Car accident

200299

Hi, hope I am posting in the correct place.

This morning I was stationary at traffic lights and a car crashed into the back of me. Everything seemed to be ok, my 10 yr old son and I were ok if in a little pain and shock. The lady who crashed into me apoligised and obviously said it was her fault. We looked at the back of my car but her car seemed to have taken the impact. She said sorry again and went to leave. I said that I should take her details just in case and she gave me her name, address and telephone number. I only did this as I do not have a clue about cars and worried that if the damage was worse then I would have no idea who she was.

My questions are (as I have never had an accident) do I have to call the insurance company and let them know it has happened just in case there is more damage? Should I have called the police? Should I have done anything else?

Thanks for any advice

neilmcl

Did you get her vehicle details? Call her up, ask for her insurance company and a policy no., or if she's already reported the incident a claim ref. no. If there is any damage, how bad was the impact, then you'll need this info to contact her insurance and claim directly from them. No need to contact the police or your own insurance.

200299

I didnt get her vehicle details. I realise I should have but I know where she lives and works and her number. I am going to get my dad to have a look at the car tomorrow just to double check it over and if anything shows then I will call her and ask her the details. I was just so worried I had done something wrong by not speaking to the police!

neilmcl

Police only need to be involved if the accident involves injury, or where a criminal offence has take place, eg, hit and run, drunk driver etc.

pitkin2020

200299 wrote: »

I didnt get her vehicle details. I realise I should have but I know where she lives and works and her number. I am going to get my dad to have a look at the car tomorrow just to double check it over and if anything shows then I will call her and ask her the details. I was just so worried I had done something wrong by not speaking to the police!

If there is any damage to your car get in touch with the driver first and see if she happy to just pay for the damage or if she would prefer to go through the insurance company. I find its a much nicer way to deal with the situation without effecting everyones premiums.:beer: Obviously if you think she isn't go to pay then you need to go through the insurers as you dont want to foot the bill.

200299

Thanks Pitkin
All I can see so far is a scratch across the bumper which I am not bothered about. I will definatley take your advice
Thank you

iamana1ias

200299 wrote: »

I didnt get her vehicle details. I realise I should have but I know where she lives and works and her number. I am going to get my dad to have a look at the car tomorrow just to double check it over and if anything shows then I will call her and ask her the details. I was just so worried I had done something wrong by not speaking to the police!

:doh:

You know where she said she lives/works and what she said her number was.

Assume you didn't take photos either. :rolleyes:

Have you never read the documents your insurer sends you?

flush_the_hamster

I recently had the same happen to me - Visually there was some small bumper damage but I did have a fair bit of pain.

All you need is to call your insurance company and provide them with her details and number plate. From her registration, they will know who she is insured with and will contact her insurance company directly. They will organise for you to drop your car around to one of their approved repair garages in your area and will assess the damage with you. Your insurance company will also make provisions for Physio etc. should you feel you require it.

But I digress slightly, when I had my car taken in, yes we could see some slight bumper damage, but what I didn't realise is that the shunt had actually bent the chasis slightly obviously on the underside where you can't see, and bent a few 'struts' or something like that they said. £600 worth of damage in all!

So definately get onto your insurance company straight away!

200299

I appreciate I should have done more however I was trying to check my 10 yr old was ok and it was on a very busy, very icy city centre road so I was concerned about that as well. I have never had an accident and to be honest I was a bit in shock. She had a work pass on with her name and firm etc so I am confident I have the correct information. I will know for next time though and will make sure I read my insurance documents fully today so thanks for the advice!

Thank you as well flush_the_hamster. I understand that there could be potentially more damage than a scratch and although we are both in a little bit of pain we should hopefully be fine. I will give insurance a call and see what they say

Thanks all

Boozer

I was hit from behind in a car park once in my prized body kitted up 1983 vauxhall nova, just a scratch it appeared, but i took it to a garage and they told me not even to drive it home as it had damaged the chassis and could snap at any time, so get it checked over for sure.

Even if it has not suffered any other damage, the car still has a scratch that should not be there, and while painting that area they could also do some other scratches on the same panel.

motorguy

200299 wrote: »

Thanks Pitkin
All I can see so far is a scratch across the bumper which I am not bothered about. I will definatley take your advice
Thank you

Please have your car professionally inspected!!

I was rear ended (!) last year and what looked like a simple scratch turned out to be

a new towbar (very slight twist)
new rear bumper - weaked by the impact and internal brackets broke
rear panel pushed in and needing replaced.