Legal Question in Traffic Law in Maryland

Parking lot accident--Hit another car without knowing it. Cited

A police officer came to our house yesterday afternoon and informed my wife that her van was seen hitting a car while backing up in a parking lot. My wife did not know she hit another car, but the officer had some insert that had popped out of the corner of her bumper and the right bumper had some scrape marks and my wife had been at the shopping center then. The officer left her with four citations -- unsafe backing, failure to stop after accident, failure to notify other driver and failure to provide proof of ownership of the unattended vehicle (she could not find the registration, but it was in the folder with the owners manual which she handed the officer).

My wife has a perfect driving record.

Is this something we need an attorney to handle? What would MD likely do.


Asked on 9/22/07, 1:38 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
James Kruger Law Offices of James David Kruger, LLC.

Re: Parking lot accident--Hit another car without knowing it. Cited

Yes - this charge may call for jail time and have a considerable effect as far as points/insurance. One big issue is whether she realized that she was in an accident at the time?

Read more
Answered on 9/23/07, 9:16 am

Parking lot accident--Hit another car without knowing it. Cited

The chances of going to jail on these charges are slim to none, however the points your wife could get on her driving record, which in turn effect her insurance cost, could be significant. For that reason she should consult an attorney.

Read more
Answered on 9/23/07, 7:26 pm
Jason Cleckner Law Office of Jason Cleckner, LLC

Re: Parking lot accident--Hit another car without knowing it. Cited

These charges carry the possibility of jail time and a lot of points on her license. You should definitely consider hiring an attorney that handles serious traffic cases such as this one.

Read more
Answered on 9/22/07, 5:12 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Traffic Law questions and answers in Maryland