Light bumper bashing advice

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Genisys

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Ok, so I get this isn't the right place for this, but worth a shot.

This morning, in traffic, I was stuck behind a car. The person in the car rolled back. I hooted. He rolled back some more, and I hooted some more. Eventually he rolled into me. Got out to assess the damage, and noticed that he only bent the bumper with his tow bar. Didn't think too much of it, and drove off.

Got into day light (was in the early hours of the morning), and noted that there is no damage, other than the number plate. There was no injuries either. I was stationary behind him, and he rolled back into me.

Thinking about this, I should have taken his details. Anyway, too late for that now. Should I go to report this to the cops? I mean there is no damage that I can see. I only have his number plate. Will this be a problem?
 
Yes go report it. With whatever detail you have.
Let your insurer know too.
 
Sinbad said:
Yes go report it. With whatever detail you have.
Let your insurer know too.
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Cool. Should I go to the police station closest to where it happened, or will any police station do?
 
Report it. Rather safe than sorry. 3 weeks later you get a letter from his insurers claiming for damages to his towbar and your insurers will ask why you never reported it...
 
Thanks everyone. I'll go report this. Looking at the car, I highly doubt he had insurance on it, but would rather be safe than sorry.
 
1234567 said:
Thanks everyone. I'll go report this. Looking at the car, I highly doubt he had insurance on it, but would rather be safe than sorry.
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Wait till he hits you with a whiplash claim
 
Sinbad said:
Wait till he hits you with a whiplash claim
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Sad part is that this all happened at <10km/h. I even left an appropriate gap. By the time he hit me I already knew he will hit me. Was no way past it. And then he still asked me if he rolled into me.
 
The problem is.. you drove away from the scene which opens you up to a fine.

BTW the BARE minimum is to take a picture of the vehicles, damage (or lack there of, particularly his), licence and reg details + driver of vehicle (drivers lic if damage/injury). This prevents claims of mysterious damage claims (known issue in Sa), injury issues of driver or fake passengers and owner claiming it wasnt his vehicle or he wasn't driving (he'd need to give consent to driver) and insurer claiming 0 coverage for driver (car insurance only covers particular driver.. not anyone).
 
krycor said:
The problem is.. you drove away from the scene which opens you up to a fine.

BTW the BARE minimum is to take a picture of the vehicles, damage (or lack there of, particularly his), licence and reg details + driver of vehicle (drivers lic if damage/injury). This prevents claims of mysterious damage claims (known issue in Sa), injury issues of driver or fake passengers and owner claiming it wasnt his vehicle or he wasn't driving (he'd need to give consent to driver) and insurer claiming 0 coverage for driver (car insurance only covers particular driver.. not anyone).
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A fine is a minor issue, I'd rather pay a fine than have to deal with trying to explain to my insurance why I never reported this. The way I'm thinking now is that this guy will go to the cops and claim that I drove into him.

On a unrelated note, would a dash cam have made a difference in this situation (proving what happened)?
 
krycor said:
The problem is.. you drove away from the scene which opens you up to a fine.

BTW the BARE minimum is to take a picture of the vehicles, damage (or lack there of, particularly his), licence and reg details + driver of vehicle (drivers lic if damage/injury). This prevents claims of mysterious damage claims (known issue in Sa), injury issues of driver or fake passengers and owner claiming it wasnt his vehicle or he wasn't driving (he'd need to give consent to driver) and insurer claiming 0 coverage for driver (car insurance only covers particular driver.. not anyone).
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How is he liable for a fine? He says he stopped and got out to assess the damage.
 
krycor said:
The problem is.. you drove away from the scene which opens you up to a fine.

BTW the BARE minimum is to take a picture of the vehicles, damage (or lack there of, particularly his), licence and reg details + driver of vehicle (drivers lic if damage/injury). This prevents claims of mysterious damage claims (known issue in Sa), injury issues of driver or fake passengers and owner claiming it wasnt his vehicle or he wasn't driving (he'd need to give consent to driver) and insurer claiming 0 coverage for driver (car insurance only covers particular driver.. not anyone).
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You are in no way required to stay at the scene of an accident unless there are visibily injured people. You are merely required to report the accident within 24 hours
 
1234567 said:
A fine is a minor issue, I'd rather pay a fine than have to deal with trying to explain to my insurance why I never reported this. The way I'm thinking now is that this guy will go to the cops and claim that I drove into him.

On a unrelated note, would a dash cam have made a difference in this situation (proving what happened)?
Click to expand...

Not 100% sure but I don't see why not. It's video evidence to corroborate your story that is all. It's a wonder insurance companies don't insist on it.

I have a dashcam and feel much more comfortable with it. Though I haven't had to use any footage yet. Always kick myself on the odd occasion I've let the battery run flat or forgot it somewhere. I use the Garmin Virb Elite which doubles as an action cam when needed.

Also, a long time ago someone drove into the back of my car at a red light and then sped off. I caught her license plate and was able to track her down quite easily via the police station. Initially there was no damage to my vehicle but a day or two later the bumper had slipped off. Fortunately I was able to bend a bracket back underneath and refit the bumper without any cost. But don't assume the damage is light just by looking at it :) Of course I had no evidence at the time without a dashcam - it was just my word. So I just phoned her directly to teach a lesson and left it at that.
 
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OMB said:
How is he liable for a fine? He says he stopped and got out to assess the damage.
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ToxicBunny said:
You are in no way required to stay at the scene of an accident unless there are visibily injured people. You are merely required to report the accident within 24 hours
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well he needed to get/exchange info of driver which means u need to stop and get out i.e. not just drive away which is what i meant. you correct he doesnt have to remain there unless injuries.
 
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