[KillerByte]

I was sat on a slight hill at traffic lights tonight when the car in front just rolled back into me. It happened quite quickly and I didn't have time to sound my horn to warn him/her. I was hoping the driver would pull in after the traffic lights when safe to do so, so that we could assess damage and exchange details but to my utter disbelief the driver acted as if it never happened. He even shot through the next set of traffic lights on amber leaving me to stop at the red light with no hope of catching him/her.

I pulled in and checked my car, and there is no damage as far as I can see. My question is, should I report the incident to the police? On the one hand, no damage has been caused to my vehicle, which makes reporting the incident sound fairly petty. On the other hand, the driver clearly was driving without due care and attention, and in the event of a real accident, I don't know if he/she would stop. I have recorded the registration plate of the car which hit me and I had a passenger in my car who will act as a witness if necessary.

I know the Highway Code states that:

Quote:

260: If you are involved in an accident which causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property, you MUST

• stop
• give your own and the vehicle owner's name and address, and the registration number of the vehicle, to anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring them
• if you do not give your name and address at the time of the accident, report the accident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours.
  Law RTA 1988 sect 170

However, no damage was caused (at least on my car) and no-one was injured. My only concern is that a passenger in that car may have taken down my registration details and could try reporting me to the police and blaming me if their car is damaged in anyway.

I think I'll call them first thing in the morning - at least then my conscience is clear.

[spf]

The other driver does not know that you have no damage because they did not stop.

Not stopping at all is breaking the law and yes they could do it in a more serious situation so I would probably report it. Having said that if it was a small bump - did they actually notice they had hit you?

You probably also need to cover yourself in case they later claim you hit them and did not stop

[wildchild jules]

Sorry to hear this.

If them hitting you corresponded with them putting the brakes on they may not have realised they hit you?

How does it work though if someone rolls into you? I know its their fault, but could tehy still say you had driven into the back of them or been too close to them?

[northandy]

Quote: Originally Posted by KillerByte (original)

I was sat on a slight hill at traffic lights tonight when the car in front just rolled back into me. It happened quite quickly and I didn't have time to sound my horn to warn him/her. I was hoping the driver would pull in after the traffic lights when safe to do so, so that we could assess damage and exchange details but to my utter disbelief the driver acted as if it never happened. He even shot through the next set of traffic lights on amber leaving me to stop at the red light with no hope of catching him/her.

I pulled in and checked my car, and there is no damage as far as I can see. My question is, should I report the incident to the police? On the one hand, no damage has been caused to my vehicle, which makes reporting the incident sound fairly petty. On the other hand, the driver clearly was driving without due care and attention, and in the event of a real accident, I don't know if he/she would stop. I have recorded the registration plate of the car which hit me and I had a passenger in my car who will act as a witness if necessary.

I know the Highway Code states that:

However, no damage was caused (at least on my car) and no-one was injured. My only concern is that a passenger in that car may have taken down my registration details and could try reporting me to the police and blaming me if their car is damaged in anyway.

I think I'll call them first thing in the morning - at least then my conscience is clear.

I'd report it, just in case... you'd hate for some insurance claim to come through in the future claiming whiplash from them... also chances are of they realised they had done it they were probably driving without insurance... just make sure if you report it you take all your documents, insurance MOT etc etc, you could end up getting a producer and having to go back with them later (happened to me a long time ago)

[pappillon]

Personally, I'd report it

There was an article on the news last week about people who deliberately cause others to shunt them from the back (they actually engineer accidents) simply to claim money The insurance companies are on to this now, as are the police, but I'd be extra cautious just in case

[feybrand]

id report it if you got their reg plate becouse its inconciderate people like that that ruin driving damage or not they should of had the decency to stop and check if your car was ok

[KillerByte]

Thanks everyone.

I reported the incident to the police this morning and I went down to the local station to produce my documents (licence, insurance certificate, M.O.T. certificate) as requested and they've told me I've done everything the law requires me to do.

I've had a proper look at the car today in daylight and there is definitely no lasting damage to the vehicle so I'm pleased about that.

Quote: Originally Posted by wildchild jules (original)

If them hitting you corresponded with them putting the brakes on they may not have realised they hit you?

The impact created a loud bump which was also enough to make the CD playing at the time jump. I really expected to have some damage to my front bumper as the bump felt similar to when I was rear-ended before Christmas. That incident required a new rear bumper! I explained this to the police, because they also suggested the driver may not have realised he'd hit my car.

Anyway, I've done all I can now - it's up to the police to decide how they take this further.

Thanks again.

[feybrand]

well thankfully you were lucky to be in a mini the front ends quite good in a smash thats why theres no damege i had a ka pull out on me and i went into the side of it all i had was a few holes in my bumber and a small dent on my bonnet the ka was an undrivable write off

[CooperH]

I would have is checked out anyway, i knew someone who had had a bumper bump and could see no damage but it had weakened it.

[Gristy]

Reporting it was the right thing to do - just covers yourself and hopefully he will get a visit from the fuzz (if he has the correct registration address on the car)

I was hit by a t%*t on a motorbike a few years ago, he managed to stay upright, took a quick glance behind and ride off. As he was riding like a loon in a 30 zone, he caused £800 worth of damage by ripping the front bumper off. I still reported this to the police even though i did not get his reg just to cover any possible issues in the future

It cost £800 as all the fixings for the bumper, headlights etc were damaged - would be best to check your car all over the front for any damage