Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Got a "Request for driver" from the Met yesterday - failure to stop at the scene of an accident and driving without due care and attention! This was for an alledged accident a few weeks back at the entrance to the Rotherhithe Tunnel...

I remember the "incident" well. I was coming out of a side road just before the filter right on Commercial Road. Rather than block 2 lanes of traffic and cut in to the queuing traffic there, I waited til the filter light went green then pulled out and ran up to the lights without interupting the flow and round into the tunnel approach road. I indicated to move into the tunnel lane and let the first car go past and started to move in expecting the car behind to allow me to merge in turn but they decided to try and not let me. By this time I was already quite over in their lane and they eventually gave way. No bang, no noise, no scrape. A toot of the horn to which I gave a thank you wave. Through the tunnel, no flashing lights, no attempt to get me to stop etc etc. When I got to where I was going, I notice a long scratch, which is not deep and will polish out no problem, about waist height along the passenger door.

So, I ring up the police to explain and apart from the fact that they said there were no independent witnesses so they won't be prosecuting anyway told me that the (mercedes driver) alledges broken wing-mirror, scratched/scraped wheel arch(es) and other dents! Looking at my car, I can see absolutely no sign of any scratches or scrapes (other than the wing-mirror one) anywhere on that side of my car that "might" have given rise to damaged wheel arches and dented bodywork

Looks like someone is trying it on - if nothing else, I have PLASTIC wheel arches that are unlikely to scrape paintwork... Time to take photos of my side of the car methinks. The other pain is that I have to report the "potential" of a claim to my insurers just in time for renewal, even if the person doesn't claim or over-inflates their claim. I can see a PI one coming too - speed? 2 or 3mph!

Miniman

iTrader: (2)

If the police aren't going to do anything and there are no witnesses, what is to stop you from simply denying it?

Our last neighbour dented and scratched my bumper. I'm 99% sure but I was not in the car at the time, I heard something and then looked out the window to see him looking round the back of his car (next to mine) and later after going out to the car I found the dent. He had gone out by then. Later I did challenge him and he simply denied it. It wasn't so bad and our relationship was not good, so I dropped it. But what could be done?

Or similarly what could be done for any dent or scratch I get and then just say the car next to me in Sainsbury's car park caused it, while providing the police with a VIN that was there last week while I happen to be shopping?

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

I anticipate the full might of the law coming down on you here whilst robbers, rapists & murderers carry on regardless in full knowledge that such a heinous crime takes precedence ...

TX.

SteveScooby

iTrader: (2)

But if it was the other way round, and your car had been damaged and the police didn't do anything then it'd be "police are useless, all the do is target people speeding" etc etc etc

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

And your point is

TX.

Leslie

Since the Merc driver was so ill mannered as to try to prevent you from joining the flow and is also clearly trying to fiddle a claim, I would be inclined to deny it all completely as you say. I doubt he would try to push it any further because of the police response.

Les