What happens next? Car accident

Any

HI,
I have had a car accident this morning. My first collision with another car in motion (I have had one in past, completely stupid parking mistake).
I was driving towards very busy junction/traffic lights when a car on the side of me (3 lanes of traffic) suddenly decided to change lanes and while I jumped my brakes and they seemed to notice me then and swerved back to avoid me they hit my front left side. I didn't know that at the time. All I could hear were my brakes and my bag flying in the car and hitting my glove box and contents spilling out. I wasn't driving fast, it was from one set of lights to a next, but they did pull into me, I must have been in their blind spot so that is how close they were and how little time I had to react. Looking aback at it, it is a miracle just the front is damaged, given they could have taken all my side!
Now unfortunately straight after the accident I was in shock and my mind went completely blank and I didn't do any of the things you are supposed to do. The lights turned red at this point and this other car is now standing in front of me, after a while very young person gets out (I don't even know what door from! I was holding my head trying to concentrate) and comes to me and says "Is it all right?". I said "well I don't know, I haven't seen the car, what the hell happened? Had the driver not seen me?" She said "I don't know, I am sorry". I just couldn't get out of the car, still shaking slightly. I thought I might have stopped my car on time as well and them avoiding me. Also the junction is very busy and I couldn't imagine stepping into the traffic. Oh God I don't know what I was thinking. This person then got back into the car, and they drove away. I drove to work. Don't even know how. I was just a bit elsewhere in my head.

Got to work and checked my car and my front does have a paint taken off and a dent. Called 101 to report it and then my insurance company. All I have is the registration of the car!! All I could think off was "look at the reg, look at the reg" before they drove away. So at least I have that!

Now police wants me to complete a report in writing, but they already told me there was no CCTV on the road. And insurance company says that they will contact their insurance and then them and until they admit liability I will have to pay my excess (which is probably the same as the repair would be).

What happens next? I am so angry with myself. If I got their details and perhaps another cars in the traffic I would have witnesses and well, their details. My car is only less then 3 years old and now has damage on a side, that I cannot afford to repair right now..

Fortunately nothing has happened to us, although I was in shock, but I just don't know what happens next? What if they claim they've never been there (there was more people in the car, not sure whether 3-4 in total)? And I already reported it? Will I lose my no claim (not protected) even if I don't have the repair done on my insurance, just because I did report it?
What will the police do? What can they do with so little details?

Thank you

mum2one

Its unlikely the police will do much without CCTV, they could look at driving off without stopping, but again without CCTV - thin ground

the police will ask for a full report - your make a statement.

If the other party admits liability - great - if not then this will come from your excess it may be that the car ins company will want you to go to their dealers, and soon become expensive.

Yes your lose your no claims, - as you have notified them this will count as a claim, your just have to hope that the insurance can trace the other driver. Sounds like you did the right thing getting the reg number.

(sorry couldn't be the bearer of better news x

Aretnap

You will not lose your no claims bonus unless you make a claim in your own policy and your insurer fails to recover its outlay from the other driver's insurers (either because he can't be found, or because they can't agree whose fault the accident was). You don't lose your no claims simply for being involved in an accident (it's a no claims bonus, not a no accident bonus), though the fact that you had an accident may affect your premium next year anyway.

If you have the other car's registration you can get his insurance details from here for £4

http://www.askmid.com/askmidenquiry.aspx

and it may be better to approach them directly at first - if they admit liability you can get the repairs done through them without having to pay your excess. If they don't you still have the option of making the claim through your own insurers.

Any

So if they don't admit liability and I get repairs done myself I don't lose no claims?
The ball already is with the insurers. They are contacting their insurers about it.

Any

Reported a spam.
Why would I want to report traffic injury, I was not injured

scotsbob

spam reported

Bantex_2

Any wrote: »

So if they don't admit liability and I get repairs done myself I don't lose no claims?
The ball already is with the insurers. They are contacting their insurers about it.

You may find the other party making a claim against yourself.

Any

Bantex wrote: »

You may find the other party making a claim against yourself.

You mean if the do then it will be a 'claim'? Obviously they might, anyone can issue a claim against anyone else, different question is who will ve found at fault or if a claim will be upheld?
Don't fully understand meaning of your statement, sorry

Bantex_2

Any wrote: »

You mean if the do then it will be a 'claim'? Obviously they might, anyone can issue a claim against anyone else, different question is who will ve found at fault or if a claim will be upheld?
Don't fully understand meaning of your statement, sorry

Sound like you would both be found equally at fault if a claim was made.

Any

Bantex wrote: »

Sound like you would both be found equally at fault if a claim was made.

Because there are no witnesses? And is my word against theirs?

Stoke

Hope you get it sorted. Nerves can often take over when things like this happen. I have a friend who shunted someone in the back, panicked while outside her car and just wanted to get home. She only hit the vehicle at about 5mph or 6mph and caused minimum damage. She didn't take photos though. The lad in the other car took his vehicle and smashed the entire rear end up and tried to suggest she hit him at a much greater speed. Not good.