[hannah]

Hello guys.

I was just after some advice really. I was in tesco's car park yesterday. Made a mistake going in there when it was so busy, as i hit someones car going around the corner. I couldnt stop as it was manic there, so dropped my car home, and got my auntie to drop me back down, by which time the car had gone. Following this i did report it to the police, and later the women did contact me.

Shes agreed not to go through the insurance and is going to get me a quote for the damage, however i dont know how much damage i did, as i couldnt get out and look. My car had a slight dent (its a ka) and a few scratches so my guess is that her car has similar damage. I havent a clue how much this sort of damage costs?

The only thing that is sticking in my mind, is the fact that she wasnt parked in a parking bay, but on the diagonal lines at the end of the parking row, which shouldnt be parked in so that people can turn the corners with hitting anything. I told a friend about where she was parked, and she said i shouldnt have to pay anything because she shouldnt have been parked there? Im a little confused so if you could give me any advice on my rights etc that would be great.

Many Thanks
Hannah

[Rolebama]

Sorry to be blunt about this, but if you hit a stationary car, it is your fault, regardless of how or where it was parked.

[wagolynn]

The cost will almost certainly be more than any no claims bonus, put it through insurance it is much less hassle.
Rolebalma is correct though, put it down to life’s many learning experiences.

[saloon drifter]

I agree with Rolebama, but you are also lucky the police are not prosecuting you for leaving the scene of an accident.

[wagolynn]

Originally Posted by saloon drifter

I agree with Rolebama, but you are also lucky the police are not prosecuting you for leaving the scene of an accident.

Will police be interested, I thought it was on private property?

[98selitb]

Originally Posted by saloon drifter

I agree with Rolebama, but you are also lucky the police are not prosecuting you for leaving the scene of an accident.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 170, if there is a collision between two vehicles, you must indeed stop, and either exchange details etc. at the scene or report the incident at a police station within 24 hours. If you do one or the other, you are OK. The police might be understanding if they realise it's a supermarket car park and hitting an empty parked car, being difficult to identify the owner amongst hundreds of people in a supermarket, and there being no knowing how long the OP would have had to wait for that owner to return to their car, etc. As long as she reported the incident within 24 hours, hopefully she should be OK as far as that is concerned.

However it would have in my opinion been common courtesy to go back and at least put a note of apology under the car's windscreen wipers or something, letting them know you will report it, even if you understandably don't leave your contact details on that note where anyone could look at it.