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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Wing mirror damage

9 replies

Cupcakekid1 · 07/01/2020 20:03

Some help please. My son was driving on a country road. An oncoming car slowed and stopped to allow him to pass, but the driver did not move far enough to give him clear access to pass. And in passing my son clipped his mirror, my son carried on as there was traffic behind the car and was not able to stop. He went further up the road where he could turn around and go back but the other driver had gone. My son stopped and collected the cover for his wing mirror. When he came home he told me what had happened and I told him to ring his insurance company but he said it would be cheaper to just buy the part and replace it. Today he got a letter from the police stating he did not stop for a collision and asking for a statement as to what happened. My son is in a right panic now thinking his going to jail. I won’t tell you how worried I am can any one offer any advice please.

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lljkk · 07/01/2020 21:10

He'll have to make his best statement to police/insurance company and hope for the best. I imagine being as responsive, transparent and cooperative as possible is his best strategy. How long ago did this collision happen?

I feel for him... My double buggy fell & knocked someone's wing mirror off when I was dashing to school. I put mirror on car bonnet. In rush to school & dispatching DC, I forgot to go back to the car to try to wait for driver (I don't carry spare paper & pen to leave notes). I have a terrible short term memory is why I forgot. The driver was very miffed when he confronted me later, even though he said the mirror was instantly and easily repaired.

But he could have been hours or days before he came back, or moved the car by the time I got paper & pen from somewhere. Irk.

44PumpLane · 07/01/2020 21:13

He just needs to tell police and insurance what you've said here.

He wasn't able to safely stop without completely halting flow of traffic, he found a safe place to turn round and returned.

Admit fault and offer up details and an apology now.

Digitalash · 07/01/2020 21:32

If it's a country that's so narrow someone has to pull over I don't see why your son couldn't pull in behind the car he hit, failing that he should have just stopped and spoken to the guy for 5 minutes traffic be fucked.

Re the police though, just explain what happened, in all honestly the police have got bigger issues than a wing mirror....the only issue being if the other man lies about how much/what car got damaged as because your son didnt stop he has no proof

Also, he isn't going to go to jail.

longearedbat · 07/01/2020 21:38

He won't go to jail obviously! But, he collided with and damaged a stationary vehicle. He should have stopped, even if it was just to say he was going to turn round and come back. He is at fault. I think he will just have to take the punishment, points and fine. An expensive lesson learnt.

Cupcakekid1 · 07/01/2020 21:52

Thanks so much for the sound advice. I have told him to just state what happened and hope the police accept it. His quite willing to pay for the damage, but he did return to the scene and said it was even risky getting out his car to collect his wing mirror case. I can only hope for the best. Thanks again.

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BlueLily89 · 07/01/2020 22:08

Don’t want to worry you unduly but a similar thing happened to my friend’s partner and he had to go to court even though the damage was only to the wing mirror. He ended up with 5 points on his licence.

He has since found out that you should report the accident immediately to the police if the other driver leaves. Even minor things as it covers you. Obviously too late now but he should seek legal advice just in case. My friend’s partner may have just been unlucky but probably worth talking to a professional

Hingeandbracket · 07/01/2020 23:12

I wouldn't talk to the Police until he's had chance to consult a lawyer - not because I think he should try to wriggle out of anything but just so he is sure of his position.

Why do we still call them wing mirrors even though they have been door mirrors since the 1980s?

HeddaGarbled · 07/01/2020 23:25

He did stop. He waited until it was safe and then he stopped and went back. He did the right thing. He needs to explain that in his statement. He won’t be going to jail!

Cupcakekid1 · 08/01/2020 21:01

Thank you for all your advice. We have filled in the police form. But did notice the time on the form was 02-45 am so he stated he was in bed asleep at that time but proceeded to tell that what had happened at 14-35 pm. So now we wait and see the out come.

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