Car pranged, driver refused to give details
Discussion
Sat in the car in Sainsbury's car park today, car reverses into me and gives the car a hefty mark/scratch right along the rear of the car pretty much end to end.
I'm guessing she was about to drive off, but stopped when she saw me getting out of the car. Refused to give any details whatsoever so I did the only sensible thing I could think of and photographed everything (her, her car, the damage etc). Unfortunately no witnesses.
What's the best course of action and am I likely to get anywhere with it? Only advice I can find is to report it at the police station, but I can't get there for days.
I'm guessing she was about to drive off, but stopped when she saw me getting out of the car. Refused to give any details whatsoever so I did the only sensible thing I could think of and photographed everything (her, her car, the damage etc). Unfortunately no witnesses.
What's the best course of action and am I likely to get anywhere with it? Only advice I can find is to report it at the police station, but I can't get there for days.
Askmid, get their insurers details (if insured) go straight to their insurer.
Send photos and explanation. Inform your insurer of the incident but state that you are Pursuing the third party insurers directly.
Similar happened to me except the third party vehicle was in contact with my car upon my return and occupant wasn’t anywhere to be found. I left note giving them 24hrs to contact me but they didn’t. Their insurer went ahead and repaired my car after 14 days of no response from their client.
Send photos and explanation. Inform your insurer of the incident but state that you are Pursuing the third party insurers directly.
Similar happened to me except the third party vehicle was in contact with my car upon my return and occupant wasn’t anywhere to be found. I left note giving them 24hrs to contact me but they didn’t. Their insurer went ahead and repaired my car after 14 days of no response from their client.
davamer23 said:
Askmid, get their insurers details (if insured) go straight to their insurer.
Send photos and explanation. Inform your insurer of the incident but state that you are Pursuing the third party insurers directly.
Similar happened to me except the third party vehicle was in contact with my car upon my return and occupant wasn’t anywhere to be found. I left note giving them 24hrs to contact me but they didn’t. Their insurer went ahead and repaired my car after 14 days of no response from their client.
Can of worms for the other party - in the event of admitting liability for an incident their policyholder failed to inform them of the insurer will have cancelled their policy and possibly even pursed them for the costs. Send photos and explanation. Inform your insurer of the incident but state that you are Pursuing the third party insurers directly.
Similar happened to me except the third party vehicle was in contact with my car upon my return and occupant wasn’t anywhere to be found. I left note giving them 24hrs to contact me but they didn’t. Their insurer went ahead and repaired my car after 14 days of no response from their client.
Thanks everyone. I forgot to mention that she thought 'it wasn't a problem as my car was old' (2008 Focus!) Cleaned it this evening and the damage is actually quite minor, surprised by that as it looked really scratched up, if it wasn't for her appalling attitude I might have let it go.
Her bumper was a state, came off quite badly given the relative lack of damage to mine.
Her bumper was a state, came off quite badly given the relative lack of damage to mine.
Here's the law about duties of drivers following an accident:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/secti...
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/secti...
Gavia said:
ElectricPics said:
Can of worms for the other party - in the event of admitting liability for an incident their policyholder failed to inform them of the insurer will have cancelled their policy and possibly even pursed them for the costs.
You’ve just made that up haven’t you?An insurer will never admit liability for an accident which their policyholder hasn't informed them about because they aren't aware of the accident circumstances and can't take the third party's story at face value. At a push, the would settle the third party claim on a without prejudice basis.
KungFuPanda said:
Gavia said:
ElectricPics said:
Can of worms for the other party - in the event of admitting liability for an incident their policyholder failed to inform them of the insurer will have cancelled their policy and possibly even pursed them for the costs.
You’ve just made that up haven’t you?An insurer will never admit liability for an accident which their policyholder hasn't informed them about because they aren't aware of the accident circumstances and can't take the third party's story at face value. At a push, the would settle the third party claim on a without prejudice basis.
Made up wibble.
In your scenario with or without prejudice doesn’t really matter as long as the claim gets settled. Most insurers accept that silence from their policyholder is an effective admission of fault, as anyone who wasn’t involved would be straight on the phone once the letter lands on their doorstep.
Similar accident happened to my niece with a small difference, 3-Rd party had left the car park and a note was left by a witness.
Went to policebwith reg and details was told can’t give name and address of keeper because of data protection. The police were told to stop blowing it out of their rear details released.
Attend keepers address and denial from keeper.
Police then so keeperfor driver, turns out to be keepers son.
Prosecuted for leaving scene and not reporting, fined, banned etc.
Keepers insurance pays up.
Keeper brings son to nieces house and he makes a sorry apology.
All could have been lost if it remained in the “too hard to bother with, I’m using DPA to fob the public off” box.
The registration of veihicles is made visible for a reason, and that is to ID someone who will have knowledge of it so...the DPA and PoFA are not to protect people from committing criminal acts.
Went to policebwith reg and details was told can’t give name and address of keeper because of data protection. The police were told to stop blowing it out of their rear details released.
Attend keepers address and denial from keeper.
Police then so keeperfor driver, turns out to be keepers son.
Prosecuted for leaving scene and not reporting, fined, banned etc.
Keepers insurance pays up.
Keeper brings son to nieces house and he makes a sorry apology.
All could have been lost if it remained in the “too hard to bother with, I’m using DPA to fob the public off” box.
The registration of veihicles is made visible for a reason, and that is to ID someone who will have knowledge of it so...the DPA and PoFA are not to protect people from committing criminal acts.
KungFuPanda said:
Sounds like it.
An insurer will never admit liability for an accident which their policyholder hasn't informed them about because they aren't aware of the accident circumstances and can't take the third party's story at face value. At a push, the would settle the third party claim on a without prejudice basis.
When I got ran over the TP insurer accepted liability even though their policyholder never reported or admitted it. Plenty of witnesses helpedAn insurer will never admit liability for an accident which their policyholder hasn't informed them about because they aren't aware of the accident circumstances and can't take the third party's story at face value. At a push, the would settle the third party claim on a without prejudice basis.
ukaskew said:
Thanks everyone. I forgot to mention that she thought 'it wasn't a problem as my car was old' (2008 Focus!) Cleaned it this evening and the damage is actually quite minor, surprised by that as it looked really scratched up, if it wasn't for her appalling attitude I might have let it go.
Her bumper was a state, came off quite badly given the relative lack of damage to mine.
it's this attitude that really pisses me off! You're missing the point love - it's MY old car!Her bumper was a state, came off quite badly given the relative lack of damage to mine.
davamer23 said:
Askmid, get their insurers details (if insured) go straight to their insurer.
Send photos and explanation. Inform your insurer of the incident but state that you are Pursuing the third party insurers directly.
Similar happened to me except the third party vehicle was in contact with my car upon my return and occupant wasn’t anywhere to be found. I left note giving them 24hrs to contact me but they didn’t. Their insurer went ahead and repaired my car after 14 days of no response from their client.
This.Send photos and explanation. Inform your insurer of the incident but state that you are Pursuing the third party insurers directly.
Similar happened to me except the third party vehicle was in contact with my car upon my return and occupant wasn’t anywhere to be found. I left note giving them 24hrs to contact me but they didn’t. Their insurer went ahead and repaired my car after 14 days of no response from their client.
I did exactly the same when I was deliberately side swiped by a Transit van driver who then refused to stop.
It took a bit of perseverance to get through to the right department in the third party insurer. But once there, I emailed the photo and video evidence and politely explained that I was holding them 100% responsible for the incident and would not be negotiating. They could either pay up, or deal with an accident management co.
They tried to contact their driver, who buried his head in the sand and didn't respond, then they agreed to pay up. I hope he was refused insurance when he tried to renew.
If you go via your insurance company you must accept that they could settle at something other than 100% fault. You'll probably also have to pay your excess for the repair with a vague promise of a refund if the other party are found liable.
irocfan said:
ukaskew said:
Thanks everyone. I forgot to mention that she thought 'it wasn't a problem as my car was old' (2008 Focus!) Cleaned it this evening and the damage is actually quite minor, surprised by that as it looked really scratched up, if it wasn't for her appalling attitude I might have let it go.
Her bumper was a state, came off quite badly given the relative lack of damage to mine.
it's this attitude that really pisses me off! You're missing the point love - it's MY old car!Her bumper was a state, came off quite badly given the relative lack of damage to mine.
Greendubber said:
irocfan said:
ukaskew said:
Thanks everyone. I forgot to mention that she thought 'it wasn't a problem as my car was old' (2008 Focus!) Cleaned it this evening and the damage is actually quite minor, surprised by that as it looked really scratched up, if it wasn't for her appalling attitude I might have let it go.
Her bumper was a state, came off quite badly given the relative lack of damage to mine.
it's this attitude that really pisses me off! You're missing the point love - it's MY old car!Her bumper was a state, came off quite badly given the relative lack of damage to mine.
I would worry about giving my personal details home address etc to a belligerent maybe violent individual at an accident scene. How vulnerable foes that make me & my family to an unsolicited visit?
Should the occasion arise I'd report my actions to the police asap & risk prosecution with the defence that I felt threatened.
Should the occasion arise I'd report my actions to the police asap & risk prosecution with the defence that I felt threatened.
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