Author Topic: Small Car Accident - Any Legal Advice? (Read 870 times)

Asha D · « **on:** July 14, 2008, 09:41:41 PM »

Had an accident well more of a bump on the 5th of may, what happened was i picked my cousin up from school and got onto the main road which was busy. Was at the lights with a people carrier in front and they went on green and he went then slammed on, i also slammed on but i still bumped into his bumper thats it i literally touched it. so not sure why but as i was a new driver i was nervous and didnt really think it was an accident so carried on as i was also sure there was no damage to either car. Anyway a month later i get a letter of the police saying that the fella reported it saying it was an accident and i didnt stop but a small note on the letter said that as it was reported over a month after it i may not be prosecuted but i had to send my details off and today i get a call asking to go for an interview at a police station

only 18 so not really sure what to do, can i get done or anything for it? $:-\$

Party Phil · « **Reply #1 on:** July 14, 2008, 10:03:06 PM »

just how small is this car exactly?

Asha D · « **Reply #2 on:** July 14, 2008, 10:06:07 PM »

Quote from: Party Phil on July 14, 2008, 10:03:06 PM

just how small is this car exactly?

Put the title across in the wrong way sorry

i was in a golf. MEant to say like it wasnt a big accident

rotistgeil · « **Reply #3 on:** July 14, 2008, 10:07:01 PM »

nidgemo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2008, 12:18:27 AM »

legal advice - neither admit or deny anything (just claim to not remember either way - if they can't place you there they can't do shit - buy denying it would be a lie - however no one can prove you can;t remember it

) and consult a solicitor before going (first consult should be free)

Ben S · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2008, 12:23:08 AM »

Heres an idea, sort it out with your insurance company, you know, you do pay them for these situations

You went into the back of someone, it's your fault, deal with it, through your insurance like any other normal person.

flw · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2008, 12:40:58 AM »

Unfortunatly you went into the back of him .The law will not be on your side .Reason being you should not be that close to vehicle in front. If they thought it was an accident why didnt they get out of the car to see what damage, if any ,was done at the time ?? thats the normal thing you do. You maybe lucky and nothing will happen, if it does as BEN S said ,deal with it through your insurance .

Surprise me. · « **Reply #7 on:** July 15, 2008, 12:43:19 AM »

Burn your car and deny you drive.

capt k · « **Reply #8 on:** July 15, 2008, 01:50:52 AM »

Deny it.... say he/she jumped in the space in front youd left to allow for there to be a safe distance to the car in front.. then THEY jumper on the brakes giving you no time to respond..

Ken-Obi · « **Reply #9 on:** July 15, 2008, 01:52:23 AM »

Quote from: Ben S on July 15, 2008, 12:23:08 AM

Heres an idea, sort it out with your insurance company, you know, you do pay them for these situations

You went into the back of someone, it's your fault, deal with it, through your insurance like any other normal person.

Is right.

Mirra · « **Reply #10 on:** July 15, 2008, 01:52:44 AM »

Say it wasnt you

capt k · « **Reply #11 on:** July 15, 2008, 01:54:17 AM »

Quote from: El Torres on July 15, 2008, 12:43:19 AM

Burn your car and deny you drive.

Quote from: capt k on July 15, 2008, 01:50:52 AM

Deny it....

Quote from: Mirra on July 15, 2008, 01:52:44 AM

Say it wasnt you

theres a trend here.... the rawk legal team has offered its advice..

AndyInVA · « **Reply #12 on:** July 15, 2008, 02:55:21 AM »

scream, you'll never take me alive copper and pull out a sawn off and blow your head off

maybe thats not legal advice

maybe thats big vern from viz

oldie but goodie

mobydick · « **Reply #13 on:** July 15, 2008, 02:58:01 AM »

Tell em you stopped but people carrier drove off, so you never thought any more about it.

Doesn't sound far from the truth, with the version you gave us.

Oingy Boingy · « **Reply #14 on:** July 15, 2008, 06:35:05 AM »

they can't prove anything now so deny it or say you can't remember...ive done it loads of times at work getting away from an accident by giving my work phone number and saying that work will sort it out...then when they get in touch deny all knowledge or say it was them that pulled out on me

As long as you got offside they can't prove who was at fault,plus it sounds like there was no damage done and someones told the other driver of the people carrier they could get 7 whippy claims out of it...deny

Gilly La · « **Reply #15 on:** July 15, 2008, 06:41:18 AM »

Quote from: mobydick on July 15, 2008, 02:58:01 AM

Tell em you stopped but people carrier drove off, so you never thought any more about it.

Doesn't sound far from the truth, with the version you gave us.

True, dunno how you can drive off from behind someone, if you get me.

Alan_X · « **Reply #16 on:** July 15, 2008, 07:37:44 AM »

If you go into the back of someone you will be assumed to be at fault. It's your responsibility to leave enough space between you and the car in front to take account of emergencies.

You say you were both just pulling away, so I assume the speeds we're talking about were pretty slow. Why did he slam the brakes on? Did he get out and look for damage? Did you? Did he carry on across the lights and then pull over? Did you pull past him and drive off? How has he got your registration?

If it was just a low speed bumper-to-bumper and you both drove off without stopping to exchange details there's not much to worry about.

Asha D · « **Reply #17 on:** July 15, 2008, 01:49:10 PM »

Quote from: Alan_F on July 15, 2008, 07:37:44 AM

If you go into the back of someone you will be assumed to be at fault. It's your responsibility to leave enough space between you and the car in front to take account of emergencies.

You say you were both just pulling away, so I assume the speeds we're talking about were pretty slow. Why did he slam the brakes on? Did he get out and look for damage? Did you? Did he carry on across the lights and then pull over? Did you pull past him and drive off? How has he got your registration?

If it was just a low speed bumper-to-bumper and you both drove off without stopping to exchange details there's not much to worry about.

I did go into the back off him and all the cars were close together because you had to squeeze in getting out of the school onto the main road. not sure why he slammed on but he did drive on a bit then pull over and i carried on, i could see there was no damage to his bumper so i assumed there was none to mine which there wasnt. he carried on abit and pulled over thats when i carried on past him. he got my reg as thats how the police contacted me but he didnt report it til a month later ??

so just wondering what to say to the police when i go for this interview on the weekend, whether to deny it and say he didnt stop or something or to tell the truth and say i didnt no i had to stop because it wasnt really an accident just a bump?

It was a very low speed bumper t bumper though thats it.

AndyInVA · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2008, 02:02:52 PM »

If there is no damage its hard to prove there was actually an accident

no accident no harm

deny you hit him

sounds like he cant prove you hit him

also it took a month to claim so no medical

deny everything

Asha D · « **Reply #19 on:** July 15, 2008, 02:27:58 PM »

Quote from: AndyInVA on July 15, 2008, 02:02:52 PM

If there is no damage its hard to prove there was actually an accident

no accident no harm

deny you hit him

sounds like he cant prove you hit him

also it took a month to claim so no medical

deny everything

was thinking of saying he rolled back into me or something? then he just drove off? but as it was just a bump and there was no damage didnt think much of it? but me mate said i could get done for lying so dont know

or would it be better to say he never pulled over he just carried on going so i did?

Lo · « **Reply #20 on:** July 15, 2008, 03:40:38 PM »

I really think you should tell the truth.

StevenLFC · « **Reply #21 on:** July 15, 2008, 03:42:07 PM »

Just deny it, if there's no proof of injury or damage on either car then he has no proof that you hit him.

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #22 on:** July 15, 2008, 03:53:59 PM »

Just tell the truth. Tell the police what you have told everyone on here, if it was a very low speed bumper to bumper issue and there was no damage then the odds are you will probably get a slapped wrist for driving off (maybe).

If there was damage then as has been said, use your insurance, thats what its for after all.

For the time being though you dont even know what they are going to say. Go down and see what happens and go from there. Dont worry about it too much.

stevenl · « **Reply #23 on:** July 15, 2008, 04:01:19 PM »

If there's no damage on either vehicle deny it. Say to the police it could be someone you cut across or undertook, trying to get back at you.

If neither car had to have any damage repair, then surely they can prove fuck all?

Was there any camera's around the area where it happened? Unlikely they will look for them anyways.

Asha D · « **Reply #24 on:** July 15, 2008, 04:10:32 PM »

Quote from: stevenl on July 15, 2008, 04:01:19 PM

If there's no damage on either vehicle deny it. Say to the police it could be someone you cut across or undertook, trying to get back at you.

If neither car had to have any damage repair, then surely they can prove fuck all?

Was there any camera's around the area where it happened? Unlikely they will look for them anyways.

Thought of that myself but asked my cousin was there any cameras outside his school and he said no.

Will probably just deny it, it was over 2 months ago now and there was no damage so it would just be my word against his? but im also just tempted to tell them what ive said on here and like Grobberlaarrevel said above i might just get a warning but its just the 'might' which id be worried about

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #25 on:** July 15, 2008, 04:17:31 PM »

Quote from: Asha D on July 15, 2008, 04:10:32 PM

but im also just tempted to tell them what ive said on here and like Grobberlaarrevel said above i might just get a warning but its just the 'might' which id be worried about

Surely its going to look worse though if you do lie and they find out. Personally id rather take the risk and tell the truth (as lets face its hardly a major offence) as you would likely end up in more trouble if you lie and get caught out.

Lo · « **Reply #26 on:** July 15, 2008, 04:41:14 PM »

Quote from: Grobbelrevell on July 15, 2008, 04:17:31 PM

Surely its going to look worse though if you do lie and they find out. Personally id rather take the risk and tell the truth (as lets face its hardly a major offence) as you would likely end up in more trouble if you lie and get caught out.

I have to agree, cant believe so many have quite happily said to lie about it.

In Fowler we trust · « **Reply #27 on:** July 15, 2008, 04:43:15 PM »

Quote from: Lois Hamilton on July 15, 2008, 04:41:14 PM

I have to agree, cant believe so many have quite happily said to lie about it.

ditto - it will be much worse in the long run if he is found out - its hardly the crime of the centry

mikeb58 · « **Reply #28 on:** July 15, 2008, 04:56:30 PM »

Avoid schools runs, especially when there's dozens of 4x4's / people carriers about all carrying one kid each for a half mile trip.

Tell the truth mate, this fella's probably bumped into one of those ' had an accident ' types, and is now trying to pull a fast one i.e he's now developing headaches, sore neck, bad back, anxiety attacks etc etc.

Tell them you barely touched the car, and both parties drove off realising there was no damage done. As other people have already said though consult a solictor / your insurance if things get tricky.

DJBrenton · « **Reply #29 on:** July 15, 2008, 04:57:57 PM »

I don't really see why you should go for the interview. You haven't been charged with anything so there's no onus on you to say anything at this stage. As you haven't received a Notice of Prosecution I'd say nothing and leave them to make a case with no evidence. If you go for the interview and say what you've said here, you could be charged with driving without due care and attention. If you refuse to say anything then there would need to be more proof before you could realistically be charged with anything. My money is on it getting dropped if you simply refuse to discuss it.

AndyInVA · « **Reply #30 on:** July 15, 2008, 05:03:45 PM »

teh encouragement to lie is where you hear about people getting fucked over by telling the truth

especially when there may be an insuraance company involved

its not somethinganyyone would encourage

my mate use to deal in car claims

he has seen 2K handed out for a 1 mph crash

then its stuck on your insurance history and it costs you out the ass for many years

its not the Police you should be worried about

its the Police report that the twat that got hit that he will send to the insurance company you shoudl be worried

he obsviously has some ulterior motive as he would be bringing it up weeks later

Gilly La · « **Reply #31 on:** July 15, 2008, 05:10:42 PM »

If you knew you hit him, then drove off when he pulled over, then they're right to try and pull you. Leaving the scene of the accident is crime (in some guise) but they can't do you on the insurance without proving damage.

AndyInVA · « **Reply #32 on:** July 15, 2008, 05:12:12 PM »

proving whip lash is not that hard if you get some joke doctor to tell you that you

all of a sudden neck hurting

is down to that accident when you got hit

thats all the damage needed

Gilly La · « **Reply #33 on:** July 15, 2008, 05:14:59 PM »

Proving whiplash is easy, due to the fact you cant actually prove or disprove it.

Sadly, you could be fucked over that way. Even if you never hit him hard enough to cause anything, if they're a convincing actor, they could still get a whiplash claim.

Asha D · « **Reply #34 on:** July 15, 2008, 05:17:44 PM »

Quote from: Gilly La on July 15, 2008, 05:10:42 PM

If you knew you hit him, then drove off when he pulled over, then they're right to try and pull you. Leaving the scene of the accident is crime (in some guise) but they can't do you on the insurance without proving damage.

Just worried about that really thats why im thinking of saying he just drove off so i did and as it was a bump and there was no damage to his car or mine didnt think much of it because i did literally just touch his bumper.

In Fowler we trust · « **Reply #35 on:** July 15, 2008, 05:20:15 PM »

where there any witnesses?

AndyInVA · « **Reply #36 on:** July 15, 2008, 05:25:19 PM »

was there a grassy knoll close by

Gilly La · « **Reply #37 on:** July 15, 2008, 05:29:07 PM »

Quote from: Asha D on July 15, 2008, 05:17:44 PM

Just worried about that really thats why im thinking of saying he just drove off so i did and as it was a bump and there was no damage to his car or mine didnt think much of it because i did literally just touch his bumper.

If you admit you bumped, then he can do as he pleases. If he's called the police a month after a damage-less crash to report you, says to me he's after a payout.

Asha D · « **Reply #38 on:** July 15, 2008, 05:34:49 PM »

Quote from: In Fowler we trust on July 15, 2008, 05:20:15 PM

where there any witnesses?

he was trying to get school kids to be his witnesses but as they new my cousin they said no and laughed at him

so dont think so

Immoral King Brian Blessed · « **Reply #39 on:** July 15, 2008, 05:37:23 PM »

The way I see it, you have three options:

1. Just tell the truth.

2. Refer the coppers to this thread.

3. Go into the station with your cousin who will be armed with a revolver. Have him act panicked and pull out the gun, hand shaking the whole time. Now, when the armed response unit show up, shout 'Let him have it!' at your cousin. Afterward, if possible, come on here and share the results, I've love to know what happened.