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

Hit a car and they've went silent

20 replies

fifithom · 02/10/2022 20:21

I reversed into a parked car 4 weeks ago. Couldn't find the owner so left my name and number, nothing serious, there was a few scratches, barely noticeable. To be honest I doubt he would have noticed if I hadn't left the note.

Anyway, the man phoned me, I apologised and obviously said I'd pay but could I just pay him directly rather than going through my insurance. He was fine with that. I asked him to get some quotes and apologised again for the inconvenience. I then text him just to say that he can text me if he'd prefer a paper trail of our conversation, he never replied.

That was 4 weeks ago and I've heard nothing since. How long do I leave it? Should I contact him chasing it up or what?

OP posts:
5foot5 · 02/10/2022 20:25

If it is as minor as you describe maybe he has decided to just not bother. Perhaps thinks it is not worth the hassle

Original poster
fifithom · 02/10/2022 20:28

5foot5 · 02/10/2022 20:25

If it is as minor as you describe maybe he has decided to just not bother. Perhaps thinks it is not worth the hassle

That would be ideal but would be nice if I could be told as am nervous waiting to hear how much it's going to set me back.

OP posts:
Original poster
fifithom · 02/10/2022 20:44

...

OP posts:
DoodlePug · 02/10/2022 20:45

Leave it, he probably cba or something more important has come up.

LadyLolaRuben · 02/10/2022 20:49

This happened to my friend when she caused a minor bump. She never heard a thing afterwards but, when it happened, the woman was aggressively shouting at her

DarkForces · 02/10/2022 20:52

I wouldn't be running around getting quotes for someone else's mistake. I'd go straight to insurance after you asked for that.

Swedishmeatball · 02/10/2022 20:55

Several times my DH has left small scrapes and bumps on other cars, left his details and then the damaged car owner hasn’t pursued it. We were a bit confused but after the 3rd time (over a number of years) we realised some people just cba with the admin. We live in a part of London with very narrow streets and on street parking (no garages or driveways) so constantly squeezing past cars.

Original poster
fifithom · 02/10/2022 20:56

DarkForces · 02/10/2022 20:52

I wouldn't be running around getting quotes for someone else's mistake. I'd go straight to insurance after you asked for that.

How can I get a quote for his car without having the car?

OP posts:
Forfukzsake · 02/10/2022 20:56

Yes, asking for quotes was a bit odd. You either go through your insurance or you pay whatever it costs to get it fixed.

CrystalCoco · 02/10/2022 20:57

I bumped into a parked car whilst I was trying (very badly) to parallel park - it was a nice big expensive 4x4 and I somehow in my little 'normal' car managed to fully dislodge their back bumper - the owner was in the car at the time, came out and was very nice about it, took my number - I never heard anything about it ever again, I hope the same for you!

Longdistance · 02/10/2022 20:57

Probably not bothered tbh. I’ve done it before and the owners of the car never bothered to contact me 🤷🏼‍♀️

Hesleepswiththefishes · 02/10/2022 20:57

I had this where a car backed into me when not looking in mirror…swapped details and didn’t look like there was any damage so just left it, I didn’t get in touch with the other party

FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 02/10/2022 21:00

Would be nice if they said.
I reversed into a car a few years ago. Left a note as it was pitch black and I couldn't see if there was any damage.
Nice lady called and said thar there was a mark but she would have a go at it with T cut at the weekend. She contacted me again and said it left a tiny scuff, she wasn't bothered and thanks for being honest

oopsfellover · 02/10/2022 21:00

Leave it in his court. My guess is he’s decided not to bother.

AmIThatMam · 02/10/2022 21:02

Someone left me
a note once that they’d hit my car. I was so minor and I just forgot and then lost the note. I felt bad they might be worried but you have to move on!

melj1213 · 02/10/2022 21:30

It sounds like he's looked into it and figured it it either wasn't worth the hassle or it was literally fixed with a £20 valet at the local car wash where the marks buffed right out.

Could you send him one last message asking him to confirm that he doesn't want you to pay for the damage?

"Hello OtherDriver, Further to our conversation a few weeks ago where I offered to pay for the damage to your car I have not yet heard from you regarding this. If I don't hear from you within X days I will assume you do not wish to claim reimbursement from me. If you do require reimbursement then please send either quotes for intended work or receipts for completed works by Y Date. Regards, Fifi"

Spectre8 · 02/10/2022 22:13

Someone backed up into my car few weeks back in a car park, someone left a note as they just drove off. Luckily no damage however if there was just minor scuffs I wouldn't be bothered as I have to get rid of my car for the upcoming ulz expansion so no point

errnerrcallnernnernnern · 02/10/2022 22:14

He’s let you off because you left a note. I’d do nothing.

StoneofDestiny · 02/10/2022 22:18

Just leave it - you e done all you can. It might be a company car and he cab with the paperwork

Olivia199 · 02/10/2022 22:31

I've had similar a long while back. Someone hit my car and left a note saying they'd happily pay and see it right which was lovely but honestly at the time I was driving an older car with plenty of dents to it's name so it wasn't ever something I'd have fixed. I doubt I'd have noticed if it weren't for the note but massively appreciated the honesty. Figured I'd message them when I got home saying all was totally fine but it was a very busy time, final uni assessments and moving house, starting post qualifying job etc... turns out I totally forgot. Woke up at 3am about 2 months later realising I hadn't ever actually contacted them. Felt absolutely awful incase they'd be worrying so messaged to say thank you and explain.

I know it's a bit different but essentially what I'm getting at is that chances are they've written it off in their head and totally forgotten to share that with you! Easy enough to get totally carried away with day to day life, especially if the damage was really minor.

If you want the peace of mind I'd probably follow up and ask them. At least that way you'll know one way or another. I wouldn't worry about asking for quotes.. I'd expect the same. For no other reason than how can you determine how much you owe without a quote for it!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page