stiKiwi

I went into the fair that was on in the local park with the mrs came out and someone had hit front drivers side, the bumper was cracked and the arch was pushed out. Some kind citizen got the reg and offered to be a witness so i went to the police station and they said the process won't start for at least 3 weeks I went and got a quote for the repairs and resprays the guy reckons no more than 500 which isn't too bad but would rather have that to spend on other things. Just thought i would share

kezwaldo

some morons out there im in essex what fair was this??

Peedee

iTrader: (4)

Was it pikeys or someone that drives legally?

stiKiwi

Southend at Chalkwall Park. Gutted man!

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

if the police aren't bothered more than likely pikeys as they seem to be above the law.

isn't it an offence to drive away from an accident without leaving details??
good to see the police doing there job as usual, wank3rs

stiKiwi

Someone who drives illegally by the looks, my insurance company says they don't have cover so I'm kind of pissed off!

stiKiwi

The officer i reported it too wasn't too bad and was honest and said since it's not an important case its going to take 2-3 weeks to even get looked at and then they give the person a letter that asks them to respond within 28 days then if not thats when further action happens. So no time before december. It pisses me off that someone can just do that.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

not important means wont generate any money like a scamera van and would involve effort to catch someone commiting a real crime.

and the police wonder why most people think they are a set of *****

stiKiwi

Yeah, I'm getting the feeling I'm going to have to fork out for this myself....

Maz

iTrader: (34)

You could get in touch with the MIB, no not Men in Black but the Motor Insurance Bureau. They exist to help in cases such as yours.
http://www.mib.org.uk/Home/en/default.htm

Peedee

iTrader: (4)

Was this Central Park in Chelmsford mate?

stiKiwi

Oh nice one, will have a look at that mate.

stiKiwi

Nah mate was in chalkwall park in Southend.

LuckyWelshchap

What you can do is fill in a V888 and attach a cheque for a fiver to it.
Send it to VOSA.

You request details of the current owner, the reason being that they drove off without stopping and you need the information in order to start legal action. You also state that the information provided will ONLY be used for that purpose ie. to allow them the chance to respond and if it fails then to issue a County Court summons. On the form say that you have a witness to the incident.

Take a few photos of the car and if the citizen is willing knock up a written statement saying where it happened, description of the other car and how it happened. Get them to sign that and the photos of the damage.
Tell them that should be all, and finally give them the bottle of whisky or whatever you bought them out of gratitude.

If VOSA do the business (it takes up to 4 weeks) write to the registered keeper, enclosing an unsigned copy of the statement (so the witness can't be identified) and the photos, along with an Estimate or invoice for the work, if done.
If they don't come to an arrangement then it will be the Small Claims Court.

Hopefully the shock of not only not having got away with it but the amount of evidence that you've got they'll be in a position to pay up and will do so.

I hope it works out mate.

Maz

iTrader: (34)

I had an uninsured driver hit me I whilst I was driving the wife's car. Police couldn't offer any help so MIB came to the rescue.

stiKiwi

Could you just give me a quick run down of how this works? Cheers mate.

LuckyWelshchap

Its only in public places ie. where the public in general have access. That's usually anything owned or controlled by a government organisation eg. council.

I'm not saying that the fair wasn't in a public place eg. park.
If however it was in Lord Fauntleroy's manor's grounds that would be that.

Also, it isn't an offence to leave the scene. You have to stay in order to provide your details to the other party, but of course if there's reasonable grounds for not doing so - having to pick the children up from school, or you've waited an hour - you can report the accident within 24 hours to a police station.

(Obviously if you drive straight off then you have committed an offence).

At all times and in all places though Civil Law exists, so hopefully the op can get satisfaction that way.

Plod won't (be able to) do a thing about this incident, regrettably.

stiKiwi

Wow cheers mate. Will give that a look into as well. Not had the car long so was gutted when I came out and seen it.

stiKiwi

Do you think I should just do the repair myself and follow the instructions you gave me?

Maz

iTrader: (34)

Ring them on the number in the link and explain the circumstances of the incident and they will guide you through the whole process.

Maz

iTrader: (34)

Their number is 01908 830001

stiKiwi

Many thanks mate.

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Just out of curiosity what was the reg number?

Shaun

LuckyWelshchap

I know where you're coming from, it's a lot cheaper if you do it and you don't get anything back from the tw@

Just one thing to bear in mind.
When you sue someone in an instance like this you can only claim for your actual losses eg. what you fork out as a result.

If you do repair it yourself you can't claim for your time.

Keep all receipts (including the VOSA fee).

You might find that if you do come to an arrangement with the other party there's nothing to stop you agreeing, say, £400. They'll probably think they've got away lightly if your figure of about £500 from a bodyworks is the going rate.

stiKiwi

Are we allowed to post that one here? I'm happy to just don't want to cause any trouble on the forum.

stiKiwi

Sorry i was a bit stupid when i said getting it done myself i meant at a shop £500 isn't too bad its just i would have rather of spent it on car parts not repairs.

LuckyWelshchap

In the mind of the beholder, mate. I was just as one-minded when I assumed you meant you were personally going to do it.

By all means get it done.
It was meant to be my original point, that if you get it done that doesn't stop you getting (trying to get) your money back.

The idea of course is to get the car sorted asap and you not out of pocket in the long term.

Einstein's suggestion is the first place to start. If MIB shell out then you've killed both birds with one stone.

If they can't help then yes, get the work done and chase the other party.
If you do have to go down that route and you need advice as you've gathered there's plenty on here that'll provide it.

stiKiwi

Couldn't have asked for more help from you guys. I have submitted a claim with MIB if that fails then i will go down that route. Cheers to you all again for all your info.

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

It's not the Police mate, just the system they have to work under.

A mate of mine's been a copper for 18 years and is seriously thinking of chucking it due to the red tape, professional standards crap and under manning.

stiKiwi

Yeah i understand that mate. I have had a couple of similar dealings with the police and i have started to lose a bit of faith in them in all honesty. The system seems to be set to protect the criminal more than anything.