Failing To Stop After An Accident - Opinions & Advice Needed

[Russ.]

Hi, firstly let me apologise if this post is poorly structured and full of bad grammar.

I was on my way home from work just approaching a round about in the middle lane (inner lane - left turn, middle, outer lane straight on/right) with a white transit in the outside lane. the transit driver failed to check his mirrors nor indicate and started to pull into my lane, I beeped the horn to signal my presence and luckily no one was in the inside lane so I could swerve to avoid him. Just after the roundabout (driver was now in left hand lane) I overtook the van (dual carriageway) and he called me a ****** (gesture was repaid).

He continued to follow me very closely along the road...I sped up he sped up type thing. He eventually decided to come past me and cut in quite close to me and then slowed down doing approx 40 in a 60 so I went past him again and he continued to follow me closely. approaching the next round about (I was in the right hand lane with him behind) I had to stop for a car he was too close and swerved to the inside lane clipping my bumper, I wound the window down asked if there was any damage he then said "who’s the ****** now" and then went onto say "go on then ******* pull over then, go on" and started to drive off. I followed him for 3 miles at a distance where was did speeds of what was defo above the speed limit trying to loose me I presume. So I got on the phone to the gf (hands free and legal lol) and asked her rite the reg down which I red to her as well as his company phone number and name. The transit driver then started to drive down country lanes so I turned of as I didn’t fancy being cornered by him.

I’ve just gone to the police but there was no officer there to deal with it. I spoke to the receptionist. They say I’ve done the right thing reporting it and an officer will be in touch.

Have I done the right thing? Was I in the wrong at all? I think I’ve done the right thing and was not in the wrong but would like clarification. Any advice appreciated as to what the police may be able to do. The other thing is that 2 blokes were in the van, only me in the car. So no witnesses as I obviously followed the guy.

Ta, Russ

 

[Gareth]

you have done the right thing, f**k him over.

 

[bendee]

yeah defo, cant let dicks like this get away with it.

 

[Russ.]

also made a similar post on another forum and one guy said this

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tbh with what you've described if that was the only damage i'd have just got it fixed myself and taken it as an expensive lesson that could have been alot worse / more expensive.

The police aren't going to look too kindly on those sort of antics and a "he started it" type excuse isn't going to go down too well.

Maybe I sound like i'm preaching and i've lost my rag on the roads on the odd occasion so i'm far from perfect but a car isn't a good outlet for a build up of anger, aggression, testosterone and adrenalin. Best just to pull over and let yourself calm down

Hopefully the other guy won't go into too much detail on how it all happened so you don't get into any trouble

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got me a bit worried, but my feelings are that

a) it was a busy dual carrageway with not that many places to pullover safely

b) what if i had pulled over and this guy had done the same (before he hit me) and i got a kickin...i would now be being told i was daft for pulling over and that i was asking for trouble and now ive got a kickin im cryin about it type thing

im also only an apprentice so paying for the repair myself would leave my wallet and arse very sore

 

[kingcutgroover]

I had a similar(ish) thing happen to me a while back. A disagreement at a roundabout (although no contact was made)then the nutter following me and overtaking etc. He then started to follow me home, far too close, lights flashing etc (even though I slowed to allow him to overtake safely, and I then drove 3 times round a roundabout to try to bore him into leaving me alone!!).

so, I called the local police station on my hands free and drove directly to the local police station with him following. He didnt turn into the police station car park when I did.

the police took all details and sent an officer to his address, said they would keep this on file as he has been reported before for what they called aggressive driving.

So, def worth reporting as they do keep notes on idiots!!

 

[id_doug]

As much as I hate to say it, its probably going no where. The only witness was in the passenger seat of the van and its probably safe to say he is going to back the driver up, who's story will be the very different to yours.

You done the right thing in informing the Police instead of trying to get him vigilante style.

Really hope I am wrong as it sucks big time. Best of luck.

 

[bigsymo]

You have done the right thing fella. Failing to stop and report an accident is as offence. If it is too dangerous or not practicable to stop at the scene of the accident then you should do it within 24 hours at the nearest police station. The nobber in the trannie failed to stop and exchance details (offence committed) - You were unable to exchange details with his as he drove off (reasonable excuse). You did the right thing in reporting the accident to the police and they 'should' be making enquiries with regards to the driver of the trannie. If he has not reported the accident within 24 hours then he has committed the offence and will be dealt with by the fuzz. Your only problem will be what he will say about the incident prior to the bump. You mention that he had a passanger - therefore two of them against one of you. If I was in his shoes and the old bill called at my door, I would say that you were driving like a nob and that you drove into me. I would also say that i had a witness (the passanger). Without an indipendant witness on your side things could get a bit messy, ie you both end up in court!!
You did the right thing as if you didn't report it you could have ended up in the poo. You should have a police incident number which you can give to your insurance company if required.
My opinion would be to sit tight and wait for an update from the police...
Hope that helps a little.

 

[Russ.]

cheers guys. bigsy that is my only concern with the witness and i also would do as you said with the old bill knocking on my door. although as the passanger is a collegue he may be classed as bias and his description of the event my not count...i hope lol

 

[James172Cup]

Although if he does say you were driving stupidly and drove into him, ask why he never stopped to exchange details.

 

[bigsymo]

The chances are that this event will come to nothing. The fuzz will probably give trannie fella a ticket and that will be the end of it. As it was a works trannie the owner will be asked a few questions first. He will then give the driver a bollocking and pass his details to the police. Fella with small willy pays 30 notes and you get to claim on his insurance, nice!

 

[HBB]

You did the right thing.
Bigysmo is right about the offence being committed by him and not you. I wouldn't worry about the 'witness' in the transit as he's not independant and so his views would only be taken into account in court. Courts tend not to rely heavily on this type of evidence either as he's always going to stick up for the guy who was giving him a lift.
The other driver may well say to police you were driving like a tw*t before the event and caused it all but look at it this way - you reported it, he probably wont w/i the 24hrs - who would you believe. The police aren't that stupid contrary to what lots of people think.
Hope it all works out your way.