Scratched a parked car they left before I could leave a note

Rainbowpixie

Hi I'm a new driver and need some advice.
Last night I scratched a car while parking at a school. I waited for 45mins for the driver ( I didn't have a pen& paper) but they didn't come out so I went into the school to borrow a pen and paper. When I came back out the car was gone. I've been in a complete mess worrying about this. I called the school at 8am to tell them (I'm thinking it was a staff members car as it was at night and only my daughter's club was one. The car didn't belong to anyone there) I gave them my details and they said they'd put out a school wide email.
Today reading online lots of posts say this is an offence as I didn't exchange details with the driver. Should I wait to see if the driver gets back to me or do I call the police? I'm hoping to pay for the any work the other driver needs done without going through insurance (I can barely afford my insurance being a new driver)
I'm terrified of getting taken to court if I can't reach the other driver. Any advice please?

Car_54

You can't be expected to exchange details with someone who isn't there. However, if you don't, you MUST report it to the police ASAP, and in any case within 24 hours.


If the other party reports it to the police, they will put you in touch, and your insurers can sort it out. If they don't, then life goes on.


In either case, no-one will be taking you to court.


And in future, carry a notebook and pencil!

rach_k

Don't panic. You did what you could at the time and have been sensible getting the email sent out, so the car owner will know you tried. Give the Police a quick call just in case it wasn't somebody from the school, but try not to worry. If you want, you could pop back to the school this afternoon (after school finishes) and if the car is there, leave a note.

Muscle750

i wouldnt worry about it someone hit my car in a car park they caught them on CCTV however they couldnt give me details of reg number etc under Data protection unless i went throu my insurance and reported it to the police etc ..............one word ..JOKE. I would however look out for the car at the school on another day and see if you feel like it speaking to them then.

Car_54

Muscle750 wrote: »

i wouldnt worry about it someone hit my car in a car park they caught them on CCTV however they couldnt give me details of reg number etc under Data protection unless i went throu my insurance and reported it to the police etc ..............one word ..JOKE. I would however look out for the car at the school on another day and see if you feel like it speaking to them then.

Good advice?


Reporting it to the police is mandatory in the circs. OK, the risk of being charged may be small, but the consequences are not. 5-10 points, possible disqualification ....

financegeek

You sound like a very honest person!

i'd call the police now on the non emergency number to report it (if you ever get through!) if they query why you didn't contact them straight away, i'd say you left your details at the scene as best you could but haven't had any contact from the other car.

it might be if it were a minor scratch that they don't bother claiming. My friend had something similar last year when she scratched a car slightly when parking. She left her details at the scene and the owner got in touch to ask for insurance details which she gave, but she never heard anything more.

whatever happens try not to fret too much about it, you've done the right thing in trying to leave your details and i'm sure whoevers car it is will appreciate that x

AndyMc.....

financegeek wrote: »

You sound like a very honest person!

i'd call the police now on the non emergency number to report it (if you ever get through!) if they query why you didn't contact them straight away, i'd say you left your details at the scene as best you could but haven't had any contact from the other car.

it might be if it were a minor scratch that they don't bother claiming. My friend had something similar last year when she scratched a car slightly when parking. She left her details at the scene and the owner got in touch to ask for insurance details which she gave, but she never heard anything more.

whatever happens try not to fret too much about it, you've done the right thing in trying to leave your details and i'm sure whoevers car it is will appreciate that x

The right thing to do would have report it ASAP and with 24 hours to the police.