should I take legal action, Do i have a case

**Mr.C&I** · 05-24-2009, 03:04 PM

Get a valve stem tool and actually pull the metal piece from the valve stem. Cheap as hell to replace, but what're you gonna do with four flat tires

**Mieux97** · 05-27-2009, 05:01 AM

Talk to a lawyer. But just because you give someone permission to drive a car don't mean they aren't liable for damages. If it was a mechanical thing, then they should have fessed up immediately, but since you say there was tamper evidence, then I say take em to small claims.

**JoshieDoom** · 05-27-2009, 05:36 AM

Talk to a lawyer. Back in the early 00s a couple of girls test drove a newish z28 from my dads stealership. We had to meet the police there. T-tops were missing and all kinds of stuff was destroyed. If you fuck up someones property even if you wanted to test drive it then its their butt and a verbal agreement will hold water somewhat in court.

Otherwise its and eye for an eye. Georgia aint too far....

***SMWS6TA*** · 05-27-2009, 06:11 AM

Talk with a cop 1st. If property is missing or damage , you will have to file a report. Try not to use local if this guy is working for the city. See what they may say. Even if you gave permission for a test drive, joy riding and street racing are not test driving. If you do talk to a lawyer or LEO do not mention that "you were not going to sale it anyways" it makes you look some what bad.

**Racer X Vpr Klr** · 05-27-2009, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by maxwax

My thoughts exactly. LOL

ditto

**warpwr** · 05-27-2009, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by KahanaReef

This is more of a civil matter. Small claims.

Small claims.
It's fairly easy. No lawyers can be involved. Just present your case with witnesses if they will show and the judge decides the case.
You will have to show the actual damages and the cost to repair them.
If you win, they will be liable to pay you, period.
If they fail to appear, you win automatically.
Ask the judge if you can place a lien on their property if they don't pay within a specified amount of time. A lien attaches to their home title and they can't ever sell until they pay you, that's why they do title searches for property transactions.

**ls1blackbeauty98** · 05-27-2009, 11:18 AM

im so late on this thread, i dont even know where its gone but that was the dumbest thing ive ever heard of, why the hell would you let someone drive your car like that.. without u... wow.

**GTP231** · 05-27-2009, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by ls1blackbeauty98

im so late on this thread, i dont even know where its gone but that was the dumbest thing ive ever heard of, why the hell would you let someone drive your car like that.. without u... wow.

He didn't think the kid's MOM was gonna pull this kind of shit. I wouldn't thinkj that either

**bigrondownhiller** · 05-27-2009, 02:43 PM

If you live in a small town someone will talk. You just need a recorder to have proof that they did something. Then you can take that evidence to court and get your money.

**gd1996** · 05-27-2009, 02:58 PM

You can sue for anything in America... I just got sued by a guy who punched me outside a bar. He claimed me and 3 other guys jumped him. Funny thing is he was a friend along with another of our friends he sued. But we knew his ex wife hrough hs, so they go divorced and apparently he decided it was a way to get money back. One person of the 4 of us did beat his ass... but I got hit and I gotta pay!

**pajeff02** · 05-27-2009, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by gd1996

You can sue for anything in America... I just got sued by a guy who punched me outside a bar. He claimed me and 3 other guys jumped him. Funny thing is he was a friend along with another of our friends he sued. But we knew his ex wife hrough hs, so they go divorced and apparently he decided it was a way to get money back. One person of the 4 of us did beat his ass... but I got hit and I gotta pay!

This was via a civil suit? Or restitution as part of a criminal case? Sounds a little strange unless the other witnesses never testified...

**bmyers** · 05-27-2009, 04:46 PM

that sucks...good luck man

**67CamaroRSSS** · 05-27-2009, 05:13 PM

Face it, yer BONED! Kick yerself in the nuts and suck it up. I think it's crap what they did but you ALLOWED it to happen. Consider it an expensive life lesson. Nobody (except my mechanic) drives my car.

**Red on Red WS6** · 05-27-2009, 09:08 PM

Advertise his mom as a cheap escort on craigslist with his phone number.

**TACE02** · 05-27-2009, 10:18 PM

Or have the lady on "Red on Red WS6"'s hood go sweet talk a judge, case dismissed in your favor for a whole new block to your specs plus install and tune...

Any updates yet??? You have been doing a little Investigating of your own, right?

**cammed goat** · 05-28-2009, 03:34 AM

Originally Posted by Red on Red WS6

Advertise his mom as a cheap escort on craigslist with his phone number.

That's an idea.

**Detroit Power** · 05-28-2009, 05:51 AM

Yeah, like a couple other folks said you can sue them in small claims court, but in doing so you cannot use a lawyer. You could contact one and let them review the case though and determine if you had a valid claim.

Realistically, it's going to come down the judge reviewing each of your statements. Since there's no way to prove the damage wasn't already there, if they lie through their teeth the claim is going to get thrown out. The burden of proof is on you, not on the other party.

Also, if the Big Bad County Commish shows up too it may work against you if he's part of the good 'ol boys club.

Take it in stride as a life lesson: NEVER let someone test drive your car alone again. When I sold my S/C GT the insurance company said even if someone else wrecked it with me in the car, it would go on against my policy.

**waldo** · 05-28-2009, 08:40 AM

no chance of winning in court, no chance! it's time for a beat down IMO!

**blackcar** · 05-29-2009, 05:52 AM

Talked with my brother (he is about to graduate law school). The first thing he said was you were lucky he/she didn't hurt someone. If they had, you could be held liable. I told him you let them test drive it with the intent they would follow all traffic laws and he said it doesn't matter. Your car = You're liable.

He recommended small claims. In small claims there is less of a "burden of proof" and it is more what the judge thinks is fair. Which I already knew that, with my job I have to go to small claims about once every other month. I try to get the same judge every time. When I went last Friday he asked "have you figured up how much they owe you?" I said yes and gave him the number. "Judgment in favor of the plaintive" took all of 2 minutes. In AR it cost $100 to file small claims. $50 to file the suit and $50 to have them served with the papers. In this situation I would recommened using a process server to have them served.

**01ws6er** · 05-29-2009, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by bigrondownhiller

If you live in a small town someone will talk. You just need a recorder to have proof that they did something. Then you can take that evidence to court and get your money.

You are aware that recorded conversations are inadmissible in court unless the person being recorded gives consent to record the conversation?

And to the op, fuck were you thinking letting someone else drive your car. I let only 2 other people drive my car without me: My brother and my best friend (we've known each other 15 years) and he has a 00' Ws.6 so if he screws it up I get his car haha. I would at least get a consultation from a lawyer to see if there's anything that can be done and if not, take matters into your own hands.