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Original poster

Van reversed into my parked car and driver is blaming me!

49 replies

NoEffingWay · 30/10/2023 22:32

Just want to fact check because google is being unhelpful.

Yesterday I left my car behind a works van, there was a good amount of clearance and it was the middle of the day with good visibility.

Went out to the car and it had a big dent and a scrape down the middle of the bonnet. There was a note, but not from the driver but from a neighbour telling me the name of the company, the time and that the driver had reversed into my car and drove off.

Contacted the company who were apologetic and said that the driver had told them he had driven into my car and they had assumed he would have left his details. They said the driver would pay for the damage.

Got a quote from the body shop and it's a £400 bill to fix and re-spray the bonnet.

The driver calls me, says that he thinks that's 'too dear' and said it was my fault because he thinks I was too close HmmShock. I stayed calm but stated the facts-he says 'I took photos'. After he hit my car I assume!

Any advice mumsnetters? My car is old and I worry it would be written off for this, when really what I want is for it to be fixed so it doesn't look crap or get a big rusty patch in the middle of the bonnet!

OP posts:
Original poster
NoEffingWay · 30/10/2023 22:33

Sorry, so as not to drip feed- the driver said he didn't leave a note because he had no paper, and he 'gave my neighbour a nod ad he drove off'

OP posts:
parietal · 30/10/2023 22:34

go through insurance.

Buffypaws · 30/10/2023 22:35

Tell him to pay up or you’ll call the police

Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 states that the driver of the motor vehicle must stop at the scene of an accident (this includes damage to a person, property or animal), regardless of the severity of the collision or who is to blame.
Failure to do so is punishable with a maximum sentence of six months’ imprisonment, you may also receive a fine.

Original poster
NoEffingWay · 30/10/2023 22:37

If the bill for repair equals a quarter of the cars value, surely this equals a big fat no from the insurers? Honestly, so much hassle and I have no real money to replace my car. I also love it, as it was the first thing I sorted post divorce that gave my some of my freedom back Confused

OP posts:
Saschka · 30/10/2023 22:38

Similar happened to be - artic reversed without a spotter, directly into my stationary car. Driver admitted it all at the time, then denied it had ever happened when my insurance contacted his employer. Luckily I had witnesses.

Go through your insurance. You have a witness. He hasn’t got a leg to stand on.

Original poster
NoEffingWay · 30/10/2023 22:39

@Buffypaws that's my next step I think. I have told the company that I will only deal with them, as the conversation with the driver was really unpleasant and made me feel so upset. He seemed to think I was in the wrong and was quite threatening.

OP posts:
Saschka · 30/10/2023 22:39

NoEffingWay · 30/10/2023 22:37

If the bill for repair equals a quarter of the cars value, surely this equals a big fat no from the insurers? Honestly, so much hassle and I have no real money to replace my car. I also love it, as it was the first thing I sorted post divorce that gave my some of my freedom back Confused

No, it’s if the bill for repair is MORE than the value of the car. In which case, they give you the value of the car.

thismummydrinksgin · 30/10/2023 22:40

I'd advise to go through insurance or you're going to be battling every step of the way. Let them deal with him.

Saschka · 30/10/2023 22:41

NoEffingWay · 30/10/2023 22:39

@Buffypaws that's my next step I think. I have told the company that I will only deal with them, as the conversation with the driver was really unpleasant and made me feel so upset. He seemed to think I was in the wrong and was quite threatening.

Don’t talk to the driver, don’t talk to his employer (especially to threaten him with the police - the time to ring them was when you car was hit, not weeks later).

Ring your insurers and let them sort it out.

Motheranddaughtertotwo · 30/10/2023 22:43

Do not speak to the driver again. Give his number to your insurance company and let them deal with it. Make sure you report within 24/48 hours, whatever your policy states.

Original poster
NoEffingWay · 30/10/2023 22:44

I was a bit stuck, and still am as I don't have the van registration and only have the company name. The last time someone drive into my car I was in it at the time which was a lot easier to deal with. At least that time I was in full receipt of the facts!

Unhelpfully the neighbour who left the note didn't give their name, address or contact details so I have been playing sleuth since yesterday afternoon.

OP posts:
MrsJackRackam · 30/10/2023 22:49

I think, think, that even if the car is deemed a write off you still can use the insurance payout money to repair your car. I don't think the insurance company remove your car. I'm sure a friend did this but happy to be corrected.

margotrose · 30/10/2023 22:51

Ring your insurance - they'll deal with it's that's what you pay them for!

ttcat37 · 30/10/2023 23:12

NoEffingWay · 30/10/2023 22:44

I was a bit stuck, and still am as I don't have the van registration and only have the company name. The last time someone drive into my car I was in it at the time which was a lot easier to deal with. At least that time I was in full receipt of the facts!

Unhelpfully the neighbour who left the note didn't give their name, address or contact details so I have been playing sleuth since yesterday afternoon.

You’re not stuck. Ring the company back and tell them their driver is refusing to pay. Tell them that unless he pays you’ll be claiming on their insurance and can you please have the registration of the van to do so? I imagine at this point they will go away and have a chat with their employee and your money will arrive very soon. Or they may pay you themselves. If not, ring back and say that as they’re refusing their insurance details you’ll be reporting driver to the police for failing to stop at an accident and provide details (offence under Road Traffic Act).

Tatumm · 30/10/2023 23:16

If your car is written off you will get a payout and if you want to, you can often buy the car back cheaply from the insurance company; then get it fixed.

Whatthebarnacles · 30/10/2023 23:27

If its a work van (sign written), which it sounds like it was given the neighbour could identify the company, and he is an employee, it'll be on Fleet / commercial insurance. Just call the employer and ask for their insurance details. If they don't want to go through insurance for any reason, they'll stump up. Alternatively, if they're really arsey, call your insurance and tell them the company / employer name and they will check themselves.

FictionalCharacter · 30/10/2023 23:41

NoEffingWay · 30/10/2023 22:44

I was a bit stuck, and still am as I don't have the van registration and only have the company name. The last time someone drive into my car I was in it at the time which was a lot easier to deal with. At least that time I was in full receipt of the facts!

Unhelpfully the neighbour who left the note didn't give their name, address or contact details so I have been playing sleuth since yesterday afternoon.

This is what you pay your insurance company for. Let them do the sleuthing and chase the company for money.
You have to tell your insurer about all accidents anyway. If you don't, it can invalidate your insurance.

BitofaStramash · 30/10/2023 23:43

Call your insurance

ACGTHelixA · 30/10/2023 23:45

i always recommend dash cameras, to prove x

UndercoverCop · 30/10/2023 23:47

If it's an old car and the insurance write it off it can go on your favour, they pay you for the car then you buy it back off them for a very reduced price and get the work done out of the money they gave you and pocket the change. It'll make it a cat d/s etc but if it's an old car you're probably not worried about resale value. DH did this many moons ago.

IAmNeon · 31/10/2023 00:31

OP the company insurance pays for the damage not the driver. He's trying to settle outside of insurance and having the cheek to haggle about it! He's also committed a crime by driving off without leaving his details. Tell your insurance company and pass on the details of the company, names of driver and who you spoke to, times of events, details of your neighbor the witness. Let the insurance deal with it. It's not your fault, assuming you were legally parked. You're not at fault simply for parking behind him, he shouldn't have assumed the road was still empty when he reversed.

IAmNeon · 31/10/2023 00:38

OP it wouldn't matter if you'd parked so close you'd blocked him in, he still wouldn't have the right to damage your car getting out.

Thisbig · 31/10/2023 02:35

I would be worried about unseen damage that might make your car unsafe anyway tbh OP. We had a really minor bump in DH's car and it was written off because there was integral damage which couldn't be safely repaired, you'd be surprised how little impact there needs to be. Not worth the risk however much you love the car imo and I would just go through insurance and let them sort it out.

NeunundneunzigHorseBallonz · 31/10/2023 03:43

He didn't leave his details. Still a hit and run

curaçao · 31/10/2023 07:46

IAmNeon · 31/10/2023 00:38

OP it wouldn't matter if you'd parked so close you'd blocked him in, he still wouldn't have the right to damage your car getting out.

I thought if someone was blocking you in, you could yse reasonabke force to get out? I was told this by police, but quite a long time ago.