Car accident - driver drove off - not claiming liabilty?

cusssi

Hello,
The other day me and my partner and 2 babies in the back were involved in a hit and run. The driver behind us was driving quite aggressively up my back side in the right hand lane on a dual carriageway approaching a roundabout. (I couldnt move over to the left to let him past as there was a car next to me. ) I was also turning right at the roundabout so I had to be in the right hand land.

About 50m before the roundabout the road branches into 3 lanes. Its a this point the driver decided to put his foot down and undertake me to get back into the right lane and upon doing so clipped my front wing/bumper. He then didnt stop and proceded to bank the central reservation to miss the car in front of me that was stationed at the roundabout ready to move off. It was comical the length he went through to avoid stopping... He bank the central reservation onto the grass and round the car in front then onto the roundabout and then off he went...



We took his reg and phoned the police straight away. Within 20 mins they phoned us back and said they located the vehicle at the keepers address. They asked me for details of my damage.

The police phoned me back again and said they were going to speak to him regarding aggressive driving. Then the police officer who was now at the owners house phoned me and said "it was a young lad driving and he is from a nice family and lives in nice area and could he pass his phone number onto me to so we can both skip the insurance company hassle?" !!!!!! I said to to the copper no way... as If want to speak to the little brat who just hit me and drove off from the scene of an accident with out stopping to see if everyone was ok let alone any damage to the car... It felt like the copper new the family............

Anyway the copper dropped his details off later that night ( on letter headed paper) possibly his dads company and car insurance. Ive forwarded the details to my insurance company.

They have since got in touch with me to tell me he is NOT accepting liabilty which has infuriated me.......

Ive now got to send photos drawings etc, etc.

I went to the police station yesterday to ask about what has been recorded by the officer. I gave him the police number.

He said the police officer in question is not taking any further action and the case is closed... So basically the kid has just got a slap on the wrist by the police.

My question- is will the insurance company contact the police for any evidence of the report. ?

Can I SEE a copy of the police reports?

Any idea how this could pan out. ?

p.s I never even found out what his reason was for driving off...

Thanks for any advice

withabix

Make a complaint against the Officer for a start.

Ask to speak to the Desk Sergeant as you made an allegation of 'Failing to Stop' against the other driver and require to know why charges are not being pressed.

Police Officers are just too lazy these days.

Then just let your insurer deal with the damage issue.

cusssi

Thanks for the reply. It was the desk sergeant who told me no further action was being taken at the police station....

Am I allowed to actually see any report? I would like to know what was said etc?

withabix

Make a formal complaint in that case.

Quentin

cusssi wrote: »

.....They have since got in touch with me to tell me he is NOT accepting liabilty which has infuriated me.......

Ive now got to send photos drawings etc, etc.

Any idea how this could pan out. ?.....

The leaving the scene is a different issue to the liability issue, and irrelevant to it.

There is no point getting "infuriated" over the third party not accepting liability - he is doing exactly what he has been told to do (and agreed to do) in his insurance policy conditions. (You will see the same condition in your own policy)

Now that the insurers are involved they will settle the liability issue between them after looking at both sides stories which is why you are being asked to submit more details (this is normal in a collision - they aren't pocking on you!)

chanz4

You can ask if the statment is against you, but not the other party unless its going to court and its very expensive

Buzby

It is their call if there is no corroboration, and the CPS would not be interested it taking it further. If you HAD corroboration (video evidence, independent witness) then this could change, but it sounds as if this will be a dead end.

Let the insurers deal with the damage, and invest in a £30 car DVR for future use. I've now been using mine for 4 years and it resolves all disputes.

sarahg1969

Your insurers, or whoever is representing you, can apply for a copy of the police report. Let them know that the police were involved, and they'll do the necessary.

corbyboy

He didnt accept liability because that's what you are supposed to do. You never accept liability. You both put your side of the story forward and let the insurance companies sort it out.

As for the failing to stop, you can try to pursue this with the police, but they will require some evidence to prosecute. Did any of the cars on the roundabout stop? Your word alone won't result in a conviction.

thenudeone

corbyboy wrote: »

Your word alone won't result in a conviction.

People have certainly been convicted on the evidence of just one person before - it's up to the court to weigh up the evidence.

The fact that you reported it to the police and the other driver didn't, will help.

I would take this further.

real1314

cusssi wrote: »

Hello,

Then the police officer who was now at the owners house phoned me and said "it was a young lad driving and he is from a nice family and lives in nice area and could he pass his phone number onto me to so we can both skip the insurance company hassle?"

He said the police officer in question is not taking any further action and the case is closed... So basically the kid has just got a slap on the wrist by the police.

A formal complaint is what you need to do. This sounds very suspicious. In fact if the bit about not contacting insurance is true, it's illegal.
Which makes me very, very suspicious.

Formal complain direct to IPCC might even be the best option. :cool:


Edit:- Get back to the scene and take photos of the tracks on the grass. You should also ask the plod to visit the scene and record evidence.
Check if there are any cctv cameras nearby, and who operates them.
Potentially a number of traffic offences have taken place, but they seemingly have not bothered to investigate.
Have the plod taken a statement from the other driver at all? What does that say about things?