Scraped car in car park and can't trace owner

Backpacker87

Hi all,

Hoping you can help.

I scraped another car whilst parking at my local gym. Upon checking it looked as though I had left a small black scratch on their car.
I immediately took note of the vehicle registration and asked the gym to do a tannoy announcement to the owner of the car. But no one answered the tannoy message. I have left my details with the gym reception in case the owner did come forward. So far nothing. When I returned to my car the owner of the other vehicle had already left.

I feel really guilty, and wondered whether there is anything else I can do? (Other than learn to park better).

Do I need to report this to the police?

Thanks

Spicy_McHaggis

Backpacker87 wrote: »

Hi all,

Hoping you can help.

I scraped another car whilst parking at my local gym. Upon checking it looked as though I had left a small black scratch on their car.
I immediately took note of the vehicle registration and asked the gym to do a tannoy announcement to the owner of the car. But no one answered the tannoy message. I have left my details with the gym reception in case the owner did come forward. So far nothing. When I returned to my car the owner of the other vehicle had already left.

I feel really guilty, and wondered whether there is anything else I can do? (Other than learn to park better).

Do I need to report this to the police?

Thanks

The law requires you to do so, although it will spark numerous arguments you should also inform your insurance company. Just saying.

EssexExile

From the Thames Valley Police website:

If a road traffic accident/collision happened on a road or a public place and the other driver failed to stop or there are injuries then you have to report the accident to the police.

No you don't need to.

Quentin

EssexExile wrote: »

From the Thames Valley Police website:
No you don't need to.

No


That quote is not complete.


You also have to report any incident where any third party's property has been damaged

DUTR

Backpacker87 wrote: »

Hi all,

Hoping you can help.

I scraped another car whilst parking at my local gym. Upon checking it looked as though I had left a small black scratch on their car.
I immediately took note of the vehicle registration and asked the gym to do a tannoy announcement to the owner of the car. But no one answered the tannoy message. I have left my details with the gym reception in case the owner did come forward. So far nothing. When I returned to my car the owner of the other vehicle had already left.

I feel really guilty, and wondered whether there is anything else I can do? (Other than learn to park better).

Do I need to report this to the police?

Thanks

The vehicle owner may not have been a member of the gym, you could have left a note on the car.

EssexExile

Quentin wrote: »

No


That quote is not complete.


You also have to report any incident where any third party's property has been damaged

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/faq-answer?id=Q660

This is a very good illustration of why you shouldn't take legal advice from this forum. If you're worried, phone the police.

Quentin

EssexExile wrote: »

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/faq-answer?id=Q660

This is a very good illustration of why you shouldn't take legal advice from this forum. If you're worried, phone the police.

Since when can Thames Valley police change the law of the land?


Their advice you keep quoting is incomplete as you have been told.


The law is set out in the RTA!


http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/170

EssexExile

Thank you Quentin, having read that I now know I was right.

Quentin

EssexExile wrote: »

Thank you Quentin, having read that I now know I was right.

You clearly didn't read the part of the law, which states that when you cause damage to another vehicle and don't exchange details at the scene you must report it to the police.


We are all warned on every page to take care as anyone can post, and so people posting authoritatively though in ignorance like you are doing can continue to do so (as you dangerously keep doing)

EssexExile

The law:

The driver of the [F1mechanically propelled vehicle] must stop and, if required to do so by any person having reasonable grounds for so requiring, give his name and address and also the name and address of the owner and the identification marks of the vehicle.

What the op did:

I have left my details with the gym reception in case the owner did come forward.

Quentin

EssexExile wrote: »

The law:
What the op did:

You selectively quote the law.


It goes on to say that if no details are exchanged and damage is done to a third party's property or vehicle then it must be reported to the police.


The OP reporting the collision to a "gym reception" doesn't count! (Obviously!)


Instead of pointlessly prolonging this have the decency to stand corrected instead of causing (dangerous) confusion with your incorrect posts