My car got hit in a car park...and shock!! They left a note!
Discussion
Well, got back to a public pay & display car park after work this evening to find someone had decided to reverse into my driver's door!
The door is totally crumpled, and probably needs a new door panel in all honesty.
But the most shocking thing is that they actually left me a note without driving off!
Chap had left his address and home telephone number!
Well gave the guy a bell, and it turns out it was a young-ish lad (probably a new driver by the sounds of things), and managed to get his insurance details so will ring up the insurer tomorrow.
However, I am a little concerned about the situation having also spoken briefly with his dad.
Whilst the lad was apologetic, the dad seemed a bit.... how should I put it.... a bit in denial? He seemed to be doubting the validity of what happened, to the point that I'm a little worried that he may convince his son to contest the claim.
Does anybody have any advice/thoughts on this?
After all, I wasn't present at the time of the accident, there are no witnesses, and there is no CCTV by all accounts.
Although he left a note, all he wrote on it was his name, address and telephone..... no mention of actually admitting to hit my car. Does such a note constitute evidense of acceptance of liability?
If anyone has any advice it'd be much appreciated.
The door is totally crumpled, and probably needs a new door panel in all honesty.
But the most shocking thing is that they actually left me a note without driving off!
Chap had left his address and home telephone number!
Well gave the guy a bell, and it turns out it was a young-ish lad (probably a new driver by the sounds of things), and managed to get his insurance details so will ring up the insurer tomorrow.
However, I am a little concerned about the situation having also spoken briefly with his dad.
Whilst the lad was apologetic, the dad seemed a bit.... how should I put it.... a bit in denial? He seemed to be doubting the validity of what happened, to the point that I'm a little worried that he may convince his son to contest the claim.
Does anybody have any advice/thoughts on this?
After all, I wasn't present at the time of the accident, there are no witnesses, and there is no CCTV by all accounts.
Although he left a note, all he wrote on it was his name, address and telephone..... no mention of actually admitting to hit my car. Does such a note constitute evidense of acceptance of liability?
If anyone has any advice it'd be much appreciated.
I would also write him a polite letter thanking him for his honesty, complete with a photocopy of the note he left. I'd also include a brief summary of the phone call, again thanking him for giving you his insurance details, time and date logged.
Then I'd send a copy of that to my insurance company. Job done.
In terms of denial, whilst he didn't admit any to you, when you called him why else would he give you his insurance details. If he knew nothing of the accident I'm sure he'd just put the phone down.
Then I'd send a copy of that to my insurance company. Job done.
In terms of denial, whilst he didn't admit any to you, when you called him why else would he give you his insurance details. If he knew nothing of the accident I'm sure he'd just put the phone down.
dabofoppo said:
Tbh if the boys been that honest i would offer him the chance to pay for the damage outside of insurance. I know a lot of young guys (being one myself 
) who would have just drove off infact most would.
That's a really really good call!) who would have just drove off infact most would. He will be probably bum raped by his insurance company next year...
rottie102 said:
dabofoppo said:
Tbh if the boys been that honest i would offer him the chance to pay for the damage outside of insurance. I know a lot of young guys (being one myself ) who would have just drove off infact most would.
That's a really really good call!) who would have just drove off infact most would. He will be probably bum raped by his insurance company next year...
Cheers for the replies guys, you've kinda put my mind at ease.
First time in 6 years of driving I've had such an accident and is a new experience for me.
Feeling so devestated and utterly deflated. Was planning on giving the car a good wash at the weekend too but have had all motivation taken away.
Yes, it was good that he left a note, but I'm not gonna count my chickens until everything has been settled.
Regarding offering him the chance to settle out of insureance, I did try to steer the conversation with him that way, saying, "are you happy for me to go through the insurance then?" and he just said fine, so I left it at that!
First time in 6 years of driving I've had such an accident and is a new experience for me.
Feeling so devestated and utterly deflated. Was planning on giving the car a good wash at the weekend too but have had all motivation taken away.
Yes, it was good that he left a note, but I'm not gonna count my chickens until everything has been settled.
Regarding offering him the chance to settle out of insureance, I did try to steer the conversation with him that way, saying, "are you happy for me to go through the insurance then?" and he just said fine, so I left it at that!
dabofoppo said:
Tbh if the boys been that honest i would offer him the chance to pay for the damage outside of insurance. I know a lot of young guys (being one myself ) who would have just drove off infact most would.
This knowing what young driver policies are like it will most likely cost him less in the long run, you then also don't have a non fault claim on your record.) who would have just drove off infact most would. rottie102 said:
dabofoppo said:
Tbh if the boys been that honest i would offer him the chance to pay for the damage outside of insurance. I know a lot of young guys (being one myself ) who would have just drove off infact most would.
That's a really really good call!) who would have just drove off infact most would. He will be probably bum raped by his insurance company next year...
ikonic said:
Regarding offering him the chance to settle out of insureance, I did try to steer the conversation with him that way, saying, "are you happy for me to go through the insurance then?" and he just said fine, so I left it at that!
I had a simillar experience years ago... I hit a peugeot 406 in (whatever I had at the time) the excess was about £500 and I reckon the increase would have been £500 + so just said to the guy get it fixed and I will pay for it, he was a top guy and didn't charge me for a hire car etc just sent me a copy of the bill from the bodyshop which I sent him a cheque by return.
Yeah, I always give the option of letting the other driver pay for the repairs themselves before I bother their insurance. That being said though the 2 times I was crashed into were not too bad.
First one, a lady crash into the back of me (foot slipped off the clutch) and crack all my bumper. I took the bumper off myself, fixed it, and then had it resprayed. I just charged her for the re-spray (me taking it off and prepping it cost me nothing other than time) Came to £40 with mates rates.
Second one, a guy was fiddling with his radio, and again, straight into the back of me. smashed the zorst pipe through the backbox but no damage to the bumper strangley! Again I just went scrappy, got a new backbox for £30 and then collected it from him the next day.
Whilst yours is obviously going to be a lot more pricey than mine, the lad will end up paying back probably double in insurance premiums for the next 5 years so will appreciate you letting him pay.
Just be careful though, if he does not have the money to pay straight away or messes you about even a little bit then go straight to the insurance otherwise they will likely count it against you that you took so long to report it.
First one, a lady crash into the back of me (foot slipped off the clutch) and crack all my bumper. I took the bumper off myself, fixed it, and then had it resprayed. I just charged her for the re-spray (me taking it off and prepping it cost me nothing other than time) Came to £40 with mates rates.
Second one, a guy was fiddling with his radio, and again, straight into the back of me. smashed the zorst pipe through the backbox but no damage to the bumper strangley! Again I just went scrappy, got a new backbox for £30 and then collected it from him the next day.
Whilst yours is obviously going to be a lot more pricey than mine, the lad will end up paying back probably double in insurance premiums for the next 5 years so will appreciate you letting him pay.
Just be careful though, if he does not have the money to pay straight away or messes you about even a little bit then go straight to the insurance otherwise they will likely count it against you that you took so long to report it.
ymwoods said:
Yeah, I always give the option of letting the other driver pay for the repairs themselves before I bother their insurance. That being said though the 2 times I was crashed into were not too bad.
.....
Give that man a medal......
TBH, if that was me I would not have been that 'nice'. It's entirely reasonable to expect compensation for your time and effort. I would have tripled those figures you mentioned to allow for that. Or got the stuff fitted at the garage and passed on the cost.
Top karma points though
Edited by dave_s13 on Friday 11th June 09:15
I've been hit a few times while in my car (rear ended, shunted,...), but only once went trough insurance, when a young las totalled my brand new 159. 30k€ works better trough insurance .
Try to explain him that if the damage isn't that costly, he'll be better off just paying your bills.
Fair play to the guy, should give him some credit.
Oh and for the denial, it will be hard anyway, but it will be impossible if there is any evidence on his car... (cracked rear bumper, dented bootlid,...)
.Try to explain him that if the damage isn't that costly, he'll be better off just paying your bills.
Fair play to the guy, should give him some credit.
Oh and for the denial, it will be hard anyway, but it will be impossible if there is any evidence on his car... (cracked rear bumper, dented bootlid,...)
The "dad thing" is quite common; I've heard very often of people having very clear-cut no-fault accidents with either youngsters or girls - often admitted it was their fault at the scene.
Next thing their dad/husband is on the phone huffing and puffing that it's not their fault, get nothing off me etc etc.
Having a car accident brings out the very worst in people, I think.
Next thing their dad/husband is on the phone huffing and puffing that it's not their fault, get nothing off me etc etc.
Having a car accident brings out the very worst in people, I think.
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