Hit and run advice
Discussion
Need use power of the internet and seek some impartial advice - quite fresh as it all happened this morning. Without going into too much detail (no naming and shaming), my car, parked on the side of the road (correctly) got hit by a van which was parked at an angle (correctly) on the other side of the road. As it was reversing out of the space it hit side of my car leaving quite a big crease across door and front wheel arch panel, dent just below mirror and some damage on the mirror as it was forcibly closed.
Funnily enough they were picking up something from me, as I closed the door seeing them out I headed back home next thing I know my neighbor comes along saying that they hit my car and drove away. He didn't get registration number but I've got a reference for what they collected from me (appliance for repair). Phoned up the company, manager apparently spoke to the driver who claims he's not hit anything (surprise surprise) and they do not accept liability. They're still yet to get back to me with their insurance details, car registration number and name of the guy that was visiting me.
I called the police, filed a report and they're coming out later today to speak to me as hitting a car and driving away is criminal offence. My neighbor who was outside of his house saw the whole thing and is happy to speak to the police. Company claim they also have a witness (another guy in the car - there was 2 of them) who claims they did not hit anything.
Assuming police issues a report and my neighbor is happy to provide his testimony - what do I do next? I'm reluctant to speak to my insurance in the first instance as a) it will load up my premiums b) I have to fight to recover my excess c) they may not necessarily be very helpful to fight liability argument if other party denies it.
- Should I use one of the 3rd party companies to chase their insurer and claim hire car etc as mine is being repaired?
- Can I insist on it being repaired by BMW (even if they outsource it) so at least I can ensure that its done right even if it has to go back again (being pessimist based on stories of repairs i've read on here).
- Do i have no choice and have to go to my insurer?
- If police is involved - does the fact they drove away and I have a witness mean I can take them to small claims court as a last resort?
a little bit upset by the whole thing as its the first time someone damaged my car. Its M235i by the way so not Veyron but also not a 15 year old banger.
Funnily enough they were picking up something from me, as I closed the door seeing them out I headed back home next thing I know my neighbor comes along saying that they hit my car and drove away. He didn't get registration number but I've got a reference for what they collected from me (appliance for repair). Phoned up the company, manager apparently spoke to the driver who claims he's not hit anything (surprise surprise) and they do not accept liability. They're still yet to get back to me with their insurance details, car registration number and name of the guy that was visiting me.
I called the police, filed a report and they're coming out later today to speak to me as hitting a car and driving away is criminal offence. My neighbor who was outside of his house saw the whole thing and is happy to speak to the police. Company claim they also have a witness (another guy in the car - there was 2 of them) who claims they did not hit anything.
Assuming police issues a report and my neighbor is happy to provide his testimony - what do I do next? I'm reluctant to speak to my insurance in the first instance as a) it will load up my premiums b) I have to fight to recover my excess c) they may not necessarily be very helpful to fight liability argument if other party denies it.
- Should I use one of the 3rd party companies to chase their insurer and claim hire car etc as mine is being repaired?
- Can I insist on it being repaired by BMW (even if they outsource it) so at least I can ensure that its done right even if it has to go back again (being pessimist based on stories of repairs i've read on here).
- Do i have no choice and have to go to my insurer?
- If police is involved - does the fact they drove away and I have a witness mean I can take them to small claims court as a last resort?
a little bit upset by the whole thing as its the first time someone damaged my car. Its M235i by the way so not Veyron but also not a 15 year old banger.
The question is, if you'd discovered the damage and not had a clue who had caused it, would you be claiming off your own policy or sorting the damage out yourself from your own pocket.
If you would have claimed off your insurance, then do that, and leave them to try and make a recovery of their outlay from the tp or their insurers. Then you can also get your excess back. if they are unsuccessful, you haven't lost anything because you needed them to pay for it anyway.
If you would have paid yourself, get in touch with the tp or their insurers, with your witness info etc, and pursue the claim yourself, thru the small claims court ultimately if they won't play ball.
If you would have claimed off your insurance, then do that, and leave them to try and make a recovery of their outlay from the tp or their insurers. Then you can also get your excess back. if they are unsuccessful, you haven't lost anything because you needed them to pay for it anyway.
If you would have paid yourself, get in touch with the tp or their insurers, with your witness info etc, and pursue the claim yourself, thru the small claims court ultimately if they won't play ball.
why the hell would you be claiming of your insurance?!
Similar thing happened to me (But in a supermarket carpark)
I have not informed my insurance; why would I ?
I'm claiming (successfully) from the third party that hit my car - they are insured with LV who so far have been great
Given the damage to your car, surely there is some paint transfer & damage to the van that matches ?
Similar thing happened to me (But in a supermarket carpark)
I have not informed my insurance; why would I ?
I'm claiming (successfully) from the third party that hit my car - they are insured with LV who so far have been great
Given the damage to your car, surely there is some paint transfer & damage to the van that matches ?
red997 said:
why the hell would you be claiming of your insurance?!
Similar thing happened to me (But in a supermarket carpark)
I have not informed my insurance; why would I ?
I'm claiming (successfully) from the third party that hit my car - they are insured with LV who so far have been great
Given the damage to your car, surely there is some paint transfer & damage to the van that matches ?
When you say " similar thing happened to me", did the person who hit you deny all knowledge? If not, then a similar thing really didn't happen to you. Similar thing happened to me (But in a supermarket carpark)
I have not informed my insurance; why would I ?
I'm claiming (successfully) from the third party that hit my car - they are insured with LV who so far have been great
Given the damage to your car, surely there is some paint transfer & damage to the van that matches ?
Right, an update. Driver came back later in the afternoon, looked at my damage and back of their van, took some photos spoke to boss and came back saying they probably have done it and they are accepting liability. Given me his name and details for his boss and I will be contacting them this morning to get their insurance details.
I am in two minds whether to call them or let them call me because police have said if they do not provide insurance details within 24hrs they will have to follow up as it will become criminal offence. I know they only came back and eventually admitted liability because I had a witness. They had no intention to leave their details when it happened and i do not for a second believe they didn't feel their van hit my car.
Regardless of the outcome with the police, I now need to sort out the damage.
For servicing I normally use my local BMW dealer and apparently they provide some sort of accident management service. Should I use them or should I use someone like Europa who have been recommended on here?
If I do decide to use AMC, do I speak to them first or do I speak to third party insurance first?
I am in two minds whether to call them or let them call me because police have said if they do not provide insurance details within 24hrs they will have to follow up as it will become criminal offence. I know they only came back and eventually admitted liability because I had a witness. They had no intention to leave their details when it happened and i do not for a second believe they didn't feel their van hit my car.
Regardless of the outcome with the police, I now need to sort out the damage.
For servicing I normally use my local BMW dealer and apparently they provide some sort of accident management service. Should I use them or should I use someone like Europa who have been recommended on here?
If I do decide to use AMC, do I speak to them first or do I speak to third party insurance first?
I had my car hit by a removals van.
£6k damage, driver denied all liability claiming it wasn't him.
I had CCTV proof, which I issued to his insurance company, they then settled the claim through rules of subrogation, without needing him to accept liability.
They then paid a further £3k in diminished value, owing to the level of damage and the fact my car was only 2months old at the time.
On the CCTV footage, you can see the car move, hear the impact, it's clear as day. Not sure how well a witness story would stand up in the same circumstances.
£6k damage, driver denied all liability claiming it wasn't him.
I had CCTV proof, which I issued to his insurance company, they then settled the claim through rules of subrogation, without needing him to accept liability.
They then paid a further £3k in diminished value, owing to the level of damage and the fact my car was only 2months old at the time.
On the CCTV footage, you can see the car move, hear the impact, it's clear as day. Not sure how well a witness story would stand up in the same circumstances.
s4tronic said:
Right, an update. Driver came back later in the afternoon, looked at my damage and back of their van, took some photos spoke to boss and came back saying they probably have done it and they are accepting liability. Given me his name and details for his boss and I will be contacting them this morning to get their insurance details.
s4tronic said:
I am in two minds whether to call them or let them call me because police have said if they do not provide insurance details within 24hrs they will have to follow up as it will become criminal offence. I know they only came back and eventually admitted liability because I had a witness. They had no intention to leave their details when it happened and i do not for a second believe they didn't feel their van hit my car.
Why?
They don't HAVE to provide insurance details, it's not an injury collision.
Sec 170(5) RTA 1968.
s4tronic said:
Regardless of the outcome with the police, I now need to sort out the damage.
For servicing I normally use my local BMW dealer and apparently they provide some sort of accident management service. Should I use them or should I use someone like Europa who have been recommended on here?
If I do decide to use AMC, do I speak to them first or do I speak to third party insurance first?
If when you phone they give you insurance details (or you've got them from AskMID) you can phone them direct.For servicing I normally use my local BMW dealer and apparently they provide some sort of accident management service. Should I use them or should I use someone like Europa who have been recommended on here?
If I do decide to use AMC, do I speak to them first or do I speak to third party insurance first?
If not you can contact your insurance or AMC route.
Regardless eventually you'll have to declare it to your own insurer if not now come renewal time.
vonhosen said:
s4tronic said:
Right, an update. Driver came back later in the afternoon, looked at my damage and back of their van, took some photos spoke to boss and came back saying they probably have done it and they are accepting liability. Given me his name and details for his boss and I will be contacting them this morning to get their insurance details.
s4tronic said:
I am in two minds whether to call them or let them call me because police have said if they do not provide insurance details within 24hrs they will have to follow up as it will become criminal offence. I know they only came back and eventually admitted liability because I had a witness. They had no intention to leave their details when it happened and i do not for a second believe they didn't feel their van hit my car.
Why?
They don't HAVE to provide insurance details, it's not an injury collision.
Sec 170(5) RTA 1968.
s4tronic said:
Regardless of the outcome with the police, I now need to sort out the damage.
For servicing I normally use my local BMW dealer and apparently they provide some sort of accident management service. Should I use them or should I use someone like Europa who have been recommended on here?
If I do decide to use AMC, do I speak to them first or do I speak to third party insurance first?
If when you phone they give you insurance details (or you've got them from AskMID) you can phone them direct.For servicing I normally use my local BMW dealer and apparently they provide some sort of accident management service. Should I use them or should I use someone like Europa who have been recommended on here?
If I do decide to use AMC, do I speak to them first or do I speak to third party insurance first?
If not you can contact your insurance or AMC route.
Regardless eventually you'll have to declare it to your own insurer if not now come renewal time.
(1)This section applies in a case where, owing to the presence of a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place, an accident occurs by which—
(a)personal injury is caused to a person other than the driver of that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(b)damage is caused—
(2)The driver of the mechanically propelled vehicle must stop and, if required to do so by any person having reasonable grounds for so requiring, give his name and address and also the name and address of the owner and the identification marks of the vehicle.
John145 said:
vonhosen said:
s4tronic said:
Right, an update. Driver came back later in the afternoon, looked at my damage and back of their van, took some photos spoke to boss and came back saying they probably have done it and they are accepting liability. Given me his name and details for his boss and I will be contacting them this morning to get their insurance details.
s4tronic said:
I am in two minds whether to call them or let them call me because police have said if they do not provide insurance details within 24hrs they will have to follow up as it will become criminal offence. I know they only came back and eventually admitted liability because I had a witness. They had no intention to leave their details when it happened and i do not for a second believe they didn't feel their van hit my car.
Why?
They don't HAVE to provide insurance details, it's not an injury collision.
Sec 170(5) RTA 1968.
s4tronic said:
Regardless of the outcome with the police, I now need to sort out the damage.
For servicing I normally use my local BMW dealer and apparently they provide some sort of accident management service. Should I use them or should I use someone like Europa who have been recommended on here?
If I do decide to use AMC, do I speak to them first or do I speak to third party insurance first?
If when you phone they give you insurance details (or you've got them from AskMID) you can phone them direct.For servicing I normally use my local BMW dealer and apparently they provide some sort of accident management service. Should I use them or should I use someone like Europa who have been recommended on here?
If I do decide to use AMC, do I speak to them first or do I speak to third party insurance first?
If not you can contact your insurance or AMC route.
Regardless eventually you'll have to declare it to your own insurer if not now come renewal time.
(1)This section applies in a case where, owing to the presence of a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place, an accident occurs by which—
(a)personal injury is caused to a person other than the driver of that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(b)damage is caused—
(2)The driver of the mechanically propelled vehicle must stop and, if required to do so by any person having reasonable grounds for so requiring, give his name and address and also the name and address of the owner and the identification marks of the vehicle.
Indeed YOU should read it!
Where does it say insurance details are required to be furnished there?
That's right it doesn't.
The requirement for insurance details is in Sub Section (5) & only relates to cases where (1)(a) applies
ie personal injury to a person other than the driver.
So no insurance details are required to be provided, by law, in this case.
Edited by vonhosen on Wednesday 20th February 10:17
vonhosen said:
Indeed YOU should read it!
Where does it say insurance is required there?
That's right it doesn't.
The requirement for insurance details is in Sub Section (5) & only relates to cases where (1)(a) applies
ie personal injury to a person other than the driver.
So no insurance details are required to be provided in this case.
But at the moment as I understand it the driver hasn't provided any details.
John145 said:
vonhosen said:
Indeed YOU should read it!
Where does it say insurance is required there?
That's right it doesn't.
The requirement for insurance details is in Sub Section (5) & only relates to cases where (1)(a) applies
ie personal injury to a person other than the driver.
So no insurance details are required to be provided in this case.
But at the moment as I understand it the driver hasn't provided any details.
s4tronic said:
Right, an update. Driver came back later in the afternoon, looked at my damage and back of their van, took some photos spoke to boss and came back saying they probably have done it and they are accepting liability. Given me his name and details for his boss and I will be contacting them this morning to get their insurance details.
He has the reg number, the driver's details & the bosses.AS regards to OP dilemma on letting Police carry on a small story
Some time ago i was parked in my bus when there was a thump on my rear RH corner. and a wing mirror flew over the bus and landed in the road in front of me
Small van went past and failed to stop
Happened so quick no chance of getting reg
Few moments later a car pulled up and furnished me with details saying driver had stopped and was examining his damage NO wing mirror
Luckily bus had won over mirror
Went to Police and reported hit and run
Went back to work and a day or so later owner of firm came in pleading for us to drop it.
As he knew he had done some damage and not come back i stood my ground and said no,police also asked if i wanted to proceed and i said yes ( it was nice to use their stock 'What if' reasons as to why, small child old lady etc)
He went to court 200 fine and 7 points IIRC
So to OP it could have been someone not something and yes even in Transit you know if you have hit something HGV i will admit they might not!!
So let the bugger stew, it is a hard lesson, if you let him off next time it might be something more serious.
Back to pulling wings off flies!
Some time ago i was parked in my bus when there was a thump on my rear RH corner. and a wing mirror flew over the bus and landed in the road in front of me
Small van went past and failed to stop
Happened so quick no chance of getting reg
Few moments later a car pulled up and furnished me with details saying driver had stopped and was examining his damage NO wing mirror
Luckily bus had won over mirror
Went to Police and reported hit and run
Went back to work and a day or so later owner of firm came in pleading for us to drop it.
As he knew he had done some damage and not come back i stood my ground and said no,police also asked if i wanted to proceed and i said yes ( it was nice to use their stock 'What if' reasons as to why, small child old lady etc)
He went to court 200 fine and 7 points IIRC
So to OP it could have been someone not something and yes even in Transit you know if you have hit something HGV i will admit they might not!!
So let the bugger stew, it is a hard lesson, if you let him off next time it might be something more serious.
Back to pulling wings off flies!
I now have insurance details and they were now quite apologetic today (change from yesterdays conversations).
They asked me if I am happy to settle outside of insurance so I will get a quote from BMW bodyshop and let them make a call but if they are not happy to accept it then I will probably just use someone like Europa. BMW garage confirmed they provide AMC service as well so might use them?
They asked me if I am happy to settle outside of insurance so I will get a quote from BMW bodyshop and let them make a call but if they are not happy to accept it then I will probably just use someone like Europa. BMW garage confirmed they provide AMC service as well so might use them?
I've had similar happen and for all concerned as long as they are happy to pay up I just put the car into my preferred body shop and used there courtesy car and it was all dealt with. As soon as you get accident management companies involved costs go up and hire cars get talked about etc..
If the transport guys are sensible it will be in their interests to deal direct and just pay the bill..
If the transport guys are sensible it will be in their interests to deal direct and just pay the bill..
First time I have heard the police actually show some interest in hit and run then.
Twice in similar cases with parked cars and witnesses they have simply said to notify your insurance company and that they were not interested due to no injuries.
How come they seem to be handling it so correct in this instance and in other cases they don't want to know despite the guilty party doing a runner? If there is a way you can "force" that, I would love to know how if it ever happens again.
Twice in similar cases with parked cars and witnesses they have simply said to notify your insurance company and that they were not interested due to no injuries.
How come they seem to be handling it so correct in this instance and in other cases they don't want to know despite the guilty party doing a runner? If there is a way you can "force" that, I would love to know how if it ever happens again.
vonhosen said:
If when you phone they give you insurance details (or you've got them from AskMID) you can phone them direct.
If not you can contact your insurance or AMC route.
Regardless eventually you'll have to declare it to your own insurer if not now come renewal time.
There does not need to be an injury just damage is enough.If not you can contact your insurance or AMC route.
Regardless eventually you'll have to declare it to your own insurer if not now come renewal time.
kestral said:
vonhosen said:
If when you phone they give you insurance details (or you've got them from AskMID) you can phone them direct.
If not you can contact your insurance or AMC route.
Regardless eventually you'll have to declare it to your own insurer if not now come renewal time.
There does not need to be an injury just damage is enough.If not you can contact your insurance or AMC route.
Regardless eventually you'll have to declare it to your own insurer if not now come renewal time.
Not what I was by the looks of it.
s4tronic said:
I now have insurance details and they were now quite apologetic today (change from yesterdays conversations).
They asked me if I am happy to settle outside of insurance so I will get a quote from BMW bodyshop and let them make a call but if they are not happy to accept it then I will probably just use someone like Europa. BMW garage confirmed they provide AMC service as well so might use them?
Dealerships repair centres are known to be quite awful. Obviously can't comment on the one in question but work out whether it is best to go with them or a well respected local body shop and accident repairerThey asked me if I am happy to settle outside of insurance so I will get a quote from BMW bodyshop and let them make a call but if they are not happy to accept it then I will probably just use someone like Europa. BMW garage confirmed they provide AMC service as well so might use them?
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