Course of action following minor hit and run.

Prospector1989

Not sure if this is the right forum but I'll keep it brief.

Last week my partner and I were in a minor incident involving a van. Driving through city centre, we were in the left lane and van was just ahead of us in the right hand lane. A car was waiting to turn right from in front of the van which led to him cutting in front of us to go around the waiting car.

I slammed on the brakes meaning the collision was minimal (damage to my car not worth repairing as it's mainly paintwork on an old car). If I hadn't slammed on the brakes I likely would have ended up on the footpath and in a bad way. The van left the scene.

We noted the reg and reported it to our local garda station, who confirmed the vehicle reg matched and passed it on to the garda station for the area that the incident occurred.

The guards have been in touch, asking if we wanted it treated as a hit and run, which will likely end up in court. I'm not sure if we should proceed. We're not out of pocket and not sure it's worth the hassle (my partner is pregnant so added stress not good). We only reported it as it was extremely dangerous driving and could have been much worse. We've no dashcam.

Are we better off to forget about it?

DellyBelly

If you had an injury as a result it might be worth perusing. Sometimes injuries can flare up sometimes well after an accident. Worth a shot?

Caranica

If it was in the city centre there is probably CCTV so the Gardai could get proof.

Marcusm

Prospector1989 wrote: »

Not sure if this is the right forum but I'll keep it brief.

Last week my partner and I were in a minor incident involving a van. Driving through city centre, we were in the left lane and van was just ahead of us in the right hand lane. A car was waiting to turn right from in front of the van which led to him cutting in front of us to go around the waiting car.

I slammed on the brakes meaning the collision was minimal (damage to my car not worth repairing as it's mainly paintwork on an old car). If I hadn't slammed on the brakes I likely would have ended up on the footpath and in a bad way. The van left the scene.

We noted the reg and reported it to our local garda station, who confirmed the vehicle reg matched and passed it on to the garda station for the area that the incident occurred.

The guards have been in touch, asking if we wanted it treated as a hit and run, which will likely end up in court. I'm not sure if we should proceed. We're not out of pocket and not sure it's worth the hassle (my partner is pregnant so added stress not good). We only reported it as it was extremely dangerous driving and could have been much worse. We've no dashcam.

Are we better off to forget about it?

Why would you forget about it? Is the Garda not asking you to confirm that you will be available as a witness so that the other driver can be prosecuted? That is your civic duty irrespective of whether you have suffered material financial loss.

whomitconcerns

Don't forget about it. Get back to them asap before they get a sneaky repair and deny it

Pkiernan

I'm a recent victim of hit and run.

There is cctv, but the quality is so poor they cant even identify the make of the car.

Do follow up on these scumbagsm

Prospector1989

Thanks guys. It's been reported but I'm not sure I fancy taking it to court. Damage is paintwork on an old car. My partner is pregnant, and I've no idea what these guys are like. I'll have a further think about it. Cheers

JeffKenna

Are you definitely in the right here OP? I always thought if you rear ended a car you were in the wrong.

Prospector1989

JeffKenna wrote: »

Are you definitely in the right here OP? I always thought if you rear ended a car you were in the wrong.

I didn't rear end him, he pulled into a place where I was already travelling at the same speed (without indicating). Side of his van collided with side of my car. He left the scene.

seagull

I'd say it's worth continuing with it. They obviously think there's enough to get a prosecution. If nothing else, it will give him a fright.

antodeco

Does he know that he hit you? Chances are that if he did, he's probably done something like this before. If your car was parked and cane back with damage, I'm sure you'd be happy if someone found out who hit it.

Also, regardless of age of the car, it's still your car. Whether it's a 1990 or a 2020 car, it's still your means of transport. Never cheapen your own possessions due to the quality of others.