Well, I am certainly not a regular wind up merchant. The stiff V&T in my hand at the moment which is calming my nerves at the mo, is testament to that!
Thank you for all your very helpful replies. I will get my car checked and learn from this lesson.
In retrospect, I still wouldn't have done anything differently in the same situation again though. As one of my friends just pointed out to me, it is better to get away with a damaged car (even if not my fault) and costs associated with this...and with my life...than with a knife in my back.
I do not exaggerate. I've lived in South London all 33 years of my life. All too often I hear of senseless stabbings for far less than this, and all growing ever closer to my home and people I personally know.
I'm sure it is not like this in all areas of the country, but tonight, I took a considered decision, and would take the same decision again. So please people, if you are caught in a motor vehicle/ road altercation, I would consider thinking of your safety, before considering your insurance claim.
Sadly, it is the way of the world. But really, what is more important?
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Well, I am certainly not a regular wind up merchant. >>
;-) The fact that you have replied is proof enough to me that you are genuine (the wind up merchants post once, never to return).
I will get my car checked and learn from this lesson. >>
Yes for peace of mind that is sensible, and IMO the action you took at the time was sensible too.
Hope that it turns out to be all OK and there is no real damage. Regardless IMO, you should NOT bother about reporting the accidents etc. to the Police.
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Regardless IMO you should NOT bother about reporting the accidents etc. to the Police.
Legally, you MUST report the accident.
also, as said above, the other party MAY come out of the woodwork, after reporting the accident to the police, telling them that you didnt stop, and did a runner......
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Legally, you MUST report the accident. >>
To the Police?
As you use CAPS (MUST), can you quote chapter and verse then.
[look it up here
www.dft.gov.uk/collisionreporting/reporting.asp ]
Edited by jbif on 29/09/2009 at 22:45
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Oh yes and BTW, for all the scaremongering such as: >> "the other party MAY come out of the woodwork, after reporting the accident to the police, telling them that you didnt stop, and did a runner....." >>
My view is, don't worry. Otherwise you might just as well worry that any damaged car that you drive by will have a dodgy geeezer in it waiting to note down your registration and your description - just so that they can then drive to a Police station and claim that at such and such time you damaged their car but failed to stop. Oh yes, and you will get hit by lightning while the dodgy geezer is filing that report.
Reminder about other laws you should not forget:
Don't forget to make sure that the people you employ to check/fix your car are not illegal immigrants - take a photocopy of their passport for your records. While you are reporting the accident to the Police, if you left your children at home with a friend [also applies if that is the case while you are having the car checked over], make sure the friend is CRB checked and registered as childminder too. So many laws just waiting to catch out the innocent motorist who gets a rear end shunt.
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>> Legally you MUST report the accident. >> To the Police? As you use CAPS (MUST) can you quote chapter and verse then. [look it up here www.dft.gov.uk/collisionreporting/reporting.asp ]
From quoted website...
Legal requirements
The law requires that if you have been the driver of a motor vehicle on a road involved in an accident resulting in injury or damage to another person's property or involving some types of animals, you, the driver, must stop and if required by any person having reasonable grounds, provide your name and address, insurance company and name and address of the owner of the vehicle you are driving and its registration mark.
If you do not provide these details, for whatever reason, you must, as soon as possible, and in any event within twenty-four hours of the accident, report the incident to a police officer or at a police station. For full details of the legal requirements consult section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
As I said, you 'must' report the accident ......(quote marks better than caps???)
Edited by the swiss tony on 29/09/2009 at 23:14
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You might as well report the accident, just in case there is any comeback from the other guy.
A single woman in a threatening situation is allowed a bit of leeway and clearing off sharpish falls into that category.
Reporting it within 24 hours or so demonstrates you've nothing to hide.
If you do pop into your police station, take your motoring documents because they will probably ask to see them.
Most unlikely you will ever hear anything about this again.
Worth getting the car looked at as others have said.
Could well be the car's shrugged off the shunt.
So just relax, have another VaT and sort it out in the morning.
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Are these people joking? A minor traffic shunt involving no damage won't seem much of an accident to some old bill clerk, forbidden to chainsmoke, sat in front of a typewriter and a long queue of crazed, logorrhoaeic toerags.
Best hope there isn't any hidden damage. There probably won't be. Even if there is there's nothing you can do because you didn't get the miscreant's number.
Don't bother the police without a good reason. They'll only spit in your eye, and quite right too.
Be prepared however for the miscreant to have spun a line to them causing them to come round to see you. You never know. But it doesn't seem likely in this case.
Does your car steer, corner and stop in the same way that it did before? If so don't worry. Have it looked at, but not by just anyone. Live your life. Be happy.
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Don't bother the police without a good reason. They'll only spit in your eye and quite right too.
For goodness sake!
From section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.....
''(1) This section applies in a case where, owing to the presence of a Mechanically Propelled Vehicle on a road or other public place, an accident occurs by which -
(a) personal injury is caused to a person other than the driver of that vehicle, or
(b) damage is caused - (snip)
(2) The driver of the mechanically propelled vehicle must stop and, if required to do so by any person having reasonable grounds for so requiring, give his name and address and also the name and address of the owner and the identification marks of the vehicle.
(3) If for any reason the driver of the mechanically propelled vehicle does not give his name and address under subsection (2) above, he must report the accident.
(4) A person who fails to comply with subsection (2) or (3) above is guilty of an offence.''
That to me, is reason enough to report it
Edited by the swiss tony on 30/09/2009 at 00:15
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...That to me, is reason enough to report it...
Yes, and the OP is obviously a bit concerned, so also for a bit of peace of mind.
The policeman, I mean civilianised desk person, will probably not be interested, but that is for them to decide, not for Lud or any other forum member.
One thing's for sure, they'll not be offended.
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Injury none. Damage trivial.
OK, good idea to ring them up and report it to get your name on the record in case of creative attacks by the other driver.
Then, forget it. If the car is damaged get it repaired.
Live your life. Be happy. Don't make a federal production of a minuscule traffic shunt. You'll only look and be an idiot.
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...Don't make a federal production of a minuscule traffic shunt. You'll only look and be an idiot...
Agreed, so it's just a case of ringing up or wandering into the nick and saying: "You'll probably not be interested, but...''
Get a note of who you spoke to.
Job done.
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Live your life. Be happy. Don't make a federal production of a minuscule traffic shunt. You'll only look and be an idiot.
agreed, life is too short to worry over everything, but where there is a danger, however small, of smelly brown stuff hitting rotating device, wear protective clothing!
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The laws says that you should report it if there is damage, but until she checks her car over there is no damage apart from a scratch that could have been there already
If there is any damage behind the bumper its only going to be cosmetic damage if it was a slight bump and its to late to worry about it, so I would just leave it
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>> (2) The driver of the mechanically propelled vehicle must stop and if required to do so by any person having reasonable grounds for so requiring give his name and address and also the name and address of the owner and the identification marks of the vehicle. (3) If for any reason the driver of the mechanically propelled vehicle does not give his name and address under subsection (2) above he must report the accident. (4) A person who fails to comply with subsection (2) or (3) above is guilty of an offence.'' That to me is reason enough to report it
But it doesn't say you have to report it. It only says you have to do so if asked by another person to give details and you are unable to do so. See subsection 2 above "if required to do so ..."
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I'm afraid Lud is almost certainly right that the Police will look at you in disbelief if you try to report this kind of shunt, which probably happens a thousand times every day. It happened to me in a traffic queue last Thursday and I'm trying to sort it out with the third party, who doesn't want to bother the insurance company etc etc.
However, my rear end shunt before this one involved being swiped by a LHD truck. I managed to pull the driver over, but he became argumentative, refused to give any details, backed up and drove off. I had the VRM and name of the company but the local police were very, very reluctant to accept a report from me and made it clear that they would not be taking any action.
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I'm afraid Lud is almost certainly right that the Police will look at you in disbelief if you try to report this kind of shunt which probably happens a thousand times every day. It happened to me in a traffic queue last Thursday and I'm trying to sort it out with the third party who doesn't want to bother the insurance company etc etc.
If there is any damage I would tell your insurer. Reason for this is if you need to get them involved later they might not want to
A couple of years ago my mum touched a car in a car park. A tiny scratch was the result which coat £200 to put right
A few months later a whip lash injury claim arrived for some law firm.
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Seems a bit pointless going to a police station when you can't give any details about the make or registration of the other vehicle.
I always carry a disposable camera in the glove box. Having a biff, especially unexpected is a shock to the system. People forget the trivial things necessary with minor shunts. They think the car is undamaged and want to clear the road or get home etc. Taking a few quick pics might cover some bases if you need to take it further.
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A women near me got biffed by another car about 14 months ago,it was plain to see it wasnt her fault and she was upset,i took a roll of film of both vehicles on my £1 camera,gave her my contact details and pointed to my place and left her to swap details with the arrogant male driver that swotted her.
As of this time i still havent had a thank you or a return of a free replacement camera
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I had the same experience a while back.
Two women on a RAB, one in wrong lane collided. I was waiting to get on RAB. I stopped and gave my details as a witness to the driver I thought was in the right. Received papers from her insurers and legal team. Completed and sent back. Never heard a word. Not a thanks from her or anything. Might think twice next time.
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Maybe it's a bloke thing then to thank someone, for taking the trouble.
Few years ago i witnessed a prang on the Gatwick 3 lane approach road, the guy in the middle lane suddenly braked indicated and turned right all in the same split second, cutting across another chap in the RH lane who couldn't posibly avoid him.
The chap who obviously caused the accident leapt out of his car and approached the other chap aggressively, now i don't normally get involved, but it was obvious there was going to be a dispute where there was no argument at all who was to blame.
So i stopped and wrote my details down and quietly handed them to the innocent driver to mutterings from the other chap.
In due course i had a phone call from the chap and a letter from his insurance company asking for details, followed by a very nice letter from the fellow, seems the other fellow had spun quite a different story...as is normally the case these days.
I fully understand and agree with the OP getting out of the place sharpish, thats why good insurance cover is so important, plus the other driver seldom does the decent thing.
What a horrible place we have allowed our lovely country to become.
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...plus the other driver seldom does the decent thing...
And from the unpleasant experiences on here, it seems a common tactic is to say you'll do the decent thing and do an about turn at the first opportunity.
That must be almost more galling and upsetting.
Think I'd rather be hit by a low-life in a twoc'd Fiesta who jumps out the car and legs it.
Least you know where you stand.
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Least you know where you stand.
Amen to that, some of these can do faster U'ees than a politician, unbelievable...no silly of me..;)
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I am really at pains to understand some of the logic within this thread:-(
Sec 170 states that the driver MUST report to Police within 24hrs if conditions are not satisfied at the scene. End of! Therefore there is a statutory requirement for the Police to make some record even if it is just opening and closing a log and providing a reference number. Its potentially your 'get out of jail card'.
This number can be used should you receive a visit someway down the line after all sorts of spurious allegations once compensation sets in. Remember there are deliberately staged rear end shunts with the sole purpose of scamming insurance companies big time.
OK the Police will not investigate the vast majority of cracked number plates and that's just the way it is but they may well investigate the report of a failure to stop/report/furnish details which potentially can result in DNA, fingerprints and photographs being taken - oh yes!
Insurance company also require informing 'for information only' for reasons give above.
Get car checked as it may have hidden damage which you will have to claim on your insurance for as you do not have other parties details.
So whilst there are those advocating that its making a mountain out of a molehill and 'chill out babe' I would urge you to think of what might happen , and I only say might.
Its called bottom covering.
Edited by Fullchat on 04/10/2009 at 13:10
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Fullchat - and others, isn't there some complete and utter pink fluffy dice posted on here and some downright useless advice? I really don't know why I read it or why someone would post on here looking for good advice. How is Helebelina supposed to sort the good from the bad?
Thanks, rant over!!!
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 04/10/2009 at 18:30
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... How is Helebelina supposed to sort the good from the bad?...
Well, I suppose if someone told her Fullchat is known to forum members as a serving police officer, she might conclude him to be expert in this matter.
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Fullchat - and others isn't there some complete and utter pink fluffy dice posted on here and some downright useless advice? I really don't know why I read it or why someone would post on here looking for good advice.
Exactly!
IMO this site is losing the plot at the moment!
someone quotes a website, but didnt bother to read what was stated on that website, I point out the relevant bits, including the reporting to police within 24 hours. I (and others) get told we are basically stupid to suggest reporting the accident (although by matter of any damage/injury - and there was, maybe only minor, as stated in the OP it was a legal requirement) and in any case, whiplash can take a few hours to come out.
what would be the OP's position if the other person did report it, and she didnt?
I know I would feel happier knowing I had covered my back....
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 04/10/2009 at 18:31
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