Knocked a car - driver drove off before details could be left

spookalili

I was pulling out of my parents parking area today and as I swung round in reverse, scraped a parked car. I immediately got out and inspected the area and couldn't see any damage. Even so, I thought I should leave my details as I've had a hit and run myself! I waited around nervously for a while and had a quick look in a few shops nearby which were open to ask who the car belonged to, but they were all empty.

I didn't have any paper or pens in my car so parked up again and went into my parents house - when I returned, the driver had gone!

I am really worried about this - I wouldn't want them to think I had intentionally driven off but at the same time, I can't really contact the driver now! I didn't take the number plate either, or would have tried something in the local paper.

Should I contact my insurance to let them know? There is a tiny scrape on the front of my car but nothing major. I must have hit him on a side panel bumper judging by my damage but as I said, I had a look and couldn't see anything.

Any tips? I just want to do the right thing.

Spicy_McHaggis

You shouldn't need to be told it's the police you need to inform.

Whether you do or not is up to you.

Strider590

Not a lot you can do unless the driver comes back looking for answers.

Might I recommend learning how to reverse park?
Reversing out of parking spaces is just asking for an incident like this to happen. I've seen it countless times and been the victim 4 times in 3 different cars over the past 10 years.

In these situations people are so fixated on watching the back, they forget what the front is doing OR they're so fixated on the front, that they mow down a pedestrian, a cyclist or collide with another car.

spookalili

Spicy_McHaggis wrote: »

You shouldn't need to be told it's the police you need to inform.

Whether you do or not is up to you.

Okay, thanks for your advice. So I can just call the local police station and advise them that I knocked this car? Are they likely to pursue this under hit and run? When I say it out loud, it sounds just like that! I probably should have called them while at the scene and waited for them to attend. I suppose I panicked a bit at the time and just focused on leaving the person my details for insurance

spookalili

Strider590 wrote: »

Not a lot you can do unless the driver comes back looking for answers.

Might I recommend learning how to reverse park?
Reversing out of parking spaces is just asking for an incident like this to happen. I've seen it countless times and been the victim 4 times in 3 different cars over the past 10 years.

I completely sympathise - I can honestly say in seven years of driving I have never hit another vehicle through parking or otherwise. This isn't a defence though and I obviously need to take more care in future. I'm just angry at myself for walking away at the wrong moment - I really hope I didn't miss any damage on the car.

I'm sorry it has happened to you more than once though - and truly hope that you weren't my victim this evening!!

Spicy_McHaggis

spookalili wrote: »

Okay, thanks for your advice. So I can just call the local police station and advise them that I knocked this car? Are they likely to pursue this under hit and run? When I say it out loud, it sounds just like that! I probably should have called them while at the scene and waited for them to attend. I suppose I panicked a bit at the time and just focused on leaving the person my details for insurance

You need to attend in person.

spookalili

Spicy_McHaggis wrote: »

You need to attend in person.

I don't actually live in the same town as my parents. I will need to make a journey back over tomorrow and present at the local station.

That will teach me to be more careful in future!

Car_54

spookalili wrote: »

I don't actually live in the same town as my parents. I will need to make a journey back over tomorrow and present at the local station.

That will teach me to be more careful in future!

The law requires you to report it as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours.

Don't delay - you can report it at any police station.

Spicy_McHaggis

Car_54 wrote: »

The law requires you to report it as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours.

Don't delay - you can report it at any police station.

The person supervising him should have told him all this.

spookalili

So am I able to report this through the 101 number or do I need to turn up to the station with my licence and documents tomorrow morning?

Spicy_McHaggis

spookalili wrote: »

So am I able to report this through the 101 number or do I need to turn up to the station with my licence and documents tomorrow morning?

This

Spicy_McHaggis wrote: »

You need to attend in person.

And this

Car_54 wrote: »

The law requires you to report it as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours.

Don't delay - you can report it at any police station.