What's the worst they could do?

Hey everyone,

Today I was in my car, and as I was making a K-Turn to drive onto the other side of the street, I accidentally hit someone's bushes and a branch (yes, literally a branch) came off of the bush. The guy who owned the house came outside and started screaming at me "Look what you did!" and to be honest I didnt even notice I broke off a branch until he pointed it out. Nevertheless, I apologized, and he said that it was "too late" and took my plate number. Can I get in trouble for this if he reports me? If so, what's the worst that could happen? (I live in NYC, btw).

Ugh, I'm so angry. The guy was such an a-hole! HELP!

-slowdance

The guy's a jerk because it's a branch. Come on a branch! But if he did report you most likely you'd get off a warning. Cops generally won't care for this crap, trust me they have ore important things to do than worry about you running over some guy's bush. If he really pushes for it you could get a fine and a misdemeanor charge. In an extreme case you'd get charges of vandalism or destruction of public/private property depending on whether or not it's "his" bush and probably serve jail time. It's highly unlikely though because it was an accident. Plus it's a freakin' bush it'll grow back. Don't sweat it he'll probably forget about it unless he's a really, really, big asshole.

techincally it IS property damage... was the guy's yard well cared for? He could have planted the bush himself and it could have been a very expensive bush. Bushes and trees from a nursery can cost hundreds of dollars. You can't really be tagged for fleeing the scene of an accident unless he told you he was calling the cops and you left - but if he took your information and didn't say to stay while hr called the cops then you should be alright. That just leaves accident reporting laws in NY.... are you required by law to report this accident to the DMV? Since there IS property damage involved, you might be. You should go down to the DMV and ask someone. Then at least if they tell you no and someone comes to you about it later you've done what you needed to.

But it's minor property damage though. I guess it'll depend on what kind of bush it was and how much damage it took. But really, a bush, come on.

if the guy wanted to press it it could be abig deal.... like I said it depoends on the cost of the bush...the guy could argue, if he was enough of an asshole, that he has to replace the entire bush because of the branch....that means the cost of a new bush and labor costs - whether he plants it himself or hires a landscaper.... it does all seem extreme, but from what he says the guy sounds like a real ass and it would be a good idea for him to take rerasonable steps now to cover his own ass... personally I'd rather make the trip to the DMV and ask someone who definately knows, than just assume it'll be no big deal and have it bite m in the ass later. Could be the guy was just trying to scare him and nothing will come of it - but again a little trip to the DMV to ask about it could save him a big headache later. That's all I'm saying.....

ah - and there you have it from a new yorker. DK you and I are both wqest coasters, and though I grew up in Jerssey, it's not the same thing as New York. So slowdance I suggest you heed merc's advice.

ha ha sorry! * greatbull's advice

he was just trying to scare you.

the cops will (and should) laugh in his face. i can't even picture the scenario in my head.

either way, the money he'd spend filing a claim and going thru the procedures is more than he'd get in return. unless he's stupid, he'll realize it's not worth the trouble.

"ah - and there you have it from a new yorker. DK you and I are both wqest coasters, and though I grew up in Jerssey, it's not the same thing as New York. So slowdance I suggest you heed merc's advice."

GB always finds a way to kick my ass somehow hahahahaha!

thanks for your responses! it's been a day, and nothing has happened... hopefully nothing will lol *knock on wood* 😉

It was just an emotional reaction, something we all do. Once he calmed down, certainly, his rational brain took over and he realized that he over-reacted.

What he did was perfectly normal .. we all react, at times, that isn't in accordance with how we actually feel.

To feel, and to emotionally react .. isn't the same thing.

It was an accident, not an 'on-purpose' .... he knows this now, and has likely already already blown it off as such.

Relax, don't worry .... he just did what we all do .. he emotionally reacted during a situation.