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Original poster

I hit a pedestrian in my car - I really need advice please

82 replies

devonhil · 10/02/2018 19:35

Yesterday I reversed into a pedestrian in a petrol forecourt. I am totally aware that it is my fault - that I didn't look carefully enough and I am to blame so please don't judge me further for that as I'm not looking for a discussion on driving skills.
I had been stationary and the man was very close to the back of my car so it was at low speed.
The man was angry and shouted at me. I got out of my car to explain and apologise but he just took a photo of my number plate and walked off - he wouldn't talk to me.
I'm really shaken up (I have been driving for 35 years and have only ever had one accident - I hit a stationary object) and scared about what will happen. Will I lose my licence or have to go to court? I need a car for work and as the breadwinner in my family I dread that happening.
I would be really grateful for any advice or information from anyone who has had a similar experience. I can't sleep with the stress. Thank you so much!

OP posts:
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 10/02/2018 21:08

There should be CCTV, all petrol stations have them don't they?

NeverTwerkNaked · 10/02/2018 21:15

I got driven into (forwards!) by someone when I was stood on a pavement outside a school.
My legs hurt for a day or so. Worse was the horrible spiralling shock. My ex was knocked down and killed by a car when we were teens and this bought it all back.

however, the good news for you is that the police went and “spoke to” the lady and told her to be more careful, but didn’t take any further action.
She didn’t even get out of her car! She hid in it! I took a photo but walked away in shock.

tictoc76 · 10/02/2018 21:21

I hit a cyclist a few years ago. Like you I moved from stationary and he got up and was fine but didn’t stop me panicking. I was so shook up I didn’t think to phone the police but did insist the cyclist waiting for a paramedic to check him over. The paramedic assured me everything was fine and I gave cyclist all my details in case he had any problems. Paramedics passed on details to police and I then had to fill in a report - they were clearly going to sign this off as an ‘innocent’ accident but before I got that report I got an email from the cyclist asking me for money and he would drop charges. Shortly after I got the decision from the police and there was no follow up. I did not pay anything to cyclist either.

It was completely my fault and I don’t know how I missed him but Police clearly decided there was no reckless driving etc so no follow up.

Original poster
devonhil · 10/02/2018 21:24

sorry to hear your story NeverTwerkNaked, I can imagine that the shock is dreadful - it's pretty bad as the driver but must be even worse as the pedestrian.
I'm genuinely concerned about the man I hit - I don't know who he is so I cannot check. I have worried and felt guilty since the accident that he is in pain and I've caused it.
The selfish part of me hopes he doesn't claim (I genuinely wouldn't claim if it was me) but I know it's not up to me and I can't blame him if he does.

OP posts:
Lucymek · 10/02/2018 21:25

Go back to the garage ask for CCTV. He will defo make a claim and exadurate it.

U need a copy of the Cctv if it goes to court.

Viviennemary · 10/02/2018 21:25

You should tell the police and your insurance company. He's probably going to get in touch with one of these accident claim places.

Lucymek · 10/02/2018 21:26

Omg @tic that's so bad money for what exactly !

Mummaofboys · 10/02/2018 21:27

My lovely next door neighbour is a lollipop man and has been knocked over numerous times by idiots not watching the road and never has anybody been charged for hitting him (some have been serious) he always reports it to police but they don’t really seem to care, so I wouldn’t worry if I was you. Bad news for our legal system but great news for you. It seems like you are really remorseful and didn’t mean it at all, try not to worry I hate lingering worries like this. It was accident try not to be too hard on yourself.

Original poster
devonhil · 10/02/2018 21:30

thank you for replying tictoc76 - it's really helpful to hear from people who've done something similar.
I'm half expecting a similar request for a private cash settlement but he hasn't got my details so I suppose he can't contact me anyway. I think all the advertising by accident claim lawyers tend to encourage people to think of monetary gain - but in reality everyone loses out as insurance costs simply go up for everyone (including the claimant) so they can recoup their money.
I'm glad it didn't have long term repercussions for you

OP posts:
Aridane · 10/02/2018 21:41

The most likely outcome is a personal injury claim against your insurance. As he walked away with no major injury, I would guess £10k max.

Really ???!!! Shock

cestlavielife · 10/02/2018 21:44

He walked away so not seriously injured as far as you know. Report and if any come back inform insurance or household insurance might have legal cover.

Collaborate · 10/02/2018 21:45

I wonder if the fact that this was on private property rather than the public highway makes any difference? I would have thought less serious but happy to be corrected.

Makes no difference to the actions the police can take and liability for damages.

pumpkinpie01 · 10/02/2018 21:57

Hi, I work in insurance claims so have quite a bit of experience in matters like this. Please do not worry. It is highly unlikely the police will take this further and you will definitely not lose your licence you may well never hear from the police again. You must inform your insurers even though there is no damage to your vehicle it is a condition of your policy that you tell them. The pedestrian can find out your insurance details just from your registration number. If the pedestrian puts a claim in he will have to prove he is injured, it sounds like he wasn’t so although he was very angry , him persuing a claim is a different matter. Insurance companies are clamping down on bogus injury claims , he will have to provide a medical report and prove his injuries. Finally your insurance will go up at renewal as you will have a claim outstanding , even if they have not received a claim from the pedestrian it will still go up as it will be classed as ‘ pending ‘ . If you have protected bonus it may not go up at all. Finally you will not end up in court, your insurers will deal with everything please do not worry xx

Squeegle · 10/02/2018 22:03

£10k???? What for ? If you claim, you have to say you have suffered damages!

Original poster
devonhil · 10/02/2018 22:13

thank you so much pumpkinpie01 for your reassuring words. It's quite easy to get sucked down a dark thought pattern - I was actually googling 'driving without due care and attention' in case that was a possible charge.
I think I'm mainly worrying about my driving record as I have to drive huge distances for my job (30K+ a year). The fact that I'm a very experienced and 'safe' driver it's freaked me out that I've been so careless and it's knocked my confidence in driving somewhat.

OP posts:
bunbunny · 10/02/2018 22:44

Are you able to call the garage to ask them about CCTV? Not sure from your post if you have spoken to them and it has definitely been deleted or if you were wondering about if it had been deleted but hadn't checked.

You also might find it worth noting down who was on duty at the time to see if the man came into the shop to tell them what happened or to see if they noticed it, to use as witnesses.

Also if you're able to get back to the garage, it might be worth parking in the same place, and taking photos of the car and of your view in the car looking in the rear view mirrors (do a film with the camera at head height and take still shots). If possible, get someone to go with you who can stand where the man was standing - if he was incredibly close to the back of the car and standing near the corner, it's possible he was in a blind spot (particularly if there were other factors - if he was in dark clothing, if it was dark, if the garage wasn't very well lit etc) which will help to mitigate and take a little of the blame off you, particularly if he was standing really close then he should have been on the look out for cars reversing when drivers wouldn't be able to see him easily.

sanesera · 10/02/2018 23:13

It does not matter that it was a low speed impact. Personally injury lawyers will get him a doctor who can provide medical evidence that he damaged a ligament , whiplash or whatnot. £10k is max guesstimate! Pretty common all this.

The sooner you report to your insurance company the easier the claim.

saladdays66 · 10/02/2018 23:18

Why was he walking in a petrol station with a dog?!

cestlavielife · 10/02/2018 23:30

Maybe he was going to buy a paper or milk?

Original poster
devonhil · 11/02/2018 00:08

yep, after the accident he carried on into the shop.

OP posts:
Frankiestein401 · 11/02/2018 08:54

you probably have a reasonable counter claim for stress/worry - this thread being contemporaneous evidence - walking close to back of a vehicle on forecourt without looking for reversing lights/keeping close eye on driver is asking for trouble. as has been said write down what happened in as much detail as you can remember. sign/date - if you have someone else to sign it too - great - then put it into drawer and forget about it unless it's needed.

DGRossetti · 11/02/2018 14:39

Another reason for a rear-facing dashcam ...

AJPTaylor · 11/02/2018 14:45

For heavens sake.
You are responsible.
It was a minor accident
You have reported it to the police and must report it to your insurers

He will not need all your details to make a claim. The solicitors put your reg into the system and away they go.
This is what you have insurance for. Counter claimd for your upset are nonsense.

Violetrose123 · 11/02/2018 14:48

Ask for a copy of the CCTV before it gets deleted. They may only give it to the police but it is worth asking.

Report to your insurer and they will deal with any PI claim he may (or may not) submit

Original poster
devonhil · 12/02/2018 12:11

thank you to everyone who took the time to reply to my thread - you've been really helpful and supportive.

OP posts:
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