Letter from Police about collision with parked car.

BlueVinney

A friend (yes really) without a computer has received a Police visit and letter about a reported accident which he maintains he didn't do. All they told him was the locality, time and that the other car was parked at the time. At the end of the visit they told him they have no interest in persuing anything further with him. He admitted that he was in the area at around the time but confident that he did not make contact with any other vehicle whilst turning his vehicle. He later asked my advice as he needed more details before deciding what to do.

(Fortunately) I've no experience of anything equivalent so would like some advice to be able to pass on to him. So thanks for any responses.

TadleyBaggie

The police will almost certainly pass his details on to the other party, so except an insurance claim being made. Your friend needs to inform their own insurance company of a possible claim.

MildMellow

TadleyBaggie said:

The police will almost certainly pass his details on to the other party

This sounds highly unlikely. If they do pass the details on and, for example, the other party takes revenge then the officers involved would be in a whole load of trouble. 30 years ago maybe, but in today's risk averse blame culture I can't see it happening.

jimjames

MildMellow said:

TadleyBaggie said:

The police will almost certainly pass his details on to the other party

This sounds highly unlikely. If they do pass the details on and, for example, the other party takes revenge then the officers involved would be in a whole load of trouble. 30 years ago maybe, but in today's risk averse blame culture I can't see it happening.

Admittedly it was 10 years ago and pre GDPR but a car hit mine when parked, we had the reg and the police wrote to us giving the owner details.

TadleyBaggie

MildMellow said:

TadleyBaggie said:

The police will almost certainly pass his details on to the other party

This sounds highly unlikely. If they do pass the details on and, for example, the other party takes revenge then the officers involved would be in a whole load of trouble. 30 years ago maybe, but in today's risk averse blame culture I can't see it happening.

I happens routinely, many cases of it happening on Pepipoo.

Brie

Someone must have seen the incident and given someone (the hit car's owner?) the reg number in order for the police to contact anyone.  So why would they need to give any info to the owner?  All the owner needs to do is give their insurance company the reg number and they can do the rest.

Car_54

Brie said:

Someone must have seen the incident and given someone (the hit car's owner?) the reg number in order for the police to contact anyone.  So why would they need to give any info to the owner?  All the owner needs to do is give their insurance company the reg number and they can do the rest.

The claim will be against the driver. The reg number does not identify the driver.

TadleyBaggie

Car_54 said:

Brie said:

Someone must have seen the incident and given someone (the hit car's owner?) the reg number in order for the police to contact anyone.  So why would they need to give any info to the owner?  All the owner needs to do is give their insurance company the reg number and they can do the rest.

The claim will be against the driver. The reg number does not identify the driver.

Precisely, which is why the police will contact the RK (under S.172 of RTA 88) to obtain this. The insurance company has no powers to compel the RK to disclose the driver at the time of the incident.

DullGreyGuy

Brie said:

Someone must have seen the incident and given someone (the hit car's owner?) the reg number in order for the police to contact anyone.  So why would they need to give any info to the owner?  All the owner needs to do is give their insurance company the reg number and they can do the rest.

Many don't want to involve their insurers in a non-fault accident and hope that people will cooperate more with the policy. They equally may not know they can get the registered keeper's details from the DVLA and buy the insurance details of the vehicle from the MIB

Doesn't have to be "someone", could be the TP themselves returning to their vehicle, walking around looking for a vehicle with corresponding damage or dashcam/CCTV capturing it. When someone did a hit and run on my parked car everyone recommended looking around. I got a copy of the CCTV but it was a panning camera and it showed the vacant space next to mine and next pass an Audi was parked in there that stayed all day. Saw the Audi a couple days later and there was not a mark on it so likely someone else did it and drove off and the Audi then parked in the space during the time of the pan. Certainly some mates said to give the insurer the Audi's reg.

SpudGunPaul

MildMellow said:

TadleyBaggie said:

The police will almost certainly pass his details on to the other party

This sounds highly unlikely. If they do pass the details on and, for example, the other party takes revenge then the officers involved would be in a whole load of trouble. 30 years ago maybe, but in today's risk averse blame culture I can't see it happening.

Why, are you unaware of the road traffic act?

ROY47

First question to ask your friend

Is there any damage / scratches on his car  on or around front or rear "bumper" area ?

He admitted that he was in the area at around the time but confident that he did not make contact with any other vehicle whilst turning his vehicle 

He or she may not have noticed any damage to their vehicle