Letter from police after minor car accident

waamo

JH6568 wrote: »

Thanks all. He will respond to the request. It just seems quite unbelievable that someone can accuse another of this - it really is one word against the other. I guess we could have/should be reporting the other driver for the exact same thing. The other driver clearly knows that reversing into a road from a driveway will make them blameworthy so are attempting underhand methods to pass the buck! ��

The other driver may not actually have accused him of anything. An accident has been reported to the police. They issue a NIP to both parties while they investigate just in case they decide to prosecute.

Both parties say it was an accident, no harm done, insurance will sort it out.

The police are then happy to leave it at that. No further action. The other driver may have had exactly the same letter that's drawn up from a template.

Shaun_of_the_Dead

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

I had exactly the same thing a few months ago, when a lorry tried to push it's way into my lane in slow moving traffic, and collided with the rear of my car causing about £300 of damage.

I reported the incident to the police by phone, and was shocked to receive a similar notice a few days later.

Fortunately for me the whole incident was caught on my dashcam, and I sent a copy of the video to the police with my statement. I then received a letter stating that no further action was being taken against either party.

It appears that the police send these notices out as a formality. It is no wonder that they are overworked, as dealing with just my single incident must have taken up several police hours sending two letters to me (and presumably the lorry driver as well).

All totally unnecessary work on their behalf, all for nothing.

I'd bet there wasn't a single police officer involved in that.

Shaun_of_the_Dead

waamo wrote: »

The other driver may not actually have accused him of anything. An accident has been reported to the police. They issue a NIP to both parties while they investigate just in case they decide to prosecute.

Both parties say it was an accident, no harm done, insurance will sort it out.

The police are then happy to leave it at that. No further action. The other driver may have had exactly the same letter that's drawn up from a template.

If an accident is reported to the police there's no need for an NIP. I doubt there will be any police investigation and more a case of support staff sending out forms.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Shaun_of_the_Dead wrote: »

I'd bet there wasn't a single police officer involved in that.

Both letters I received were personally signed by a PC, who stated in the second letter that he had reviewed the dashcam footage .

The envelopes looked like they were both typed on a typewriter.

waamo

Shaun_of_the_Dead wrote: »

If an accident is reported to the police there's no need for an NIP. I doubt there will be any police investigation and more a case of support staff sending out forms.

Indeed but it's pretty much an automated process with no thinking involved.

foxy-stoat

Car_54 wrote: »

There's nothing to stop anyone making such an allegation.


He has a legal obligation to respond to the s.172 request. Failure has dire consequences.

Really, and the police will take it seriously, without any evidence?

I reported someone for slabbing someone else, there was even a post on faceache appealing for witnesses - duck all was done about it....he went on to stab someone else and killed them. Such is life.

Car_54

foxy-stoat wrote: »

Really, and the police will take it seriously, without any evidence?

Where did I say they would take it seriously?


FWIW one person's sworn statement is evidence.

foxy-stoat

Car_54 wrote: »

Where did I say they would take it seriously?


FWIW one person's sworn statement is evidence.

So if the Third Party gave a sworn statement, "while I was reversing out of my driveway with a large parked car next to it I backed into a car that was driving along the road" they wouldn't of been charged at the time?

129T

Just to clear up...


This sounds like the other party involved has completed a self reporting form online and this is for general enquiry.


The offence of without due care/careless & inconsiderate must be witnessed by a Police Officer. An NIP should not be issued under the circumstances. It does sound like the other party is trying to add weight to any claim, but ultimately it's in the insurers hands now. You will have nothing to worry from the Police.


Police would only attend and report injury accidents, there are others like a fail to stop, bus, dog etc that they are also bound to report.

born_again

JH6568 wrote: »

Thanks all. He will respond to the request. It just seems quite unbelievable that someone can accuse another of this - it really is one word against the other. I guess we could have/should be reporting the other driver for the exact same thing. The other driver clearly knows that reversing into a road from a driveway will make them blameworthy so are attempting underhand methods to pass the buck! ��

Just make sure that the person who was driving the car was the insured & not a uninsured family member just moving it.