Not getting correct details at an accident…
Discussion
I guess if he paid with a card at McDonald's then there'd be a paper trail back to him, though unlikely one which the law would be willing to exploit for such a minor incident. Also, "some cracked paint on the rear bumper" will likely be less to repair than the rise in your premiums if you claimed against him and had to declare a claim, even if it's a no fault one.
For context:
NorcyUK said:
So then… a car bumped into me at low speed while I was paying at a McDonald’s drive thru this evening.
We both pulled up at the end of the drive thru, he gave me his mobile number and name, but as I’ve never been in an accident before and I had already had a bit of a rough day by this point, I completely forgot to get any more details.
On the off chance that he was a decent person I contacted him soon afterwards to “double check” I had the correct registration plate, he obliged and gave me one that shows as invalid on an MOT check (what else should I expect).
I have already tried searching his name on Facebook/Instagram to try and validate the name he gave, but I was unsuccessful, so no doubt he’s also given me an incorrect name (again my fault for not asking to see his license).
I also went back to McDonalds and they have CCTV footage of the incident, but with an unclear image of the registration. They told me what they think the registration was (slightly differs from the one I was given by the driver) which showed as the correct make/model/colour of the car (this still shows as invalid when I do a check…).
Is it worth me trying to take this any further? The damage to my car is minimal, some cracked paint on the rear bumper. Or should I just take it on the chin as a learning curve to make sure I get all the information in any future incidents?
We both pulled up at the end of the drive thru, he gave me his mobile number and name, but as I’ve never been in an accident before and I had already had a bit of a rough day by this point, I completely forgot to get any more details.
On the off chance that he was a decent person I contacted him soon afterwards to “double check” I had the correct registration plate, he obliged and gave me one that shows as invalid on an MOT check (what else should I expect).
I have already tried searching his name on Facebook/Instagram to try and validate the name he gave, but I was unsuccessful, so no doubt he’s also given me an incorrect name (again my fault for not asking to see his license).
I also went back to McDonalds and they have CCTV footage of the incident, but with an unclear image of the registration. They told me what they think the registration was (slightly differs from the one I was given by the driver) which showed as the correct make/model/colour of the car (this still shows as invalid when I do a check…).
Is it worth me trying to take this any further? The damage to my car is minimal, some cracked paint on the rear bumper. Or should I just take it on the chin as a learning curve to make sure I get all the information in any future incidents?
I had something similar a few years ago. A guy lost it on a roundabout in his wreck of an E46 323 and side swiped my newly painted and corrected E46 M3 I was gutted. Wing wheel and bumper damaged.
Got a name, took pics etc, turns out it was on false plates and the guy gave me a fake name. Reported it to the police but they weren’t hugely helpful and I ended up paying for the repairs myself.
Got a name, took pics etc, turns out it was on false plates and the guy gave me a fake name. Reported it to the police but they weren’t hugely helpful and I ended up paying for the repairs myself.
Academic now, but back in the day we used to keep 'Accident Packs' in the glovebox of all our company vehicles.
Each pack contained a pen, a pre-printed card with boxes to enable all necessary info to be completed, witness details, chalk, a tape, even a disposable camera (gives an idea how long ago this was !).
They paid for themselves many times over.
Each pack contained a pen, a pre-printed card with boxes to enable all necessary info to be completed, witness details, chalk, a tape, even a disposable camera (gives an idea how long ago this was !).
They paid for themselves many times over.
martin mrt said:
I had something similar a few years ago. A guy lost it on a roundabout in his wreck of an E46 323 and side swiped my newly painted and corrected E46 M3 I was gutted. Wing wheel and bumper damaged.
Got a name, took pics etc, turns out it was on false plates and the guy gave me a fake name. Reported it to the police but they weren’t hugely helpful and I ended up paying for the repairs myself.
False plates and a fake name. What are the police to do with that??Got a name, took pics etc, turns out it was on false plates and the guy gave me a fake name. Reported it to the police but they weren’t hugely helpful and I ended up paying for the repairs myself.
Nibbles_bits said:
martin mrt said:
I had something similar a few years ago. A guy lost it on a roundabout in his wreck of an E46 323 and side swiped my newly painted and corrected E46 M3 I was gutted. Wing wheel and bumper damaged.
Got a name, took pics etc, turns out it was on false plates and the guy gave me a fake name. Reported it to the police but they weren’t hugely helpful and I ended up paying for the repairs myself.
False plates and a fake name. What are the police to do with that??Got a name, took pics etc, turns out it was on false plates and the guy gave me a fake name. Reported it to the police but they weren’t hugely helpful and I ended up paying for the repairs myself.
CraigyMc said:
If you're in a crash in future, get a photo of the drivers license.
They might not let you but if they do, it is much easier.
Be surprised if many drivers carry theirs with them .They might not let you but if they do, it is much easier.
Maybe if young for age verification reasons , but mine very rarely leaves it's resting place in the bottom of a draw.
rigga said:
CraigyMc said:
If you're in a crash in future, get a photo of the drivers license.
They might not let you but if they do, it is much easier.
Be surprised if many drivers carry theirs with them .They might not let you but if they do, it is much easier.
Maybe if young for age verification reasons , but mine very rarely leaves it's resting place in the bottom of a draw.
The last time a van driver drove into my car was 2019, I took a photo of his license on the spot.
He turned out to be uninsured, so why he agreed to show me his license I don't know. I happened to be insured with the nautical themed company at the time, and they have an uninsured drivers guarantee so paid me back all my costs including subsequent premium changes to make good when they couldn't claim off him. It took a couple of years to unpick.
CraigyMc said:
The word is drawer.
The last time a van driver drove into my car was 2019, I took a photo of his license on the spot.
He turned out to be uninsured, so why he agreed to show me his license I don't know. I happened to be insured with the nautical themed company at the time, and they have an uninsured drivers guarantee so paid me back all my costs including subsequent premium changes to make good when they couldn't claim off him. It took a couple of years to unpick.
The word is licence. The last time a van driver drove into my car was 2019, I took a photo of his license on the spot.
He turned out to be uninsured, so why he agreed to show me his license I don't know. I happened to be insured with the nautical themed company at the time, and they have an uninsured drivers guarantee so paid me back all my costs including subsequent premium changes to make good when they couldn't claim off him. It took a couple of years to unpick.
I got hit buy an uninsured driver (I didn't know at the time of the incident but when I checked the plate online later it was clear).
Clown reversed into me at high speed, exchanged details I took a zillion photo's, took his number (dead number).
Went to the Police and went to my Insurance Company, fortunately the Insurance caught up with him and he had to pay for the damage in instalments as I understand it.
Either way OP, its a harsh lesson learned. A dashcam (front and rear) would have spared you some pain.
Clown reversed into me at high speed, exchanged details I took a zillion photo's, took his number (dead number).
Went to the Police and went to my Insurance Company, fortunately the Insurance caught up with him and he had to pay for the damage in instalments as I understand it.
Either way OP, its a harsh lesson learned. A dashcam (front and rear) would have spared you some pain.
Sebring440 said:
For context:
Thanks for quoting. Why people feel the need to seek information from others on here, then fNorcyUK said:
So then… a car bumped into me at low speed while I was paying at a McDonald’s drive thru this evening.
We both pulled up at the end of the drive thru, he gave me his mobile number and name, but as I’ve never been in an accident before and I had already had a bit of a rough day by this point, I completely forgot to get any more details.
On the off chance that he was a decent person I contacted him soon afterwards to “double check” I had the correct registration plate, he obliged and gave me one that shows as invalid on an MOT check (what else should I expect).
I have already tried searching his name on Facebook/Instagram to try and validate the name he gave, but I was unsuccessful, so no doubt he’s also given me an incorrect name (again my fault for not asking to see his license).
I also went back to McDonalds and they have CCTV footage of the incident, but with an unclear image of the registration. They told me what they think the registration was (slightly differs from the one I was given by the driver) which showed as the correct make/model/colour of the car (this still shows as invalid when I do a check…).
Is it worth me trying to take this any further? The damage to my car is minimal, some cracked paint on the rear bumper. Or should I just take it on the chin as a learning curve to make sure I get all the information in any future incidents?
We both pulled up at the end of the drive thru, he gave me his mobile number and name, but as I’ve never been in an accident before and I had already had a bit of a rough day by this point, I completely forgot to get any more details.
On the off chance that he was a decent person I contacted him soon afterwards to “double check” I had the correct registration plate, he obliged and gave me one that shows as invalid on an MOT check (what else should I expect).
I have already tried searching his name on Facebook/Instagram to try and validate the name he gave, but I was unsuccessful, so no doubt he’s also given me an incorrect name (again my fault for not asking to see his license).
I also went back to McDonalds and they have CCTV footage of the incident, but with an unclear image of the registration. They told me what they think the registration was (slightly differs from the one I was given by the driver) which showed as the correct make/model/colour of the car (this still shows as invalid when I do a check…).
Is it worth me trying to take this any further? The damage to my car is minimal, some cracked paint on the rear bumper. Or should I just take it on the chin as a learning curve to make sure I get all the information in any future incidents?
k off and delete their message when they've got the answer is just odd and completely pointless.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff