scratched a car and didn't realise

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Wed 10 Dec 2014 16:55
scratched a car and didn't realise - centurius

I'm a new driver (2 weeks!) and went to park in a supermarket car park today at lunch time, got really close to another car when parking. I went to straighten up, realised I didn't have time as I'd be late for a meeting and pulled out, went round and left the car park.

When I parked up at work and walked round the front of my car I noticed I had scratched a decent size section of my front bumper. Feel like a real d*** for doing it, worse for not noticing, and even worse for doing it to someone else's car. I'm sure it's the car from the supermarket because I've got some paint on my car the same colour.

I've phoned the supermaket in question and left my name and phone number with customer services in case someone reports it.

My worry is that the person doesn't notice, notices later and rings the police. Do I need to report this to the police myself? There's no damage beyond the paintwork, and I have (within an hour, as soon as I've noticed) left my details.

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Wed 10 Dec 2014 17:41
scratched a car and didn't realise - scot22

I'm not sure but I think, unless someone is injured when you must notify police, provided you exchange details ( you've done what you could ) then that is sufficient. There are people on the forum who know lots more than me.

I hope it all works out O.K. for you. It is commendable that you have acknowledged what happened and notified the supermarket, who one would expect any aggrieved person to ring. Your reaction shows a decent and genuine person. I've had it done to me with no acknowledgement of responsibility !

Really sorry you've had this misfortune

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Wed 10 Dec 2014 18:04
scratched a car and didn't realise - centurius

It's my own fault, I knew I was short of time and that's put me in a rush. It shouldn't have happened and even when it did I should have noticed at the time. I knew I was close, and even had a look but in the split second my car went past I didn't see any damage and as I hadn't heard or felt anything carried on my merry way.

If it wasn't for the fact I brought part of his paint job away with me I'd have sworn blind someone had hit me and gone off without letting me know.

The supermarket have phoned to say no one has come in and asked about it, but then, I guess seeing as it was their passenger side and it was facing away from the doors they may well not notice til much later anyway.

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Wed 10 Dec 2014 18:20
scratched a car and didn't realise - RT

Don't lose any sleep over it - you've been more honest and honourable than 99% of drivers - and there's no more you can do anyway unless someone contacts you.

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Wed 10 Dec 2014 21:00
scratched a car and didn't realise - RobJP

Don't lose any sleep over it - you've been more honest and honourable than 99% of drivers - and there's no more you can do anyway unless someone contacts you.

Agreed. You've taken all reasonable steps to let the other person have your details.

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Thu 11 Dec 2014 08:50
scratched a car and didn't realise - Dwight Van Driver

Owing to the presence of a motor vehicle on a road (supermarket car parks have been held to be a road) an accident occurs whereby damage is caused to another vehicle the driver must stop and exchange details. If they cannot comply with this then the matter should be reported to the Police within 24 hrs. Offence not to do so (Road Traffic Act 1988)

You may want to take out an Insurance policy by reporting.

Plod should appreciate that you have acted honourably and in any case there is case law that if at the time of the accident you were not aware of the accident causing damage to the other vehicle then no offence of failing to stop/report.

10 to 1 the park will be covered by CCTV so there is an avenue for damaged driver to trace who responsible.

dvd

Edited by Avant on 13/12/2014 at 22:44

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Thu 11 Dec 2014 08:51
scratched a car and didn't realise - Dwight Van Driver

Sorry Mods for triple above. Your site playing up. Again.....

dvd

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Sat 13 Dec 2014 22:46
scratched a car and didn't realise - Avant

Repeat removed.

DVD - once again thanks for all the advice you give. Either you're the only person who has trouble with the software, or the only person with enough oomph to say so.

Does anyone else have trouble posting on the forum?

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Sun 14 Dec 2014 05:34
scratched a car and didn't realise - RT

Repeat removed.

DVD - once again thanks for all the advice you give. Either you're the only person who has trouble with the software, or the only person with enough oomph to say so.

Does anyone else have trouble posting on the forum?

Not in the same way as DVD - although it can be excruciatingly slow at times.

If it helps I'm using Windows 8.1 and Firefox

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Sun 14 Dec 2014 20:04
scratched a car and didn't realise - alan1302

Repeat removed.

DVD - once again thanks for all the advice you give. Either you're the only person who has trouble with the software, or the only person with enough oomph to say so.

Does anyone else have trouble posting on the forum?

Not in the double posting way but I often find that when I hit reply the usual white box where you type your reply is greyed out so I have to go out and hit reply again. This is on Google Chrome.

If I'm being honest the whole forum is a bit odd compared to other forums I use.

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Sun 14 Dec 2014 23:15
scratched a car and didn't realise - Bromptonaut

I'm fairly sure I've had a double post at least once. Chrome + Win 7 inless it was on the HUDL in which case OS was Android.

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Thu 18 Dec 2014 18:44
scratched a car and didn't realise - motorclaimguru

The above comment is correct in relation to the road traffic act,and notifying police.

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