car park accident

[lilymarie]

When reversing into carpark space in supermarket, I caught the other cars bumper. No visable damaged, so didn't leave any details. Now three weeks later get a letter from insurance company saying I've been in a collision with vehicle and asking for my insurance details.

Somebody may have witnessed it and taken my reg.

What should I do

[NORMANTHEDOG]

Well you should have left your details,too many people dont,it cost me �300 last year,i hope there are lots of witnesses.

[scotstone]

There are too many poeple like you around who damage other people's cars and then clear off. I hope you get charged with leaving the scene of an accident and not reporting it to the police then maybe you will be a little more considerate in the future!

[andy-hughes]

The damage must be minimal, from your account of the bump, so write to the company saying you'd like to consider settling without affecting your no-claims bonus. You are not obliged to divulge your IC details - the incident was on private ground. Ask them what they assess as reparation for the damage, and if you consider it reasonable, pay up, if not, refer it you your insurance company.

[lady_p_gold]

If there was no damage and you had left your details then you would not have found yourself in this situation. Now it is open to interpretation as to what damage was caused.

[JudgeJ]

Just to clarify a point made by andy-hughes concerning the status of supermarket car parks. For the purposes of the various Road Traffic Acts they are not considered to be �private land� or �private places�. Car parks belonging to shops or shopping centres to which the public has unfettered access during opening hours are considered public roads.

Following an accident where either personal injury occurs or damage is caused to another vehicle, an animal or property, you must stop and exchange details with other interested parties. If you are unable to exchange details at the time you have a duty to report the matter to the police and it is an offence to fail to do so. This makes common sense. If your car is parked and is damaged without your knowledge you need to be able to trace the other driver. This is all provided for under the Road Traffic Act (1988) Section 170.

You can still settle the matter without recourse to your insurance company, but you are obliged to make your details available to other interested parties.

[spaced]

ignore what md0098 said. By ignoring letters for 3rd party insurers and solicitors will just put you in deeper trouble. Yes you are not obliged to disclose your details, but by not doing so suggests unwillingness to help, clear your name and make you look like your hiding something.

You SHOULD have left your details or waitied for the person to come out, at least then you could have advised them that you had a little accident but damage had occurred. Now they can just get any damage repaired on their vehicle and say you did it. You dont have any proof you didnt.

What I would do is speak to the supermarket and see if anything was cought on camera, if not, you could try and bla your way out of it as its the witnesses word against yours. let us know how you get on.

[lilymarie]

Thanks for all the advise, positive and negative. Totally agree, I should have left details, just stupid spur of the moment panic.

I contacted their insurance company and somebody had provided my car reg. I offered to settle without involving my insurance company. I have been lucky, she informed the insurance company that there was a small indent on the bumber and would get a quote from a garage. I'll update you with any further news.

[ianess]

lilymarie.....been following this thread with interest because the same thing happened to me a while ago. It's easy to panic under such circumstances but glad to see that the situation seems to be getting resolved without too much ill-feeling.
The joys of motoring!
JudgeJ I find to be usually spot-on with advice.
Best wishes.

[spaced]

mdoo, your'e out of your depth. Think about what your saying. Ima fleet manager and get this happening alot, so I now what the best course of action is.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

By the way,rating negative answers low,does that make you feel better ABOUT WHAT YOU DID,THINK ABOUT IT

[bambooshoots]

Judge what if it is say a NCP car park, council car park, leisure centre/private gym car park, pub/hotel/restaurant car park, petrol station car park. are there different rules cos you only mentioned shop car parks.

[auzrules]

Hi yes know exactly how you feel, the same thing happened to me in a carpark. Left my phone number and then drove off an eye witness took my number plate and reported it to the police whothen contacted me saying I left the scene of an accident and that they would charge me. I did have 24 hours to notify the police if no contact and then the police officer said that they had an eye witness who said that Idid'nt stop but I did and got out of my vehicle I also had a passenger who can state this. So what happens now I have just heard from the officer nearly 3 weeks after and he wants me to give another statement my husband said not to yet until he sees a solicitor. what do you think. very minimal damage.

[Brewster0101]

Last night I had a small collision in my private drive way with a youth. He used the drive way to turn around and when leaving he was driving to fast to stop in time before hitting me. Thankfully did no damage to my car but made a mess of his front body kit and radiator. We swoped numbers and names in case, I wasn't going to pursue as my car was ok. Anyhow he contacted me 24 hours later wanting to come to an agreement to cover his repairs. I told him I wouldn't and he would have to call the police to file and report first.

Anyhoo I contacted the police straight away after. Because it was a private road and it is sign posted as private, the police would not get involved. Police also advised insurance company would not get involved as it was private road. So it would come down to civil court - if the other driver pursued it.

Anyhoo, I did alot of research on line and the road traffic act seems flakey to what constitutes a private road and not. Because a car park has free access to the public then it is classed as a public road and therefore all rules apply.

So I would read it that you would have had to give details of insurance if requested, and also if you drive away from an incident in a car park you are guilty of breaking the law.

[Brewster0101]

Last night I had a small collision in my private drive way with a youth. He used the drive way to turn around and when leaving he was driving to fast to stop in time before hitting me. Thankfully did no damage to my car but made a mess of his front body kit and radiator. We swoped numbers and names incase, I wasn't going to pursue as my car was ok. Anyhow he contacted me 24 hours later wanting to come to an agreement to cover his repairs. I told him I wouldn't and he would have to call the police to file and report first.

Anyhoo I contacted the police straight away after. Because it was a private road and it is sign posted as private, the police would not get involved. Police also advised insurance company would not get involved as it was private road. So it would come down to civil court - if the other driver pursued it.

Anyhoo, I did alot of research on line and the road traffic act seems flakey to what constitutes a private road and not. Because a car park has free access to the public then it is classed as a public road and therefore all rules apply.

So I would read it that you would have had to give details of insurance if requested, and also if you drive away from an incident in a car park you are guilty of breaking the law.

[Rolley]

I was messing about in train station and hit bumper of a parked car with my car then panicked and drove out, went back and put my details on car, police were called, is this a civil matter and what will I be charged with, any help appreciated.