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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you report this to police - car bump

39 replies

plantapalm · 30/01/2024 20:15

I was driving along a very narrow road today and a big lorry came barrelling down towards me. I went right into the bushes as far away from the lorry as I could and remained stationary while the lorry passed me.

The lorry scraped my car and just drove off. I did manage to get the registration.

I've called my insurance company, but should I also inform the police ?

I've never been in this situation before.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 30/01/2024 20:17

Do you think that the driver was aware there was impact?

FlickFlackTrap · 30/01/2024 20:18

Yes report it if the driver of the lorry didn’t stop to exchange details.

Original poster
plantapalm · 30/01/2024 20:21

Ponoka7 · 30/01/2024 20:17

Do you think that the driver was aware there was impact?

I can't know for sure. I was pretty mad and beeping and got out of the car straight after. But they were going too fast.

OP posts:
Original poster
plantapalm · 30/01/2024 20:53

Can anyone else advise ? What are the advantages of reporting or not reporting ?

OP posts:
Heavensabove3005 · 30/01/2024 20:59

Honestly it’s up to you but I wouldn’t bother. Had someone crash into me last year acknowledge he’d done so and ran through a red light and drove down the wrong way of a one way road to exit the scene. Saw two police officers after who advised me to go online and report it, the response.. no crime has take place. Complete waste of time

Original poster
plantapalm · 30/01/2024 21:01

Heavensabove3005 · 30/01/2024 20:59

Honestly it’s up to you but I wouldn’t bother. Had someone crash into me last year acknowledge he’d done so and ran through a red light and drove down the wrong way of a one way road to exit the scene. Saw two police officers after who advised me to go online and report it, the response.. no crime has take place. Complete waste of time

Does it make any difference to my insurance claim / the driver taking responsibility for what happened ?

OP posts:
Mumaway · 30/01/2024 21:03

Yes, they failed to stop at an accident and your insurance company will want a crime number

Heavensabove3005 · 30/01/2024 21:04

That I’m not sure of, sorry. We didn’t end up claiming on the insurance we managed to t cut the damage.

Original poster
plantapalm · 30/01/2024 21:05

Mumaway · 30/01/2024 21:03

Yes, they failed to stop at an accident and your insurance company will want a crime number

They said they didn't need that. It's go to me whether to report it or not. It's confusing.

OP posts:
FlickFlackTrap · 30/01/2024 21:05

plantapalm · 30/01/2024 20:53

Can anyone else advise ? What are the advantages of reporting or not reporting ?

It’s the law to report if both parties didn’t stop to exchange details. Google it.
The police are unlikely to take action and your insurance will handle it but it still needs reporting.

FlickFlackTrap · 30/01/2024 21:08

.

Would you report this to police - car bump
Crumpleton · 30/01/2024 21:09

If you've given the registration number to your insurance I'd leave it for them to sort out.

Difficult to say if the driver knew but I'd have thought that by nature of the location you describe they would have been driving at an acceptable speed while passing you also checking their mirrors.

Was there a company name on the lorry?
If so did you report to them?

It used to be a crime to leave the scene of an accident but those days seem to have gone.

Thejackrussellsrule · 30/01/2024 21:21

Depending on where you live, you can report the incident online to the police to get a crime reference number.

If it was me, I think I would, when your insurance company contact the lorry's insurers, they may dispute and say they weren't at fault. Doesn't really prove anything, but at least you'll have an official record.

Mexicansky · 30/01/2024 23:31

I would report it
If only to avoid the question further down the line of "why did you not report it to the police"

maltesefiction · 30/01/2024 23:41

Defo report it. They should have stopped

PlanBea · 30/01/2024 23:46

Report it to the police as lorry driver didn't stop. It'll take less than the length of time it took to make this thread if you report online. It's unlikely they will do anything but it will mean your insurance will take it more seriously when the lorry driver inevitably turns round and goes "no, not me!" When their insurance gets in touch with them, and hopefully prevents your insurance rolling over and saying it's your fault.

If you leave it too late then you will struggle to report it. Do you have a dash cam?

justasmalltownmum · 30/01/2024 23:52

You report it on the non emergency police website. And they basically ignore it.

Blackhairblackheart · 30/01/2024 23:56

Yep, report online. Your insurance may need a crime reference anyway, its technically a fail to stop RTC

Kinneddar · 31/01/2024 00:00

Its unlikely youll get a crime ref no. You'll get a road accident report number. There's nothing at the moment to confirm any criminality. It's very possible the lorry driver didn't realise so it won't be treated as a crime

TomeTome · 31/01/2024 00:03

Report it on line. It’s a crime and they may be unwilling to stop for other reasons. I reported an incident and the driver was charged.

VeniVidiWeeWee · 31/01/2024 00:36

TomeTome · 31/01/2024 00:03

Report it on line. It’s a crime and they may be unwilling to stop for other reasons. I reported an incident and the driver was charged.

Uder what legislation is this?

TomeTome · 31/01/2024 00:39

Hit and run I think, I can’t remember. I don’t know what the technical term was. You are supposed to stop and report to the police if you have an accident.

gurnerandpooch · 31/01/2024 00:52

Cop here
Fail to stop rtc - so report it . If you reg no they can get in touch with company- it's a crime to fail to stop .

Kimmeridge · 31/01/2024 00:54

gurnerandpooch · 31/01/2024 00:52

Cop here
Fail to stop rtc - so report it . If you reg no they can get in touch with company- it's a crime to fail to stop .

Even if the lorry driver was unaware of it??

gurnerandpooch · 31/01/2024 01:09

Yes even if the lorry driver was unaware.