Archived Thread

NFT: Anyone have experience filing a property claim against NYC?

Matt M. : 1/30/2023 5:25 pm

This morning I parked at a metered spot at a corner in Queens. 1 minute later as I was walking up the block to work, a fire engine, with it's lights on, but no siren, turns onto the block. They were driving normal speed, not racing to a scene, and the clipped the back of my car. I screamed out to them, but the driver didn't hear. He kind of looked down and then drove off.

I waited over 2 hours for the police to file a report, but there were no witnesses and it doesn't appear there are cameras in the vicinity. Luckily, the damage is not extensive and my guy thinks he can fix it for about my deductible; maybe a drop over.

I have no clue how a claim with NYC Conptroller's office will go, but I can't wait on them to get it fixed because the car is coming off lease.

Any advice?

Oh, after police left, I walked around the corner to the fire house.

Matt M. : 1/30/2023 5:26 pm : link

The truck was back and I spoke to the Lieutenant. He said they didn't think they hit me and drove off. Reiterated what the other Lieutenant I spoke to earlier said...I have to call the NYC Comptoller's office. I did and they sent me an email with the form to fill out, but I am not optimistic.

You should have jumped in front of truck and get run over

George from PA : 1/30/2023 5:32 pm : link

Unless, they kill you....not chance.

Manslaughter is the minimum they take notice.....and with no tape and no proof.

Yeah, I couldn't do that.

Matt M. : 1/30/2023 5:39 pm : link

I was a half block away. Couldn't get back in time.

Not legal advice: I have no experience.

Marty in Albany : 1/30/2023 5:58 pm : link

Do it ASAP because there is generally a short
statute of limitations on claims v ny. Take photos of the damage. Get a statement from the Lieutenant w/his name, etc. and his acknowledgement that you came up to him immediately following the incident. Mail the claim Certified RRR. Good luck.

Probably need to go through the process,

Mad Mike : 1/30/2023 5:58 pm : link

but if you don't get reimbursement through filing the claim, might be worth trying the Public Advocate's office. I once had an issue with the MTA - stupid metrocard issue, less than $100, I spent way too much time fighting with them, but it was my $100 and I wanted it back. It was like talking to a brick wall, and it became clear I wasn't going to get anything from them. When I was resigned to being out of options, I decided to email the public advocate - I got my money in like 2 weeks. Who's to say if that will work for you (mine was so little money that probably made it easier), but if you get stonewalled by the comptroller's office, might as well give it a shot.

Had a friend who’s car was hit by a garbage truck

BillT : 1/30/2023 6:13 pm : link

He filed a claim which they said was legitimate but their reimbursement fund had run out so he was out of luck.

RE: Had a friend who’s car was hit by a garbage truck

Matt M. : 1/30/2023 8:40 pm : link

In comment 16020279 BillT said:

Quote:

He filed a claim which they said was legitimate but their reimbursement fund had run out so he was out of luck.

This is absolutely ridiculous and disheartening.

Waiting for an estimate from my autobody place

Matt M. : 1/30/2023 8:41 pm : link

The good news is it is looking like it is not a ton of damage. It should be about $500-$600, which means it's all out of pocket, so reimbursement from NYC would be very nice.

When you went to fire house

steve in ky : 1/30/2023 8:54 pm : link

Did you look to see if there were any of your cars paint on the fire engine. That would have been some proof you could use

Good luck

BobOnLI : 1/30/2023 9:08 pm : link

I got hit by a NYC police car. I needed to submit the police report and estimate. They offered less than the estimate and when I complained they said sue us, case will come up in several years. Without a witness or admission by NYFD it doesn’t sound promising. A photo of your paint on the fire truck would help a lot.

RE: RE: Had a friend who’s car was hit by a garbage truck

SomeFan : 1/31/2023 8:54 am : link

In comment 16020413 Matt M. said:

Quote:

In comment 16020279 BillT said:

Quote:

He filed a claim which they said was legitimate but their reimbursement fund had run out so he was out of luck.

This is absolutely ridiculous and disheartening.

Our public servants and tax dollars at work. Note that if you owed them money, they'd be all over you like green on grass.

RE: Oh, after police left, I walked around the corner to the fire house.

give66 : 1/31/2023 2:09 pm : link

In comment 16020230 Matt M. said:

Quote:

You should have recorded that conversation.

You're

noro9 : 1/31/2023 2:16 pm : link

Probably best off walking away and paying out of pocket

RE: Had a friend who’s car was hit by a garbage truck

Carson53 : 1/31/2023 4:47 pm : link

In comment 16020279 BillT said:

Quote:

He filed a claim which they said was legitimate but their reimbursement fund had run out so he was out of luck.

.

That's not exactly a fire truck though...good luck with this
on your claim?

RE: You're

Matt M. : 1/31/2023 4:47 pm : link

In comment 16020930 noro9 said:

Quote:

Probably best off walking away and paying out of pocket

I"m paying out of pocket regardless. If the quote comes in where we expect, it will cost about as much as my deductible. If it's more and I file an insurance claim, the same deductible costs me out of pocket. I'm filing a claim with NYC regardless, but not expecting much.

Reminds me of something I read one time. A car was damaged by a pothole. Because no complaint about the pothole had been filed previously (by anyone) the city absolved itself of liability. So, don't ever be the first person with property or body damaged by city property.

I thought this was going to be about the ESB

BH28 : 1/31/2023 6:34 pm : link

lit up in green, haha