rangerryda

iTrader: (1)

If you damage private/state/government property in the process of your personal accident with no other parties involved, then yes, you must report it to be legal, however, if this was not the case, then it's just the same as if you hit a dog on the freeway and bought a new bumper because it was cheaper than your deductible... still "broke" your bumper and fixed it yourself. I live in Florida and I handle traffic accidents pretty regularly (dead giveaway on my job) so I am aware of what the laws and statutes are.

To be more on topic, shady business practices always lead south. Receipts are priceless when it comes to labor, and always expect to get what you pay for when you consider body work. Sorry bro.

kabura

Thanks pyroman. You bring up a lot of good points. I stopped calling the guy since he really wasn't picking up my calls. I'll just have to swallow this one and not be so gullible next time.

On the plus side, by doing the body work on my car over the weekend (worked 4pm to 6am nonstop) I now know a thing or two about it. The only challenge now is for me to learn how to paint the car.

pyroman131

No prob. I don't think it'd be terribly difficult painting the car yourself. It's just that you'd have to do it legally, so I know you can't do it outside on your front lawn. I think you have to do it in an enclosed, well-ventilated area. Plus you'll need a respirator.

Just watch a few episodes of pimp my ride til you get the jist of it.

pyroman131

Yeah see whenever I hear the term "got into an accident", I instantly think of someone either hitting someone, being hit, or damaging property. So naturally you need to report that. But I don't know what happens if you run over a hobo. I mean, they don't really belong to anyone and they are drifters so they don't seem like property.

That's where the law gets askew in my eyes.

But seriously though, I always think of it just like that. When you damage someone's property and things of that nature, a report has to be filed. Perhaps you can shed some more light on this aspect? I'm an Education major with interests in Psychology, Writing, and Philosophy. State-to-state laws... I only know so much about.

rangerryda

iTrader: (1)

In Florida, licenses can be suspended very very easily and the ticket for driving on a suspended license (regardless of knowledge) is just shy of $300. Point being, if you suspect that any damage to any property (hobo or not) done by your vehicle might result in a police report, you should definitely report it. If you back into your own trash can and mess up your bumper, don't report that unless the damage is 25% higher in cost than your insurance deductible unless you have the cash and want to avoid a carfax report ding on your vehicles record.

*Little known fact*
If you apply for a Florida license transferring from another state where your license IS SUSPENDED they WILL issue you a Florida license and then immediately suspend it (usually without notifying you for 30 days)... shady business in my opinion but how else are we supposed to pay for our donuts?

pyroman131

Contract out the hobos to dine-and-dash those donuts out of stores and into the hands of the right people.

Cool fact on the insurance. Did not know that at all. Great tip and I'll certainly keep that in mind the next time I forget how to backup. It is Florida after all. Not sure how bad your drivers are in Melbourne, but here in Jacksonville it is ridiculous. Yield signs mean let's stop and hold up everyone behind me. Pedestrians walk out into streets without even looking. People run stop signs or perform rolling stops. When you honk your horn at someone committing a violation, they give you the finger and honk back. I always thought the drivers were bad here in Jacksonville, but the pedestrians, too!

rangerryda

iTrader: (1)

Let's just say I've had someone get out of their car in traffic and challenge me at my window more than once... until they saw the Glock in my lap. I've also seen a cyclist (pedal bike) get mashed up because he ignored traffic signals (just like your pedestrians). Our biggest issue here is the driving dead (60+). My first week in Florida, I saw a cottonball driving a Grand Marquis right over 10 orange construction cones without slowing down. Just yesterday, a woman (with a suspended license) spin her neighbors truck out and smash into the concrete block wall surrounding Patrick Air Force Base! I would love to be able to instantly teleport idiot drivers to rush hour on the infamous Beltway around Washington D.C. THATS where I learned to drive. You'll have an H2 on one side of you and an Escalade on the other, one driver on the phone smacking kids and the other texting and drinking coffee at 80 mph on a 15 degree bank 4 lane highway with people switching lanes every 2 seconds and no accidents! Drivers here, flip their lowered Civics on a straight flat road repeatedly...

rangerryda

iTrader: (1)

Additionally, my rearview camera keeps me from damaging my under-insured trashcans

pyroman131

You, sir, are a god. I cannot fathom that at all. I guess those guys drive so aggressive that they're actually safe drivers. And here in Jax, they're just stupid. Today I was entering onto a ramp that goes to I-95 and there was someone in their Hyundai Accent who sped up from the opposite ramp that merges onto mine. Now he has a yield sign and definitely had to capitulate the right of way to me. Nope. Not in Jax. This idiot decided to gun it, and I slammed on my horn and they swerved and slammed on their breaks. Frucking fridiots I tell you. I couldn't imagine dealing with the insanity of Beltway. Bravo.

TrevorS

iTrader: (1)

Very entertaining ! My experience is that "drivers" pretty much do what they choose to do, laws really aren't a reliable part of the equation. What frequently suprises me is that many people behind a wheel are actually mensch, praise the Lord! However, it only takes the 10 to 20% (or so) of totally self-absorbed idiots to make that seeming fact disappear from sight. I guess the trick is to try one's best to avoid adding to the confusion and to acknowledge good driving when ever one has the opportunity. May God bless the motor vehicle operators that actually take others into consideration!

Scionarra

sad to see this happen... law school is somewhat of my interest down the road so i had to say one thing...

a verbal agreement is still a verbal agreement. you can take him to court and they will have him swear to tell the truth... if he doesnt then thats his problem and there could be legal problems that go along his way as far as that goes but a verbal contract is still a verbal contract... dont think that just bc you dont have it in writing its not legit...

i dont exactly know what state this pertains to but a lot of it pertains to illinois laws as well.. as long as you both agree that:

1. The services to be performed
2. What will be received in exchange for services (in ur case $600)

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...1-1028431.html

hope this helps!

pyroman131

Good point there Scionarra. The only problem is that we all know never to trust a lawyer. They have a natural nack at twisting a lie a bit in what I'd like to call a pasty euphemism.

In my experience I've witnessed that verbal contracts pale in comparison to written, notarized documents. I was never claiming that verbal contracts were not legit, rather, it is best if you get these kinds of things in writing, especially when it concerns money.

I learned my lesson when I had a-hole roommates that liked to use my dishes and not clean them. Or eat my food. Or invite unwanted people in and have them play with my stuff. It was quite undesirable and ultimately severed the brittle strings that tethered us as friends. Because I had a contract in writing that they agreed to, I had certain stipulations I had to abide by. To that extent, I eventually got them to move but learned my lesson: add that final clause that should a roommate become inhospitable, he or she must relinquish their room. lol

rangerryda

iTrader: (1)

In regards to roomates

*Little known fact*
As of 2007 (not sure if it's still current) in the great state of Florida, if an individual is allowed to reside in your place of residence with belongings for a minimum of 72 hours regardless of contractual agreements (verbal or written), that person officially has 30 days before they can legally be evicted from your property. Blew my mind.

kabura

I've had that happen to me once in high school. I was in the middle of a busy intersection at rush hour when a man trying to exit a gas station and cross over to incoming traffic got infuriated when I wouldn't move my car out of the way for him. He stepped out of his car and started yelling while banging on the driver window of my old rusted '89 Escort. He stopped when he saw my friend get out of his car (he was following behind me) with a bat.

pyroman131

That's some scary s!ht. Maybe I should go out and buy a bat to store in the box. My mom used to have that in her car to use as a warning because drivers here are aggressive as hell.

@rangerryda: That's just messed up. Thankfully, not too many people are aware of that, myself included.

bendeng

Haha, I learned to drive in the DC Metro area. Yes, we are insane multitasking, cross-hwy lane changing, lead-footed drivers. But in an ironic sense, it makes us better drivers (than most from I've seen). I'm glad I learned to drive in this area, it helps me avoid the less skilled/aware drivers from other areas in the country.

pyroman131

@bendeng: I completely concur. Especially when you live in Fist City, VA.