I was in a gas station and another driver back into my car. The damage was minimal and we both decided not to call the police because neither of us figured we would have an insurance claim and I had been told before that the police wouldn't have anything to do with an accident in a private lot. We both only had PL/PD insurance.

I went home and within the hour a police officer showed up at my door and gave me a ticket for failure to report an accident. He said a witness called it in and gave my driver's license which is how he tracked me down.

Is this legit? I have to go to court over this and I'm afraid there will be a fine or points. Does anyone have any information about this situation?

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Originally Posted by deetag

I was in a gas station and another driver back into my car. The damage was minimal and we both decided not to call the police because neither of us figured we would have an insurance claim and I had been told before that the police wouldn't have anything to do with an accident in a private lot. We both only had PL/PD insurance.

I went home and within the hour a police officer showed up at my door and gave me a ticket for failure to report an accident. He said a witness called it in and gave my driver's license which is how he tracked me down.

Is this legit? I have to go to court over this and I'm afraid there will be a fine or points. Does anyone have any information about this situation?

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A lot depends on the State but if you've been given a ticket by the Police my feeling is, yes, the Police can ticket you for this. You could get either a fine or points - it's a moving violation.

I don't know who told you the Police will not investigate an accident on private property - that is most definitely not true, at least in NYS, but I don't know where you are.