May have bumped another car's bumper

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Mon 16 Dec 2013 20:14
May have bumped another car's bumper - lucy888
Hi,

Im panicking a bit here so would like some advice. I was reversing out of a bay on a car park when i may have touched the bumper of a car parked opposite me. I couldn't really judge how much room there was and am unsure but heard a bump but I'm not sure what it was. I had a look and there was no mark on either car so i thought it must have been nothing and drove off. I then started to worry so drove back but the car had gone, i don't know what to do now i didn't leave any details. Should i contact the police? Will i be prosecuted for leaving the scene of an accident?
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Mon 16 Dec 2013 20:34
May have bumped another car's bumper - FP

"I had a look and there was no mark on either car..."

If you're absolutely sure of this and if it was a very low-speed bump, you probably don't need to worry.

"Should i contact the police?" Up to you. Probably not necessary - unless someone saw what happened, or unless there is CCTV, either of which could mean that the owner of the other car could try to scam you by pretending there was actual damage as a result of the collision.

"Will i be prosecuted for leaving the scene of an accident?" You checked and found no damage - but see the previous paragraph. I doubt whether the police would be interested unless the owner of the other car started investigating.

However, you should take note: "I couldn't really judge how much room there was..." You must be able to judge things like this - otherwise don't park in tight spaces.

Edited by FP on 16/12/2013 at 20:34

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Mon 16 Dec 2013 21:14
May have bumped another car's bumper - lucy888
The annoying thing was there was plenty of space when i parked up, its only when i came back to my car to find this car had parked very close to me making hard for me to get out of the bay.
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Mon 16 Dec 2013 22:33
May have bumped another car's bumper - galileo
The annoying thing was there was plenty of space when i parked up, its only when i came back to my car to find this car had parked very close to me making hard for me to get out of the bay.

Parking sensors could be a good investment for you - most start beeping when there is about 3 to 4 feet of space, the beep becomes a continuous tone when you are a foot from contact.

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Mon 16 Dec 2013 22:53
May have bumped another car's bumper - piggy

Another example why it is better to reverse into a parking space rather than the lazy drive in method.It takes more skill,but at least you will have a clear view out when exiting. I agree,reversing sensors would be a good investment for the OP.

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Mon 16 Dec 2013 23:03
May have bumped another car's bumper - Avant

Modern bumpers are meant to be able to withstand knocks at up to 5 mph. It's highly likely that there wasn't any damage to either car; also probable that nobody saw you anyway.

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Tue 17 Dec 2013 07:49
May have bumped another car's bumper - Dwight Van Driver

If its a works private car park then no need to worry unduly unless CCTV coverage.

If its a public car park where all and sundry can park then if you want total peace of mind take an insurance out by reporting to police within 24 hrs of the occurrence thereby complying with the law to prevent any possible charge of failing to report an accident. Bear in mind the 'bump' may have been witnessed and a good samaritain left youyr reg number with the otyher car????

Fairly sure you have nothing to worry about

dvd

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Tue 17 Dec 2013 09:13
May have bumped another car's bumper - lucy888
It was on a shopping centre, I'm pretty sure somebody saw. If i go to the police what would they actually do? I don't have the other cars reg number. I might just contact the police anyway and see what they say. This might seem trivial to some people but i suffer from an anxiety disorder so i am really panicking and been up all night worrying. I just know if i leave it the worry would cause me to do something stupid.
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Tue 17 Dec 2013 11:29
May have bumped another car's bumper - FP

"... i suffer from an anxiety disorder so i am really panicking..."

Then do as DVD (our "resident lawyer"*) suggests and go to the police. Probably they will file some kind of report, even it's incomplete (i.e. no registration details of the other car).

Try to keep things in proportion. These things happen. In the larger scale of traffic problems it's nothing.

A few years ago I scraped the door of a car while reversing out of a parking space - the only damage I could see was the residue of the paint from my car's bumper. I left my contact details. I heard nothing.

* I hope he doesn't mind being referred to as such.

Edited by FP on 17/12/2013 at 11:29

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Tue 17 Dec 2013 14:08
May have bumped another car's bumper - lucy888
Ive contacted the police and left my details. They said they will contact me if the driver reports anything. I suppose all i can do now is wait and see what happens.
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Tue 17 Dec 2013 14:54
Clear the Air - Dwight Van Driver

>>>>>>Then do as DVD (our "resident lawyer"*) <<<<<

........so stateth FP in a post elsewhere.

NO I AM NOT a Lawyer just a lowly ex Traffic Plod who in retirement tries (and fails at times) to keep up to date in Traffic law.

dvd

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Tue 17 Dec 2013 16:21
Clear the Air - galileo

DVD, your inputs are greatly appreciated, always relevant and helpful.

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Tue 17 Dec 2013 19:53
Clear the Air - nortones2

DVD, your inputs are greatly appreciated, always relevant and helpful.

+1

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Wed 18 Dec 2013 00:05
Clear the Air - Avant

Hear, hear. Many thanks DVD as ever.

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