CraigGilchrist Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 As some of you would have seen on another thread, a couple of months ago someone crashed into my car where it was parked, and drove off without providing their details I was walking home having not seen my car for a few days, and as I walked past I spotted this: You can see from the stone scratches on the floor that they shifted my car a decent bit in the impact. Fortunately I'd done a crappy parking job, so wasn't right next to the curb. Anyway, no-on left their details so I went for a wander to see if there was another car that matched the damage. A friendly neighbour was out having a smoke and said he heard a noise on the Saturday night, but thought someone had just hit the big bin in the street. He told me who it was that he saw, and what kind of car they drive - they live on the same street. I wrote a wee passive-aggressive note and stuck it in my window, facing the person's flat, asking them to do the neighbourly thing, or I'd be passing their details onto the police. I also wrote a bit about the penalties for failure to stop. Lo and behold, the next morning I had a note under my window. Not so much accepting personal liability, but that "it was our car that caused the damage to yours". They wanted to sort the repairs without involving the insurance company, which I was a bit dubious about. Apparently the guy that crashed into me only passed his test the previous week - though my witness had said the dude's girlfriend was driving, and that she seemed drunk. I got a quote and the dude transferred it straight away. £900 worth of panel beating, respray, and a new side-skirt from Mr. T. So here it is all fixed up: As far as I'm concerned, I'm just happy it's all sorted, even though some details between the witness and the perp don't add up. I got a call from the police last week, asking for more information about the incident (as I'd called to say it was all 'sorted'). Apparently because he failed to provide his details within 24 hours, they are obliged to follow up on it, so they'll be checking he's insured, licensed, etc. Now I just need to hope he doesn't rage against my machine if the Police do have to file any charges... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra joe Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Tbh he deserves everything he gets bud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westy Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Good to see it sorted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st3ven1 Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Good to see you got the old beast sorted and that you are not out of pocket. Looks like a good repair job too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Did he give you £900 cash then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 That's no excuse that he passed his test a week earlier. You pass your test to prove you can drive. If his girlfriend was driving then she would be in a lot of trouble in she was drunk plus if she had no license or insurance the £900 to repair would have been pretty cheap!! Glad you got it sorted but still feel a bit sour that you had to track them down!! That would have got me the most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_k Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Looks like a really good job, I'd hide your car away in a garage just in case he wasn't insured or something and wants revenge! Good job your other neighbor was so helpful too. I'd buy him a case of beer as a thank you, could of been £900 out of your pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Not very often you see a happy ending to these types of threads glad you got it all sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 That's no excuse that he passed his test a week earlier. You pass your test to prove you can drive. If his girlfriend was driving then she would be in a lot of trouble in she was drunk plus if she had no license or insurance the £900 to repair would have been pretty cheap!! Glad you got it sorted but still feel a bit sour that you had to track them down!! That would have got me the most. I had similar last year and we live in a small cul de sac. I find it weird that everyone carries on and speaks to us as if nothing happened. Not one of them has apologised for some of the things they said at the time. H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 I had similar last year and we live in a small cul de sac. I find it weird that everyone carries on and speaks to us as if nothing happened. Not one of them has apologised for some of the things they said at the time. H. What did they say? Was it the perpetrators or witnesses? I'm interested in a voyeuristic way about how spineless people can be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigGilchrist Posted May 13, 2013 Author Share Posted May 13, 2013 I was really lucky that neighbour happened to be out for a cigarette when I was walking past, or there's no chance they ever would have owned up. But yep, he just transfered £900 to my account so I could pay for the damage. I'm still super pissed at him for not owning up in the first place - I actually saw him and his missus walking down the street (the joys of facebook, putting faces to names) and had to hold back from at least yelling the C-word at him. Their car looks fine (it was a Jazz, and only has a crack + some scuffs on the bumper). Sadly I don't have a garage, but it's on my list of 'must haves' when we buy a new place (or at least a drive-way). The friendly neighbour who was my witness got a nice bottle of whisky for his trouble. Good to see you got the old beast sorted and that you are not out of pocket. Looks like a good repair job too. Yep, decent repair job. Your old beast is back on the road and, for the time being, nice and shiny having been in the body shop recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Although their car looks OK, the structure underneath might have been bent. Bumpers can crack then pop back into shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Glad this is all sorted, people have no respect for other peoples possessions. I rage slightly every time I see someone opening their door onto another car, ESP in car parks. But anyway glad it's sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveR Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Love a good news story, even if it is a touch bitter sweet. I suppose if that's really an end to it you can think "no harm no foul"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firepool Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Brilliant you got it sorted at no loss to you. As the others said, rarely do you get justice when these events happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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