Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I am shaking with worry - did something soooo stupid

126 replies

marriedinwhite · 10/01/2013 20:58

This morning on the way to drop ds at school (a drive I have done for 10 years) I clipped another car and took off my wing mirror.

I heard the bang but didn't realise my wing mirror was hanging off for at least 50 yards and was running a bit late. By the time I said to ds, what happened? we were another 100 yards on. I was in shock and dropped him at school (90 sec - he hops out as I pull up - he's 18 so no danger).

Realising what had happened I went back to the spot and parked and examined all the the parked cars for damage to leave a note with details, etc.. I couldn't see any damage.

It all happened so fast - but I should have stopped and I didn't am now really worried that I will be reported for not stopping after an accident.

There's not much I can do but I feel absolutely dreadful and terrified someone will have taken my number and reported me.

My wing mirror looked wrecked but I went straight to my mechanic and he says he can repair with half a wing mirror and it will only cost about £100 but that's not the point - I didn't stop and I feel terrified and awful because I should and I can't really explain why except for the shock factor and that I was 150 yards away and almost at school before it happened.

Oh that sounds pathetic - but 30 odd years of driving and I've never done anything so stupid.

OP posts:
ElsieMc · 01/07/2015 12:57

I did this years ago and really worried. The van I clipped was already full of bumps and dents and was in an area many contractors lodge. I actually rang the police when I got to work and they acted like I was mad for even ringing them. I was told to just be careful I didn't get the blame for the rest of the bumps. Nothing ever came of it. Please don't worry about it.

WinterOfOurDiscountTents15 · 01/07/2015 12:59

Its still your responsibility, no matter how badly or illegal parked someone is. You still have to pay attention and avoid obstacles, after all, you wouldn't expect "if the person wasn't in the road I wouldn't have hit him" to work would you?

Cheby · 01/07/2015 13:04

If he was blocking your side of the road and there was oncoming traffic, then you should have stopped until it was clear.

specialsubject · 01/07/2015 13:07

note the number of posts here 'I reversed out of driveway/parking space and hit something...'

reverse IN. Reversing out is bloody dangerous. You can't see properly with the crap design of most cars.

OP - you misjudged a gap which we all do at times. Sounds like you've done your best to find the damage, if there's no other damaged car there's not a lot you can do.

Hare5260 · 01/07/2015 13:08

OP, I don't know where you live, and I'm sure this goes for the counties, but in the Met, we use a self reporting form which you can download, fill in and drop into your local station if you're still concerned.

Link is here Self Reporting Form

Really do not worry though, wing mirrors are knocked off all the time. If only everyone was as honest as you Flowers

SistersofPercy · 01/07/2015 13:24

By the way £100 for a wing mirror replacement seems steep. I'm sure u can get them from halfords for under £20

It depends on the type of wing mirror the OP has, something she hasn't stated. If it's an electric or heated mirror then £100 is cheap. Not every car has basic mirrors.

haveabreakhaveakitkat · 01/07/2015 13:36

Just after I passed my test, 20+ years ago, I hit a parked car. I just clipped it's light with my light as I misjudged the gap. I completely freaked and carried on driving along the road then stopped, gathered myself together and drove back. In that time the lady (who saw through the window) had called the police. They turned up and I ended up with a summons to court, 3 points on licence for dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident, and a fine.

After going through this, I would never not report anything, it's just not worth the stress and worry it causes. You never know who might have seen you.

emwithme · 01/07/2015 14:27

I did this once - misjudged my width, clipped another car, knackered my wing mirror. I stopped in the middle of the road (no time pressure - no cars either way); checked the car I'd hit and there was absolutely no damage. However, my wing mirror was totally gone - the one on their car had obviously absorbed the damage and mine hadn't. Ho hum. I did leave a note but nothing came of it.

Goshthatsspicy · 01/07/2015 14:34

I've managed to drive over a whole computer monitor!
Just to make you feel better.

BitOfABoost · 01/07/2015 14:41

Zombie Thread!!

LurkingHusband · 01/07/2015 14:43

They also said that if I had left they would simply have arrested me on the basis that I had something to hide.

Er, PoCA (and indeed English Law) specifically prohibit the police from arresting a person solely for refusing to answer a question (unless you are in one of the S78 designated "terror zones"). The police may only arrest on "reasonable suspicion", (which they may have to prove at a later date to a judge).

Of course the police may tell you they can arrest you for not answering, because the police are allowed to lie to get a confession. But if people can't be bothered to know their rights, it's hardly surprising they get them abused Sad.

Mind you the point is moot, since the police are rarely censured for breaking the law.

GilbertBlytheWouldGetIt · 01/07/2015 14:53

Your DH is wrong, you do need to report it to the police within 24 hours or you can be prosecuted for leaving the scene of an accident.

derxa · 01/07/2015 14:54

Tell your insurance company with details.

A cautionary tale. My DH was reported to the police for reversing into a car in a car park. He has no recall of doing this. His car was small the other was a 4x4 type thing. There was no visible damage on his car but the complainant said there was damage on his. DH ended up in court and was advised to plead guilty. He is the most honest of men and this caused him huge anxiety. To this day he has no idea what happened. Anyway we have always had mega insurance e.g. no claims bonus protection. I would advise anyone to get the same.

Heels99 · 01/07/2015 14:58

Exp

tabulahrasa · 01/07/2015 15:02

I did something similar when I was a new driver, just knocked the glass out rather than the whole casing...couldn't see any damage on any of the parked cars and couldn't work out where I'd hit, so as I didn't want to leave the scene of an accident and was along the road from the police station I reported it.

The police went Hmm a lot at me, lol. They did take a note of it but they didn't seem to think it was worth reporting.

chewymeringue · 01/07/2015 15:03

Try not to worry op, by all means report it yourself but there may have been no damage. I remember clipping a car when I was 19. The noise was really loud, I stopped a few metres up the road and checked my car, nothing, then went back to check the car I'd clipped, no visible damage. I left a note anyway. The woman who owned the car called me later and thanked me for leaving the note but said she couldn't see any damage at all.

formerbabe · 01/07/2015 15:05

Honestly nothing will happen...stop worrying

ChilliAndMint · 01/07/2015 15:05

I have lost loads of wing mirrors. They are a piece of cake to replace. You can get them from Euro car parts.
If anyone says they've seen you hit the other car I'd admit to doing it and explain that you did go back etc.

GGabcd · 01/07/2015 15:10

Does no-one look at the Zombie post warning???

ChilliAndMint · 01/07/2015 15:13

Eh? What zombie post ? OMG, I never check the dates.

WinterOfOurDiscountTents15 · 01/07/2015 15:14

Does no-one look at the Zombie post warning???

There isn't one after a few posts have revived it.

GilbertBlytheWouldGetIt · 01/07/2015 15:14

there wasn't a warning! I hope the OP reported it during the interim! Grin

FruChristerOla · 01/07/2015 15:18

Quite GGabd! Not only is this a Zombie thread from Jan 2013, but married isn't even on MN anymore!

I can understand the concept of discussing the issue in general - but I can't get my head around giving the OP advice about something that happened to her over two years ago!

tabulahrasa · 01/07/2015 15:20

"I can understand the concept of discussing the issue in general - but I can't get my head around giving the OP advice about something that happened to her over two years ago!"

Well it's quite easy to do once the zombie warning is gone...if you don't look at dates Blush

SistersofPercy · 01/07/2015 16:09

Does no-one look at the zombie post warning?

I was 5th post after the revival and it didn't appear for me. I didn't realise at the time it was a zombie. Perhaps if the warning stayed I might have.