Witnessed a bump

Idiophreak

Four or five times in the last couple of months (no idea why, never happened before then!) I've seen minor prangs between cars while out and about.

Today, for example, I saw someone get rear-ended on a roundabout.

Having had problems in the past with the other party lying in insurance claims, I often feel I should act as an independent witness - but I'm not going to make myself late for work just to stop for someone else's accident...so is there any way of coming forward as a witness later? Is there any kind of database they check to see if anyone saw?

I couldn't give great details, but it would be enough to establish liability, anyway...

Tilt

A lot of people will say "why bother unless there is an inscentive to get involved?" If you are that inclined, make a note of the vehicle involved (makes/model/VRMs ect), the date and time and then keep an eye on the personal columns in your local rag to see if anyone is appealing for witnesess.

Lum

Did you make a note of the reg numbers of the car involved? If you don't have them then you aren't going to get far.

I'd just go to my local cop shop and make a report and state that you're prepared to be a witness and ask if they can put the victim in touch with you. Don't know if it will get anywhere, but can't think of much else you can do.

Quentin

Apart from police appeals for witnesses to serious/fatal crashes there's no way to find out how to supply witness info to bumps after the event.

But why not just stop and give your contact details as a witness then get off to work (shouldn't delay you more than a few mins).

If the situation was reversed (ie you are involved in a bump where a witness could help establish you were blameless) you would like a witness to help you out!

espresso

It should not make you late for work if you simply stop and give your contact details, so that you can be contacted to provide a witness statement if necessary.

If you expect others to do this for you, then surely you should make the small effort yourself.

mikey72

I've always stopped and given my details.
Far too many people appear not to, for the sake of a few minutes I'd rather help someone out if I could.

spiro

Look for any free offer on business cards and get some printed with your details on. That way all you have to do is hadn over the card (10sec most) without getting delayed.

fivetide

espresso wrote: »

It should not make you late for work if you simply stop and give your contact details, so that you can be contacted to provide a witness statement if necessary.

If you expect others to do this for you, then surely you should make the small effort yourself.

To the OP - Hope you never find yourself in need of help only to have everyone 'too busy' to bother.

The post seems well menaing but surely you realise what you just said?

5t.

Quentin

spiro wrote: »

Look for any free offer on business cards and get some printed with your details on. That way all you have to do is hadn over the card (10sec most) without getting delayed.

Good idea. Though 10 secs is a fantastic (olympian!) time for parking up, handing over details and getting back on the road!

As the OP is witnessing so many bumps, maybe he could also hand write a couple of post it notes to keep in the car to use whilst awaiting the arrival of his business cards.

RichMan20

Idiophreak wrote: »

Four or five times in the last couple of months (no idea why, never happened before then!) I've seen minor prangs between cars while out and about.

Today, for example, I saw someone get rear-ended on a roundabout.

Having had problems in the past with the other party lying in insurance claims, I often feel I should act as an independent witness - but I'm not going to make myself late for work just to stop for someone else's accident...so is there any way of coming forward as a witness later? Is there any kind of database they check to see if anyone saw?

I couldn't give great details, but it would be enough to establish liability, anyway...

If you felt so obliged then you could ring the local police station and ask if anything was reported, As a retired policeman I can tell you that would be my advice. Also if you are ever in a prang like that yourself, make a record of it with the police, sure 99% of the time it will all be resolved amicably but there is the chance later down the line of things going awry and 'I would' report any accidents.
Perhaps my time in the force has left me a cynical old man with no faith in humanity :rotfl: but still, if you record it with the police it doesn't hurt anyone and then if a witness does want to come forward (like you in this case) they are able to
Doesn't hurt to be cautious is all

Quentin

RichMan20 wrote: »

As a retired policeman .....you are technically legally obligated to report any accidents.

Which "technicality" are you referring to??

It's not necessary at all to report "any" accidents to the police! (Either as a witness or as an involved party)