Some one hit my car - Advice
Discussion
I have just found out from a neighbour that some one hit my car this morning. I'm not a happy bunny. 
They drove into the front wing and although I can't see any dents or structural damage, they have scratched about 2 foot length on the front and side! You would have thought they would have noticed.
I have a Nissan Primera GT SE with flip paint. OK I know its not a TVR with flip paint but it is my pride and joy and the paint still costs a bomb.
I didn't witness it but one of my neighbours did. The driver didn't stop or leave details but the neighbour did get the number, colour and type of car.
So - what should I do next. I have taken a few photos of the damage and the position of the car on the street. I will get more in the morning when the light is better. I can get the number off the witness tommorow and I guess I should inform the police but is there anything else I can or should do?
Does anyone know the chances of getting the police to follow up? Is it illegal to drive off with out leaving details on the windscreen (like any honest person would do). Will my insurance chase the owner of the car and claim against them? Does having a witness help me at all?
I guess my only consellation is I have no claims protection.
Any advice is gratefully received.
They drove into the front wing and although I can't see any dents or structural damage, they have scratched about 2 foot length on the front and side! You would have thought they would have noticed. I have a Nissan Primera GT SE with flip paint. OK I know its not a TVR with flip paint but it is my pride and joy and the paint still costs a bomb.
I didn't witness it but one of my neighbours did. The driver didn't stop or leave details but the neighbour did get the number, colour and type of car.
So - what should I do next. I have taken a few photos of the damage and the position of the car on the street. I will get more in the morning when the light is better. I can get the number off the witness tommorow and I guess I should inform the police but is there anything else I can or should do?
Does anyone know the chances of getting the police to follow up? Is it illegal to drive off with out leaving details on the windscreen (like any honest person would do). Will my insurance chase the owner of the car and claim against them? Does having a witness help me at all?
I guess my only consellation is I have no claims protection.
Any advice is gratefully received.
Send the DVLA a nominal fee (£2.60 IIRC) and get their details (might be best to tell the DVLA that you want to contact them for a parking on private land dispute, they may get worried otherwise).
Then send them a polite letter accompanied by a quote from a bodyshop / sprayman for the repairs.
If you get no joy then give me a shout, my dad (a credit manager) uses a firm of solicitors who will do a LBA (letter before action) for £1.25 plus the vodka and tonic.
Then send them a polite letter accompanied by a quote from a bodyshop / sprayman for the repairs.
If you get no joy then give me a shout, my dad (a credit manager) uses a firm of solicitors who will do a LBA (letter before action) for £1.25 plus the vodka and tonic.
should deal. It's a big 
leaving the scene of an accident.Blairout is right.
Obligation on who hit you because damage caused to your vehicle was to STOP and give his details to any persons requiring. As non present duty to report to Police in 24 hrs.
Defence to fail to stop is that driver unaware of damage caused generally refuted by sound of an impact and damage caused. In your case as a scratch only involved may be his ace card.
You have photos, good, now secure your witness with the offenders VRM.
Consider:
That there can be no comeback as to where/how your vehicle was parked regarding law and possible unlit obstruction.
Reporting the matter to Plod and be persistent as they pay little heed to damage only accidents. Explain, offences apparently committed (may also be No Insurance etc) you want to get the drivers particulars so that if they will not take action then you want to.
If Plod no help, go the DVLA route as suggested to obtain Reg Keeper and approach either personally ( careful) or by letter (reg Post) with details damage caused witnessed (don't disclose name), estimate/cost for repairs. If he is not prepared to put the matter in the hands of his Insurance or pay up consider County Court Action in the small claims Court (up to 5,000 pounds). Sounds daunting but really simple and informal. CAB/County Court will advise procedure.
Keep originals of all paperwork etc..
Bear in mind however the possibilty that the Reg Keeper/person responsible may well be a person of straw
with no assets to stip should you get a judgement.
DVD
Obligation on who hit you because damage caused to your vehicle was to STOP and give his details to any persons requiring. As non present duty to report to Police in 24 hrs.
Defence to fail to stop is that driver unaware of damage caused generally refuted by sound of an impact and damage caused. In your case as a scratch only involved may be his ace card.
You have photos, good, now secure your witness with the offenders VRM.
Consider:
That there can be no comeback as to where/how your vehicle was parked regarding law and possible unlit obstruction.
Reporting the matter to Plod and be persistent as they pay little heed to damage only accidents. Explain, offences apparently committed (may also be No Insurance etc) you want to get the drivers particulars so that if they will not take action then you want to.
If Plod no help, go the DVLA route as suggested to obtain Reg Keeper and approach either personally ( careful) or by letter (reg Post) with details damage caused witnessed (don't disclose name), estimate/cost for repairs. If he is not prepared to put the matter in the hands of his Insurance or pay up consider County Court Action in the small claims Court (up to 5,000 pounds). Sounds daunting but really simple and informal. CAB/County Court will advise procedure.
Keep originals of all paperwork etc..
Bear in mind however the possibilty that the Reg Keeper/person responsible may well be a person of straw
with no assets to stip should you get a judgement.
DVD
I went further than getting the details from DVLA. I went round to the address and his vehicle was outside his house on the public highway. Took photos of the damage on his car and of my paint colour left on his black paintwork.
The photos showed an exact match to the damage on my car.
I did all this just in case he had the car repaired and then claimed he was not involved. Oh, and he left one of his hub caps which matched the three on his vehicle.
Insurance went for the scrote and got the money. Police were not interested.
The photos showed an exact match to the damage on my car.
I did all this just in case he had the car repaired and then claimed he was not involved. Oh, and he left one of his hub caps which matched the three on his vehicle.
Insurance went for the scrote and got the money. Police were not interested.
or pc CC? Hope you get the promotion soon DVD 
Thanks guys - very helpful.
My neighbour gave me more details today.
There is no way he didn't notice hitting my car. He had reversed into it. Set the car alarm off, Drove forward. Parked the car in the middle of the road. Walked past my car with the alarm still blaring before going to an other neighbours house. So the excuse of not noticing is out of the window.
The BiB looked at the damage and agreed that with the amount of paint and bumper scuff on my wing, it was obvious that my car was damaged.
The Bib were very helpful and positive about the whole thing. Given the evidence and witness, they think it has a very good chance of being proven.
Thanks again. A bit of a happier bunny now
My neighbour gave me more details today.
There is no way he didn't notice hitting my car. He had reversed into it. Set the car alarm off, Drove forward. Parked the car in the middle of the road. Walked past my car with the alarm still blaring before going to an other neighbours house. So the excuse of not noticing is out of the window.
The BiB looked at the damage and agreed that with the amount of paint and bumper scuff on my wing, it was obvious that my car was damaged.
The Bib were very helpful and positive about the whole thing. Given the evidence and witness, they think it has a very good chance of being proven.
Thanks again. A bit of a happier bunny now
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