Hit from behind by van, recourse?

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Tue 11 Feb 2020 13:17
Hit from behind by van, recourse? - Leif

I was on the M4 on Saturday at noon and I heard a bang, checked my mirrors, and a large orange panel van that had been tailgating me had overtaken and hit my rear with its front bumper. Fortunately no damage to the metal work, but nice orange scratches on the bumper. I got its registration. Do I have any chance of any retribution given no witnesses? I assume not, but you never know.

I must admit that most drivers are okay, but you do get some idiots. There was not a lot I could do to avoid him even though I drive defensively. The recommendation with tailgaters is increase distance between you and the car in front.

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Tue 11 Feb 2020 15:43
Hit from behind by van, recourse? - Andrew-T

The recommendation with tailgaters is increase distance between you and the car in front.

Have you tried dabbing the brakes ? :-)

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Tue 11 Feb 2020 15:49
Hit from behind by van, recourse? - thunderbird

Do I have any chance of any retribution given no witnesses?

The driver of the van has committed a motoring offence by failing to stop following an accident.

You have their reg and a witness, the orange paint on your bumper.

Report to Police and hope they are prepared to do their job.

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Tue 11 Feb 2020 16:03
Hit from behind by van, recourse? - gordonbennet

Presumably a hit and run, in which case i would report it to the police, they probably won't do anything but if someone did witness the contact and rings it in, that puts you in the clear.

You could inform your insurer, even if they get no joy it won't do the reputation of the other driver any good, you never know there might be several such incidents from that reg number, but of course that means you'll have to say about this incident at every renewal for a few years.

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Tue 11 Feb 2020 16:35
Hit from behind by van, recourse? - Leif

The recommendation with tailgaters is increase distance between you and the car in front.

Have you tried dabbing the brakes ? :-)

Only when tailgated by a police car ...

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Tue 11 Feb 2020 16:58
Hit from behind by van, recourse? - Engineer Andy

A great reason why having both front and rear-facing dashcams is becoming a vital moroting tool. If they continue to come down in price, I'll get one, especially with all the 'crash-for-cash' gangs around nowadays.

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