Close Call Parking Lot

Summary

A minor traffic incident in Columbia, Missouri, involving a pedestrian is unlikely to lead to serious legal trouble if no harm occurred. Potential violations could include failure to yield to a pedestrian or careless and imprudent driving, but these are less likely without evidence. Pedestrians generally have the right of way at both marked crosswalks and unmarked intersections. If a complaint is filed, you would typically receive a notice via mail. Fines for such violations can range from $73.50 to $323.50, but are unlikely without a collision or injury.

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So today I made a little mistake when I was driving. I live in Missouri, and I was leaving my college campus parking lot. I was pulling out slowly, as one does in a parking lot, and was about to leave the parking lot to get onto the road. Now, the parking lot intersects with a sidewalk--by this I mean that the sidewalk is present, then it cuts off to allow for the parking lot, then the sidewalk continues. To get out of the parking lot, you have to use this area of course. So I saw this lady walking, and keep in mind, she was still on the sidewalk, and the roads weren't busy, so I decided to pull out onto this little intersection so I could look both ways before turning right into the street. Once I reached this little intersection area, she suddenly was right there, and she looked at me angrily and gave me a gesture. So I was blocking her path, but I did NOT hit her. I mouthed that I was sorry and pulled out and left. Could I be in legal trouble if she decided to get pictures of my license plate? I guess you could consider it an "almost-accident" but I definitely *% did not hit her/make contact with her body, but I did cut off a pedestrian walking and she was very close to my car by the time I halted in the parking lot/sidewalk area.
Hello Gertrude, from your description, it sounds like you had a close call but didn't actually hit the pedestrian. While it's important to yield to pedestrians, in general, mere inconvenience or annoyance may not lead to legal trouble. However, it could potentially cause a complaint to be filed against you. It's best to be cautious and respectful when driving, especially near pedestrians.
But could the complaint lead to any civil cases? Since I didn't hit her, what action can actually be done? I wasn't driving recklessly or negligently, but I just underestimated the time it would take her to get to where I needed to be to pull out of the parking lot.
In Missouri, for a civil case to arise from a traffic incident, generally, there must be actual harm or damage. Since no contact occurred:
- A personal injury lawsuit is unlikely.
- A complaint could potentially lead to a traffic citation if law enforcement decides to pursue it, but this is less likely without evidence of reckless or negligent driving.
I don't think there are any cameras in the parking lot but I can't be sure. I live in Columbia, Missouri if that makes a difference. Do you think it's something the police would take seriously?
In Columbia, Missouri, police usually prioritize incidents based on severity. Given there was no collision or injury, it's unlikely they would prioritize this. However, it's always best to drive cautiously and respect pedestrian right of way.
So even if she called the police and got pictures of my license plates, could I still be in trouble or is there not really a good chance of that? It's not like I blew through a marked crosswalk or anything, I just blocked her walking path on accident and she acted like I almost hit her which I absolutely did NOT.
While it's possible the police could investigate, without evidence of damage or injury, it's unlikely. Also, Missouri law generally doesn't consider minor traffic mistakes as reckless driving. Always ensure to yield to pedestrians to avoid these situations.
Thanks! So on a scale of *-*, * being "you will not hear anything about this again" and * being "you're going to jail" how likely is it that she will pursue filing a complaint against me and it will actually be taken seriously by the Columbia Missouri Police Department?
Given the information provided, it's hard to quantify the likelihood. However, considering no harm was done and Missouri's approach to minor traffic issues:
- Chance of police action: relatively low.
- Chance of civil case: very low, as no harm or damage occurred.
Remember, this is a general estimation, not a guarantee.
If she were to take action to file a complaint, how would that go? would i get a letter in the mail or would the police knock on my door?
If a complaint is filed, you would typically receive a notice of the complaint via mail. The police usually wouldn't knock on your door for a minor traffic issue, unless they need immediate information. Remember, this can vary based on local law enforcement practices.
And based on the minor traffic issue that I described, would I expect a fine? If so, how much money would that be>
Based on the information you provided:
- It's unlikely you'd be fined as no collision or injury occurred.
- If a fine were to occur, it's challenging to estimate the amount without specifics. Fines can vary widely based on local ordinances and the nature of the violation.
can you please give me an estimate based on my location and the description of the violation
Based on Missouri's traffic violation fines:
- If deemed a failure to yield to a pedestrian, it could range from $*.* to $*.*.
- If considered careless and imprudent driving, it could range from $*.* to $*.*.
Remember, these are broad estimates and actual fines may vary. It's also important to note that a fine is unlikely given no collision or injury occurred.
but how could the pedestrian prove that I failed to yield to her? what is considered careless and imprudent in a parking lot?
In Missouri:
- Proving failure to yield can be challenging. Usually, it requires an eyewitness or video evidence.
- Careless and imprudent driving is often defined as driving without the highest degree of care or in a manner that endangers or could endanger a person or property.
Remember, these are general terms and interpretations can vary.
what if there is video evidence? would it be in the police's interests to find it or do you think they won't care enough to do so?
If video evidence exists and is submitted:
- The police might review it, especially if a formal complaint has been filed.
- Whether they pursue further action depends on the severity of the incident as depicted in the video.
Given your situation, it's unlikely to be a high priority.
does it make a difference that she was elderly and I'm a young woman?
In Missouri, the law does not differentiate based on the age of the driver or pedestrian in traffic incidents. What matters is the nature of the incident, evidence, and whether any laws were broken. Age shouldn't impact the potential legal consequences in this scenario.
so if you were to determine what laws I broke, what owuld they be?
Based on your situation, potential violations could include:
- Failure to yield to a pedestrian: This is usually determined if there's clear evidence you didn't allow the pedestrian to cross when they had the right of way.
- Careless and imprudent driving: If your actions could be interpreted as not driving with the highest degree of care.
Remember, this is a general assessment and actual law enforcement decisions may differ.
did i still have to yield to her right of way even though this wasn't a marked crosswalk? I mean she was crossing a parking lot for god's sake, how is that my fault that she suddenly sped up
In Missouri:
- Pedestrians generally have the right of way at both marked crosswalks and unmarked intersections.
- Drivers should exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian.
- However, pedestrians should also not leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. This may apply to your situation.