I've got myself into a sticky situation

[Helbel1977]

I've got myself into a sticky situation, i know im in the wrong but I don't know how to fix it.

Yesterday morning about 10.30am I was nipping out to the shops, when I pulled out my drive I bumped into a car parked opposite, i was moving at a slow speed and didn't notice any damage to the car I went into.

When I returned the car was gone, fine I thought nothing more about it.
I didn't mention it to my husband.

Later on a young man came to my door my husband answered it, he told him that his girlfriend was staying over last night and her car was parked outside, he said that there was damage to her car and wanted to know if we had seen anything, obviously he told him no as he hadn't know anything about it. He did tell my husband that it must happened between late the night before and when she left at 9am, They must have got the times wrong as I hit the car about 10.30. I just played dumb and agreed that it was terrible.

I know I should own up, but I don't know how to go about it,

Exactly what I was going to say. It would be quite weird if no one on the street had a ring doorbell that picked this up.

I’d go back and ask them to clarify the time before you confess.

Im taking it as a given that the OP will gather some details when she talks to the neighbour.

what if it happened to you ,and what would you in that situation

Do the right thing. Treat others as you wish to be treated.

This. It's horrible having to fork out for someone else's wrongdoing. I suspect the time discrepancy is an error on the part of the boyfriend unless his gf is the unluckiest car owner.

....or - the girlfriend told her boyfriend she left at 9 but really left after 10.30.....

Unless you've got nerves of steel you are going to panic about this. Its outside your house so you cant hide. Just be honest and be more careful next time.

When I was first pregnant and visiting a sick relative I scraped a car when i was pulling out of the way to give way. Scrape was about 2cm long and 2cm high. I panicked and drove off. I was travelling over 2 hours so I was nowhere near home. I wasn't with it that day, first trimester plus knowing it was one of the last times I would see my sick relative, no excuse I know but thats where my head was.

Halfway home I realized i had done the wrong thing so I went back to leave my details. Car was gone. I still feel bad about it 5 years later.

Its not worth the stress, just own up and pay the bill.

You definitely need to own up - and quickly, before doorbell footage emerges. You can use the time discrepancy to save face a bit here: something along the lines of "I just wanted to check it was DEFINITELY before 9am, like you said - because I made contact with a car but it was later in the morning and I thought there was no damage - but now I'm worried it might've been me if you're not certain about the time!"

This could happen to anyone so don't feel bad. Firstly, make sure it was you that did the damage before you admit to anything. I once caught a car on a supermarket car park and I placed my contact details under the windscreen wiper then decided to wait till the owner came back to the car. We both examined our cars and she said not to worry as there was absolutely no damage at all to her car and we went our separate ways, with me apologising profusely. Two days later she phoned me and said her dh had said the car was badly damaged and they'd had quotes and wanted £800 off me to repair it. They didn't want to go through any insurance companies and said they'd just call round for the money. I said I was extremely shocked at the amount of damage and I would want to see quotes from three garages before handing over any cash. They said their nephew was going to do the work so there would be no paperwork, they then started to drop the price a bit, so I smelt a rat and handed the whole thing over to my insurance is company to deal with. If you did hit the car then you are better off admitting to it earlier before the damage becomes worse. You can always say you didn't realise at the time you'd hit anything but if anyone's got CCTV showing it's definitely you then you are, of course, willing to take the blame.

Well you can be prosecuted for driving away from the scene of an accident if proof that it was you comes to light. You need to own up to this @Helbel1977 🤷‍♀️

If she left at 9am and OP had her bump at 10.30 then it wasn’t her!

Rip the plaster off and go round right now. It might not be half as bad as you think. Explain the time discrepancy. It's eating you up anyway, so what's the worst that could happen? Most people are decent understanding people. Go for it. We're all behind you ❤

It probably feels like a big deal right now but it really isn't. Insurers will sort it. Neighbour will be grateful you came clean - tell him your initial confusion was understandable given the time discrepancy.

They will probably be able to tell, just by looking at the dent, that the car that hit them was coming out of your driveway.

UMMMmmm, I'm telling.

Yo do know what to do. Several people have told you. Find the guy who came to your door and ask confirmation of the time his gf left. (Ask neighbours for his address if necessary or look out for the gf's car and leave a note on it with your contact details.) Then you'll know if you are possibly responsible. In future, take pictures to prove extent (or lack) of damage.

Different car?

My friend did similar, demolished a section of neighbours wall reversing her large car. She didn’t realise she’d done any damage but when I said the wall was damaged and did she know anything she realised. Totally innocent mistake. She apologised and paid for the repair. No harm done. Just pop over and explain.

Bit of a coincidence - two cars being hit - don't you think.

This is true and as you didn’t stop or leave details you could now be accused of being impaired (hence not stopping) if there is camera evidence that you hit the car.

No. The time has not passed to be honest and do the right thing. This is terrible advice.

Someone hit my car last week and caused damage that I had to pay for because they didn’t stop.

You can probably guess what I think of you…

When this happened to me I left a note with my number. Much less stressful OP!

Does he have a door cam?

My guess is he knows it’s you

Another of @Helbel1977 threads is about crashing her car….