I hit a parked car - waited a long time and left.

Honest John Back Room » Legal matters
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Thu 2 Sep 2010 00:08
I hit a parked car - waited a long time and left. - xxxrecords

Last week I hit a parked car. I had stopped to get letters from the post person for my sons birthday just down the road from where I live. I felt a minor nudge, and got out. Saw two dents on the car - one small one, and one bigger one. Not sure which one I caused but there was no damage to my car. Anyway I got out - went the post person and got my letters and waited for another 5 minutes. In total I was there for at least 10 minutes - possibly longer. At the same time looking for a pen/paper. My wife + family was also in the car. Anyway - didnt have a pen and paper - as such, but I did however leave a crude note on a receipt (which is all I had!) in pencil - saying 'Sorry - could we do this out of insurance, and left my phone number.' I tucked it into the drivers windows 'rubber'.
Stupidly (thinking I'd done enough) I left because - I had a bowling lane booked for my sons birthday - so left and took him bowling & pizza hut. Actually saw the car going the other way on the way home - and turned round to chase it, but it had long gone.
Went back later on AND later on still - and again most days - but havent seen the car since. Fully intended to pay - and/or exchange details.... fully insured, etc.....
I was admittedly STUPID in hindsight for leaving - but having this never happened to me before, I figured I would either eventually catch up with the owner, or I'd get a letter....
5 days after the accident I get an insurance claim. Told them I was fully prepared to pay and can they let the other people know. Asked if there was problem - was told no.
Now I get a police letter saying I am being done for failure to stop and report, and driving without due care.
Isnt this a bit extreme? I go down this road every single day - plus I hung around for ages! Plus I left (an admittedly) small note?
Apparently there is a witness to the accident (though why they didnt come out when I was there for 10-15 minutes is beyond me!) - and I am guessing they made no mention of the note I left. I think I am guessing that part - as I am being done for 'failling to exchange details'?
What can I do?

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Thu 2 Sep 2010 07:30
I hit a parked car - waited a long time and left. - LucyBC

We always advise reporting these cases to the police within 24 hours if you were not able to exchange details with the driver at the scene.

However the fact that you waited and then left a note is the basis for a defence.

A witness usually tips off the owner with your registration number. The owner will then go to the police with a view to them providing your details. At that point the desk officer takes it as the reporting of two offences - failure to stop and failure to report. If they are being really officious they will throw in due care and attention as well. And then the wheels of justice start slowly turning.

These offences will result in a fine and penalty points if you are convicted but I have a colleague who specialises in getting these cases dropped before they go to court.

Please send your email and telephone contact details to asklucy@honestjohn.co.uk and I will get her to call you to undertake a free initial consultation.

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Thu 2 Sep 2010 08:23
I hit a parked car - waited a long time and left. - Dwight Van Driver

>>>Now I get a police letter saying I am being done for failure to stop and report, and driving without due care.
Isnt this a bit extreme? <<<<<

I would suspect the letter is in fact a Notice of Intended Prosecution which has to be sent in certain cases but in Accident cases is not necessary but often sent to advise a driver that Police are investigating the incident. It does not mean a Court appearance. I think you will find that Plod will be knocking on your door to get your account of the incident at which time you can state your actions as above. File will them be passed to CPS to see if they authorise prosecution for any offence committed. As Lucy states you may well have beans in your bag by waiting and placing the note.

dvd

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Thu 2 Sep 2010 13:46
I hit a parked car - waited a long time and left. - Ben 10

In this particular case, what a waste of time and money. The OP admits the biff, does the decent thing, offers to pay, but the wheels are in motion, and for what.

How about really coming down on THOSE that aren't insured.

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Sat 11 Sep 2010 13:46
I hit a parked car - waited a long time and left. - Problem_Polo :-/

I had an incident some time back, whereby my parked and unattended car was nudged and pushed backwards sufficiently to make contact with another parked vehicle behind. I was sure that my handbrake was wokring properly, but it was an old car so who knows... Anyway, this caused damage to the vehicle parked behind mine - though amazingly mine was somehow undamaged at the point where it had been nudged - and the car responsible was covered in dings anyway, no suprises, so it was a tricky situation. I came to my car the next morning to find it hard up against the car behind and with a note on the windscreen from the disgruntled owner. This was the first I knew of it all. Thankfully, the driver who had done the damage admitted liability once I had pointed out the situation to him, but by this time the matter had been reported, and I also ended up with a letter stating I was being done for Careless Driving, Failure to Report and, laughably, Failure to Stop - despite my car being parked in situ! Says it all really, overly eager plods with boxes that need to be ticked... Anyway, once an explanation had been given to the owner of the other damaged car, she informed the Police and the matter was dropped and dealt with through insurance. So, the upshot is, can the other driver in your case not simply inform the Police of the situation, and allow common sense to prevail?!

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Mon 13 Sep 2010 03:12
I hit a parked car - waited a long time and left. - LucyBC

Once the process has started it can be difficult to stop. We can normally get cases like this dropped but it usually requires extensive contact with the CPS, the consent of the third party and assurances that liability has been admitted and that the repairs are either in progress or have been undertaken

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Thu 19 Oct 2017 09:48
I hit a parked car - waited a long time and left. - mranonymous
Please can you message me your details I’m in a similar situation
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Thu 19 Oct 2017 09:48
I hit a parked car - waited a long time and left. - mranonymous
Hi Lucy please can you reply your friends details ASAP. I tried emailing that email address and it doesn’t work and I’m in an urgent situation.
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Thu 19 Oct 2017 11:57
I hit a parked car - waited a long time and left. - galileo
Hi Lucy please can you reply your friends details ASAP. I tried emailing that email address and it doesn’t work and I’m in an urgent situation.

Lucy has not been on the forum for several years: someone else may post advice but I would personally suggest a half hour consultation with a proper solicitor would be your best course of action.

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Thu 19 Oct 2017 12:32
I hit a parked car - waited a long time and left. - TedCrilly

Go to the police, tell them what happened and inform them of your actions. The Police will only take things further if they feel its in the public interest to prosecute and on the face of things you have done all that's reasonable. Ask them to find the other owner in touch and let your insurance company deal with it. Something similar happened with my late mother and it was sorted out this way with no drama.

Edited by TedCrilly on 19/10/2017 at 12:34

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