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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Think I might've done a hit & run I'm scared!!

135 replies

helloitsme12345 · 29/01/2016 09:37

I'm a new driver and haven't been insured for long. I was driving past a car in a tight space in 2nd gear and all of a sudden i heard a sound to which I didn't pay much attention and I drove off. I looked back and the car had stopped, as I was in a hurry as I was doing school run I drove off and I later realised my wing mirror had been hit and it had been damaged. After I had dropped the kids to school which took about 5 mins maybe less I went back to that road hoping to see the car but it had gone. I'm quite worried the person might've taken my reg number and might make a claim! I've only been insured for less than a month so I'm quite worried. I really don't know what I should do, any tips?

OP posts:

Drew64 · 29/01/2016 13:37

She has a duty to STOP and check she had not broken a wing mirror.

I've been a victim of this, in exactly the same situation and the driver drove off. I didn't get the drivers details and it cost me over £150 for a replacement. Money that I could not afford at the time.

So please don't tell me what is right and what is wrong.

God, I do wonder about the ability of British drivers. They seem to flout road traffic law at the slightest opportunity and get away scott free while innocent motorists are left to pick up the bill!

zombiesarecoming · 29/01/2016 13:38

I would report it op just to keep yourself in the clear

I would think on the school run with the radio on and the kids making a noise you didn't realise until you saw some damage to your mirror but must have clipped something so you are reporting it in case you did

Depends which way the other mirror you hit was as to wether there is any damage or not, 2 cars coming towards each other clipping mirrors should just both fold towards the car rather than break as this is the way they are designed to work, usually no more than a scratch

Report it keep yourself in the clear and don't worry about it, you may very well not here any more about it

Adeleslostbeehive · 29/01/2016 13:40

I didn't say she didn't. I asked why you were staring that someone was stuck paying for a new wing mirror when we have no idea whether that is the case. Although i can see now you're just projecting your own experience onto her

AnonymousBird · 29/01/2016 13:41

OP - that might very well have been my father in law, this has happened to him twice this week on doing the school run for his other GC. Once in his car, once in the replacement hire car whilst the first car is fixed.

He is splitting furious about crap drivers (twice) who fail to stop (once - the second time). Sorry to be cross and blunt, but he and his wife were very shaken when it happened the first time with grandchildren in the car (very fast driver in middle of road, who did at least stop and give details) and were simply incandescent when it happened again and the driver didn't stop. He said he was practically off the road when hit as the cars were both so far over.

He stopped, got out, and noted the number plate as it drove off so if it is you, he is reporting you for failing to stop.

AnonymousBird · 29/01/2016 13:42

Oh, and it has totally smashed the wing mirror both times. It is illegal to drive without a driver side wing mirror, your insurance does not cover you as he has now found out.

So, if your mirror is smashed you cannot drive your car.

Adeleslostbeehive · 29/01/2016 13:42

Hmmm something tells me it's not likely to be your fil AB blimey what a drama

AnonymousBird · 29/01/2016 13:47

No possibly not, but he is definitely reporting someone who has done what the OP has done (or not done!) and you never know!

Drew64 · 29/01/2016 13:55

I can see that some posters on here are as flippant as the OP about road traffic incidents.
a) it does not surprise me with the standard of drivers
b) I hope you are not involved in an incident that causes damage to your car and you end up with the bill.

EponasWildDaughter · 29/01/2016 13:55

Two cars bashing each other going in opposite directions and both driving on - yes, fine, go home, swear at the damage, get it fixed and forget it.

But the OP saw that the other car had stopped and she still drove away.

In her own words she ''paniced and drove off'. There was no 'confusion' about what had happened. New driver or not - under these circs. it's a wise move to report it - because it sounds like the other car may have taken OPs details and reported it.

I'd rather risk my premium going up a couple of quid than getting points on my licence for failing to stop.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 29/01/2016 14:04

I damaged a car in a hospital car park getting out of a space. I didn't have a pen to leave my details so ran back into the hospital reception. When I got back they'd driven off. I rang 101 to report the accident so I could be found if needed (happy to claim on my insurance as it was my fault).

101 was really helpful. Nothing came of it but I felt better doing all I could do.

daisychain01 · 29/01/2016 15:03

Wing mirrors are invariable done on a knock for knock basis, unless one driver is able to get a witness statement to prove that the other person was, for example "squeezing" through when there are parked cars on their side of the road, none on the other side of the road) and therefore duty bound to give way, but don't, and >> bang

hefzi · 29/01/2016 15:32

My DF has had two incidences of wing mirrors being smashed whilst stationary: in neither case did the other driver leave details. As his mirrors cost £450 to replace (and he has a £500 excess) he now makes sure to fold them in whenever he parks anywhere except in his yard, and whenever he and another car are passing. It's not a cheap job, necessarily, and you can't just stick new glass on many newer cars - the whole thing, and all its electrics, have to be replaced.

It is indeed correct that failing to stop/leaving the scene of an accident is an office; it is also correct, no matter how many people on this thread have said opposite, that all accidents must be reported to your insurers, even if you're not claiming for them. Yes, you can risk it - but the last thing you want is to be in a major collision, have no insurance and be sued on top by the other driver - fine if you have the odd million in the bank; less fine if you're an average person who doesn't have the savings to cover the costs.

Permanentlyexhausted · 29/01/2016 16:34

Nearly 30 years on I consider myself a good driver but I still make mistakes - a few weeks ago I rammed into the back of another car.

That's not a "mistake", Papergirl, that's driving without due care and attention which is a criminal offence. The last person to do that to me left me with whiplash and enough bleeding to warrant a trip to the hospital to see whether I'd lost the baby I was carrying. And we were in almost stationary traffic.

If you haven't done so already, OP, report it now. I have front and rear dashcams installed especially for people like you.

Papergirl1968 · 29/01/2016 19:05

God almighty, permanentlyexhausted, it was a mistake, I admitted being at fault and was profusely apologetic, the other driver was very nice about it, and neither of us claimed on our insurance or, shock horror, informed the police. I was glancing around the junction to check there was nothing coming through on a red light and he stopped suddenly to let a pedestrian cross. Driving without due care and attention indeed! Were you there? No, thought not. Is your own driving absolutely perfect 100 per cent of the time? Unlikely...

PrimalLass · 29/01/2016 20:13

I also 'rammed' into the back of another car last week. Because I was reversing out of a parking space (clear behind me) and the fucker REVERSED behind me back down the one-way car park. But I hit them so my 'fault' even though I was going slower than a snail. Sometimes accidents just happen.

PrimalLass · 29/01/2016 20:14

Actually, it was the side not the back.

PersephonePitstop · 29/01/2016 20:21

Someone broke my DH's wing mirror yesterday as both cars were moving, and failed to stop.
Was it you OP? It's hoping to cost us.

bellaSorela · 29/01/2016 21:12

some guy drive into me purposely then called me a fucking bitch all because i choose to stop at a red light.
I then followed him down the road, he refused to give me insurance details, i took his reg and a photo of him, police told me there isnt enough evidence and my insurance company are STILL trying to claim the money back, this happened august 2013

deste · 29/01/2016 21:29

I reversed out of my drive and into a car. I couldn't find whose car it was so called the police and told them what I had done in case someone reported damage to their car. They thanked me for doing so.

magoria · 29/01/2016 21:40

As a new driver don't you get a limited number of points allowed on your licence now compared to ye olden days

OP if you don't report this and the other driver does, could you find your licence revoked?

Even if not a fine, points and advising to your insurance if you are done for leaving the scene could be very very costly.

Permanentlyexhausted · 30/01/2016 00:22

Papergirl, regardless of whether either of you claimed or whether you were profusely apologetic, if you "rammed" into the back of another car you were driving without due care and attention. It's simply a fact - there's no need to get so uppity and defensive about it.

FWIW, I have never hit another car in over 25 years of driving, so it does seem likely that I'm a somewhat more careful driver than, by your own admission, you appear to be.

bellaSorela that's where a dashcam (both front and rear) would help. The evidence would be indisputable.

Witchend · 30/01/2016 07:26

I may have seen you. Because that happened outside my ds' school yesterday.
I took the numberplate and reported it to the police who are following it up. So you better go and report quickly

Indantherene · 30/01/2016 10:20

A pheasant broke our wing mirror about 6 years ago. As it was a heated electric mirror it cost over £350 to mend. (the pheasant didn't even have insurance )

NerrSnerr · 30/01/2016 10:25

What happened OP? Did you report it?

DolorestheNewt · 30/01/2016 12:23

Run out of time to read the thread properly, so I'm probably late to the party, but if you have an accident, according to the Police National Legal Database, you must EITHER stop and exchange details OR report it to the police. Since OP didn't stop, she must report it to the police or it's an offence.

this is a reliable website for such questions.

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