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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Just done something stupid / how to put it right

32 replies

JUstdonesomethingstupid · 21/03/2018 18:23

N/C for this and I've done something wrong, please don't attack me I need help knowing what to do now as I want to put it right.

I have a LOT going on in my life which is affecting my ability to think straight which is why I have done the wrong thing.

I was just reversing from a local convenience store and I banged a car opposite with my tow bar.

Checked for damage and I don't think I did any. The car was quite bashed up with bad paintwork all over the back.

Was in a hurry as got an urgent personal issue to attend to so drove off. Someone saw me and agreed that I probably hadn't done damage. But they may well have taken a picture of my car.

I know I've done wrong and should have gone into car and let insurance sort out. Now racked with guilt.

What can I do to put this right. What will happen if someone took photo of my car/ me?

Please don't bash me I've got enough going on at the moment as it is...

OP posts:
Original poster
JUstdonesomethingstupid · 21/03/2018 18:24

to be clear I didn't cause the damage which was all over the back of the car I couldn't have caused more than a mark on the paintwork which I couldn't see.

OP posts:
JediStoleMyBike · 21/03/2018 18:25

Contact the police on the non emergency line and let them know what's happened, I suppose. I would imagine they won't be too hard on you as you've come toward.

Original poster
JUstdonesomethingstupid · 21/03/2018 18:26

should I phone the shop in case they have CCTv on car park?

OP posts:
ineedamoreadultieradult · 21/03/2018 18:26

Don't do anything if someone does tell the car owner and they believe damage has been done they will be in touch. You checked for damage and found none it's not as if you smashed their car up and scarperd.

snackarella · 21/03/2018 18:26

Don't panic - if not damage what could you do? I mean ideally you could've left details in case they found anything but they could make anything up once you'd left the scene .
I wouldn't worry x

Original poster
JUstdonesomethingstupid · 21/03/2018 18:26

I work in a job where a police record of any sort would prevent me from working.

OP posts:
Original poster
JUstdonesomethingstupid · 21/03/2018 18:28

thank you, to be honest my initial thought was they would try to blame the paintwork problems which were not caused by me on me.

OP posts:
Pickleypickles · 21/03/2018 18:30

I wouldnt worry i have done the same thing (there was no damage and i didnt have anything to write with) nothing ever came of it

minionsrule · 21/03/2018 18:30

You won't get a police record for informing them. Not sure what happens if you don't report and other driver reports you mind.
When you ssy a police record, at worst you will get a driving conviction not a criminal one, surely that won't mean you can't work?

MacMoo · 21/03/2018 18:30

You checked and you didn't cause any damage. Please try not to panic.

GummyGoddess · 21/03/2018 18:31

Don't panic, just go to the police station and file a report. I have done this when I bumped a car (no damage). I didn't have pen or paper, DC was a few weeks old and screaming and I felt like I was about to have a breakdown.

Once I'd calmed down I went back, car wasn't there so I went to the police station to tell them. They filed a report and thanked me for telling them.

Moreisnnogedag · 21/03/2018 18:32

If the car was in the caroark of the store go and tell them. I once thought I might have winged a car in my work car park (public park there too) and left a message with security and reception. They thought I was silly as I couldn’t see any damage but I was worried about it.

That’s about all you can do if you didn’t get their Reg.

Original poster
JUstdonesomethingstupid · 21/03/2018 18:34

I think I will call 101 tomorrow. No local police station to report to anymore.

OP posts:
WillowWept · 21/03/2018 18:34

Tell the carpark owners.

This weekend someone reversed into my car. The damage doesn't look much but it'll cost me £1k to fix. They didn't leave their number and honestly I hope bad things happen to them

WarmestRegards · 21/03/2018 18:37

This reply has been deleted

This has been been removed by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

zwellers · 21/03/2018 18:38

I have also done this. Just like gummy I went to the police and filed a report. Thhey took details and thanked me. Six months later I got a letter saying as no one has come forward there were destroying the report and that was the end of it.

Original poster
JUstdonesomethingstupid · 21/03/2018 18:41

I'm on hold to 101 now. I just think it will make me feel better. I don't want to be done for failing to report an accident.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 21/03/2018 18:43

You will feel better when you offload it by reporting it.

Turnocks34 · 21/03/2018 18:44

I did this when I was 18. Shamefully. I went back, couldn’t find the car. I called the non emergency police, and logged it with them.

Never heard anything.

KarmaStar · 21/03/2018 18:46

By law you have 24 hours to report a minor damage only rtc to the police.
Ring up with the full details.
They will keep them in case driver/owner of other vehicle rings in.
Then you have legally complied and can put it aside and concentrate on your problems,I hope things work out very soon

littlebillie · 21/03/2018 18:47

My car has been damaged in car parks no note, I just put it down to the busy nature of life. It's annoying but I wouldn't report you

Rachie1973 · 21/03/2018 18:50

We hit a car in a car park once, we did leave a note.

However it was hammering down with rain and we knew it could dissolve. Being a softy I called the local police station, told them what had happened and that we'd left a note but were worried about it washing away.

They took details and said they'd be in touch if the other driver contacted them. Never heard another thing.

f83mx · 21/03/2018 18:54

Leave a message with 101 and the shop - will ease your mind but sounds like there was no damage so try not to worry

Original poster
JUstdonesomethingstupid · 21/03/2018 18:54

thanks Karmastar that's just what I needed to know. Reported it now. I do feel better.

OP posts:
fiorentina · 21/03/2018 19:07

Thinking calmly and rationally - You got out and checked, consulted with the one witness who agreed no damage to the car caused by you. You therefore don’t need to do anything and can relax and not worry. If someone comes forward claiming otherwise you can quite honestly say you did everything required.

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