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Original poster

Crashed into a garden

39 replies

gemzitab · 29/03/2020 02:50

Hey
I crashed into a garden this evening and shocked
Myself. I was coming round spend in country near my house and it wa tighter than I thought and I went through somebody's garden hedge. I reversed out and got stuck a bit but after a bit of manoeuvring I got out and drove off shaking.

I've never crashed before and nobody came out of their house. It was dark
Any advise?
Keep thinking police going to turn up at my house

OP posts:
Wanderlust21 · 29/03/2020 03:01

I love how you've put this under 'travel advice'. Lmao xD and the hedge police are obviously coming! With sycateers lol.

Could you go back and post an appology letter through their box. Or just leave it on their door with a rock on it if you dont wanna post it.

Wanderlust21 · 29/03/2020 03:03

*doorstep

LynetteScavo · 29/03/2020 03:42

My advise would be to drive at an appropriate speed in the future so you don't go crashing through hedges.

You're very lucky it was a hedge and not a wall.

QueenOfPain · 29/03/2020 03:49

WOW

Thepigeonsarecoming · 29/03/2020 03:51

Did you leave a note for the homeowners to explain why they have a hole in their hedge? You do need to report any accident though, if they have security cameras then yes the police could show up (although given current events it may be months from now)

Original poster
gemzitab · 29/03/2020 06:08

Oh gosh I'm worried now I drove off anxious and now can't sleep a wink thinking police coming

OP posts:
GreenGordon · 29/03/2020 06:15

You must at least leave them your name and address. And pay for repairs to their hedge. And learn to drive more carefully.

Imstillskanking · 29/03/2020 06:16

I don't think the police are coming, but I do think it would ease your conscience if you went round and apologised to the poor people whose hedge you ruined!

It's not a huge deal though, don't get too worked up OP.

Original poster
gemzitab · 29/03/2020 07:09

I've never crashed before. I was driving anxious and tired and there was a tight bend and before I knew it I was in a load of hedges.
I'm still I. Shock haven't slept over this

OP posts:
WalledGarden · 29/03/2020 07:15

Go back, apologise, pay for the damage and in future drive more carefully.

TKAAHUARTG · 29/03/2020 07:16

Why were you out? Were you stressed before the crash?

Logoplanter · 29/03/2020 07:17

I don't mean to stress you further but you do realise you've committed two criminal offences don't you? Failing to stop following an accident and failing to report the accident? If you've had an accident you don't just drive away, you stop immediately and wait for a time that is reasonable given the situation. If there is no one around to exchange details with you notify the police as soon as reasonably practicable and at least within 24 hours.

You must ring the police and tell them now. It would also be the decent thing to do and go back in the morning and tell the house owners it was you and offer to pay for the damage.

If the house owners have CCTV or someone saw you and took the registration number you'll be charged with both of those offences.

puds11 · 29/03/2020 07:20

What @Logoplanter said. You failed to stop and failed to report.

Also it’s just a shitty thing to do. Why where you driving?

ShirleyPhallus · 29/03/2020 07:22

You damaged their property and drove off

Then put this thread in “travel advice” Grin

swapsicles · 29/03/2020 07:22

Hopefully you didn't knock down the owner or cat who may have been minding their own business in their garden!
Seriously though (and I presume it was a small hedge and you checked ) once when I was young and stupid I hit a parked car manouvering out of a space, I panicked and when I went back the car had gone.
Anyway a few weeks later i had a letter from the police asking me in for an interview and I had to go in and have an interview at the station taped and everything, would have been easier if I'd have just stopped at the time!
You may have been seen so might be best to at least pop round before it gets more serious.

JoyceDivision · 29/03/2020 07:34

Car involved in accident, property damaged.

Yes, you should have stopped and spoken to property owners, also police would want to check accident not caused by drink driving, eg. That can't be proved after too long so t may become a driving with due care and attention.

Why would you not stop? You need to go back to try and resolve amicably.

Wifeofbikerviking · 29/03/2020 07:38

Yes definitly report. I learnt the hard way at 17 years old. Failed to stop and failed to report. Crashed into a lamppost. Paid a fine of around £1200 and was charged with damages to the lamppost.

Wifeofbikerviking · 29/03/2020 07:39

The lamppost just jumped out in front of me apparently 😉

Adelino · 29/03/2020 07:46

Take some deep breaths and give the police a quick call to report it. You won't be in trouble. Explain it's never happened before and you didnt realise it would be a problem to wait until morning.

Re. Failing to stop. It was clear that nobody was injured as a single woman in the middle of nowhere and dark you made the decision to get home rather than hang around and that is completely understandable.

Really there is no need to panic, just report it when you get up.

Perhaps you could write to the homeowners with your phone number rather than going round whilst social distancing is in place.

daisypond · 29/03/2020 07:52

Yes, failure to stop and failure to report an accident. Report it now. It’s not normal to have crashed, ever. Had you been drinking?

StrongTea · 29/03/2020 07:55

Not a lot you could in the dark or if no one was in the house. All you can do is go back today and see if you can sort it out. Glad you weren’t hurt.

donquixotedelamancha · 29/03/2020 07:59

What adelino said. As long as you contact the police and the home owners this morning, I don't think you have a problem.

blackberrysoup · 29/03/2020 08:23

You must report this, you've damaged property and left the scene. If you were seen then the police will either turn up on your doorstep or write to you, it could be weeks before they do though.

FallonSwift · 29/03/2020 08:27

Please tell me you have left your details with them and will pay for the damage. Please tell me you didn't just get in your car and drive off, leaving the homeowners to get up this morning and discover that a selfish dickhead has demolished their hedge and left them to sort it out.

babypossum · 29/03/2020 09:12

Did this really happen?

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