Being charged following an accident
Discussion
Good afternoon all.
Just looking for some quick advice/insight please.
On Saturday I was involved in a car accident which was, to all intents and purposes, my fault. Very briefly, I was turning right out of a side road onto a fast A road and effectively pulled out onto another car which went in to the side of mine. Both cars a real mess, but fortunately no injuries at all.
Police and ambulance called, ambulance guys just checked everyone was OK and left. Police were there an hour or so, clearing the debris, arranging removal of both vehicles and redirecting traffic. I must say they all did an excellent job. Other driver and I swapped insurance details.
I think 4 officers were present, 2 guys who came first on motorbikes and sorted out the traffic etc and then another couple of guys turned up in a local patrol car (Astra).
Obviously they took names and addresses etc and a very quick outline of what had happened, but to be honest it was very obvious what had happened from where the cars had ended up. They also took some photos.
Once everything was cleared up we asked if we could go and they said no problem.
As no time was I cautioned nor was any mention made of any charges (driving without due care etc).
Just wondering if this means that they are not intending to bring charges or if this may this still follow? I understand that they have 6 months following an accident to do this, but just surprised no mention at all was made of this at the roadside?
Any thoughts?
Just looking for some quick advice/insight please.
On Saturday I was involved in a car accident which was, to all intents and purposes, my fault. Very briefly, I was turning right out of a side road onto a fast A road and effectively pulled out onto another car which went in to the side of mine. Both cars a real mess, but fortunately no injuries at all.
Police and ambulance called, ambulance guys just checked everyone was OK and left. Police were there an hour or so, clearing the debris, arranging removal of both vehicles and redirecting traffic. I must say they all did an excellent job. Other driver and I swapped insurance details.
I think 4 officers were present, 2 guys who came first on motorbikes and sorted out the traffic etc and then another couple of guys turned up in a local patrol car (Astra).
Obviously they took names and addresses etc and a very quick outline of what had happened, but to be honest it was very obvious what had happened from where the cars had ended up. They also took some photos.
Once everything was cleared up we asked if we could go and they said no problem.
As no time was I cautioned nor was any mention made of any charges (driving without due care etc).
Just wondering if this means that they are not intending to bring charges or if this may this still follow? I understand that they have 6 months following an accident to do this, but just surprised no mention at all was made of this at the roadside?
Any thoughts?
There appears to be no negative consequences to a crash unless there are injuries in this country.
Good new for OP, bad news for the millions of drivers inconvenienced by these idiots (sorry OP, not having a go - just jumping on my favourite band wagon).
At the very least they should have to go out for a drive with an advanced driver to see if they need some further training.
Good new for OP, bad news for the millions of drivers inconvenienced by these idiots (sorry OP, not having a go - just jumping on my favourite band wagon).
At the very least they should have to go out for a drive with an advanced driver to see if they need some further training.
You made a mistake and caused a collision.
You did not leave the scene
Presumably were not under the influence
So basically unless they can prove you were driving dangerously or without due care then it will be written off as an accident.
The police do not prosecute every avoidable accident so unless theres something you are not telling us you will only have the insurance headaches to deal with.
You did not leave the scene
Presumably were not under the influence
So basically unless they can prove you were driving dangerously or without due care then it will be written off as an accident.
The police do not prosecute every avoidable accident so unless theres something you are not telling us you will only have the insurance headaches to deal with.
Call them and ask if they're intending to take any further action or not. You calling them to ask won't change their internal processes and at least then you'll know for sure.
Sounds like they could go for careless driving from the way you describe it, but whether there is the resource or will to do so in a non-injury accident is another question altogether.
Sounds like they could go for careless driving from the way you describe it, but whether there is the resource or will to do so in a non-injury accident is another question altogether.
surveyor said:
There appears to be no negative consequences to a crash unless there are injuries in this country.
It depends on how you define negative consequences... loss of NCB, higher insurance premiums, arranging car hire/repairs/replacement, loss of confidence after driving? Unfair on the innocent party who are also inconvenienced, but at the end of the day everyone suffers from a lapse in concentration or error of judgement occasionally. Most of the time you get away with it, but sometimes 'accidents' do happen.OP - I wouldn't worry, the OH did a similar thing a while back. Confidence shaken a bit, and the hassle of replacing the car, plus a major case of guilt for disrupting the other party, but police put down as an accident and no follow up action.
(TBH it probably made her a better driver, now slightly more cautious and takes an extra second to check before pulling out)
dlockhart said:
So basically unless they can prove you were driving dangerously or without due care then it will be written off as an accident.
Pulling out into the path of another vehicle is a fairly good indication of driving without due care.But you're right in that they probably won't bother to prosecute.
My wife did almost exactly the same thing - hit one car and was bounced into a second car.
No injuries - Police and Ambulance attended - both very helpful to shocked wife...no charges for accident...usual hassle of insurance and replacing written off motor.
Don't be worried about consequenses - apart from financial of course.
BOF
No injuries - Police and Ambulance attended - both very helpful to shocked wife...no charges for accident...usual hassle of insurance and replacing written off motor.
Don't be worried about consequenses - apart from financial of course.
BOF
I think the main things to take from this are You're okay the car did its job and protected the squashy bit behind the wheel. The occupant(s) of the car you drove into are okay again their car did its job. Finally take it as a lesson you'll probably be a bit more attentive now as a result. It happens its why we have insurance even if it is expensive.
TooMany2cvs said:
dlockhart said:
So basically unless they can prove you were driving dangerously or without due care then it will be written off as an accident.
Pulling out into the path of another vehicle is a fairly good indication of driving without due care.But you're right in that they probably won't bother to prosecute.
I understand the Police only get involved if someone reports there's been an injury?
Or also in cases where the roads become blocked by damaged cars etc.
It was an accident. While careless
it's not like you come along doing 60 in a 30 and there was proof. The Police would likely have issued you something there and then, if they planned to do so.
I'd be more concerned by the 3rd party throwing the book at you a week or two down the line, then along comes a whiplash claim and your insurance company penalize you further.
You also have the consequences of an accident on your insurance, which will have an effect on your premium for a few years. Possibly affecting your no claims too....
Or also in cases where the roads become blocked by damaged cars etc.
It was an accident. While careless
it's not like you come along doing 60 in a 30 and there was proof. The Police would likely have issued you something there and then, if they planned to do so.I'd be more concerned by the 3rd party throwing the book at you a week or two down the line, then along comes a whiplash claim and your insurance company penalize you further.
You also have the consequences of an accident on your insurance, which will have an effect on your premium for a few years. Possibly affecting your no claims too....
OK, a typical PH response - thank you 
Firstly I am first to admit I have been an idiot; everyone I've told about this I have started with "I have been a complete idiot" - so no excuses there.
For some quick background, I am 45 years old and have been driving and riding bikes since I was 16. I am in no way doddery or infirm and considered myself(still do in fact) a good, safe and careful driver. I have driven approx 15/20K miles a year for the last 20 years without an accident. The junction is about a mile from my house and is a junction I have pulled out of (without incident) literally hundreds of times.
On the day in question I had my wife and 12 year old daughter with me. I was not in a hurry or showing off, I was not drunk or drug impaired; I had not even had a drink the night before. It was a momentarily lapse of concentration or misjudgment of a speed and/or distance. It was a stupid thing to do and I still feel sick when I think about it now. I am so relived no-one was hurt and yes, I am driving just a touch more carefully today and perhaps having a second, final glance when I pull away.
So thank you all for the helpful and well meant advice.
Anyone who is still up on their high horse, can you honestly say that in the next 20 years will not have the briefest moment of distraction, or misjudge a situation? Can you honestly GUARANTEE you will not have an accident that is your fault? Anyone who says yes to this can join me in the idiot club I think!!
Firstly I am first to admit I have been an idiot; everyone I've told about this I have started with "I have been a complete idiot" - so no excuses there.
For some quick background, I am 45 years old and have been driving and riding bikes since I was 16. I am in no way doddery or infirm and considered myself(still do in fact) a good, safe and careful driver. I have driven approx 15/20K miles a year for the last 20 years without an accident. The junction is about a mile from my house and is a junction I have pulled out of (without incident) literally hundreds of times.
On the day in question I had my wife and 12 year old daughter with me. I was not in a hurry or showing off, I was not drunk or drug impaired; I had not even had a drink the night before. It was a momentarily lapse of concentration or misjudgment of a speed and/or distance. It was a stupid thing to do and I still feel sick when I think about it now. I am so relived no-one was hurt and yes, I am driving just a touch more carefully today and perhaps having a second, final glance when I pull away.
So thank you all for the helpful and well meant advice.
Anyone who is still up on their high horse, can you honestly say that in the next 20 years will not have the briefest moment of distraction, or misjudge a situation? Can you honestly GUARANTEE you will not have an accident that is your fault? Anyone who says yes to this can join me in the idiot club I think!!
MEC said:
Anyone who is still up on their high horse, can you honestly say that in the next 20 years will not have the briefest moment of distraction, or misjudge a situation? Can you honestly GUARANTEE you will not have an accident that is your fault? Anyone who says yes to this can join me in the idiot club I think!!
100% Agreed.We are Human, to err is Human.
I would like to think that in the last almost 20 claim free years there has not been a single occasion when things did not go to plan. It would be a delusion though as i know that there have been at least a couple of occasions where the quick thinking of others has prevented an error of judgement by me becoming something much more serious. To restore the balance though there have been many occasions where I have prevented the f
kup of another becoming an accident!MEC said:
OK, a typical PH response - thank you
Firstly I am first to admit I have been an idiot; everyone I've told about this I have started with "I have been a complete idiot" - so no excuses there.
For some quick background, I am 45 years old and have been driving and riding bikes since I was 16. I am in no way doddery or infirm and considered myself(still do in fact) a good, safe and careful driver. I have driven approx 15/20K miles a year for the last 20 years without an accident. The junction is about a mile from my house and is a junction I have pulled out of (without incident) literally hundreds of times.
On the day in question I had my wife and 12 year old daughter with me. I was not in a hurry or showing off, I was not drunk or drug impaired; I had not even had a drink the night before. It was a momentarily lapse of concentration or misjudgment of a speed and/or distance. It was a stupid thing to do and I still feel sick when I think about it now. I am so relived no-one was hurt and yes, I am driving just a touch more carefully today and perhaps having a second, final glance when I pull away.
So thank you all for the helpful and well meant advice.
Anyone who is still up on their high horse, can you honestly say that in the next 20 years will not have the briefest moment of distraction, or misjudge a situation? Can you honestly GUARANTEE you will not have an accident that is your fault? Anyone who says yes to this can join me in the idiot club I think!!
We can all make mistakes. At least no-one was hurt and it's just bent metal.Firstly I am first to admit I have been an idiot; everyone I've told about this I have started with "I have been a complete idiot" - so no excuses there.
For some quick background, I am 45 years old and have been driving and riding bikes since I was 16. I am in no way doddery or infirm and considered myself(still do in fact) a good, safe and careful driver. I have driven approx 15/20K miles a year for the last 20 years without an accident. The junction is about a mile from my house and is a junction I have pulled out of (without incident) literally hundreds of times.
On the day in question I had my wife and 12 year old daughter with me. I was not in a hurry or showing off, I was not drunk or drug impaired; I had not even had a drink the night before. It was a momentarily lapse of concentration or misjudgment of a speed and/or distance. It was a stupid thing to do and I still feel sick when I think about it now. I am so relived no-one was hurt and yes, I am driving just a touch more carefully today and perhaps having a second, final glance when I pull away.
So thank you all for the helpful and well meant advice.
Anyone who is still up on their high horse, can you honestly say that in the next 20 years will not have the briefest moment of distraction, or misjudge a situation? Can you honestly GUARANTEE you will not have an accident that is your fault? Anyone who says yes to this can join me in the idiot club I think!!
It's an interesting post.
My 65 year old mother was involved in a single vehicle accident in which she clipped a traffic island at a local accident blackspot, lost control of her Citroen Estate and was launched into a bus shelter. No one was hurt, except some superficial injuries that she received. Driving well within the 40 mph limit, sober and transporting her two grandchildren. Police were on scene very quickly. Paramedics checked her out and found her to be Ok and we recovered the vehicle as the AA refused.
A little while later she was told that either she would have either have points and a fine (careless driving) or she must attend a driver awareness course - which she chose.
Was this a different outcome due to the potential of loss of life or something unique about the South West ?
As a footnote; she'd been driving previously for 48 years and subsequently for 7 years without any incidence. The traffic island has subsequently been redesigned with the edges being lowered drastically to prevent " clip & launch ".
My 65 year old mother was involved in a single vehicle accident in which she clipped a traffic island at a local accident blackspot, lost control of her Citroen Estate and was launched into a bus shelter. No one was hurt, except some superficial injuries that she received. Driving well within the 40 mph limit, sober and transporting her two grandchildren. Police were on scene very quickly. Paramedics checked her out and found her to be Ok and we recovered the vehicle as the AA refused.
A little while later she was told that either she would have either have points and a fine (careless driving) or she must attend a driver awareness course - which she chose.
Was this a different outcome due to the potential of loss of life or something unique about the South West ?
As a footnote; she'd been driving previously for 48 years and subsequently for 7 years without any incidence. The traffic island has subsequently been redesigned with the edges being lowered drastically to prevent " clip & launch ".
cologne2792 said:
It's an interesting post.
My 65 year old mother was involved in a single vehicle accident in which she clipped a traffic island at a local accident blackspot, lost control of her Citroen Estate and was launched into a bus shelter. No one was hurt, except some superficial injuries that she received. Driving well within the 40 mph limit, sober and transporting her two grandchildren. Police were on scene very quickly. Paramedics checked her out and found her to be Ok and we recovered the vehicle as the AA refused.
A little while later she was told that either she would have either have points and a fine (careless driving) or she must attend a driver awareness course - which she chose.
Was this a different outcome due to the potential of loss of life or something unique about the South West ?
As a footnote; she'd been driving previously for 48 years and subsequently for 7 years without any incidence. The traffic island has subsequently been redesigned with the edges being lowered drastically to prevent " clip & launch ".
There is a business plan at work here ...... sinister isn't it?My 65 year old mother was involved in a single vehicle accident in which she clipped a traffic island at a local accident blackspot, lost control of her Citroen Estate and was launched into a bus shelter. No one was hurt, except some superficial injuries that she received. Driving well within the 40 mph limit, sober and transporting her two grandchildren. Police were on scene very quickly. Paramedics checked her out and found her to be Ok and we recovered the vehicle as the AA refused.
A little while later she was told that either she would have either have points and a fine (careless driving) or she must attend a driver awareness course - which she chose.
Was this a different outcome due to the potential of loss of life or something unique about the South West ?
As a footnote; she'd been driving previously for 48 years and subsequently for 7 years without any incidence. The traffic island has subsequently been redesigned with the edges being lowered drastically to prevent " clip & launch ".
I've no idea whether or not you'll be reported for a due care offence or similar. The main thing is that although metal has been, the people involved are ok.
If you are asked for interview, make sure you have legal advice and speak to a solicitor beforehand. You don't necessarily need a solicitor with you for interview and going "no comment" MAY not be the best course of action for you personally (it may be, it may not be). Just make sure you get proper advice. Don't be interviewed without having at least spoken to a solicitor (it's an entitlement to be legally represented and if you are, it doesn't suggest guilt).
If you are asked for interview, make sure you have legal advice and speak to a solicitor beforehand. You don't necessarily need a solicitor with you for interview and going "no comment" MAY not be the best course of action for you personally (it may be, it may not be). Just make sure you get proper advice. Don't be interviewed without having at least spoken to a solicitor (it's an entitlement to be legally represented and if you are, it doesn't suggest guilt).
cologne2792 said:
It's an interesting post.
My 65 year old mother was involved in a single vehicle accident in which she clipped a traffic island at a local accident blackspot, lost control of her Citroen Estate and was launched into a bus shelter. No one was hurt, except some superficial injuries that she received. Driving well within the 40 mph limit, sober and transporting her two grandchildren. Police were on scene very quickly. Paramedics checked her out and found her to be Ok and we recovered the vehicle as the AA refused.
A little while later she was told that either she would have either have points and a fine (careless driving) or she must attend a driver awareness course - which she chose.
Was this a different outcome due to the potential of loss of life or something unique about the South West ?
As a footnote; she'd been driving previously for 48 years and subsequently for 7 years without any incidence. The traffic island has subsequently been redesigned with the edges being lowered drastically to prevent " clip & launch ".
Personally I think people over sixty should be punished a little harder than 25-55s as they are usually old dodderers who have not kept up with the changes in traffic. A lot cannot or do not do over shoulder checks, indicate or react quickley to changing situations and many should be taken off the road. They have bus passes and the roads would be a lot safer. Just as the young driver is jumped on.My 65 year old mother was involved in a single vehicle accident in which she clipped a traffic island at a local accident blackspot, lost control of her Citroen Estate and was launched into a bus shelter. No one was hurt, except some superficial injuries that she received. Driving well within the 40 mph limit, sober and transporting her two grandchildren. Police were on scene very quickly. Paramedics checked her out and found her to be Ok and we recovered the vehicle as the AA refused.
A little while later she was told that either she would have either have points and a fine (careless driving) or she must attend a driver awareness course - which she chose.
Was this a different outcome due to the potential of loss of life or something unique about the South West ?
As a footnote; she'd been driving previously for 48 years and subsequently for 7 years without any incidence. The traffic island has subsequently been redesigned with the edges being lowered drastically to prevent " clip & launch ".
I am sure your mother is a lovely woman but.....
As for the berk who thinks you should anticipate someone pulling out on you... well you would be stopping at every junction that joined the main if you thought everyone was a lemming about to jump.
I had a 55 year old side swipe me even though I had tooted my horn and moved to the other side of the road. She was driving forwards with good visability.
Pip
Dibble said:
I've no idea whether or not you'll be reported for a due care offence or similar. The main thing is that although metal has been, the people involved are ok.
If you are asked for interview, make sure you have legal advice and speak to a solicitor beforehand. You don't necessarily need a solicitor with you for interview and going "no comment" MAY not be the best course of action for you personally (it may be, it may not be). Just make sure you get proper advice. Don't be interviewed without having at least spoken to a solicitor (it's an entitlement to be legally represented and if you are, it doesn't suggest guilt).
Thank you.If you are asked for interview, make sure you have legal advice and speak to a solicitor beforehand. You don't necessarily need a solicitor with you for interview and going "no comment" MAY not be the best course of action for you personally (it may be, it may not be). Just make sure you get proper advice. Don't be interviewed without having at least spoken to a solicitor (it's an entitlement to be legally represented and if you are, it doesn't suggest guilt).
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff