Got (minorly) rear ended, other driver drove off but got his plate and mob no. What to do?

thingemajib · 17 Oct 2015 at 18:57

TL: DR - As per title

There was an accident on the north circular yesterday in which two out of three lanes were closed. As the traffic was merging into the one remaining open lane to get past the accident scene the person behind me went into me at a low speed. Looking in the rear view it was obvious he realised what happened and appeared to be deliberately avoiding looking at me/ahead.

I wasnt going to stop there as it wasn't safe so I went past the accident and remained in the left hand lane at a low speed (the road post-accident was practially empty) waiting for the person behind me to catch up. Looking back again it appeared the guy that hit me was going very slowly past the accident as if he were waiting for me to drive off (not 100% sure about this, couldve been my imagination). Once he caught upto me he then zoomed past me in the fast lane so by then it was obvious he was trying to avoid me (why go two lanes over on an empty road to overtake?).

So now the interesting bit - managed to catch upto him as he came off at the next junction. Sitting in the back window was a for sale sign with a mobile number!

When we pulled up I honked and flashed him whilst making indications to pull over. All I got was a glance in the rear view mirror and subsequently ignored. Followed him a bit more until the next red light where I tried again, this time with my friend very obviously taking pictures of his car and number plate. Still ignored. At this point I gave up as I was getting wary that it might start coming across as road rage and my friend had what I needed. (would like to point out that aside from the flashing and honking I did not do anything I consider to be aggressive. I had followed him for less than half a mile after leaving the north circular).

Luckily the damage is only a meduimish size scuff to the rear bumper, hasnt dented at all. However I'm still pretty upset that this guy just drove off and ignored me after damaging my property. I would like to get try and contact him with the number from the for sale sign but dont really know how to proceed. TBH if nothing else I'd just like and ackowledgement and an apology...

Gaygle · 17 Oct 2015 at 19:20

Unfortunately this type of stuff is so difficult to deal with.

Option A) You report to police, he simply says that he didn't do anything and certainly didn't hit you. No witnesses. No other evidence. The end.

Option B) You report to insurance company, he simply says he didn't do anything and certainly didn't hit you. I don't know what happens then? His company will probably deny liability as no witnesses and your insurance company will just have to pay out, which goes down as a fault claim for you and increases your insurance quite a lot for the next 5 years.

Option C) You get the bumper repaired yourself with a smart repair for £100. Annoying? You bet it is. But in the circumstances, probably the best thing to do.

What car is it?

Nazbit · 17 Oct 2015 at 19:46

Call the phone number and arrange to view the car, then hand him your repair bill.

adam cool dude · 17 Oct 2015 at 20:05

Call his mobile number asking to buy his car then turn up to his house and see what happens.

Try and record the conversation if possible and take pictures of his car before you make contact with him. At least then he knows that you know where he lives!

Cyber-Mav · 17 Oct 2015 at 20:32

very similar to what happened to me. got rear ended by an audi and I was driving a rav 4.
just like you 2 times tried to pull him over but he wasn't having any of it.
3rd time he got an arse full of bull bars, rav 4 cost 1 grand, dunno what the going price is on a 58 plate A4 its probably more I would have thought.

this time he gets out the car, and gets back in sharpish after a face full of fist and drives off leaving his bumper and exhaust backbox behind.

moral of the story is if u cause an accident stop and take responsibility.

pepsilol · 17 Oct 2015 at 20:36

Cyber-Mav said:
very similar to what happened to me. got rear ended by an audi and I was driving a rav 4.
just like you 2 times tried to pull him over but he wasn't having any of it.
3rd time he got an arse full of bull bars, rav 4 cost 1 grand, dunno what the going price is on a 58 plate A4 its probably more I would have thought.

this time he gets out the car, and gets back in sharpish after a face full of fist and drives off leaving his bumper and exhaust backbox behind.

moral of the story is if u cause an accident stop and take responsibility.

Ahahahhahahahahaahahhahaha, no human please carry on.

grudas · 17 Oct 2015 at 20:37

adam cool dude said:
Call his mobile number asking to buy his car then turn up to his house and see what happens.

Try and record the conversation if possible and take pictures of his car before you make contact with him. At least then he knows that you know where he lives!

sounds a bit over the top? if you got his number, find out his address and go visit him with a bill for the repair

Cyber-Mav said:
very similar to what happened to me. got rear ended by an audi and I was driving a rav 4.
just like you 2 times tried to pull him over but he wasn't having any of it.
3rd time he got an arse full of bull bars, rav 4 cost 1 grand, dunno what the going price is on a 58 plate A4 its probably more I would have thought.

this time he gets out the car, and gets back in sharpish after a face full of fist and drives off leaving his bumper and exhaust backbox behind.

moral of the story is if u cause an accident stop and take responsibility.

so hardcore!

VincentHanna · 17 Oct 2015 at 20:38

I'm not sure Road rage is the best way to go about it...

Sounds like you've also got a witness then, so call insurance company and claim.

grudas · 17 Oct 2015 at 20:40

VincentHanna said:
I'm not sure Road rage is the best way to go about it...

Sounds like you've also got a witness then, so call insurance company and claim.

it'll increase his next years premiums more than it would cost to repair that small ding

Cyber-Mav · 17 Oct 2015 at 20:40

tbh there were 4 of us in the car and had just come out of the gym going home. and was getting egged on by the others. the audi driver was not from the uk, some European probably Romanian or something. probably didn't have any insurance.

VincentHanna · 17 Oct 2015 at 20:42

grudas said:
it'll increase his next years premiums more than it would cost to repair that small ding

Really?

I was in an accident in 2014, car went in to the back of me going to Glastonbury festival of all places.

Had £7000 worth of repairs on my car (luckily no chassis or engine damage) and they kept my premium the same when it came to renewal!

I have protected no claims though.

pepsilol · 17 Oct 2015 at 20:53

Midlands and got rear ended...hmmm.. He most likely thought you were crash for cash scammers

thingemajib · 17 Oct 2015 at 23:47

Gaygle said:
Unfortunately this type of stuff is so difficult to deal with.

Option A) You report to police, he simply says that he didn't do anything and certainly didn't hit you. No witnesses. No other evidence. The end.

Option B) You report to insurance company, he simply says he didn't do anything and certainly didn't hit you. I don't know what happens then? His company will probably deny liability as no witnesses and your insurance company will just have to pay out, which goes down as a fault claim for you and increases your insurance quite a lot for the next 5 years.

Option C) You get the bumper repaired yourself with a smart repair for £100. Annoying? You bet it is. But in the circumstances, probably the best thing to do.

What car is it?

Car is an 06 fiesta, worth about £1500. Guy who hit me was in an 02 toyota corolla. Given the model, value and amount of damage I see no point whatsoever going through insurance. As an extreme circumstance, now you mention it the police may be an option on the basis that there were police present at the accident that may have witnessed the shunt. However I feel that may be blowing things out of proportion a tad...

Nazbit said:
Call the phone number and arrange to view the car, then hand him your repair bill.

adam cool dude said:
Call his mobile number asking to buy his car then turn up to his house and see what happens.

Try and record the conversation if possible and take pictures of his car before you make contact with him. At least then he knows that you know where he lives!

Was thinking along the lines of this. I do want to contact him but didn't know whether to just come straight out with it over the phone or play dumb, arrange a viewing and turn up in my fiesta much to his surprise. Repair bill is a nice touch!

adam cool dude · 18 Oct 2015 at 00:06

I do not advise violence but I would take the dumb approach and confront him. He left you a golden nugget with his mobile number stamped on his car!

randal · 18 Oct 2015 at 00:09

Cyber-Mav said:
tbh there were 4 of us in the car and had just come out of the gym going home. and was getting egged on by the others. the audi driver was not from the uk, some European probably Romanian or something. probably didn't have any insurance.

In a 58 plate? Probably more terrified about the 4 guys ramming him in his rear view mirror.

ci_newman · 18 Oct 2015 at 09:27

Can you find the car advert on Autotrader / local rags for us to look at?

dacads · 18 Oct 2015 at 11:37

I'd play dumb as well, or he might do a runner again

Dav4 · 18 Oct 2015 at 12:34

Would just get it repaired out my own pocket if I was you its not worth the hassle and shouldn't cost anymore than a few hundred.
Or Ring the number put it on loud speaker while someone else records it and get him to admit over the phone for proof. I didn't have any witnesses when someone hit me but I still got compensation, repairs and hire car paid for!

Iamzod · 18 Oct 2015 at 12:53

grudas said:
it'll increase his next years premiums more than it would cost to repair that small ding

Not always, I claimed off someone else's insurance in February this year, my insurance came down at renewal to about £160 a year.

hurfdurf · 18 Oct 2015 at 13:09

Cyber-Mav said:
very similar to what happened to me. got rear ended by an audi and I was driving a rav 4.
just like you 2 times tried to pull him over but he wasn't having any of it.
3rd time he got an arse full of bull bars, rav 4 cost 1 grand, dunno what the going price is on a 58 plate A4 its probably more I would have thought.

this time he gets out the car, and gets back in sharpish after a face full of fist and drives off leaving his bumper and exhaust backbox behind.

moral of the story is if u cause an accident stop and take responsibility.

You know all those times I posted stand and bang I was joking right?