Hit and run

[Brendan]

]A car hit my wife's car whilst stationary and drove off. Fortunately my wife got his reg and number as his name and tel number were on the car. The damage is very minor, just a scuff but I am annoyed the man drove off when he knew he had hit the car.

I have contacted him but he has not replied so far. I got some verbal estimates(no one wants to give you written ones) £50 cash to £320 through insurance.

I am reluctant to go through my insurance as the damage in within the xs though how can I get this person to pay if I do not?. This happened with a friends car and the police were not interested in helping as no one was injured.

Any ideas?

 

[2b1ask1]

Brendan, there are 'ways' of getting the registered keeper information from DVLA, once achieved you can send a personal invoice to them and back it up with one put on their windscreen! I wouldn't worry the insurance for a small amount as you will more than pay it back in inflated premiums even when it is 100 non-fault...

 

[VMSRTI]

]A car hit my wife's car whilst stationary and drove off. Fortunately my wife got his reg and number as his name and tel number were on the car. The damage is very minor, just a scuff but I am annoyed the man drove off when he knew he had hit the car.

I have contacted him but he has not replied so far. I got some verbal estimates(no one wants to give you written ones) £50 cash to £320 through insurance.

I am reluctant to go through my insurance as the damage in within the xs though how can I get this person to pay if I do not?. This happened with a friends car and the police were not interested in helping as no one was injured.

Any ideas?

Contact your insurance company and give them the drivers details. They should pursue it on your behalf.

 

[highlander]

not so sure you can get details from the dvla given confidentiality laws in uk but if you have a name and tel number it is worth a 5 sec search on google.........you'd be surprised how stupid some people are!
the police should get involved if he does not respond to reasonable attempts by yourself to seek recompense and therefore could be your next port of call...........by the letter, he has already broken the law by leaving the scene of an accident regardless of the amount of damage caused.
if he does not respond in 24 hours I would send another text/phone message advising your next step is via a solicitor and court and that he/she will be held financially responsible for all costs.

 

[CC4200]

I think the police re classified RTA & RTC, and a collision is of no interest to them, keeps the workload down for the depleted force?
We had a night time break in at work the other week, police didn't attend because they were too far away!
Left it to our security company, but came the following day to give us a crime reference number...


Paul

 

[dem maser]

Dvla for £5 will send you the address of the cars owner! I have done it!

My mrs had someone hit her smart and drive off she sued MIB motor insurance bureau and they paid up with compensation

 

[highlander]

Dvla for £5 will send you the address of the cars owner! I have done it!

My mrs had someone hit her smart and drive off she sued MIB motor insurance bureau and they paid up with compensation

did not know this, nice to know but hope I never need to use

 

[outrun]

Seriously for £50 or so I'd just put that down to experience. Why give yourself hassle, we're talking about half a tank of petrol.

 

[zagatoes30]

It's not worth the trouble, all you need it to be a complete nutcase (given they drove off they are not totally honest) and you will wake up one morning to find paint all over your car or worse.

Let it go

 

[dem maser]

For £50 let it go....my mrs had a bit of damage so they paid her out

 

[Brendan]

I think I will call the police though I am not sure they will do anything.

I may well leave it as the hassle will outweigh the £50 though I am annoyed that the person will get away with it. Even if I knew the persons address sticking a bill through his door is unlikely to make him pay up.

Not worth getting the insurance company involved for £50

 

[Felonious Crud]

Your excess will be far higher and do you really want the hassle of trying to recover £50 from the other guy? Depending on the severity of the scuff you may as well just buy a tube of light rubbing compound or some fine-grit wet and dry and do it yourself. It would be a good opportunity to repair any other fine scratches while you're at it.

Put it down to experience and console yourself with the fact that you're not the ar5ehole.

 

[Contigo]

Yep not worth fussing about. Sure it's not the money it's the principle but is it worth the time and effort.

 

[Blondie]

If you were so inclined, once you have his name and address, you could issue him with a statement of claim that contains all the relevant details of the accident.
http://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part07#7.1
To ensure success, a witness would be extremely beneficial, otherwise it is a "he said, she said" situation.
Admittedly it is a relatively small amount and most would let it go. Most, but not me hehe. My family nickname is Terrier, once latched on, won't let go.
Good luck.

 

[hodroyd]

Get the repair done, get his address, take a baseball bat and practice your swing on his car..!! Police will more than likely not be interested at all, you could take him to court but hassle for months, teach him a lesson..!!

 

[conaero]

Law states the perpetrator has 24hrs to report the incident otherwise it is classed as fleeing the scene of an accident which is a serious crime.

The guys are correct, you can write to the DVLA and say that the car is being repeatedly left on your private property and they are obliged to give you the owners home address.

I would then drive over and confront them, only to be told to **** off, them you know where his car is parked....accidents happen yes????

 

[dem maser]

Exactly what ill do.....

 

[conaero]

I wouldn't normally condone this sort if behaviour but if you have given the scumbag every opportunity to fess up then he deserves everything he gets.

 

[Brendan]

Mmmmm... I am getting some ideas..!

 

[TridentTested]

Contact your insurance company and give them the drivers details. They should pursue it on your behalf.

DON'T go near your insurance company. Even phoning them to discuss your options will be logged to your file and it will reflect on you at renewal time - probably a lot more than £50.

I like Matt's solution.