Why do people drive off after an accident?

macabethiel · 30-01-2015, 21:44

Well we have builders working on our house so during part of the day the wifes Santa Fe has been parked down the road so the fleet of Transits can park on my drive and on the pavement outside as they do.

Today at around 3.30 pm a Tesco delivery vehicle has reversed into the Santa Fe breaking the nearside rear lamp assembly, scuffing the bumper, putting a dent in the tailgate and a nice dent in the n/s quarter panel.

Driver stopped for a moment I am told then decided to drive off !

Lucy for me a neighbour's kid was in a car with his Mum and knew our vehicle so kindly recorded the registration number for me on his hand.

At present I have not involved the Police as I am giving the local store manager a chance to sort it out though the delivery fleet operate from an out of town store.
Lucky for me after replacing a couple of bulbs I have managed to Duct Tape the lamp in place so we can use it legally. MoT is due next month so will have to at least get a lamp fitted for the test.

rustic · 30-01-2015, 21:54

Drive off... witness... call Police no option.

Criminal damage.

Tesco know who the driver would be at that location, and time, as ALL deliveries are logged.

Chances are, Tesco will discipline the driver anyway, and this is probably classed as gross misconduct.
He will probably get sacked...
These are professional drivers, they get paid to drive.
The police are paid to investigate crimes too.

Why should you do the running around, who are you trying to protect?

Terrano Steve · 30-01-2015, 22:39

Similar thing happened to my brother. Asda truck reversed into his Landcruiser didn't stop drove back to Asda then after seeing the damage to the asda truck felt guilty & phoned brother asking him to check his Landcruiser.

perelaar · 30-01-2015, 23:01

Go to the police, and then let your insurer inform Tesco (maybe even sue them). The driver deserves to be sacked and fined - as far as I'm concerned he should even be banned from driving.

Have been in your case several times, but without witnesses.

jims-terrano · 30-01-2015, 23:05

Yep get plod involved without a doubt.

Store manager could deny bump, cant if police involved.

Sweety · 30-01-2015, 23:59

Contact the Police as Tesco's will poss try & worm out of it

if the driver gets done for driving off he may learn a good lesson

AlexD333 · 31-01-2015, 01:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustic

Drive off... witness... call Police no option.

Criminal damage.

Tesco know who the driver would be at that location, and time, as ALL deliveries are logged.

Chances are, Tesco will discipline the driver anyway, and this is probably classed as gross misconduct.
He will probably get sacked...
These are professional drivers, they get paid to drive.
The police are paid to investigate crimes too.

Why should you do the running around, who are you trying to protect?

Actually you'd best be careful here, make sure you atleast report it to the police incase later tescos ask for some sort of log ect

Paff · 31-01-2015, 01:52

Deffo report it to the Police for a crime number and your insurance company, if you don't you may have issues with your insurance company as you have to notify them of any accident.

supergnome · 31-01-2015, 10:08

I think the driver has 24hrs to report it to police, if not its criminal damage. You should report it for you r claim. If he has no damage he will deny it happened otherwise he's sacked. The damage is upwards or £1000. Don't lose out on the repair, your insurance will probably go up anyway. David.

bry · 31-01-2015, 10:17

Dont hold ya breath with the police.We was hit by a drunk driver that drove off.He hit us while reversing in in a truck with the a tail lift.We phoned the police.(Motorway Cops based about a mile away). Was told because it was Christmas time they were too busy.Never actually saw a cop about this.So i went to the papers, with the headlines SYP Keystone cops.
Forgot to add, we gave the cops the guys name.Following week the driver flew to Spain, to live with his mother.Word had got around that he was going to end up in a wheel chair.

But good luck anyway..

panelbeater · 31-01-2015, 13:33

i had it happen to me in london,but a worker saw it and left a note on windscreen with lorrys name,got in touch tried to deny it gave proof of witness then money in bank,sorted.i did not involve plod though.as its was my trade i fixed all and had a lot left over.

AlexD333 · 31-01-2015, 16:15

Report to police.

I would hold off on insurance comp as you could say you didn't know immediately.

Chase supermarket for an outcome and play it from that.

When,if atall, speaking to insurance company get confirmation in email or writing or recorded phonecall that incident was a non fault!!!

johnb5177 · 31-01-2015, 16:19

[QUOTE=perelaar;283277]Go to the police, and then let your insurer inform Tesco (maybe even sue them). The driver deserves to be sacked and fined - as far as I'm concerned he should even be banned from driving.

+ 1

I've been there too.........lowlifes who think they can just get away with it.........hammer them and their company.........

firebobby · 31-01-2015, 20:35

Not defending the driver at all, but I sometimes drive a large truck and you wouldn't know you had clipped another vehicle, modern cabs are well insulated.
Some years ago I was in a builders yard when an artic lorry reversed into a small van on the drivers blind spot, the kid who was supposed to be watching him back was busy on his phone, the poor driver had no idea until the van owner went screaming across the yard.
Like I say, I'm not defending his actions, but it's just possible he didn't know he had hit your car.
The truck I use has a reverse camera and that's a god send.

macabethiel · 01-02-2015, 01:40

Well the local store manager texted me to say they have located the van concerned with an apology from him for the inconvenience caused.

I have been asked to obtain an estimate for repairs and the Depot Manager will contact me on Monday. I have been given the contact number and name of the Depot Manager.

I am aware that when these vehicles are very noisy in the back due to the shelving and trays built into the rear body so at present I see little to be gained in involving the Police unless I hit a liability issue.

When I have the Tesco driver & Insurers details I will advise my Insurance Company. It might be that Tesco will pay without involving their insurers. Any hint of denial and I will report it to the Police but so far I get the impression Tesco do not want any adverse publicity so hopefully it will get sorted.

I will post progress. Interestingly the local store manager advised me that they have an on board collision monitoring system that logs on the tracker / monitor system fitted to their vehicles!

30-01-2015, 21:44	#1
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Why do people drive off after an accident? Well we have builders working on our house so during part of the day the wifes Santa Fe has been parked down the road so the fleet of Transits can park on my drive and on the pavement outside as they do. Today at around 3.30 pm a Tesco delivery vehicle has reversed into the Santa Fe breaking the nearside rear lamp assembly, scuffing the bumper, putting a dent in the tailgate and a nice dent in the n/s quarter panel. Driver stopped for a moment I am told then decided to drive off ! Lucy for me a neighbour's kid was in a car with his Mum and knew our vehicle so kindly recorded the registration number for me on his hand. At present I have not involved the Police as I am giving the local store manager a chance to sort it out though the delivery fleet operate from an out of town store. Lucky for me after replacing a couple of bulbs I have managed to Duct Tape the lamp in place so we can use it legally. MoT is due next month so will have to at least get a lamp fitted for the test.

30-01-2015, 21:54	#2
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	Drive off... witness... call Police no option. Criminal damage. Tesco know who the driver would be at that location, and time, as ALL deliveries are logged. Chances are, Tesco will discipline the driver anyway, and this is probably classed as gross misconduct. He will probably get sacked... These are professional drivers, they get paid to drive. The police are paid to investigate crimes too. Why should you do the running around, who are you trying to protect? __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

01-02-2015, 01:40	#15
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Tesco response so far Well the local store manager texted me to say they have located the van concerned with an apology from him for the inconvenience caused. I have been asked to obtain an estimate for repairs and the Depot Manager will contact me on Monday. I have been given the contact number and name of the Depot Manager. I am aware that when these vehicles are very noisy in the back due to the shelving and trays built into the rear body so at present I see little to be gained in involving the Police unless I hit a liability issue. When I have the Tesco driver & Insurers details I will advise my Insurance Company. It might be that Tesco will pay without involving their insurers. Any hint of denial and I will report it to the Police but so far I get the impression Tesco do not want any adverse publicity so hopefully it will get sorted. I will post progress. Interestingly the local store manager advised me that they have an on board collision monitoring system that logs on the tracker / monitor system fitted to their vehicles!

30-01-2015, 22:39	#3
Terrano Steve Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: South west Vehicle: Terrano Posts: 522	Similar thing happened to my brother. Asda truck reversed into his Landcruiser didn't stop drove back to Asda then after seeing the damage to the asda truck felt guilty & phoned brother asking him to check his Landcruiser.

30-01-2015, 23:01	#4
perelaar Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Belgium Vehicle: Terrano II 2.7TDi SWB '97 Posts: 802	Go to the police, and then let your insurer inform Tesco (maybe even sue them). The driver deserves to be sacked and fined - as far as I'm concerned he should even be banned from driving. Have been in your case several times, but without witnesses.

30-01-2015, 23:05	#5
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Yep get plod involved without a doubt. Store manager could deny bump, cant if police involved.

30-01-2015, 23:59	#6
Sweety Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Northumberland Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDI SE LWB Posts: 3,604	Contact the Police as Tesco's will poss try & worm out of it if the driver gets done for driving off he may learn a good lesson

31-01-2015, 01:52	#8
Paff Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Just north of Ipswich, Suffolk Vehicle: Terrano II 2.7 SE+ Auto Posts: 1,094	Deffo report it to the Police for a crime number and your insurance company, if you don't you may have issues with your insurance company as you have to notify them of any accident.

31-01-2015, 10:08	#9
supergnome Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Isle of Axholme Vehicle: T2, 2.7 TDI 2002 lwb Posts: 955	I think the driver has 24hrs to report it to police, if not its criminal damage. You should report it for you r claim. If he has no damage he will deny it happened otherwise he's sacked. The damage is upwards or £1000. Don't lose out on the repair, your insurance will probably go up anyway. David.

31-01-2015, 10:17	#10
bry Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: South Yorkshire.. Vehicle: Nissan Terrano MK 2 SE Posts: 1,757	Dont hold ya breath with the police.We was hit by a drunk driver that drove off.He hit us while reversing in in a truck with the a tail lift.We phoned the police.(Motorway Cops based about a mile away). Was told because it was Christmas time they were too busy.Never actually saw a cop about this.So i went to the papers, with the headlines SYP Keystone cops. Forgot to add, we gave the cops the guys name.Following week the driver flew to Spain, to live with his mother.Word had got around that he was going to end up in a wheel chair. But good luck anyway..

31-01-2015, 13:33	#11
panelbeater Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: clacton on sea essex Vehicle: nissan terrano 2 2.7 tdi Posts: 1,638	i had it happen to me in london,but a worker saw it and left a note on windscreen with lorrys name,got in touch tried to deny it gave proof of witness then money in bank,sorted.i did not involve plod though.as its was my trade i fixed all and had a lot left over.

31-01-2015, 16:15	#12
AlexD333 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Uk Vehicle: 2004 Terrano 2.7 TDI Posts: 7,847	Report to police. I would hold off on insurance comp as you could say you didn't know immediately. Chase supermarket for an outcome and play it from that. When,if atall, speaking to insurance company get confirmation in email or writing or recorded phonecall that incident was a non fault!!!

31-01-2015, 16:19	#13
johnb5177 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Swansea, S.Wales Vehicle: 02Terrano II 3.0 SVE Auto Posts: 1,586	[QUOTE=perelaar;283277]Go to the police, and then let your insurer inform Tesco (maybe even sue them). The driver deserves to be sacked and fined - as far as I'm concerned he should even be banned from driving. + 1 I've been there too.........lowlifes who think they can just get away with it.........hammer them and their company.........

31-01-2015, 20:35	#14
firebobby Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Bucks Vehicle: Terrano 3.0 SVE 2005 Posts: 3,499	Not defending the driver at all, but I sometimes drive a large truck and you wouldn't know you had clipped another vehicle, modern cabs are well insulated. Some years ago I was in a builders yard when an artic lorry reversed into a small van on the drivers blind spot, the kid who was supposed to be watching him back was busy on his phone, the poor driver had no idea until the van owner went screaming across the yard. Like I say, I'm not defending his actions, but it's just possible he didn't know he had hit your car. The truck I use has a reverse camera and that's a god send.