Minor traffic incident- driver drove off

Post 762175 by MaxTS on 2015-03-05 08:48:19

Hello, So the day before yesterday I was sat in a que of traffic at a set of red lights and the car behind decided to switch lanes, which is not a problem but had stopped too close behind be and just scuffed my rear bumper as he turned as i could feel the car move as he did it. So I pulled behind him as he obviously did not care what had happened when he heard me beep as he drove past and flashed to get him to pull over (lights still red so I put the handbrake on) still no response so I took a picture of his plate with my phone and when he saw the flash he decided to swear at me. I then thought right I will stay behind him because he maybe is trying to find a safe spot to pull over but no he just carried ongoing and continue to swear as I flashed so I gave up in the end as I was getting very frustrated and angry and thought something will end badly if I manage to get him to stop as the breaker bar in the boot sprang to mind (joking/not joking). I am now left with a small scuff on the corner of the bumper about 2" long which could very well polish out but given the fact that this car was mint before hand and those of you who know the car can justify so I just really want to make a claim and get this guy done for it. Should I make a claim through the insurance or go straight to the police as he drove away from an incident and swore which shows he knew what had happened? /rant over.

Post 762179 by c70geoff on 2015-03-05 09:11:00

Report him for failing to stop at incident then go to Insurance as u have leg to stand on

Post 762180 by Harvey on 2015-03-05 09:23:37

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=Jx_4VOeVM6aa7gazg4HgBA&url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/170&ved=0CCIQFjAB&usg=AFQjCNFmErDoVyU8V6yi7DiJttbXdZp2cA The driver has max of 24 hours to report it to the police & give a reason why he failed to stop. Trip to police station with photos of damage ,with any luck some of his paint colour on you bumper ,the police will give a reference number which you can give to you insurance at a later date if needed.

Post 762184 by MaxTS on 2015-03-05 09:56:09

Right I've reported him to the police and reported this to the insurance company. I hope this little weasel get's caught.

Post 762188 by stribo on 2015-03-05 10:26:10

I can't understand the front of some people, it's bad enough when someone hits your car whilst you're not in it and drives off, but to do it whilst you're in the car, beggars belief. I hope the scrote is made to pay dearly.

Post 762189 by Ettienne on 2015-03-05 10:30:17

He might not have known and thought you had road rage, you know what Pompey drivers are like lol. But you're get it sort with what you've done, may have done similar in the past.

Post 763089 by MaxTS on 2015-03-09 15:00:12

For anyone who's interested I received a letter from the Police basically saying they are not going to pursue this any further or assist me getting into contact of the hit and run driver due to it not being a valid cause. Glad to know that our Police are so helpful when it comes to things like this.... yes I understand that it is very minor but he hit my car, swore at me and failed to stop, surely must break some laws there!?

Post 763091 by kmb on 2015-03-09 15:29:30

The insurance will pursue it though and you can still use the police reference number?

Post 763095 by MaxTS on 2015-03-09 15:52:32

Trouble is is that they said not to bother as if he testifies it would be hard to prove (how I do not know as it was clear what happened). Might just have to take this on the chin.

Post 763220 by speedswede on 2015-03-10 09:15:47

The driver has failed to stop. Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act has not been complied with. Surprised to hear police response. Since you have his registration number, you could report to your insurance co. Check that he is insured, first, on AskMid (motor insurer database)

Post 763222 by jamesy12345 on 2015-03-10 09:39:07

[QUOTE=speedswede;763220]The driver has failed to stop. Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act has not been complied with. Surprised to hear police response. Since you have his registration number, you could report to your insurance co. Check that he is insured, first, on AskMid (motor insurer database)[/QUOTE] the Police just don't have time or can't be arsed with stuff like this. The only thing claiming through the insurance company will do is lose your no claims. Not good to say it but probably less pain fixing it yourself I've been in court with someone who bumped into me (he was using incorrect lane on roundabout) and it really is just a waste of time/effort/money when it's your word against his

Post 763223 by MaxTS on 2015-03-10 09:44:35

Yeah that is basically what the insurers have said and due t omy age my excess is quite high so she just said you are best off letting it slip unless the police can pull evidence but now they won't help. It's a right pain though that my almost perfect condition car has been left with a scuffed bumper due to some incompetent,useless excuse of a "driver" who cannot control his vehicle. I can only hope that karma bites him back.

Post 763224 by Stephen86 on 2015-03-10 09:55:47

If your excess is high because you are a young driver you are often better off fixing it privately. Police these days are more interested in arresting people over Twitter posts than dealing with issues people want them to. I had the same problem last year a taxi driver pulled out on me, I had to do some quick evasive handling and damaged my suspension in the process going into a curb highspeed and landing in a field (lol). The outcome would have been both cars written off and maybe injuries if I had rammed into the back of him at that speed. Nevertheless, the police didn't care.

Post 763225 by jamesy12345 on 2015-03-10 09:58:24

[QUOTE=MaxTS;763223]Yeah that is basically what the insurers have said and due t omy age my excess is quite high so she just said you are best off letting it slip unless the police can pull evidence but now they won't help. It's a right pain though that my almost perfect condition car has been left with a scuffed bumper due to some incompetent,useless excuse of a "driver" who cannot control his vehicle. I can only hope that karma bites him back.[/QUOTE] unfortunately mate the road (life?) is full of them. Karma police are more useful here I agree. You've done all you can just try not to feel bad about it Another example - my ex pinched my Land Rover & forged my signature in the log book. Informed the police, even got a copy of the forged signature from the DVLA....police not interested) I only got the thing back when she had crashed it (repaired on her insurance). Finance company didn't see the funny side and gave me 200 quid for it hehe

Post 763244 by speedswede on 2015-03-10 13:19:27

[QUOTE=jamesy12345;763222]I've been in court with someone who bumped into me (he was using incorrect lane on roundabout) and it really is just a waste of time/effort/money when it's your word against his[/QUOTE] Agreed. Which is why I have a dash cam fitted in my ovloV :cop:

Post 763245 by speedswede on 2015-03-10 13:21:04

[QUOTE=jamesy12345;763225] my ex pinched my Land Rover & forged my signature in the log book. Informed the police, even got a copy of the forged signature from the DVLA....police not interested)[/QUOTE] Really? From what you've said that is TWOC and fraud.

Post 763251 by jamesy12345 on 2015-03-10 13:38:02

[QUOTE=speedswede;763245]Really? From what you've said that is TWOC and fraud.[/QUOTE] Really really. Asked the insurance company about it, they checked with police also - not treat as a crime. She crashed it into a pick up carrying red diesel so hard it snapped an engine mount..on a Landie! she was very lucky [ATTACH=CONFIG]28349[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]28350[/ATTACH] That's not my signature btw))

Post 763254 by Doingitsideways on 2015-03-10 13:59:05

Range Rover Sport? Flash git! ;)

Post 763258 by jamesy12345 on 2015-03-10 14:13:03

[QUOTE=Doingitsideways;763254]Range Rover Sport? Flash git! ;)[/QUOTE] thought I'd told you about it? Or maybe I was too embarrased to say...on tick, anyone can get one Used to take it off roading it was crap although probably due to tyres Attachment

Post 763261 by Doingitsideways on 2015-03-10 14:49:48

Lol, no mate you didn't. Nice car, but yeah prob ££££e on the brown stuff 'cos of the tyres. Shame you didn't know me when I had my old Shogun, diff locks all round and fake General Grabbers. That thing would go anywhere! Shame what happened to it, but nothing surprises me any more about your ex Mrs.

Post 763264 by jamesy12345 on 2015-03-10 15:19:37

[QUOTE=Doingitsideways;763261]Lol, no mate you didn't. Nice car, but yeah prob ££££e on the brown stuff 'cos of the tyres. Shame you didn't know me when I had my old Shogun, diff locks all round and fake General Grabbers. That thing would go anywhere! Shame what happened to it, but nothing surprises me any more about your ex Mrs.[/QUOTE] Hehe yeah that's what the finance company said)) she has been known to browse this forum although she can't be reading it too hard as she has an early P2 now :D

Post 763268 by Doingitsideways on 2015-03-10 15:53:51

Bahahahahahaha! Bitch! ;) May her DIM fail in spectacular fashion!

Post 763271 by jamesy12345 on 2015-03-10 16:18:52

[QUOTE=Doingitsideways;763268]Bahahahahahaha! Bitch! ;) May her DIM fail in spectacular fashion![/QUOTE] lol...I made no recommendations about what car she should get....only a recommendation to GTF, although bought her an phase 1 S40 to get the bairn to school in, she made that disappear also - claiming it was scrapped due to being unsafe - reg was V814 MOB still on the road according to vehicle enquiry website I'm sorry Max I could write a book about this crap. The moral of the story is..er...stop driving a mint S70R about :D