes you think hes gonna get a job and pay for the damages? they are experts at dodgnin gcourt, they all look alike, so the cops can never identify them

8/9/2005 7:56:21 PM

It seems if you hit someone hard enough to cause that much damage, that they would have to be hurt somehow. Unless you drive a really expensive car to begin with.

8/10/2005 1:50:57 AM