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?

Wow, glad you contacted them!

This happened to my DS at age 18 - right in the middle of his A levels 🙈

He was fine after half a night in A and E although severely concussed with associated amnesia.

The driver had stopped. We received a letter a few weeks later to say the police would not prosecute the driver but we could take a civil action if we wished.

Pedestrians have precedence in England so drivers are expected to react accordingly in case a pedestrian walks out in front.
Does your car insurance have legal expenses because, although you weren’t in the car, they will probably persue for you.
If not look at your home insurance for LE.

I hope he’s feeling better soon. Contact the police and ask what happens now would it not be classed as dangerous driving? Aside from that ask for his insurance information and put in a compensation claim for your sons loss of earnings.

Wishing your child a full recovery op 💐

I'm not up on a lot of legislation, so may be wrong, but a quick Google suggests the 2016 Act applies only to NI? The person you were replying to was referencing Scotland and don't think we know which part of the UK the accident happened in?

Sounds clearly like dangerous driving if it was as you say, OP. Hope someone has footage.

No. It's the criminal justice (Scotland) act so would be a bit odd if it applied in Northern Ireland.

Wishing your DS a very speedy recovery and no long lasting effects.

My DSis was run over a month ago. The driver stopped, no further action taken. DSis is left with a broken leg.

So very very different circumstances to those of OP's DD

Doesn’t the zebra crossing angle change things? I’d be shocked if not.

"He wasn’t prosecuted but got a ridiculous suspended sentence due to his job.".

Surely then he must have been prosecuted to receive a sentence, suspended?

Just a quick google. Accident clam? https://www.jflaw.co.uk/road-traffic-accident-claim/zebra-crossing-accident-claim/

If a pedestrian suddenly darts out without warning, even on a zebra, there isnt much the driver can do. I drive past a secondary most days and i swear some of those kids must have a death wish! Sure that's not the case in your ds's case, but they di need to investigate x

Ask the car driver for their insurance details as your son can claim from them for loss of earnings/compensation for being injured etc - that will have more of an effect than anything as the driver will be worried about losing £ on insurance even if he’s not worried about hitting your son!

DD best friend was hit last year by a 19 year old lad - she died at the scene aged 21. This was also on a road near a school and notorious for accidents. Her friend was not in the wrong and her parents are waiting for the court date as was charged with death by dangerous driving.

I am so glad to hear your Son has survivable injuries it must have been horrendous to get the news and rush and find them like that. I hope he makes a full and speedy recover x

I once had a white van guy swear at me for not thanking him for stopping for me pushing DC in buggy on a zebra crossing. Now mostly I do wave or say thanks, but then I was just trying to get me and screaming dc across the road. He picked the wrong day to fuck with me though because I yelled ‘Read your fucking Highway Code’ at him.

You have to be prepared to stop completely as you approach, so this would only be a problem if you aren’t doing so.

Zebra crossings have warning lights. Drivers should be slowing down and taking care and expecting to slow down and stop for pedestrians crossing.

Sorry. I meant he was prosecuted and convicted but only received a suspended sentence.

Hopefully the police did the usual drink/drug driving checks on the driver at the time of the incident

Wishing your DC makes a speedy recovery x

If someone is showing no indication of wanting to cross and suddenly runs out ( and high school pupils with their mates, seem to have zero road sense) even going slowly there is still reaction time and braking distance. Have you never had an animal run out in front of you? You just dont have tine ti stop!

I’m so sorry to hear that. If the driver stopped the police would have taken a verbal statement at the scene, as they would from the main witnesses. No matter what initial conclusions were reached at the scene, all witnesses and the driver will be contacted by the police to submit their own written statements. The driver’s insurance company will also be in touch. There’s no harm in your contacting the police to find out what happens next.

16 years ago my partner was driving his car in one direction and a driver going in the oppposite direction opened their car door whilst stationary in a traffic queue. A motorcyclist who was coming up the inside then recocheted off tneir door into the path of my partner’s car and was injured. The police treated my partner just as seriously as the motorist who caused the accident. Also, notified the other motorist that they would be charged with opening a car door to danger. No arrest as such was needed.

Wishing all the best to your daughter & hoping she makes a speedy recovery.

That’s awful and I’m sorry you and your son went through that

Thank you but that’s bloody awful about your poor sister