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Original poster

Scraped a parked car - and panicked

42 replies

VikingLady · 16/08/2023 14:37

Today has been a very bad day. I scraped someone's car reversing out of a tiny parking space, leaving a smear of my paint on their bumper. The driver wasn't around, I didn't have pen and paper to leave a note, and I frankly panicked a bit and drove off. I am aware I shouldn't, but I couldn't wait - my son had a medical appointment.

I've looked it up now I'm home and found out driving off was illegal, which I should have realised (I only passed my test this year), and have no idea what to do.

I don't have their details to contact them. Do I wait and see if I hear from police? There may have been CCTV, I'm not sure.

So stupid. Im definitely never driving there again. The spaces are tiny.

OP posts:
Oowoo · 16/08/2023 14:40

If you’re feeling guilty about it you could go back and see if the car is still there?
if you have the reg no. You could go through insurance? But honestly I wouldn’t bother you just need to let it go, you made a mistake but you won’t do it again, you didn’t hurt anybody and it sounds like a tiny bump.

Jellybean23 · 16/08/2023 14:42

Was it a supermarket carpark? At the very least, I would drive back and see if the car is still there and leave a note. If it's gone, I'd leave my details at the customer service desk. The 'victim' may well ask them if they have any cctv so it would go a long way to helping if you have made yourself known.

stealthninjamum · 16/08/2023 14:45

We all make mistakes and panic but I agree with previous posters, I’d go back and try to find details of the car and maybe give your name to the carpark owner or police. I think I’d have sleepless nights that they had cctv and were going to catch me anyway.

Original poster
VikingLady · 16/08/2023 14:47

I can't go back, it's a fair distance and we have medical stuff going on today. It was a local attraction overflow car park.

It was paintwork damage only, as far as I could see. Though my car is a very distinctive colour.

OP posts:
Original poster
VikingLady · 16/08/2023 14:47

I'll message the main reception. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
VikingLady · 16/08/2023 14:56

Great, they won't deal with it. They say it goes through a separate private CCTV company, so now I've no idea what to do!

OP posts:
YoSof · 16/08/2023 15:14

Can they give you the details of the private company to email them?

WaxhamSeals · 16/08/2023 15:18

Report it to the police. Before the other driver contacts them

Original poster
VikingLady · 16/08/2023 15:42

I've left my details with the cctv company. Who sounded bemused that I'd bother.

OP posts:
washingmachineslivelongerwithcalgon · 16/08/2023 15:45

You could've at least taken a photo of the reg. it's infuriating when others damage your belongings and make no effort to even apologise let alone pay for repairs.

Maybe look to see if there are any local Facebook groups for the town and post in there with the description of the car and see if the owner is on there. Long shot but it'll make you look a lot better.

Piscesmumma1978 · 16/08/2023 15:53

I wouldn't worry. Paint will come off.

A dent etc would be worth getting in contact.

LaurieFairyCake · 16/08/2023 15:54

Sounds like nothing Flowers

Don't worry, hope it was my (shit) car

creamcheeseandcream · 16/08/2023 16:01

Op I hate to be the outlier here but I would be a bit disgusted if someone hit my car and drove off. It all depends on the damage and wether the driver realises but if the ask for ccv footage, you will be found out.

You've done the right thing by contacting the company. I feel sorry for you as it's so stressful being a new driver on the road esp if you have a lot going on. I hope you're ok xx

Radiatorvalves · 16/08/2023 16:08

Someone scraped my car in à hospital car park a few month back. We were quoted £5k to fix.

Dogandbabymama · 16/08/2023 16:13

This has just happened to my husband and me - the damage didn’t look that bad but is going to cost £1400 to fix, which we just don’t have. It’s a real shame you didn’t leave your details as it would have been the decent thing to do. If I were you now I’d make every effort to find the driver - it’s bad karma to just leave it.

Meadowflower2023 · 16/08/2023 16:14

I was putting my shopping in my car and saw a chap crunch into a car at Meadowhall last year, the cheeky beggar drove off and parked upstairs but I quickly snapped his car and reg and left a note with my number on a paper napkin under the crunched cars wipers. She rang me later that day and it was all sorted (took a long time) through the old chap's insurance (he was 90 + if he was a day!) I'd have been so cross if someone hadn't done the same. Did you get out and have a look and make sure it was just paint and not a proper dent? I'd be annoyed if I'm honest but I am a little precious about my car 🤷🏼‍♀️

FloofCloud · 16/08/2023 16:16

Radiatorvalves · 16/08/2023 16:08

Someone scraped my car in à hospital car park a few month back. We were quoted £5k to fix.

What!! That's insane!

Mmmmdanone · 16/08/2023 16:17

When this happened to my daughter I took registration, called 101 and reported it. They got in touch with the owner who called me and was lovely about it..she had an old car though so wasn't looking for money.

SmileyClare · 16/08/2023 16:18

No one is claiming on their insurance for a bit of paint on their bumper?

Non event - they probably haven’t even noticed.

motherofCatherine · 16/08/2023 16:20

You neeed to calm down and leave it to see what happens. In my opinion

rwalker · 16/08/2023 16:35

See if there a local Facebook group you can post
just put anyone own what ever car it was and was scratched contact me I have there details

FloofCloud · 16/08/2023 16:36

I suspect the greater damage is on your car!

Scenekidfringe · 16/08/2023 16:43

SmileyClare · 16/08/2023 16:18

No one is claiming on their insurance for a bit of paint on their bumper?

Non event - they probably haven’t even noticed.

Well yeah, my car is leased and its expensive. If its damaged then I'm charged so of course I would go through insurance. Not my fault someone hit me so why should I bet out of pocket?

Prescottdanni123 · 16/08/2023 16:46

I've scraped someone's car before. They actually showed up about a minute later so I owned up/swapped details.

I've had my car scraped a few times abd a few minor dents. On all these occasions, the other person just left. The damage was that minor I didn't bother chasing it up. Muttered and swore a bit under my breath when I realized but that was it.

Tartanarmyy · 16/08/2023 16:58

Phone 101 and report it as you might find the other driver contacts the police as well and least you will have reported it yourself.