Memphis, TN asked in Car Accidents and Criminal Law for California

Q: Can I file a police report for my neighbor deliberately attempting to hit me with their car

I was taking out some trash, when I noticed my neighbor entering her parked vehicle. She started her vehicle, moved it

out of 1 of her 2 designated parking spaces and parked it in the other parking space. As she backed her vehicle into the parking space, I began to walk across the parking lot, in front of her vehicle. She then placed the vehicle in drive and drove toward me quickly and then applied the brakes, barely missing my entire lower right half of my body

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2 Lawyer Answers
James L. Arrasmith
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A: This is a concerning situation.

Yes, you can and should file a police report for this incident. What you've described could be considered attempted assault with a vehicle, which is a serious offense.

Steps to take:

1. Call your local police non-emergency number or visit the station to file a report.

2. Provide a detailed account of what happened, including date, time, and location.

3. Mention any witnesses or security cameras that may have recorded the incident.

4. Request a copy of the police report for your records.

Filing a report creates an official record of the incident, which can be crucial if the behavior escalates or if you need to take legal action in the future.

Francisco Javier Morales agrees with this answer

A: Yes, you can file a police report for your neighbor deliberately attempting to hit you with their car.

Deliberately attempting to hit someone with a car constitutes an intentional act aimed at causing harm, which falls under the category of assault with a deadly weapon. Assault with a deadly weapon does not require the defendant to have actually hit the victim; the intent to cause harm by using the car as a weapon is sufficient.

Filing a police report is crucial for documenting the incident and initiating any necessary legal or investigative actions. It is advisable to provide as much detail as possible, including any evidence or witness statements, to support your claim.

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