Someone hit our car in a car park, but...
Discussion
At the end of October, someone collided with our vehicle in a public car park. They failed to stop, however two witnesses saw it happen and reported it to us together with the alleged vehicle registration number.
We reported it straight away to the police.
They got in contact with the alleged party.
Yesterday, we received a letter from the police stating that the alleged have admitted that they were in the car park at the time, but say that they were unaware of any collision with our vehicle.
It then goes on to say: "Parking bays in car parks are not deemed to be a road or public place for the purposes of the Road Traffic Act, although thoroughfare parts of the car park are. As this collision took place within the parking bays, the alleged party has not committed any offences under that act. Therefore your insurance company will investigate in a civil capacity and claim the repairs to your vehicle from the alleged party's insurance company".
Is this correct? Our car was in a parking bay, but theirs wasn't, as they were leaving.
Didn't really want to go through the insurance company to get it repaired (I'm guessing it's caused around £500-£700 worth of damage to a £3k car). However, it seems we have no option.
What worries me, is the fact that they are denying any involvement and we've only got one/two independent witnesses at this moment in time.
The car park is watched over by CCTV, but we are unable to get any footage, as we aren't the police or an insurance company. Oh, and we've only got 5 days left to obtain it, until it gets deleted.
What should we do?
We reported it straight away to the police.
They got in contact with the alleged party.
Yesterday, we received a letter from the police stating that the alleged have admitted that they were in the car park at the time, but say that they were unaware of any collision with our vehicle.
It then goes on to say: "Parking bays in car parks are not deemed to be a road or public place for the purposes of the Road Traffic Act, although thoroughfare parts of the car park are. As this collision took place within the parking bays, the alleged party has not committed any offences under that act. Therefore your insurance company will investigate in a civil capacity and claim the repairs to your vehicle from the alleged party's insurance company".
Is this correct? Our car was in a parking bay, but theirs wasn't, as they were leaving.
Didn't really want to go through the insurance company to get it repaired (I'm guessing it's caused around £500-£700 worth of damage to a £3k car). However, it seems we have no option.
What worries me, is the fact that they are denying any involvement and we've only got one/two independent witnesses at this moment in time.
The car park is watched over by CCTV, but we are unable to get any footage, as we aren't the police or an insurance company. Oh, and we've only got 5 days left to obtain it, until it gets deleted.
What should we do?
Just to update this thread (thought I already had - apologies).
Car has been repaired and, as far as we are aware, been settled with the other party's insurance company at no cost to us.
Regarding the police letter, I've still got it, but haven't made a complaint; in all honesty, I don't fully understand what is right or wrong - I'd be quite out of my depth.
Anyway, thanks again for all of the replies and advice.
Car has been repaired and, as far as we are aware, been settled with the other party's insurance company at no cost to us.
Regarding the police letter, I've still got it, but haven't made a complaint; in all honesty, I don't fully understand what is right or wrong - I'd be quite out of my depth.
Anyway, thanks again for all of the replies and advice.
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