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AIBU?

to wonder who to report this to?

16 replies

BumpAnonymous · 13/06/2015 21:18

I've name changed for this as I feel very Blush and Angry with myself.

This afternoon I went to do some shopping. Pulled in to a car parking space, slightly misjudged and brushed just above the other cars back wheel arch. Another person who was also parking at the time saw what I did, but did not hang around, instead getting out of their car, going into their boot for some shopping bags and then going off to shop.

I got out to check whether there was any damage. There were some scrapes on my bumper but when I went to check the other car there were only a few black marks. Went into my car and located some baby wipes and proceeded to wipe one of the black marks on the other car. The mark wiped off with no damage underneath that I could see. I didn't wipe off any of the other marks. The marks were oily, so I was unsure whether they came from my car or not and neither my car or bumper is black. Went to my car and there were a couple of streaks of the black that was on the other car. Rubbed that off and no damage underneath that either, just on my bumper.

I had a look round my car to leave a note for the other car owner, but couldn't find anything. Didn't have a phone or anything else like that with me. Waited for approx 5 minutes before leaving. AIBU to wonder what do I do now? I didn't get the reg of the other car or make, as I had nothing with me to note it down. I did consider trying to find the owner but there are many shops for the car park, so it's not like it was one shop where I could go in and get them to tannoy.

I have had a bit of a Google and have seen that I should report this to the police, but there is conflicting advice depending whether there was any damage on the other car or not?

Any advice very much appreciated.

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WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 13/06/2015 21:25

Without seeming like quoting frozen...
Let it go, let it go...
No real damage done.
If the owner comes back and sees new damage on heir at, they can ask for security camera tapes.
Bumpers are soft and squashy for exactly that reason!
If your car is fairly new, go to the bumper and squash it with your foot or knee. Then watch it ping back into shape.
Then you can work out that it want your bumper leaving a black mark!

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Nicknacky · 13/06/2015 21:29

Did you have a phone with you?

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ilovesooty · 13/06/2015 21:32

I appreciate that you're feeling really bad about this but I'd feel inclined to contact the police in case the person who saw you has taken your details and reports you. You don't want to get charged with failing to report an accident even if you don't think there was any obvious damage.

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ilovesooty · 13/06/2015 21:33

Nick she says she didn't.

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BumpAnonymous · 13/06/2015 21:33

Thanks for your replies.

I didn't have my phone with me unfortunately, managed to leave it at home. My DH has told me to stop worrying about it, but I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing and, through looking at some of the slightly scary consequences of not doing the right thing, not be getting in to trouble with points on licence/fine.

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BumpAnonymous · 13/06/2015 21:35

Sooty - will I be ok to ring the non-emergency number or do I have to attend a station? Do you know what they can/will do? I can remember the colour of the car but not the make or reg.

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Nicknacky · 13/06/2015 21:35

I agree with ilovesooty. You have collided with a car and caused minor damage and therefore you are required by S170 RTA 1998 to report it at the time or as soon as reasonably practicable. (I'm paraphrasing because I haven't googled the exact wording). It is not dependant on the extent of damage but you commit mono offence by reporting to police but you do commit an offence if you fail to.

Keep yourself right.

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Nicknacky · 13/06/2015 21:37

Gah, I should learn to read properly regarding the phone, apologies!!

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Floralnomad · 13/06/2015 21:38

Why did you leave after 5 minutes - I thought you had gone shopping ? Did you seriously have nothing in your bag that you could write a note on ?

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BumpAnonymous · 13/06/2015 21:42

I left because I was a bit flustered tbh. First time I've ever bumped into anything. I suffer from anxiety in general and had a bit of a panic attack whilst waiting in my car, didn't really feel much up to shopping straight away. No, i didn't have anything otherwise I would have left my details. I have had my car scrapped before by others whilst parked and no one has ever left any details, I know how annoying it is when it happens to you.

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Nicknacky · 13/06/2015 21:46

Phone 101 and give them the details that you have. They will advise you further.

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ilovesooty · 13/06/2015 21:47

I'm not sure whether 101 as soon as you can or attending the station in the morning would be better.
You must be feeling worried - I would - but it's obvious you want to do the right thing so try not to take it to heart.

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ilovesooty · 13/06/2015 21:48

X post 101 will advise you as Nick says.

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BumpAnonymous · 13/06/2015 22:00

Thank you for your replies.

I've spoken to 101 who have taken the details and said that if someone makes a claim it will go onto my log number and they will take it from there.

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ArgentinianMalbec · 13/06/2015 22:22

I did this recently in sainsburys. There was some minor scratches to the car I scuffed. I took a pic of the damage with my phone including the registration of the car in the pic. I then went in sainsburys and asked for a pen and paper and wrote a note which i put on their car, apologising and with my phone number. I then went and got my lunch and sat and ate it in my car - the owner didn't come back that whole time. I never heard from them. I felt really bad though I really wanted to see them in person to apologise and exchange details.

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ilovesooty · 13/06/2015 22:34

Good that 101 were helpful. Hope you feel a bit better.

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