Accident

ReggieMiller31

Hi, I wonder if anyone can offer an opinion on what might be a good course of action here. Another car hit our car when it was parked outside the house recently. The driver didnt stop at the time but neighbours saw it happen and alerted us straight away. They also got a partial reg and make and model. We called the police straight away and they came and took details. However about 3 hours later someone called to our house claiming to be a relative of the driver who hit us and said he wanted to pay for the damage and they gave us his mobile number. She didnt have insurance details for the driver. We contacted him the next day and he seemed very remorseful and said he would pay and we are happy to go that route rather than through insurance. We did ask him for insurance details but still havent gotten them. But now the police want us to pass on his contact details and we dont know what to do. We are mostly worried that he will just change his number if the guards start ringing him and we wont hear from him again and no payment for the damage. But also if this guy is decent enough to own up a few hours later we want to give him a chance. So - any suggestions welcome on what would a good course of action. Thanks.

Whocare

The driver that hit your car was most likely uninsured. If you want to do him a favour get a quote for the repairs tell him to pay you right now ie within the hour. Tell the guards his phone number is not ringing now get a phone sim number from Tesco Mobile €15 give them that number garda so it look legit

Whocare

To be honest he only owned up because he's worried about CCTV

Ubbquittious

Whocare wrote: »

To be honest he only owned up because he's worried about CCTV

Was it yourself that hit the car?

Whocare

Whocare wrote: »

The driver that hit your car was most likely uninsured. If you want to do him a favour get a quote for the repairs tell him to pay you right now ie within the hour. Tell the guards his phone number is not ringing now get a phone sim number from Tesco Mobile €15 give them that number garda so it look legit

Why lie to the gardai, and why go out of your way to lie to the gardai?

Whocare

Deleted User wrote: »

Why lie to the gardai, and why go out of your way to lie to the gardai?

If was me I would cut him some Slack he did own up in end . But I would be like I got a quotes from a reputable repairer and you have 24 hours top to pay me .

My take on it is that this driver possibly ought not to be in the road at all if he managed to knock into a parked car. Drink/drug driving or driving with a disability like serious eyesight impairment etc could be behind it, and he is likely to do it again, maybe kill a pedestrian or cause a major toad accident. I would deal with it through the guards for that reason alone. Far too many people on the road who shouldn’t be. Might be your relative gets hit next time.

Emmersonn

Give the details to the Gardaí and let them deal with it. It was a hit and run.

So someone hit your car, then just drove off, then didn't even bother to come back themselves to own up?
Why would you feel the need to protect him?
Give his details to the Gardai

JustAThought

Emmersonn wrote: »

Give the details to the Gardaí and let them deal with it. It was a hit and run.

From bitter experience the gaurds probably won’t get heavily involved - although maybe yours are more proactive and might bother their barney past taking details for theor notebook/bored seargent.

I’d hedge my bets and tell the guy a neighbour took footage on their iphone and get the cash off them and do it quickly. I’d also tell the gaurds your concerns and that you can’t afford to
do the repairs yourself and will they bear with you for a day or two while you try and get the cash & damages paid for. At least they did come back - I’ve had God knows how much damage over the years done to my cars and had to claim off my insurance and my insurance has gone up because of it.

From a recent hit and run in a carpark I also now know that without a full reg & witness/ video you cannot claim even for the small amount they will give you off the uninsured drivers insurance fund - it’s a total farce - and the gaurds may take details but then will say it’s a civil affair & they only have the details in case you take a claim to court.

Big vote - from bitter experience - I’d take the money but let him think there is iphone footage from an upstairs window - they will look & know there is no house cctv. That way you can get what you need done and they will know people are alert and vigalent and be less likely to take chances in the future. May have been an unaccompanied learner in which case their insurance in invalid or someone on probation with fleet cover from work who dosn’t want their boss knowing, or someone who just dosn’t want a big annual increase on their premium - like the rest of us.

antodeco

Get a quote and ring and meet up. When they arrive, they could be in the same car that hit you. Now you'll have their full reg

scudzilla

get a quote, tell him he has 24hrs to pay as gardai are asking questions, get the cash and then shop him to the garda

Pkiernan

Only a fool wouldn't involve the Guards and insurance.

You would be crazy to do as some here have suggested.

Banana Republic.

ReggieMiller31 wrote: »

Hi, I wonder if anyone can offer an opinion on what might be a good course of action here. Another car hit our car when it was parked outside the house recently. The driver didnt stop at the time but neighbours saw it happen and alerted us straight away. They also got a partial reg and make and model. We called the police straight away and they came and took details. However about 3 hours later someone called to our house claiming to be a relative of the driver who hit us and said he wanted to pay for the damage and they gave us his mobile number. She didnt have insurance details for the driver. We contacted him the next day and he seemed very remorseful and said he would pay and we are happy to go that route rather than through insurance. We did ask him for insurance details but still havent gotten them. But now the police want us to pass on his contact details and we dont know what to do. We are mostly worried that he will just change his number if the guards start ringing him and we wont hear from him again and no payment for the damage. But also if this guy is decent enough to own up a few hours later we want to give him a chance. So - any suggestions welcome on what would a good course of action. Thanks.

Get a quote on the damage, quote the person and see what they say. These things can escalate very quickly so best get the easiest solution even though morally it might not be right but soon as this is resolved then job done. If he refuses to pay for the damage then drop the Gardaí the details and then block that number. Plan A and then a back up Plan B.

biko

Do what the Garda ask.
Or not.
Deal with the consequences.