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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

i thought you couldnt leave scene of an accident

22 replies

greenwichgroove · 07/08/2012 17:56

Until police came.

Bad smash at front of our house. One car bonnet smashed to pieces, both windscreen bullseye, side windows wrecked, engine smoking and fuel spilling out, glass on road.

Car one hit at back, not as bad. I checked all ok, offered use of phone.

Car one exchanged details and drove home. Car two the badly damaged one left car and walked home.

I thought you had to wait for police.

OP posts:
PenisVanLesbian · 07/08/2012 17:57

Not if no-one is hurt. You can't have the police out to every fender bender.

JumpingThroughHoops · 07/08/2012 17:58

So long as they had swapped details, no.

mind you, its a good defence to get home, if you are over the limit, and give yourself a stiff brandy. Can't be proved whether you were or weren't at the time of the accident.

MissKeithLemon · 07/08/2012 17:59

Police won't come out round here unless 'street furniture' is damaged Hmm or unless an ambulance is required for anyone involved...

WelshMaenad · 07/08/2012 17:59

I was rearended by an articulated lorry a few months back, who drove off without stopping, and despite getting the reg and company name, the police didn't even give one tenth of a fuck!

Original poster
greenwichgroove · 07/08/2012 18:01

That's what I was thinking jumping. I thought they had to breathalise. (Sp?)

Ok so what happens to the fuel leaking engine smoking car in my neighbours garden?

OP posts:
bureni · 07/08/2012 18:01

No, its perfectly legal as long as details are exchanged but considering the damage that was caased I certainly would have phoned the police even to obtain an incident number on the spot for insurance purposes. The accident will still need to be reported with in 24 hours I beleive.

JumpingThroughHoops · 07/08/2012 18:02

One of them should have called the AA or fire brigade to deal with it.

You don't breathalise every knock and bang.

SauvignonBlanche · 07/08/2012 18:02

You don't need tho police unless someone is injured, unlike in the US, where you do have to wait for them.

WelshMaenad · 07/08/2012 18:03

Car owner should arrange with insurance company for removal. Did your neighbours get their details / if the car is in their garden presumably they have a claim for any damages also?

JumpingThroughHoops · 07/08/2012 18:04

Leaky fuel is a bit off though, on a worst case scenario that someone strolls past and flicks a fag butt down.

bureni · 07/08/2012 18:07

There is always the possibility that this was a "crash for cash" incident and that the drivers knew each other. I would be concerned for any fuel/oil and debris that has been left on the road which could result in another incident.

OldGreyWiffleTest · 07/08/2012 18:10

If it's still leaking, then you must call the fire brigade and the police.

controlpantsandgladrags · 07/08/2012 18:10

Surely if there's fuel leaking the fire brigade should be called?

danteV · 07/08/2012 18:11

If there is fuel leaking and smoke call the fire brigade. Also police should be informed if it is on your neighbours property.
Did the crash end up in their garden.

Original poster
greenwichgroove · 07/08/2012 18:11

Ahh ok just we were hit by a car years ago and police came so thought that was case.

Neighbour not in due back from work shortly.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 07/08/2012 18:12

Did the driver who walked off say he was going home, or could he have been going to get help to move the car?

5madthings · 07/08/2012 18:18

as long as they gave their details its fine i think? i saw an accident the other day, i was crossing a pedestrian crossing and one car had stopped to let us go, the car coming behind wasnt paying attention and wacked into the back of the stationary car, anyway i gave my details as a witness and they were very grateful and then i left.

if no one is hurt then that is what i would do, if someone needed assistance even just because they were in shock or upset i would stay until some help arrived.

if there is fuel spilt etc and a fire risk then call the fire brigade and the non-emergency police number to report the accident.

Original poster
greenwichgroove · 07/08/2012 18:22

It was pushed it into her garden as its not fenced and concrete and the fence starts further up, just flower boxes, don't think they even realised it was a garden. Being near city centre on a very busy pretty narrow road they just wanted it out of way of traffic. On phone to 101 now, its only smoking a bit no flames. More worried about the fuel on the road.

OP posts:
5madthings · 07/08/2012 18:26

well if there is smoke then there is fire! so you are right to call the emergency services, hope its all ok :)

SammyB30 · 07/08/2012 18:30

A small amount of smoke means a great deal of heat and combined with the fuel you should call 999 and get fire brigade to come and deal with it.

bureni · 07/08/2012 18:36

I agree, the smoke might only be steam from a broken hose or radiator but for your on intrests and the intrests of other road users phone the police right away and let them decide if any further emergency/cleanup services are required. Out of curiousity are there any indications that the cars may be Hire cars?

sparklekitty · 07/08/2012 20:16

Police will only attend if there is injury, a problem with details being exchanged (i.e. one person won't) or the road is blocked. Fuel spillage should be fire brigade (and possibly will also be attended by police if a unit is spare). If there is still fuel on the road you should call fire, nothing the police can do if you call them.

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