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Original poster

I've been stupid and I'm worried...

25 replies

Orinoco · 10/03/2006 17:25

This is probably really trivial but I'm really worried.
I clipped a van's mirror today as I was driving. My mirror was completely destroyed but I couldn't see any damage to his - so I continued driving. DH says with the amount of damage to mine I must have damaged the van, and as it's an offence to leave the scene of an accident, it's only a matter of time before the police come knocking.
Is DH right? Will I be in trouble for leaving the scene of an accident? I thought that was when someone got hurt? I just wish I'd stopped at the time but I panicked and now I'm really worried and don't know how to put it rightSad

OP posts:
freshstart · 10/03/2006 17:27

I once scraped my car all along the side of a double decker bus

I panicked and didnt stop and was convinced I would be in trouble but nothing ever happened.

alliebaba · 10/03/2006 17:28

i'm had some scummy taxi driver knock off my wing mirror.. his was fine and he drove off. I reported him, but never heard anything of it.. if it's a company van they're probably not too worried..did you get the name of the company?

Original poster
Orinoco · 10/03/2006 17:30

alliebaba - I'm not sure. I went back later once I'd calmed down and there was a white van parked on the same stretch of road with a company name on, but the mirror was folded in, so I've no idea whether it's the same one or a different one.

OP posts:
NomDePlume · 10/03/2006 17:31

TBH, it is unlikely that you will be tracked down unless someone at the scene saw it happen and took note of your car registration and then called the police/knocked on the door ofthe van owner.

It's not a particularly moral way to deal with things, in general you should leave your insurance details or at least your phone number at the scene (tucked under the wiper or something), but we all panic and it's natural that you drove away. I've done it myself, not proud of it, but there you go.

SenoraPostrophe · 10/03/2006 17:31

somebody hit my car once while i was in it - we were parked on the side of the road. he drove off. I got the number plate and the police put absolutely no effort whatsoever into tracing him. I think technically your dh is right, but doubt the police will come knocking even if someone reported you.

alliebaba · 10/03/2006 17:31

oh bless you. try not to worry about it. i think the offence is for leaving the site of a real accident.. this was just a bump.. same as someone hitting your car in a car park and driving off really, and that happens to me lots

Freckle · 10/03/2006 17:34

I used to drive along a very narrow country lane taking the boys to nursery. I lost count of the number of times I'd pull in to let someone pass and they'd misjudge the distance taking most of my mirror off. I would wait but they always just drove off, presumably considering that it is a hazard of driving on those sorts of roads.

In fact, although my youngest hasn't been to nursery there for the last 3/4 years, my wing mirror is still badly cracked because I just got fed up with replacing them.

mumatuks · 10/03/2006 17:35

I think your DH is being a bit OTT. M DH and me reckon the police have much more better stuff to do than chase people who clipped a wing mirror!
If its any comfort I could always give my Uncle a ring and ask him, he used to be a Police Officer and is now a S.O.C.O (scene of crime officer.)

Please don't worry yourself and tell your DH to get off your case!Wink

NomDePlume · 10/03/2006 17:35

does it pass the MOT with a badly damaged mirror, freckle ? AFAIK, it shouldn't.

Freckle · 10/03/2006 17:37

I suppose it depends on what you term badly cracked. It is badly cracked but most of the lines are round the edge, so there is clear vision in the centre. Perhaps that's why it has never failed the MOT.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 10/03/2006 17:37

Freshtart - how the hell did you manage to hit a bus - they are huge!

VeniVidiVickiQV · 10/03/2006 17:38

Sorry - Freshstart Blush

freshstart · 10/03/2006 17:39

It was one of the first times I drove after my taste and my spacial awareness was terrible!! I thought I was driving around it but apparently not!

freshstart · 10/03/2006 17:39

taste?

test!

NomDePlume · 10/03/2006 17:41

rofl at freshtart Grin

Blu · 10/03/2006 17:45

Orinoco - your DH is trying to scare the pants off you. 'leaving the scene of an accident' and pollice knocking, indeed! if you couldn't see damage, there probably wasn't any. And yes, I think it is if someone gets hurt, the police will take no interest whatsoever in wing mirrors!

Original poster
Orinoco · 10/03/2006 20:43

Blu - it's the only way he'll get my pants off today Grin

Thanks everyone, I've been worrying all afternoon, just needed a dose of common sense. Yes, I should have stopped, but it's too late now and I'm not going to let it worry me.

OP posts:
hellsbellsdownunder · 10/03/2006 20:47

I did that once - years ago and still Blush every time I think of it!!! But nothing ever came of it. I've never told dh.

Katemum · 10/03/2006 20:55

Someone took the wing mirror off my car when it was parked. One of my many nosy neighbours noted the reg and I rang the police. The driver recieved a visit and was told it would be a very nice idea if he was to pop back and see me and pay for the damage.

Branster · 10/03/2006 21:18

actually you are obliged by law to declare a car accident you were part of within 24h. so i'd reccomend you go to the police station tomorrow morning and report it. nothing bad will happen to you but you'll sleep better at night time. since you don't know the reg no of the other car, there's nothing the police can do about it. however, if somebody has reported you already, you'll be on the safe side.
speaking from experience here as i once reversed out of a parking space and scraped the side of the car next to me. i reported it to the police straight away and gave them both cars descriptions etc. to this day i don't know how much my insurance paid out as i was too scared to ask them. but insurance companies sorted it out between themselves. the police sent me a letter to say no further action would be taken against me and that was that.

Branster · 10/03/2006 21:19

dh still doesn't know about it!!

GDG · 10/03/2006 21:25

God no way - don't sweat it, nothing is going to happen. Dh has done this in the past and nothing has come of it. You didn't hit a person and drive off - you clipped someone's mirror! Forget it and enjoy your evening!

chipkid · 10/03/2006 21:37

I clipped a car when leaving a parking place on a rainy day with two screaming children in the car-I drove off. I then worried so much (with my job cannot afford any potential criminal liability) and so went to the local police station to report the accident.
They though I was stark raving bonkers-but took my telephone number in case anyone had reported the matter.
never heard anything but slept better for knowing that I had reported the accident.

RedTartanLass · 10/03/2006 22:03

I 2nd alliebaba and GDG,really don't think you've got anything to worry about!!

GDG · 10/03/2006 22:05

This is why wing mirrors flip in - so you can clip them without much damage!!

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