Looking for advice about collision

ncmc

Hi all, I hope the good people of the motoring forum can give me some advice about a collision I had last week, or if this belongs in the legal forum, maybe the mods can move it.

A car went into the back of me at a roundabout last Thursday and the driver admitted responsibility. At first look, it didn’t look like there was much damage done to my car, just a cracked bumper. I got the other drivers name and phone number and took a note of his reg number. Stupidly, I didn’t take his insurance details or call the guards to the scene (really dumb I know).

I got some quotes over the week and it turns out there is more damage than I first thought, the back panel has been pushed back, there is a dent in the boot door and the bumper needs replacing. All in all, it is going to cost €1200-1300. I have tried contacting the other driver, but he is not answering his phone. I have managed to find out his address and it turns out he lives in the estate next to me! I drove over there last night and sure enough, his car was there, quite damaged to the front.

I have left another message today, saying that I know where he lives (not in a threatening way!) and that if I don’t hear from him over the weekend, I will call down (again, not in a threatening way, I am only a wee woman!) I am just wondering what my next move should be. I can get his insurance details from his car, is it worth my while contacting my insurance company? Is it worth calling the guards at this stage or are they likely to tell me to sling my hook?

I know I made a stupid mistake, but am so annoyed at the thought of being stiffed for the price of the repair which I can ill afford. I would really appreciate any advice on how to proceed. Thanks.

TestTransmission

Contact your insurance company and notify them asap

slimjimmc

Yes, report it to your insurer (you're supposed to anyway) and to the Gardaí.
There have been cases of people who rear-end other cars claiming you backed into them. Better to have your record of events in first.

The Gardaí can't do much (they didn't witness the collision) other than log the incident, but they might just nip around and get his policy details for you, which you can claim directly off..

si_guru

Are you fully comp insurance?

If so, Just let them handle it.

OldmanMondeo

Go around and knock on the door. be nice pleasant and explain the situation. They might be willing to talk to you then. Bring a note book and try and get the insurance details off the car, it will be on the windscreen.

Vertakill

The insurance details you'd need is just the stuff in the windscreen.

Since you know where the car is, just go over to it and take a photo of the reg + insurance disc (with a camera or a phone).

You don't even need to talk to the guy if he's refusing to answer calls etc.
Then contact your insurer and explain the situation, entirely. Explain how he's not returning your calls as well.

Someone ran into the back of me a few months back and we both pulled in, got out, talked about it for about 30 seconds, I took a quick photo of her discs inside her windscreen (this has the reg plate on it too) and of the reg plate, then we both drove off. Took about 2-3 minutes tops.

Doesn't have to be a big ordeal - everything you need to know is on the inside of their windscreen.