Clipped mirror of stationary vehicle, didn't stop - points?
Discussion
Hi,
I clipped the mirror of a stationary vehicle this morning, but the road conditions didn't allow me to stop and exchange details (I would have obstructed traffic in both directions).
I've reported the incident to the police, I have no idea if the driver of the other vehicle has (he definitely saw it happen). I have also been into a police station to log my insurance and MOT details.
The desk officer at the station couldn't say whether or not this would be endorsable as it's handled by another department.
My questions are
1) Given there's no damage to my own vehicle, do I still need to mention this to my insurers?
2) Even though I reported it after the fact, will I get points for not stopping at the time? If so, how many can I get?
I clipped the mirror of a stationary vehicle this morning, but the road conditions didn't allow me to stop and exchange details (I would have obstructed traffic in both directions).
I've reported the incident to the police, I have no idea if the driver of the other vehicle has (he definitely saw it happen). I have also been into a police station to log my insurance and MOT details.
The desk officer at the station couldn't say whether or not this would be endorsable as it's handled by another department.
My questions are
1) Given there's no damage to my own vehicle, do I still need to mention this to my insurers?
2) Even though I reported it after the fact, will I get points for not stopping at the time? If so, how many can I get?
AIUI, you have 24hrs to report a collision, if you couldn't stop at the time, so you're in the clear there. Unlikely to be any careless driving charge.
If the other guy contacts the Police, you can point to your reference number. Then it's just down to dipping your hand in your pocket for the damage or handing it to your insurance.
If the other guy contacts the Police, you can point to your reference number. Then it's just down to dipping your hand in your pocket for the damage or handing it to your insurance.
I applaud your honesty - unlike the driver who cut the corner and took out my mirror a few weeks ago! I managed to turn around and challenge her when she parked her vehicle (country roads, little traffic) - she flatly denied everything, and wouldn't even look at the damage to my car. Police wouldn't do anything (despite her refusing to exchange details) and I was left with paying for my damage or putting through insurance (which would i'm sure have cost me even more).
Anyway, I'd be confident that Police would have no reason to charge you with anything as you reported it. I doubt the owner of the other car will contact them, but if he does and you are reasonable (as you actions indicate) I'd think he will be.
Anyway, I'd be confident that Police would have no reason to charge you with anything as you reported it. I doubt the owner of the other car will contact them, but if he does and you are reasonable (as you actions indicate) I'd think he will be.
The road network there is incredibly cramped with on-street parking on one side of a narrow road followed by a single lane for both directions shortly after. Stopping anywhere would have resulted in blockages in both directions.
It's not the cash I'm worried about, so much as points. I have a clean licence at the moment, I'm dreading that may change for not stopping, even though I reported it later.
It's not the cash I'm worried about, so much as points. I have a clean licence at the moment, I'm dreading that may change for not stopping, even though I reported it later.
I would be amazed if you would receive points for what amounts to overzealous honesty on your part. No injuries, reported in good time with full details. I've had my mirrors clipped before, it would not have crossed my mind to contact the police.
I am sure one of the resident police here will be able to confirm how it would be handled.
I am sure one of the resident police here will be able to confirm how it would be handled.
What kind of road was this that you couldn't stop for 2 minutes to say "very sorry, here's my phone number, phone/text me and I'll send you my policy number"?
I think in the case of an accident it's perfectly reasonable to block traffic temporarily, at least to exchange details, unless you were on a motorway or other free flowing high speed road and there is absolutely no where you can pull off.
Poor sod may well have not had a chance to get your plate and will have to pay for the damage out of his own pocket.
I hope it wasn't one of these folding electric heated integrated led indicator massage mirrors that cost hundreds.
eta: have you considered returning to the scene of the crime at a quieter time to see if your poor victim is parked there regularly and maybe leave him a note?
Quoted for prosperity.
I think in the case of an accident it's perfectly reasonable to block traffic temporarily, at least to exchange details, unless you were on a motorway or other free flowing high speed road and there is absolutely no where you can pull off.
Poor sod may well have not had a chance to get your plate and will have to pay for the damage out of his own pocket.
I hope it wasn't one of these folding electric heated integrated led indicator massage mirrors that cost hundreds.
eta: have you considered returning to the scene of the crime at a quieter time to see if your poor victim is parked there regularly and maybe leave him a note?
Quoted for prosperity.
Veovis said:
Hi,
I clipped the mirror of a stationary vehicle this morning, but the road conditions didn't allow me to stop and exchange details (I would have obstructed traffic in both directions).
I've reported the incident to the police, I have no idea if the driver of the other vehicle has (he definitely saw it happen). I have also been into a police station to log my insurance and MOT details.
The desk officer at the station couldn't say whether or not this would be endorsable as it's handled by another department.
My questions are
1) Given there's no damage to my own vehicle, do I still need to mention this to my insurers?
2) Even though I reported it after the fact, will I get points for not stopping at the time? If so, how many can I get?
I clipped the mirror of a stationary vehicle this morning, but the road conditions didn't allow me to stop and exchange details (I would have obstructed traffic in both directions).
I've reported the incident to the police, I have no idea if the driver of the other vehicle has (he definitely saw it happen). I have also been into a police station to log my insurance and MOT details.
The desk officer at the station couldn't say whether or not this would be endorsable as it's handled by another department.
My questions are
1) Given there's no damage to my own vehicle, do I still need to mention this to my insurers?
2) Even though I reported it after the fact, will I get points for not stopping at the time? If so, how many can I get?
scarble said:
What kind of road was this that you couldn't stop for 2 minutes to say "very sorry, here's my phone number, phone/text me and I'll send you my policy number"?
I think in the case of an accident it's perfectly reasonable to block traffic temporarily, at least to exchange details, unless you were on a motorway or other free flowing high speed road and there is absolutely no where you can pull off.
A narrow road with on-street parking on one side.I think in the case of an accident it's perfectly reasonable to block traffic temporarily, at least to exchange details, unless you were on a motorway or other free flowing high speed road and there is absolutely no where you can pull off.
scarble said:
Poor sod may well have not had a chance to get your plate and will have to pay for the damage out of his own pocket.
I hope it wasn't one of these folding electric heated integrated led indicator massage mirrors that cost hundreds.
eta: have you considered returning to the scene of the crime at a quieter time to see if your poor victim is parked there regularly and maybe leave him a note?
It was a delivery truck pulled over on double yellows to unload (happens a lot at that particular point as it's the only place they can stop for the local shops). Almost the entire village is double yellow lines. The road narrows not far ahead. It's quite "normal" for people to have to pull around such obstructions at that point. In this case, I just steered a little closer than normal.I hope it wasn't one of these folding electric heated integrated led indicator massage mirrors that cost hundreds.
eta: have you considered returning to the scene of the crime at a quieter time to see if your poor victim is parked there regularly and maybe leave him a note?
I'm not actually trying to get out of anything here - I'm trying to figure out what, if anything, I may get done for and to what degree.
scarble said:
Yea but, even if it's double yellows you can stop to exchange details, pretty sure there's an exemption for that 
You could phone the delivery company?
Sadly, no idea what the company was - pretty non descript rear door and I was looking ahead and making sure (a little too hard, it seems) not to end up on the kerb on the other side as I passed it, not at the side panels.You could phone the delivery company?
I'm currently working on the assumption that as a commercial vehicle, his company may require him to report it to the police.
I really am just trying to figure out how much trouble I could be in.
Monkeylegend said:
Veovis said:
I really am just trying to figure out how much trouble I could be in.
You will be in more trouble on here than with the police.
My statement does stand, though - I'm dreading the potential implications of not stopping, even though I reported it later.
You're a worrier aren't you?
You're worried about points, you were worried about holding up traffic..
I'm sure it'll be fine, you've been to the police so they know you weren't trying to avoid your responsibility and the driver/company might, if he got your plate, pass it on to their insurer who will find your insurer who will then ask you about it and quite probably you'd get the chance to fess up without being given points, seems more likely. For all they know you didn't even notice at the time and only noticed scratches on your wing mirror later.
Next time, don't worry about holding up traffic, unless they've got flashy blue lights they don't need to be anywhere that urgently.
You're worried about points, you were worried about holding up traffic..
I'm sure it'll be fine, you've been to the police so they know you weren't trying to avoid your responsibility and the driver/company might, if he got your plate, pass it on to their insurer who will find your insurer who will then ask you about it and quite probably you'd get the chance to fess up without being given points, seems more likely. For all they know you didn't even notice at the time and only noticed scratches on your wing mirror later.
Next time, don't worry about holding up traffic, unless they've got flashy blue lights they don't need to be anywhere that urgently.
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