Miniman

iTrader: (2)

I'm looking for some assistance.

Last night (23/10/02 at about 17:45) I was on my way home from work, and pulled off the A3 going North at Esher and was waiting at the roundabout to pull out when someone ran into the back of me. I pulled off and started to get out, when he drives off back up onto the A3. So I started up after him fool that I am. Further up the A3 where is goes into 2 lanes coming up to Hook, he eventually stops and gets out.

I think we're going to resolve this but all I get is abuse, then he pulls away into traffic and he's gone.

I have reported it to the Police along with the registration number, so hopefully something will come of it. Not too sure what damage there is, bumper has some ceases and scrapes on it and the exhaust has been pushed back and creased where the u bend goes under the rear axle so its resting on the underbody and making a noise. But you sometimes hear about cars that look alright, but the crumple zones at the rear have given in.

Anyway, the point is that as we pulled over on the A3 near Hook, we pulled in front of an older Scoob, maybe a 1997/98, dark blue model. I'm hoping that the person that owns this car may read the forum (or maybe someone that knows him). At the moment because I pulled away from the junction I have no witnesses, its going to be my word against his (and his passenger), and assuming the car is not stolen or uninsured, I don't know how easily it will be to prove he did it.

The Scoob we pulled in front and stopped, will be able to back me up and say "yes they we're stopped at the side of the road". It was pretty obvious, because we were straddling the white line while slowing down for a hundred yards or so, because I was sure the guy wouldn't stop.

Anyway I'm kinda desperate, because otherwise I'll end up paying for an accident that was not my fault. I drive a 4 month old! MY02 WRX Blue Sports Wagon. If the person reads this or anyone knows them (driving North on the A3 on the 23/10/02 at 17:45), can they contact me on s_banfield@blueyonder.co.uk

Mods, sorry this was not in the Was That You forum, I wanted to get a wider audience.

Jolly Green Monster 2

Sorry to read this mate, I am afraid I am not a witness but if your car is 93-00 Classic shape I can lend you a tail box until the insurance sorts themselves out? Infact you can probably have it.

JGM

Hol

iTrader: (1)

Go back to where it happened and look for any traffic CCTV camera's from there and along the route you both took. It will place both cars in the vicinity at the same time and help your case.

Do it quick though as the tapes may get erased every day.

Passengers are NOT viewed as independent witnesses and all the police will do is force you both to go through insurers.

If a car does not stop and hits the one in front, it is normally viewed his fault. dont rely on that rule though.

Lunchie

Hook roundabout is my neck of the woods, but 'fraid it wasn't me in front of you. Good luck getting the 8astard though.

Lunchie

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Sorry to hear about this there are just some to55ers out there [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
If you have any paint on your bumper then i suggest you dont clean it off and get the cops to take some as evidence, then pester them every day until they sort it out (ive had this problem before, took them 1 month to find the car saying it was a ford escort that they had on their log whilst it was eventually the 8v golf mk2 gti [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img] )

Tony

ajm

I know this doesn't help you now, but someone told me some good advice, and that is keep a disposable camera in the car, then if someone hits you like this (assuming its safe to so so) you can jump out and take a quick picture of the back of your car including the front of his car and number plate. Also try and get a shot of both vehicles with a sign or feature in the back ground that places you at the spot. Then you can both move to somewhere that isn't blocking the traffic to discuss.

When they have seen you do this they are much less likely to try and do a runner.

Also take a note of the registration of any other vehicles that could have seen it, so if they don't stop to offer themselves as witnesses then your insurance company can track them down. In this day and age you really can't rely on ANY good will from anyone.

RLE

iTrader: (2)

Here's a good one for you mate. The same happened to me about six months ago. Stopped to let cars out of a left hand turn and this woman in a Saab 9000 starts thrashing her horn. The traffic in front of me hadn't moved due to traffic lights and I would have only been able to close say two car lengths if I'd have shifted up so I sat there.

Anyway more abuse follows and I start thinking this womans in a rush but eh I cant go anywhere. Next thing BANG...she's intentionally clouted me up the rear. Jumps out but keep calm as she's in her late fifties and she tells me its my fault. Guy in a corsa behind her says he's a witness and I start taking his details. Now the traffics moved so I pull my car in to the side of the road and yes you've guessed she drives off.

Basically went to the police with her reg number and they pull her details up immediately and try to call her. No answer. Send ME away with a producer before cautioning me and taking a statement and tell me they'll be in touch. Despite the testament of my witness they send me a letter 3 months later to tell me they will not be pursuing the matter and I'm left to recover the costs of damage through the small claims court. Ironic thing is they wont give me her details in case I look for "retribution". Guess I'll pay the £400 myself then!!

Sorry to hear about yours and hope your local police force are slighlty better than the idiots up here.

camk

There is also the physical damage to both cars...as proof...bets of luck

ajm

I would go after her in the courts nonetheless... b*tch like that needs to learn she can't get away with that sort of behaviour [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

mutant_matt

If the Police won't give you her details, how are you supposed to take her to court? [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

Matt.

ajm

I expect if you gave the details to your lawyer he would then get the police togive him the details... if they didn't then you take them to court too!

cwal1

If you have the registration and the person will not give you their details, get in touch with your insurance company and they will follow it up for you. They will be able to trace the owner and get the relevant details.

Good luck,

Chris.

Regacy

Make sure you do the same journey at the same time and in most cases you'll 'run into' them again.
I'd certainly be waiting for the Saab woman! ;-)

Miniman

iTrader: (2)

Problem I have is that I didn't stop to talk to people around me. I followed the person, so I don't really have a witness, so its even worse.

If they find the guy, even if the cars not stolen, he might not have insurance and then he might simply deny it. That's a lot of if's.

The car was an old Volvo (440 H reg). Its probably got a few dents on the bumper already and its a black plastic bumper so no paint left on my car.

There are no CCTV at the junction, I checked on the way home yesterday.

Basically I'm fecked. I can see me having to pay for this.

I accept that accidents happen, what annoys me more is that someone can drive into the back of me (when I'm in the car) and get away with it.

Lunchie

If you've got the full reg no you can at least get the exact type of car if you do an online insurance quote - fake name and address with actual reg no will tell you what car it should be on.
May help in some cases...

Lunchie

RLE

iTrader: (2)

I've put mine down to a very bad experience. I' actually a legal manager for a computer firm so know first hand how the courts work. Truth is costs are discretionary and I might end up paying more in solicitors fees than I recover.

Another thing that got my back up a bit was the polices attitude to this woman. They were more interested in how I spoke to her and basically said SHE DOES NOT have to stop if she doesn't think there's been any damage caused. They say its very difficult to prove who's done what damage on used cars and then there's the possibility that she feared for her safety hence why she drove off.

Why are policies geared towards protecting offenders??

Jolly Green Monster 2

But if she drove off due to fear then she should have reported it to the Police which is perfectly legal thing to do.. even it she reported it as your fault.

If she didn;t report it then it is failing to stop..



Why are the Police not interested?

JGM

Miniman

iTrader: (2)

Good idea Lunchie, I thought.

However -

"We are not able to retrieve vehicle details at this time. Rather than using your registration number, please enter details in the fields below."

Oooh dammit, that's not good. I do know tho that sometimes older cars are not on the databases that insurance companies use tho.

wrxmark

Did you report it as a failing to stop accident?
Was it recorded as such? IE do you have a reference number or expect to get one?
Which force did you report it to?
I would assume Surrey.
If yes then contact the traffic/process or whoever handles these matters. The switchboard will help you.
Then once you have a reference number pass this onto the insurance company. They will request a copy of the report and the keepers details of the index you gave police will be included, along with any enquires into the offence of failing to stop.
Normally a letter is sent to the registerd keeper which requires them by law to nominate the driver at the time of the alledged offence.
The whole system really depends on the DVLA and the honesty of other road users.
The abuse you were given doesn't really prove any offence under the circumstances. Although it would appear not help the person if they were found, as you would have a good description. And so it goes on.
Hope this helps

stevem2k

miniman,

there was a DBM 4 door parked up at the Hook shops tonight, W plate I think, high level spoiler. Was this the one you're looking for ? I think it's local.

Steve

DBM MY01 Wagon (also around chessington..don't forget to wave!)