Hit'n'run carpark damage

wattywattwatt

I once scraped the bumper of a car in our street as I was trying to squeeze through a small space, obviously too small! The guy had parked (badly) close to a junction on a very busy corner, but as it was my fault I put my hands up and left a note. Later on I got a call from the guy and as we were discussing the damage it became apparent that he was making out that it was a lot more than I thought I had done, a small scrape on the paintwork of the bumper. As he was still parked 50 yards down the street I went out to see what he was talking about, the bumper was very badly scratched and the plastic rubbing strip was hanging off, it looked to me as though it needed a whole new bumper! The only conclusion we both came to was that someone else had also hit the car and did a runner, either because they were that way inclined or they had read the note and left me to pick up the tab! I didn't quibble as I had to claim my insurance to get my own car fixed and the guy seemed to believe my story about the extent of the damage. The moral of this tale is always take a photograph as you never know what could happen next!

cyclonebri1

Strider590 wrote: »

I rarely if ever go shopping at busy times of the day when I know the carparks are going to be packed out. But on Saturday I had no choice in the matter, as I needed to shop for a BBQ/party.

Parked up at Tesco's and wandered into the shop with the GF, did our shopping and walked back to the car only to find a note telling me that someone else had hit my car and the make/reg was written down along with a contact number for a "witness" if I need one.

My car has some very minor front end damage from an incident involving snow and a fence, so this claim would result in a new bumper for sure.

On one hand I feel guilty because if they hadnt driven off id probably have not bothered about it due to the existing damage, but on the other hand I think people who DO drive off after damaging your property, deserve all they get!!!

I found the car responsible parked a few cars down opposite me and it's easy to see that the person cannot park at all (parked nose first diagonally in the space), id be surprised if this is the first time they've done this!
(and yes I was tempted to go kick every body panel in)

The way they park tells me they drive this car as though its a small hatch back, they just point the nose into the space rather than swinging out the opposite way in order to line up the rear end better, so they risk hitting both cars as they plough on in!

I feel it's my duty to claim against this person for his/her ignorance in the hope that they'll a) learn to drive b) get a smaller car c) be more careful in future!

I really hate people like this!!!

Is this a pure rant? or do you have a question? advice to offer? or want the No of a reliable hitman???????????????????????????:)

Strider590

^^ It's more of a........ "Am I over reacting?"

I guess trying to justify dragging this moron through the insurance companies, but I think we all agree that because he drove off and because we all hate people like this, I should do whatever I can to make him realise his "mistake".

cyclonebri1

Strider590 wrote: »

^^ It's more of a........ "Am I over reacting?"

I guess trying to justify dragging this moron through the insurance companies, but I think we all agree that because he drove off and because we all hate people like this, I should do whatever I can to make him realise his "mistake".

You want the hitman option then, :D, so would I.

Strider590

Spoke to my insurance, set the ball in motion toward claiming for the damage.... Told them that if they can't plant liability on him (other driver) then i'll repair it myself and cancel the claim.

I explained to them, that this wasn't about the damage, it was about making him realise he can't hit someone's car and just drive off!
The woman on the phone was most sympathetic and eager to help as she'd recently had her car damaged in the same way, but with no witnesses.

cyclonebri1

Strider590 wrote: »

Spoke to my insurance, set the ball in motion toward claiming for the damage.... Told them that if they can't plant liability on him (other driver) then i'll repair it myself and cancel the claim.

I explained to them, that this wasn't about the damage, it was about making him realise he can't hit someone's car and just drive off!
The woman on the phone was most sympathetic and eager to help as she'd recently had her car damaged in the same way, but with no witnesses.

I don't want to add to the problem, but now you have set the ball rolling, you will not be able to back out without the insurers holding the info that you had a collision on record. That will cost you at renewall time, sorry

Strider590

^^ No, I checked that with the woman on the phone. If the claim does not go through then no blame is attributed and it does not affect future premiums. A badger wrote my last car off in 2008, I lost my no claims for making a claim, but it's not on record as being my fault.

Joelleski

Strider590 wrote: »

...A badger wrote my last car off in 2008, I lost my no claims for making a claim, but it's not on record as being my fault.

I'm sorry, nothing useful to add to this thread - although I have had someone do the dirty to my car in a similar fashion, so feel your pain - but :rotfl:I have visions of a badger behind the wheel of your car on a joy-ride, it was the first thought that popped into my head ... I'll get my coat now

Aquarius1980

Joelleski wrote: »

I'm sorry, nothing useful to add to this thread - although I have had someone do the dirty to my car in a similar fashion, so feel your pain - but :rotfl:I have visions of a badger behind the wheel of your car on a joy-ride, it was the first thought that popped into my head ... I'll get my coat now

I only had visions of a badger in the road until you said that - now I'm having random fits of giggles! :rotfl:

Back on topic......someone ran into the back of me at a roundabout then drove off (causing £2500 damage to my back bumper & boot). I managed to make a note of the number plate, however, the owner of the car said it wasn't him driving and didn't know who was.

As I am completely useless at remembering faces I literally could not pick the guy out of a line up, so the police couldn't prove who had done it either. It ended up costing me £400 excess on my insurance, but very luckily, I was on a free years insurance (my car was only 6 months old) and apparently this meant I didn't lose my NCD.

I personally think that if you can prove which car caused the damage but no one will own up to it, the registered owner should be held responsible.