I took someones wing mirror off

[Itwasachristmasjoke]

They were parked on some double yellows, and as I was passing them a van sped past me and the car to my left sides mirror got hit, I absolutely lost my head for a moment and carried on driving but eventually did turn around and went back to leave my number but the car was gone. Now I'm freaking out and want to try to find out who they are to rectify. There was a gym next to where it happened so I'm wondering whether phoning them to get cctv/a reg plate is a good idea? When I went back did find some black plastic off of their mirror in the road.

Also edited to add ive only passed my test in the last few months and I'm am worried I'm going to lose my license already

Report the collision to the police with whatever details you have. Have a look at your local police website online or ring 101 for advice on how to do it.

I’d try and track the owner down first, if OP ca just pay for the wing mirror it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than the amount the insurance will go up by if they make a claim, especially as a new driver
OP - try calling the gym

https://www.askthe.police.uk/faq/?id=36a7242c-09bc-ec11-983f-6045bd11228a

She legally has 24 hrs to report it.

Thanks, the gym opens in 5 minutes so I'm going to call them then and see if they can help

If they were parked on double yellows, they're not the type to be overly worried, and probably just shrugged as they drove off.

The problem is, that doesn't help you to do the right thing, and to cover your own back. I'd return and take photos of the location, draw up a diagram of what happened and hand it in to the police now you have already told them.

Then I'd try to forget it.

Could you put something on one of your local Facebook pages and say you’re looking for so and so car as you’ve damaged the wing mirror?

Appreciate it’s embarrassing, but I see it all the time on my Facebook. Then everyone piles on saying what a great person they are for being honest, so at least you’ll get that praise!

You won’t lose your license for taking a wing mirror off, don’t worry.

I hit a couple of wing mirrors after gaining my driving license. I also hit a lamp post, scraped a parked van and reversed into a shed. It happens!

I dont have Facebook but I do have friends that could help with this, great idea thanks 😊

That isn’t true.

id hate to get my wing mirror taken off and I’ve legally parked on double yellows before now. I’m disabled with a BB and as long as I’m not causing an obstruction I can legally park there.

Yes this, either way...even if they didn't have a blue badge/right to be there i still need to pay my way and rectify what happened, hopefully the gym can help with the reg plate

If it only happened this morning just go back and put a note on with your details? If they're fussed then they will contact you and likely want to settle without insurance involvement due to costs going up for both of you

And take photos so they can't con you for more damage

It was parked outside a gym, not a home and when I went back the car was gone but i found debris from the wingmirror

it happens, it happened to me by someone once when we were driving passed each other,
they never offered and i never demanded.
i wouldnt worry.

I had a similar incident, although no damage, I clipped a wing mirror and returned to investigate to find the car gone, the other week,

Although I was sure I hadn’t damaged anything, I reported it to the police via their online form, just in case. Got an email back in under 24 hours thanking me for reporting and saying no action to take.

it was quite easy to do and was a weight off my mind. I know that there does appear to be damage in your incident but it might be a way forward?

Yes this is what I intend to do, just worried because of the initial driving away I think as it doesn't make me look great in this situation 😱

Good luck!

I called the gym and they have no cctv that faces on to the main road and have suggested that I call the pub that's on the other side of the road, it's set quite far back though and I dont think the cctv would be able to get a reg plate. I'm still going to call but what do I do from here just report to 101 and then wait ans see what happens?

Seriously, all you need to do is report it. It won’t be an issue and that fact that you’ve reported it means that you are complying with legal requirements. I doubt that the pub will give you access to their CCTV and if the other car reports it, you’ve done your bit.

That. I did the same thing once, and just replied it to the police using their online form. I never heard any more about it.

Thanks, ive reported it to 101 on their online form. Hopefully I can relax a little bit now that's done

OP even if you had the registration you wouldn’t be able to find out their personal details.

I thought you could? My mistake..I think my line of thought, even without having their details, with reporting it to 101 just having the registration number would make it easier to match up the incident if the other driver rang it in

Hi yes that’s true. But you would not be able to trace them yourself with the car reg. good luck I hope you get it resolved 🪩

It's coming up to 24 hours since I reported it but I haven't had an email or a call back, does anyone know what the usual wait time is? Thanks 😄