Help with a minor crash.
Discussion
Hi all.
First off I shall say I won't go into all the details since it doesn't seem the brightest idea on a public forum, I shall however tell the important information truthfully (otherwise this is of no benefit to me!)
Yesterday I was involved in a minor, but unfortunately very expensive collision. I was heading one way up a hill, the other car driven by an old woman the other way. The road in question is a little narrower than usual, however 2 vans wouldn't have any real trouble passing one another at 30mph. Now I drive a wide car so I'm particularly cautious if there's something coming the other way, and low and behold the old woman coming the other way is in the middle of the road, with a good few feet between her and the wall on her left hand side that she could move into. Now I'm already as close to the curb on my side as I can be but realising what's about to happen sound my horn and stop the car but can't physically get out of the way. Completely oblivious to this she carries on down the middle of the road and clips the side of my car. The next bit is where it gets more interesting.
Since my car was stopped and the traffic around me was too, the first thing I did was get out of my car and take her number plate, just incase the worst happens. Thankfully she stops about 30 feet down the road, I pull my car off the carriageway and start walking towards her car but as soon as I start walking towards her she drives off. The car behind me has said he will be a witness but I only got the company name from the side of the car so I'm still trying to track him down.
Called 101 reported a fail to stop, they came out, took statements, trace her number plates, take evidence, etc. Now when asked if I was interested in pressing charges I told them no, I accept it was an accident by a woman who whilst she probably shouldn't be driving, is perfectly entitled to and all I want is my car repairing. They go around to her house, take her side of the story I imagine and then email me her details however she's obviously not admitting liability. Now this is what has really annoyed me, since we're often told how much more polite the older generation is I assumed it would be a nice open and closed case with her accepting liability and this could be ended ammicably. Now I'm a young driver so can't deal with the added premium that would be caused by her saying the crash was my fault (despite being stationary!) so I'm waiting to hear back from my solicitor about the best way to proceed. What I would like to know in the meantime is would it be possible to contact the officer who came out and tell her I would now like to press charges for failing to stop? It may make me somewhat bitter but I can't stand somebody lying - if you've caused something own up and take responsibility! Apologies for the rant but I needed to vent and thank you in advance for any helpful replies.
First off I shall say I won't go into all the details since it doesn't seem the brightest idea on a public forum, I shall however tell the important information truthfully (otherwise this is of no benefit to me!)
Yesterday I was involved in a minor, but unfortunately very expensive collision. I was heading one way up a hill, the other car driven by an old woman the other way. The road in question is a little narrower than usual, however 2 vans wouldn't have any real trouble passing one another at 30mph. Now I drive a wide car so I'm particularly cautious if there's something coming the other way, and low and behold the old woman coming the other way is in the middle of the road, with a good few feet between her and the wall on her left hand side that she could move into. Now I'm already as close to the curb on my side as I can be but realising what's about to happen sound my horn and stop the car but can't physically get out of the way. Completely oblivious to this she carries on down the middle of the road and clips the side of my car. The next bit is where it gets more interesting.
Since my car was stopped and the traffic around me was too, the first thing I did was get out of my car and take her number plate, just incase the worst happens. Thankfully she stops about 30 feet down the road, I pull my car off the carriageway and start walking towards her car but as soon as I start walking towards her she drives off. The car behind me has said he will be a witness but I only got the company name from the side of the car so I'm still trying to track him down.
Called 101 reported a fail to stop, they came out, took statements, trace her number plates, take evidence, etc. Now when asked if I was interested in pressing charges I told them no, I accept it was an accident by a woman who whilst she probably shouldn't be driving, is perfectly entitled to and all I want is my car repairing. They go around to her house, take her side of the story I imagine and then email me her details however she's obviously not admitting liability. Now this is what has really annoyed me, since we're often told how much more polite the older generation is I assumed it would be a nice open and closed case with her accepting liability and this could be ended ammicably. Now I'm a young driver so can't deal with the added premium that would be caused by her saying the crash was my fault (despite being stationary!) so I'm waiting to hear back from my solicitor about the best way to proceed. What I would like to know in the meantime is would it be possible to contact the officer who came out and tell her I would now like to press charges for failing to stop? It may make me somewhat bitter but I can't stand somebody lying - if you've caused something own up and take responsibility! Apologies for the rant but I needed to vent and thank you in advance for any helpful replies.
Some old people are lovely, some are a
holes.
I would imagine, looking on the sunny side, she maybe panicked and drove off.
But yes, she should be liable from your description, especially if you have a witness who can attest to this.
You could probably speak to the police again in regards to your case, explain how yes, you would now like to press charges.
Regarding legal action, nothing can be done.
Phone your insurance, they will repair the car, and they may then recover the costs from the third-party insurance but until then you will have a claim on your record.
Not nice but that's why we have insurance.
holes.I would imagine, looking on the sunny side, she maybe panicked and drove off.
But yes, she should be liable from your description, especially if you have a witness who can attest to this.
You could probably speak to the police again in regards to your case, explain how yes, you would now like to press charges.
Regarding legal action, nothing can be done.
Phone your insurance, they will repair the car, and they may then recover the costs from the third-party insurance but until then you will have a claim on your record.
Not nice but that's why we have insurance.
Thanks for the replies.
In terms of wether they prosecute her or not, I would have assumed that I wouldn't have a say in it however she asked me as it was a question for part of the paperwork. I can't comment on if this is the norm as I've never been involved in anything like this before now.
I have a meeting with my solicitor in the morning now so hopefully she may be able to point me in the right direction in terms of specifically how to deal with it. Thankfully my witness has just come forward too saying he's happy for me to pass his details on so with any luck it may still be nice and clear cut.
In terms of wether they prosecute her or not, I would have assumed that I wouldn't have a say in it however she asked me as it was a question for part of the paperwork. I can't comment on if this is the norm as I've never been involved in anything like this before now.
I have a meeting with my solicitor in the morning now so hopefully she may be able to point me in the right direction in terms of specifically how to deal with it. Thankfully my witness has just come forward too saying he's happy for me to pass his details on so with any luck it may still be nice and clear cut.
What details could you possibly have missed out here?
The only reason to miss out details is if they incriminate or identify you. Identification isn't really a thing any person would want, so there's no need to prefix your entire post with that odd statement.
This leaves us with incrimination. Were you drunk? Unlicensed? Stolen car? Seems unlikely since the police have attended and seem not to be going after you.
I saw a show recently which suggested that members of the public reporting road traffic incidents could select the manner in which they felt the incident ought to be sorted. Perhaps this is what the police are after. The decision to prosecute lies with the authorities, not the victim.
The only reason to miss out details is if they incriminate or identify you. Identification isn't really a thing any person would want, so there's no need to prefix your entire post with that odd statement.
This leaves us with incrimination. Were you drunk? Unlicensed? Stolen car? Seems unlikely since the police have attended and seem not to be going after you.
I saw a show recently which suggested that members of the public reporting road traffic incidents could select the manner in which they felt the incident ought to be sorted. Perhaps this is what the police are after. The decision to prosecute lies with the authorities, not the victim.
ferrariF50lover said:
What details could you possibly have missed out here?
The only reason to miss out details is if they incriminate or identify you. Identification isn't really a thing any person would want, so there's no need to prefix your entire post with that odd statement.
This leaves us with incrimination. Were you drunk? Unlicensed? Stolen car? Seems unlikely since the police have attended and seem not to be going after you.
I saw a show recently which suggested that members of the public reporting road traffic incidents could select the manner in which they felt the incident ought to be sorted. Perhaps this is what the police are after. The decision to prosecute lies with the authorities, not the victim.
I agree.The OPs post saID what happened but very strange he said at the beginning of his post "First off I shall say I won't go into all the details since it doesn't seem the brightest idea on a public forum".The only reason he would say that is that it would not be the brightest idea to incriminate myself on a public forum.The only reason to miss out details is if they incriminate or identify you. Identification isn't really a thing any person would want, so there's no need to prefix your entire post with that odd statement.
This leaves us with incrimination. Were you drunk? Unlicensed? Stolen car? Seems unlikely since the police have attended and seem not to be going after you.
I saw a show recently which suggested that members of the public reporting road traffic incidents could select the manner in which they felt the incident ought to be sorted. Perhaps this is what the police are after. The decision to prosecute lies with the authorities, not the victim.
You say there was someone who would be a witness for you but did not take his details? but as you have the name of the company on the side of his car should be easy to trace.Do that and tell your insurance company you have a witness and claim off the third party.
You say you cannot afford increased premiums yet have involved a solicitor when one is not needed at this stage.
I guess you had not been drinking otherwise you would have not called 101 but something does not add up and WE need to know all the facts.I hope you are not blaming a frail,little old lady just to protect youR NCB.
Edited by btcc123 on Monday 11th January 19:15
btcc123 said:
ferrariF50lover said:
What details could you possibly have missed out here?
The only reason to miss out details is if they incriminate or identify you. Identification isn't really a thing any person would want, so there's no need to prefix your entire post with that odd statement.
This leaves us with incrimination. Were you drunk? Unlicensed? Stolen car? Seems unlikely since the police have attended and seem not to be going after you.
I saw a show recently which suggested that members of the public reporting road traffic incidents could select the manner in which they felt the incident ought to be sorted. Perhaps this is what the police are after. The decision to prosecute lies with the authorities, not the victim.
I agree.The OPs post sayst what happened but very strange he said at the beginning of his post "First off I shall say I won't go into all the details since it doesn't seem the brightest idea on a public forum".The only reason he would say that is that it would not be the brightest idea to incriminate myself on a public forum.The only reason to miss out details is if they incriminate or identify you. Identification isn't really a thing any person would want, so there's no need to prefix your entire post with that odd statement.
This leaves us with incrimination. Were you drunk? Unlicensed? Stolen car? Seems unlikely since the police have attended and seem not to be going after you.
I saw a show recently which suggested that members of the public reporting road traffic incidents could select the manner in which they felt the incident ought to be sorted. Perhaps this is what the police are after. The decision to prosecute lies with the authorities, not the victim.
You say there was someone who would be a witness for you but did not take his details? but as you have the name of the company on the side of his car should be easy to trace.Do that and tell your insurance company you have a witness and claim off the third party.
You say you cannot afford increased premiums yet have involved a solicitor when one is not needed at this stage.
I guess you had not been drinking otherwise you would have not called 101 but something does not add up and need to know all the facts.I hope you are not blaming a frail,little old lady just to protect youR NCB.
Have a f
king word with yourselves, you pair of pricks.tumble dryer said:
btcc123 said:
ferrariF50lover said:
What details could you possibly have missed out here?
The only reason to miss out details is if they incriminate or identify you. Identification isn't really a thing any person would want, so there's no need to prefix your entire post with that odd statement.
This leaves us with incrimination. Were you drunk? Unlicensed? Stolen car? Seems unlikely since the police have attended and seem not to be going after you.
I saw a show recently which suggested that members of the public reporting road traffic incidents could select the manner in which they felt the incident ought to be sorted. Perhaps this is what the police are after. The decision to prosecute lies with the authorities, not the victim.
I agree.The OPs post sayst what happened but very strange he said at the beginning of his post "First off I shall say I won't go into all the details since it doesn't seem the brightest idea on a public forum".The only reason he would say that is that it would not be the brightest idea to incriminate myself on a public forum.The only reason to miss out details is if they incriminate or identify you. Identification isn't really a thing any person would want, so there's no need to prefix your entire post with that odd statement.
This leaves us with incrimination. Were you drunk? Unlicensed? Stolen car? Seems unlikely since the police have attended and seem not to be going after you.
I saw a show recently which suggested that members of the public reporting road traffic incidents could select the manner in which they felt the incident ought to be sorted. Perhaps this is what the police are after. The decision to prosecute lies with the authorities, not the victim.
You say there was someone who would be a witness for you but did not take his details? but as you have the name of the company on the side of his car should be easy to trace.Do that and tell your insurance company you have a witness and claim off the third party.
You say you cannot afford increased premiums yet have involved a solicitor when one is not needed at this stage.
I guess you had not been drinking otherwise you would have not called 101 but something does not add up and need to know all the facts.I hope you are not blaming a frail,little old lady just to protect youR NCB.
Have a f
king word with yourselves, you pair of pricks.t when they see one.750turbo said:
OP, daft question, but why do you need to get a solicitor involved as such an early stage?
Yep. Give the details to your insurer and let them deal with it. It's what you pay them for.Also, all the guff about driving an overly large car in the OP. If it's the one in the OP's profile it's not that big. Especially considering two vans could easily pass each other on that bit of road at 30mph.
Sorry my post seems to have been misinterpreted. The details I omitted were just things such as names, number plates that kind of thing - anything that would publically identify myself or the other driver. Nothing sinister behind it at all, it just doesn't seem a particularly good idea to put that out in the public domain.
As for questions of being drunk, unlicensed, in a stolen car etc - that's quite a leap to take from a statement that was simply meant to say I would leave out details that could identify me or the other driver. But to satisfy you, no I was completely sober, in my own car, taxed, MOT'd and with fully comp insurance.
As for the comment about members of the public reporting road accidents so that they could select the manner in which they could be sorted I'm not sure what else you're supposed to do.
Somebody crashes into you and drives off, it would strike me that the first thing to do would be to report it to the police.
Blaming a frail little old lady to protect myself, she crashes into me whilst I'm stationary and then drives off, no, protecting my NCB doesn't come into it.
I have managed to get in touch with the witness and he's said that he's happy for me to pass on his details to the insurance if she tries to deny liability.
As for the solicitor, it's on the advice of my Dad, simply to make sure that I take the best course of action. There's a lot of hearsay that seems to get spread around as truth when it comes to insurance. For the cost of an initial consultation I'd rather stomach the cost and know exactly where I stand with this all.
Hope this clarifies everything.
As for questions of being drunk, unlicensed, in a stolen car etc - that's quite a leap to take from a statement that was simply meant to say I would leave out details that could identify me or the other driver. But to satisfy you, no I was completely sober, in my own car, taxed, MOT'd and with fully comp insurance.
As for the comment about members of the public reporting road accidents so that they could select the manner in which they could be sorted I'm not sure what else you're supposed to do.
Somebody crashes into you and drives off, it would strike me that the first thing to do would be to report it to the police. Blaming a frail little old lady to protect myself, she crashes into me whilst I'm stationary and then drives off, no, protecting my NCB doesn't come into it.
I have managed to get in touch with the witness and he's said that he's happy for me to pass on his details to the insurance if she tries to deny liability.
As for the solicitor, it's on the advice of my Dad, simply to make sure that I take the best course of action. There's a lot of hearsay that seems to get spread around as truth when it comes to insurance. For the cost of an initial consultation I'd rather stomach the cost and know exactly where I stand with this all.
Hope this clarifies everything.
Roo said:
750turbo said:
OP, daft question, but why do you need to get a solicitor involved as such an early stage?
Yep. Give the details to your insurer and let them deal with it. It's what you pay them for.Also, all the guff about driving an overly large car in the OP. If it's the one in the OP's profile it's not that big. Especially considering two vans could easily pass each other on that bit of road at 30mph.
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