First car accident and he fled the scene

[carsaretheworst]

Hi all, hoping you can help as we are confused and shaken up!

Last night, DH was getting his work belongings from the passenger side of the car. Our street doesn't have off-street parking so has cars both sides parked as is common where we live. The road is wide so cars can pass still and pull in for traffic to go past etc.

As he was getting his things, other cars went past him with no issue.
All his lights were on and the road is lit by street lights, it was 6pm. A car sped down the road (recently a school girl got killed by a driver doing this round this area and we are by a school, so whilst speed limit is 30 people go around 20 and he was going 35-40). He caught DH's door as he went past and knocked DH.

The car stopped, shouted, DH went up to him and he smelled of alcohol. I was watching the whole thing from our window as I normally sit at the bay window in our bedroom in the evenings. I ran down and filmed the whole thing. The driver refused to give details and drove off.

DH's been told his car will be written off. We use it all the time and he needs it to get to school. Does anyone have any advice? We've filed with the police etc and because of him fleeing and the alcohol, the police checked ANPR last night to see if he was still driving but we heard nothing back.

Do we just now buy another car and claim the money back later? I am so confused. His car was a 2007 Mercedes with a year's MOT so probably only worth £1500? I'm not good at cars!

I worked for a big insurance company up until last year in the motor claims department. Your insurance company will be able to find out if he is insured or not just with the vehicle reg, they'll also be able to find out who the insurance company is. Be prepared though that this can take a while for fault to be determined. Your insurance company will write to them to advise them of the claim but they then need time to contact the other driver and get his version of events. If he delays in getting back to his company this can get quite drawn out. If he disputes the claim and says he wasn't at fault (which I've seen many times) then it will take longer. Send all the evidence you have to your insurance company. In the video you have, did you make him aware you were filming him? And did he actually say he was at fault and what happened, or was it just him denying everything? This will make a big difference.
If he admits to his company that he was at fault then it should be fairly straightforward and his insurance company may contact you directly wanting to settle the claim with you.

If the insurance company has deemed your car a total loss then it's most likely due to the age/condition of your car and that the damage will cost more/close to the amount that your car is worth. It's up to you whether you want to keep your car or whether you want the insurance company to pay out the value of the car. Keep in mind though that if you choose to keep the car, it could end up costing more than it's worth to get it roadworthy. You would most likely be best weighing up your options on that one and see what the insurance company offers for yours.

Do haggle with write off value- don’t accept first assessment.Molokai your car up and provide evidence if you could have sold it for more prior to accident

@30julytoday Molokai your car up

Eh?

His livelihood depends on the car.

Was it insured for that ?

You should get a courtesy car ASAP through insurance, unless you opted not to pay for that when you took the insurance. The police should get a reference number for the other drivers insurance to pass onto your insurance and the two insurance companies will sort it out

He has the top policy through Admiral. So I assume he should get a courtesy car.

He is insured for business and social purposes if that’s what you mean @ProfessorSlocombe. He can continue his job without the car as he has access to mine (which is on its last legs at the grand age of 20!)

The video is quite dark now I’ve watched it back, he is aware the video is being taken because I said “I’m videoing” there’s one bit where he can be seen albeit blurry, his voice is clear. He says that it’s not his fault as it’s dark and he couldn’t see him, DH then says “what do you mean, all my lights are on and I’m under a street light” I had no flash on and you can see this clearly and easily. DH is wearing white clothing so not dark. Not sure if relevant but he is pale skinned too so also not more difficult to see (I am dark skinned and have seen myself not being as visible if out which is why I mention it!).

He got back in his car to pull over he said, clearly on the video, but drove off. I have messages from the residents saying they saw the aftermath and him drive off “did he come back” it says, not sure if this is evidence.

He also damaged the neighbours car parked infront of DH but they aren’t claiming as it’s minor and not worth an insurance hike.