Apparently Reversed into someone.. Got a court date. Help!

Towelie88

Hi Everyone

Out of the blue in mid November I got a Notice of intended prosecution from the police as I apparently reversed into someone by my place of work the week before, This was the first I heard of it and promptly wrote back to the police advising me that I was not aware of this occurring.

I then had a call from my insurance company saying that a claim has been filed against me and that they wanted to send someone out to look at my car, which they did a few days later. My car has no visible damage to it, So the guy just took some pictures and left.

I then called the police as they wanted to take a statement, they said that the officer dealing with it would get back to me.

I was starting to think that it had all blown over as I hadn't heard anything in months, until the police rang me 2 weeks ago to take a statement. I told them again that I was not aware of this happening and would have never driven away from an accident. They advised me that they have a independent witness who says that I reversed into a parked 2012 reg car.

I got a letter last week saying that I have been charged with 3 offences (Driving without due care and attention, not reporting an accident and driving away from said accident) and have to go to the magistrates court on 4th April.

I'm not sure what to do. The fact that an independent witness says that I did do it suggests that I probably did dink someone without realizing. Do I just plead guilty beforehand and be done with it? I don't want to look like someone who would "hit and run" as it where, because I would never do that.

Any advice would really be appreciated!

Chopper_Read

Towelie88 wrote: »

Hi Everyone

Out of the blue in mid November I got a Notice of intended prosecution from the police as I apparently reversed into someone by my place of work the week before, This was the first I heard of it and promptly wrote back to the police advising me that I was not aware of this occurring.

I then had a call from my insurance company saying that a claim has been filed against me and that they wanted to send someone out to look at my car, which they did a few days later. My car has no visible damage to it, So the guy just took some pictures and left.

I then called the police as they wanted to take a statement, they said that the officer dealing with it would get back to me.

I was starting to think that it had all blown over as I hadn't heard anything in months, until the police rang me 2 weeks ago to take a statement. I told them again that I was not aware of this happening and would have never driven away from an accident. They advised me that they have a independent witness who says that I reversed into a parked 2012 reg car.

I got a letter last week saying that I have been charged with 3 offences (Driving without due care and attention, not reporting an accident and driving away from said accident) and have to go to the magistrates court on 4th April.

I'm not sure what to do. The fact that an independent witness says that I did do it suggests that I probably did dink someone without realizing. Do I just plead guilty beforehand and be done with it? I don't want to look like someone who would "hit and run" as it where, because I would never do that.

Any advice would really be appreciated!

You can plead guilty the choice is yours. You appear to be rolling over a little quickly, is there more to this?

usignuolo

My husband got caught in a similar situation a few years ago, basically it seems two guys from the Gas Board had pranged their van and did not know what to do about it, saw him driving past, took his number and said he had scraped it. You need a solicitor specialising in motoring offences who can ask for the accident reports and prove that your car could not have done the damage (no paint chips, bumpers not adjacent etc)

peter_the_piper

How independent I wonder. Try also posting this in the speeding etc section on pepipoo.com, they also have some good people on there who don't post on here.

sillygoose

peter_the_piper wrote: »

How independent I wonder. Try also posting this in the speeding etc section on pepipoo.com, they also have some good people on there who don't post on here.

yes, I lost out once when a taxi driver jumped a red light and sliced my car nearly in half. Curiously a person just happened to be standing watching the traffic lights that evening for amusement and 'saw' me jump the light instead. Police were not interested in looking for a link between them so I got the conviction.

This could easily be a scam. I would want to know what damage was supposedly done to the other vehicle and if it could be established it was possible with no damage to your vehicle (unless you have a tow hook or such)

Kiran

Im curious, if its happened at your place of work and that happens to be private property then it isn't a criminal matter. It's a civil matter.

Either way, if you didn't do it, don't admit guilt. Also, the offences mentioned carry points I think (Not sure on that part though)

usignuolo

Yes police are not interested. The police person (not a copper but a clerk I think) who processed the so called incident in which my husband was involved, just took their word for it. Totally unhelpful. Plus of course my husband was in the area at the time and yes you do get points. Get a solicitor specialising in motor offences should be a local one, and sight of the report, get your own if necessary (DEKKA are good for inspections) and prove no dents on your car, none of their paint on yours, your paint on theirs etc. You should know what their car is, compare bumper heights etc.

spacey2012

Giving the police a statement was a most foolish thing to do.
Pleading guilty will cost you many many thousands of pounds over many years in insurance costs.
You need to start building a defence, especially if this was on private land.
Dont trust your insurance to defend you, they work in their interests.

thenudeone

Kiran wrote: »

Im curious, if its happened at your place of work and that happens to be private property then it isn't a criminal matter. It's a civil matter.

Ownership of the land is irrelevant. If the car park is a deemed to be "a public place" then the same laws apply as on the road. This was changed in 2000.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/170
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/726/regulation/2/made
Plenty of car parks would fall into that category, particularly if the premises had members of the public visiting regularly. A supermarket or pub car park would definitely be included.

But your insurers wouldn't be bothered. Unless you are very high risk driver and on a RTA-cover-only policy, they'll cover your liabilities even on private land.

forgotmyname

What are they claiming for? Scuff on the bumper or half the cars caved in?

Risk of 6 points for failing to stop. Even if the damage was minor.

Chopper_Read

spacey2012 wrote: »

Giving the police a statement was a most foolish thing to do.
Pleading guilty will cost you many many thousands of pounds over many years in insurance costs.
You need to start building a defence, especially if this was on private land.
Dont trust your insurance to defend you, they work in their interests.

The OP hasn't given a statement and wasn't interviewed.