I'm not gonna relate me stories as I get quite angry even now.
But now I have a disposable camera in the glovebox of all my cars.

 

I also have a disposable camera in my car. Take a picture of the driver as well as the car. They can hardly deny being there then!

I had an incident where someone pulled out in front of me from a side road. We pulled over and I got the details of the other car and driver. When I couldn't contact the other driver by phone (no such number), I reported it to the Police. They told me the reg was a dud and there was nothing they could do!!! I also discovered the address I was given didn't exist. Luckily the car was my sister's company car so I wasn't that bothered (she was though!).

I have heard numerous other stories of people getting away with stuff by driving away (even running a cyclist over) in an unregistered car. It seems for the lawless it is a doddle avoiding the consequences. Considering that failing to register a car isn't that serious an offence (compared to D&D etc), it's not so suprising that so many people do it.

My advice, always have a camera in the glovebox.

Jerome.

[This message has been edited by Jerome (edited 26 September 2000).]

 

A recent accident has left me in a bit of a dillema, I was sat at a set of lights the other day when some terrorist decides to rearrange the rear end of the car, I looked in the mirror and saw this guy waving his arms and shaking his head in disbelief at what he had just done, anyway, I pulled over as soon as the lights changed so I wouldn`t be blocking the road. I had presumed the guy would follow me, but no,he drove straight on, I got the registration or so I thought.
When I reported the matter to the police I was told that there was no trace on the reg. however along with my description of the vehicle they were able to jiggle a couple of the numbers and they came up with a very likely trace, since then they have found the vehicle and the registeed keeper( not in the same place),he had sold the car a week previously and had no idea of the identity of who he sold it to.
The guy driving the car commited another more serious offence at the time of the accident, which I probably best not mention here, anyway the problem is that the police will not tell me the correct reg. mark for the car involved, and so my insurance co. will put the onus on me to come up with a third party to attribute the blame.
Do I have any right to the information the police have?
This is the second scoob I have had which has sustained rear end damage, first was my own fault and was written off, this one will be repaired, I think that the design of the rear of the car, i.e the boot and spare wheel well leaves the car quite vunerable to rear end shunts, the boot area deforms very easily, it is worth considering fitting a tow bar even if you don`t intend to use it.

 

I've had the same sort of problem as you, when i had a pug 306 gti some kid cut me up at a set of lights, damaged the front alloy, wing and bumper. He drove off so i chased him (bit of road rage but if you saw how close he was to taking me and the car out next to me you would have done the same!!)
Anyway i got his reg and stopped him at some lights (the fact id only had the car back from the repairers a few weeks before didnt help either, 7 weeks off the road.....)
he denied all knowledge he had hit me, i told him to pull over the lights and ill check the damage but no the lights changed and he turned right.... git!!!
went straight to the cop shop, gave them all the details, colour, reg (still remember it now d614rv.) told them it was an 8v golf gti, everything, took them 3 flippin weeks to find him, they said that it was a ford escort to start with doh!!
When they did find him he denied he had even been out that night, had his car repaired the lot, cost me 1500 quid!!!!!! upped the insurance too......
You wont be the first and you wont be the last unfortuately.........

 

What a s**t situation and what a s**it this bloke is. I would have pulled over so's to not block the road, i would not now however.

I am afraid it does sound like youv'e had it and you'll have to claim on your insurance. It may well be worth contacting a solicitor to ask his/her opinion.

However fialing to stop is an offence and the police must issue you with a crime number - oh poo, this route is still a claim on you ins.

I tois very likely that thje car/person was not insured - sepecially if thety where using the car for a 'blag'

Looks like it is your insurance that will get clobbered.

Sorry this nopt much help or better news.

Might be woth keeping an eye out in the local rag to see what comes up in the way of court appearances and trying to sue privately.

good luck!

 

When a car is sold, I thought is was the sellers responsilbilty to write the purchaser's details on the log book, otherwise you commit an offence?
I would have thought that if the Police have any idea what the car reg was they have a responsiblity to tell you for insurance purposes, especially as they think the car has been involved in other crimes.
Definitely speak to a solicitor.
As far as the boot is concerned, surely this is simply what is referred to as a 'crumple zone' on modern cars? If you had a tow-bar and were hit hard from behind there's possibly a stronger chance that more damage would be done as they are so well fixed to the chassis?

Stef.

 

If he wasn't insured I think your insurer can claim off the Motor Insurers Bureau(?).
We were side-swiped by someone some years ago and it went that route. Took a long time to get sorted (over a year) and we were out of pocket all that time but at least we got the NCB back later.

 

If I ever get involved in a minor shunt with anyone then I have cunning plan (If the guy /gal isnt going to do a runner that is).

Dont even move, claim whiplash and phone Police on mobile and tell them u are injured (as the only way they 'must' attend a RTA is if someone is injured).

This way Police have to come and take statements, road/accident details etc. All will look good when u claim the ****.

Ive been in similar situation, took other parties details at time etc, left the scene and contacted Ins comp. But would the turkey fill in 'his' claim form after the incident, would he fek. Again, he denied he even went out that night. Police, well with no witnesses they were not remotely interested.

He was legit enough, nice company car, nice house etc, just savvy enough to know that if he didnt fill in a claim form then as far as his insurance company (and mine for that matter) was concerned there 'was no accident' or at best they could never truly apportion blame, knock for knock etc.

Unless u have an independant witness the above idea is the only course of action I can think of that might help in these minor shunts.

Camera idea bang on as well.



[This message has been edited by Jye (edited 26 September 2000).]