DC hit by a van today, will the police do anything?

[GloomyWednesday]

This morning my beautiful 18 year old DC was ploughed into whilst halfway across a zebra crossing.

They're in hospital after suffering a skull fracture and very lucky there's no other major injury.

The incident was witnessed and caught on various dash cams. Witnesses say he was going fast and didn't slow down although stopped afterwards. The driver of the van had massive damage to his vehicle but, as far as I know, hasn't been arrested.

We haven't heard anything from the police since taking details early this morning so AIBU to ask what happens next?

I’m afraid I have no idea but just wanted to say how sorry I am and I hope your DC heals soon. x 🌷

@GloomyWednesday I can’t answer your question but I just wanted to wish your DC well. I hope that the police will be investigating whether there’s a case to answer for careless or dangerous driving.

Did the driver stop?

Oh Jesus that sounds horrendous. Zebra crossings are so unsafe. I’m so sorry this has happened to you

Am so sorry @GloomyWednesday horrendous for you and dc.
happened outside our school too recently and a p4 (8 yo) was hit while crossing on the green man by similar. Thankfully bus going the other way has dash cam so hopefully will be tracked down.
its horrible and scary and hope justice is served!

That's awful.

I'm a police officer (in Scotland, where things are done a bit differently to the rest of the UK.)

Whether this is classed as dangerous or careless driving will depend on the exact circumstances but neither carry a power of arrest under the Road Traffic Act.

The Police will be looking at CCTV etc, they should take witness statements from your son when he's able and from other witnesses. Did the Police attend and speak to the driver at the time?

Sorry should have followed on! But as @LifeOnNeptune has said, the police have spoken to school for their camera footage, I believe the bus and any parents who witnessed it have been asked to give a statement.

Oh so sorry that's horrific. If police know who the driver is and where he lives it's unlikely they'll arrest him but that doesn't mean he won't be prosecuted.
Give them a call in the morning they'll let you know the process.

Most likely no. I was knocked down by a car doing 40 in 30! Broken shoulder and in hospital for 4 days. As long as they stopped at the scene nothing will be followed up on, most times police aren’t even informed

I would expect the driver to be charged with dangerous driving. But it will all depend on what he says and what the cameras show. Hope your DC is OK.

He did after hitting DC. I arrived about 8 minutes after the incident and he was stood with the police.

@LifeOnNeptune your Police Scotland colleagues have been giving us a prescience since, so the lorries and motor bikes who barrel past have been having a rude awakening… rural school in an area that goes
national limit. 30 limit for the 3/4 mile of village , national again… so arses just barrel through! Thanks for what you all do!

If you weren't on a crossing it would be more difficult to prove dangerous driving but I'm surprised the police weren't involved if you were injured.

Police attended and were there when I arrived plus the paramedics. The ambulance came about five minutes later.

You should at least sue through the drivers insurance.

The witnesses were some lovely women who'd stopped their vehicles and I think some pedestrians too.

There's a couple with dash cam footage and one of them sent me a list of witnesses and their details.

It wasn’t worth it, it was my word against his. He said I ran out and he didn’t have time to stop and there was no prove he speeding. It’s a civil not legal matter in most cases

Gentleman in the next town was knocked over on NYE he has lost his leg.
Car didn't stop. It was found and the driver was arrested and is now on bail.

In short, they will carry out their investigation and in due course, they will charge and report him if there is evidence to do so (I believe CPS have a part play in the charge bit, which is different to Scotland)

I hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Edit: This was supposed to quote your reply to me, OP!

There should be an investigation. Call your force and ask for an update.

I was hit by a speeding car whilst walking DS to school a few years ago and the driver was prosecuted by the police (Garda) for careless driving.

I had minor physical injuries and no broken bones but some mental health trauma.

I also received approx €30k compensation via their insurance company.

I’m in Ireland where these things are taken much more seriously.

i would thin they'll gather information thjen make a decision if on a xrossing usually careless driving/dangerous

Definitely think about claiming against drivers insurance. Keep all parking tickets and medical letters. No rush and choose a specialist injury claim firm.

Hopefully they will charge him and it will go through court.

We had a much more minor incident, but witnessed by an off duty policeman. The police (not the off duty policeman) didn't really have much interest in following up, but being pushy seemed to galvanise them and they did they push for prosecution. The person in question pled not guilty until we go to the day of trial in magistrates court when presumably they spoke to a solicitor and realised they weren't going to get off.

So it's worth making a bit of a fuss if they don't seem to be doing anything, assuming there is plenty of evidence, as you have described there being.

I’m so sorry this happened to your DC, and I hope they have a speedy recovery.

I hate zebra crossings. They are so dangerous. My gran was knocked down on one many years ago. Driver said she hadn’t noticed the crossing and didn’t have time to stop. It went to court and she was awarded compensation from their insurance company.

It’s good there are witnesses and that people stopped to help. What a terrible experience 😢