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Original poster

Involved in RTC :(

22 replies

NCABadger · 04/09/2018 08:33

I was involved in a minor RTC yesterday. I stalled at a set of traffic lights and was bumped by the car behind. Car didn’t stop just drove around me. I haven’t been driving long and panicked and was concerned about getting myself out of danger rather than noting down number plate etc. The damage to my car is minuscule in that there is the tiniest scratch on my rear bumper so wouldn’t need to claim on insurance.

I’ve reported to the local police should the driver of the other vehicle come forward and been told I’ve done the right thing but still feeling really anxious and guilty.

I feel so guilty. It’s the first bump
I’ve had since I passed my test and I am getting used to my new car picked up last week. Really knocked my confidence.

Anyone else been in a similar situation and got any advice? I’ve been out in my car since but it’s really shaken me up :(

Thanks

OP posts:
BirthdayBlueBo · 04/09/2018 08:36

Op you did nothing wrong - you must have been shaken up.
Shame on the other driver who was entirely at fault and drove off.
Hope you’re ok

Purplebeans · 04/09/2018 08:37

The first day of driving my new car a lady slammed into the back of me when I was at a stand still! It was a complete right off!
Bumps are guarenteed to happen, definitely no need to feel guilty about it! It was the person behind you's fault regardless of whether you stalled or not. I felt really nervous driving again after my car was written off but the best thing to do is just get back out there and keep driving!

StrawberryLemonade · 04/09/2018 08:41

Don’t feel guilty it’s not your fault, the other driver is at fault and should have stopped. They’ve committed an offence by not stopping after an accident. Stalling happens sometimes, I’ve been driving for nearly 15 years and stalled yesterday for the first time in ages. The other driver should have been paying attention and leaving a safe distance.

It’s entirelt normal to feel shaken but I think the best thing you can do is keep driving to improve your confidence. Maybe take someone in the car with you?

FairfaxAikman · 04/09/2018 09:05

I'd get your car checked out as a precaution - just because the bumper doesn't show much damage on the outside doesn't mean that it isn't damaged underneath.

Then get yourself a dashcam.

Original poster
NCABadger · 04/09/2018 09:10

Thanks for the replies.

I wish I could stop being so anxious about it. It was traffic lights at a really busy roundabout and there was nowhere safe to pull over in the immediate vicinity. I just panicked and tried to get myself out of danger. I hope i’ve done the right thing reporting it. A few cars ended up driving around me whilst I tried to get going again (just a little embarrassing!) so I assume the other driver either wasn’t bothered or perhaps didn’t have insurance? As there’s only a tiny scratch on my car barely noticeable one would hope there’s little to no damage to theirs.

I’m ultimately worried I’m going to get a phone call from the police if the other driver has my number plate and reported me or my insurance if the other driver tries to claim.

My husband thinks I’m overthinking things and that nothing will happen. I’m just not convinced

I’m 8 months pregnant and only picked my new car up last week. I have a midwife appointment this afternoon which I’m now scared to drive too incase something else happens :(

Thanks for listening

OP posts:
Purplebeans · 04/09/2018 09:16

The other driver would be ridiculously stupid to try and claim, any damage would show that they drove in to the back of you and that's always their fault, they'd end up claiming off their own insurance with you claiming off theirs as well! They drove off because they knew they were in the wrong and if they did make a report they would be done for driving off I believe!

Busy roundabouts can be daunting at the best of times, let alone 8 months pregnant with a heightened sense of everything! It's easy to have your confidence knocked and so much harder to build it back up!

witchmountain · 04/09/2018 09:19

The other driver can’t claim, OP. What the PPs mean when they say the other driver was at fault is that if you hit someone from behind like that it is automatically deemed to be your fault, because it is your responsibility to maintain enough distance and not drive into people! So there is no way that other driver is phoning the police or trying to claim. They would also be in trouble for not having stopped.

MummaMinnie · 04/09/2018 09:25

OP you did the right thing reporting it to the police as the other driver has broken the law by driving off. Sadly I doubt anything will happen about it but the other driver should be prosecuted.

Definitely consider buying a dashcam. I bought the NextBase 312GW as it was a Which Best Buy and I've found it really easy to use.

I hope you're OK. These bumps are unsettling especially if you're a new driver. Thanks

Rosemary46 · 04/09/2018 09:28

My DD is also an anxious driver and she uses P plates on her car. It warns other drivers to give you more space and be patient . It’s perfectly legal to use them for as long as you like.

In NI it’s compulsory for a year !

I know some people say that other drivers give them hassle with the P plates but that’s not DD experience . Anyone that acts like that is an arsehole and would hassle you anyway .

I agree it’s always the fault of the driver behind. If you stalled you must have just been pulling away, it’s not unusual . The other driver was either too close behind you or they weren’t paying attention.

The fact that they drove off shows that they knew they were at fault.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 04/09/2018 09:30

Don't feel guilty. I am glad you weren't hurt. The other driver didn't leave enough space when stationary and wasn't paying adequate attention. They were in a hurry to go so I bet they won't report it.

GladAllOver · 04/09/2018 09:32

Get a dash cam. It's time that car makers fitted them as standard.

Original poster
NCABadger · 04/09/2018 09:35

Thanks everyone - will definitely look into the dashcam thing. I just felt like I handled things completely wrong as a newbie driver not having had any experience of these kinds of situations before. I should have paid more attention and got his number plate, or tried to flag him a down, or found somewhere to stop and wait for a while to see if he came back (although unlikely).

Would I be in trouble for not stopping too, or under the circumstances as the other driver had gone is reporting it enough?

The police officer that took down the details yesterday when I went to station to report it was really lovely, calmed me down and even offered to make me tea! To be fair I think she was worried about me going into premature labour at that point I’d got myself in a right state!

OP posts:
AndreasFault · 04/09/2018 09:36

Everyone has bumps/scrapes/incidents at some point and it's always a shock. You've done your first, no damage is done, and the shock/memory of it will fade away soon. You did the right thing to report, the other driver would be insane to try and push things further as (assuming your brake lights work and you were stationary or moving forward) it's completely their fault for bumping you.

Get back in your car, get to your appointment and look forward to meeting your baby very soon.

witchmountain · 04/09/2018 10:23

OP, no need to worry about not stopping yourself - the reason to stop is to for both/all parties to check damage and exchange details. Since the other driver had hightailed it there was nothing for you to stop for.

GladAllOver · 04/09/2018 10:55

Thumbs up to you for reporting it, and especially to the lovely police officer!

Original poster
NCABadger · 04/09/2018 11:23

Sorry just another question related to the above....

Should I let my insurers know about the bump even if I don’t intend on making a claim? Husband says no, but that contradicts what I’ve read online....

Worried about affecting my premiums obviously (already stupidly high as a new driver!), but not sure if they take this kind of thing into consideration. If it’s the right thing to do though of course I will do it!

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
NCABadger · 04/09/2018 11:26

@Rosemary46 thanks for your reply...I do have P plates which I was using on my old car and found they worked really well. Driving around for 5 weeks with no issues. However, new car has fancy metallic paint that the plates don’t stick to? It’s really weird as I thought they would go on any car...🤔

OP posts:
GladAllOver · 04/09/2018 13:12

Re the insurance, don't take random advice on the Internet. Have a look at your policy. It will tell you what to do in the case of an accident. Certainly mine says that I have to inform them.

GladAllOver · 04/09/2018 13:14

I wouldn't tell them that I stalled the car though. The reason you stopped doesn't matter. You were stationary and the other driver should not have hit you.

Original poster
NCABadger · 04/09/2018 13:46

@GladAllOver thanks for the advice. I’ve just rung them as I checked my policy and it said I need to inform them regardless of whether or not I’m making a claim. Hopefully it won’t affect my premiums too much next year. I told them what happened and they said regardless of me stalling, it’s still the other drivers fault for being too close/not paying attention so if I did decide to claim it would be classed as ‘non fault’ on my part. Gave them the crime ref number I got yesterday I feel like I can rest a bit easier now x

OP posts:
Original poster
NCABadger · 04/09/2018 15:00

@AndreasFault I did drive the car down to my midwife appointment this afternoon despite being nervous which was a positive thing! It was funny because on my way out of the estate a learner in the car infront stalled 3 times at a junction. I felt so bad for them, but just kept my distance and waited patiently. I can sympathise totally!

OP posts:
GladAllOver · 04/09/2018 17:36

Badger
You've handled this correctly, and you can now let it drift from your mind. You have a far more important and exciting event to look forward to. Good luck!

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