A Bit Pissed Off

[D-Rider]

Rang the police ..... apparently I should have reported this within 24hrs of it happening:

• a) How was I supposed to know this?
  b) I was giving the woman every opportunity to contact me
  c) I was tied up all day yesterday as my wife and I were holding our annual Pink Party in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer (so far £1400 raised from the party and our "just giving" page) and got home late and knackered - otherwise I would have reported it yesterday

I'm also told that I can't report it over the phone but have to go to a police station to do it in person and that I must take my Driving License, MOT and Insurance with me .... which I can't do until tonight as I'm at work now and I'll need to pick up all these things from home .... So although I'm "late" in reporting it, I can't actually report it until later.

They also tell me it's up to my insurance company to trace the third party.

I was also holding off informing them until we've made contact with the 3rd party as I don't want this down as a claim on my policy if there is any trouble with the 3rd party - I'd just patch it up myself and live with the dents rather than loose NCD etc.
Should be fairly clear cut though as long as the 3rd party is traced properly.

[TC]

Typical Police response these days

Yes, technically you should have reported it as soon as practicable but in any case within 24 hours, but as you rightly say you were trying to do the third party a favour as the penalty carries a heavy fine and points and discretionary disqualification.

However, the fact that you have not reported it within the time frame to give her the opportunity to resolve the matter actually bodes well for you in your claim as the fact that she failed to stop and report or get back to you is good evidence to use against her.

Your insurers can certainly trace the third party vehicle details, but just be aware that if the htird party choose/fail to respond then it may be treated as an MIB claim under the untraced drivers agreement, and being damage only it will tale longer to settle and you will be liable for the first £250 of the claim as the excess.

[D-Rider]

Thanks TC - it's really good to have info from someone who knows the detail of this sort of thing.

TBH my biggest concern is that if she's not contacted me, she may lie through her teeth and claim it never happened - any damage to either vehicle being the result of something else. I only have my son as a witness (he was in the car with me). There was no-one in her car (other than her of course) .... but these fears are just jumping the gun - hopefully it'll resolve itself OK.

[BikerGran]

TC will correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the only time there was a requirement to report within 24 hours - or to report at all - was if someone was injured?

What you were reporting was that the other party failed to give her details - and you couldn't know that until a reasonable amount of time had passed for her to contact you.

[paddyz1]

Thanks TC - it's really good to have info from someone who knows the detail of this sort of thing.

TBH my biggest concern is that if she's not contacted me, she may lie through her teeth and claim it never happened - any damage to either vehicle being the result of something else. I only have my son as a witness (he was in the car with me). There was no-one in her car (other than her of course) .... but these fears are just jumping the gun - hopefully it'll resolve itself OK.

Well if she starts playing that game then i happened to be in the car behind her and it looked like she was trying to do something with her phone....

[Willopotomas]

In any case where I'm dealing with people I don't know, especially any form of incident where they may become out of pocket or otherwise, I don't trust a word of what comes out of their mouths. Mobile phones can be bought for less than £20 and sim cards for less than that where registration is an option. Land line numbers are easy to find, as are reg numbers, but to be 100% certain I'd be calling mine & their insurers at the scene. If the roads blocked, drive round the corner.. Or if that isn't possible, it's out with the camera phone for a few snaps before anything is moved.

Unfortunately, and I know how easy it can be done, adrenalin and shock take over and these things are forgotten or not even thought of until it's too late.

I do hope things get sorted. Really don't know how much more bad luck can fall on you.. There must be some good to come soon!

[Aladinsaneuk]

I don't move

I take photos on my mobile - damage, vehicles, number plates and the driver....

Then I call the police..... Having been caught by a lying bitch once - missEd me and my son by a matter of inches when she reversed in to an open door - I do not risk it now

Lying cow denied it even happened and tried to blame me - and despite witness statements that proved she did do it, she got away with it

I was absolutely gutted when her website for her business was hacked a few weeks later - some bastard photoshopped her into some awful scenes of bestiality. ( nothing to do with me I hasten to point out)

[Jadaris]

When some twat hit my car I rang the police and gave them the number plate and they chased it up, I'm still in dispute with the twat about the damage but the police did the initial work.

[blinkey501]

But the important bit. Was she good looking?

The answer to that is clearly subjective but the answer to the corrected version of your comment is a definite "NO"

But the important bit. Was she good AT looking?

Face like a welders bench eh

[flatlander]

I don't move

I take photos .... I was absolutely gutted when her website for her business was hacked a few weeks later - some bastard photoshopped her into some awful scenes of bestiality. ( nothing to do with me I hasten to point out)

The hacking or the ... oh never mind

[Samray]

[Aladinsaneuk]

Pleads the 5th

Bastard hacker even changed her log in so the website couldn't be changed


Anyone seen my wallaby? Cute, about yay tall wearing stockings and...

[D-Rider]

TBH I would have taken photos but I've just got a new phone and hadn't explored the camera feature so had a quick look at it and gave upgave up. Actually, it's really simple - I've now discovered but first play in the middle of a road junction that you are trying to unblock is less than ideal.

Also she was so apologetic and seemed genuinely sorry so assumed I'd be OK giving her my number. TBH I couldn't have given her my insurers contact details or insurance policy number as that's kept at home - so it seemed reasonable to assume she may be equally lacking in details at the scene.
Anyway, if people promise you they'll do something, surely it's reasonable to assume they are going to do it - I know I'd feel unbearably guilty if I let someone down like that.

Anyway, I did at least get her reg number and recorded that straight away.

I've been down to the police station tonight and filled out the form to report it - I now have an incident number. They say it will be passed on to the relevant department but may take some time.

Hey bilnkey - don't know what welders' benches look like round your way but round here they don't look as good as the girl in the car - there again I've never known a welder's bench to drive a car into me .....

[Kwackerz]

Anyway, if people promise you they'll do something, surely it's reasonable to assume they are going to do it .

You've never voted then...?

[BikerGran]

Anyway, if people promise you they'll do something, surely it's reasonable to assume they are going to do it - I know I'd feel unbearably guilty if I let someone down like that.
.....

...the triumph of hope over experience.......