Minor Rear End Bump - Need Advice!!

[TLC11]

So yesterday I was sitting in a huge que of traffic that seemed to go on for hours. I hadn't moved in a while so was sitting with my foot on the break and gazing out of the side window at a plane. I was nearly at the end of this jam.

Now during my gazing I head a bump which jolted me ever so slightly. I'm pregnant and didn't feel the belt dig into me so it was more of a noise than an impact. What I don't know is if I rolled forward slightly or the girl in front of me went to move and rolled back.

Anyway the two of us kind of looked at each other in the mirrors, and after a second she drove off as the traffic had cleared.

I pulled over when I got off the busy road but she was away, there is no damage to my car except one tiny paint chip on the front bumper, about the size of a pea. It's not dented, it's like a flake.

I never got her reg as it happened so fast and I honestly don't know who's to blame. I'm now panicking that she got my reg and will report me for a rear end hit and run or something!

I don't want to report to insurance and draw attention if there is no need as no damage observed ( her car 'looked' fine when she drove of) and nobody was hurt. As I said in pregnant and if I thought it was enough to cause any I jury I'd have been straight to hospital.

Any ideas on what to do?!! I'm scared and don't want to do the wrong thing!!!

[NoMercy]

If she drove off without evening examining her vehicle for damage, it may be the case that she isn't insured.

[factor-fiction]

I don't see what you can do other than wait fora few months and see whether you get a letter from a solicitor/claims firm demanding compensation for injury or a letter from your insurer about a claim for vehicle damage.
But unless it was caught on camera or they produce reliable witnesses you could deny all knowledge.
I don't think you need to advise your insurer.

[factor-fiction]

Good point, NoMercy. Or maybe she had been drinking so didn't want the police to be called

[furrypusscat]

Just wait and see. It tends to be accepted that someone hitting the rear of a vehicle is their fault. Were you on an incline to make you wonder if you rolled back. You could take a photo if there is anything to see and then wait to see if you are contacted by insurance company.

[jno]

don't do anything. You don't need to report every little bump if there's no suggestion of any damage

[Spannerfiend]

Precisely why we are having front and rear recording cameras fitted to our car. They are becoming very popular.

I wouldn't worry about it. If she had been concerned, she would have stopped and looked. I also suspect that the reason she didn't was because she wasn't legal.

[EDDIE51]

Both of you should have stopped and exchanged details. Nothing you can do now, just forget it. Even if the other driver did report you ( VERY unlikedly) she can't prove anything witout an independant witness.

[EDDIE51]

what ever you do DO NOT mention this to your insurance!
If you do mention it ,even if nothing happens ,they will use this as evidence that you are more likedly to make a claim in the future and increase your premium.

[TLC11]

Thank you everyone. I'm so scared. I don't want to break the law. Now I'm panicking she had cameras fitted and is going to prosecute me that way?! My husband said she is as guilty for not stopping. The fact she drive off ment she was either illegal or wasn't bothered by it. Maybe I will just have to wait this one out - just terrified I have the police knocking at my door for committing a crime!!

[Spannerfiend]

You really needn't feel frightened. She drove off, and so just forget it. Just one of those things.

Please don't worry, not worth it. :-)

[TonyV]

TLC - just put it behind you - you stopped she didn't - don't worry and enjoy your forthcoming birth - what's more important

[TonyV]

BTW police have more important things to be dealing with than an RTA when no one is hurt

[paulllambert]

Crikey, stuck in a traffic jam that lasted for hours, and you have your foot on the brake? You didn't know if you moved or she moved? You didn't get her reg because it happened so fast (in a traffic jam)? Your last question on this site also involved a car crash? One question, should you REALLY be driving?

[EDDIE51]

^^ I was thinking the same thing, in a stationary traffic jam you should have the gearbox in neutral and the handbrake on, I always turn the engine off if it looks like I will be stuck for more than a minute or so.

[Hypognosis]

I'm watching a late night repeat of 'A Very British Airline' and one of the stewardesses tells of a similar plane-spotting-related shunt! Wierd I should be reading this thread at the same time

[Hypognosis]

Can anyone say whether it is possible to 'disclose' without the insurer misconstruing the communication as a claim?
Put differently;
i) Vehicle contact occurred
ii) Damage is less than the excess, so not worth the insured making a claim

Obvious problems with this approach:
1) Other vehicle registration not identified
2) Driver details not exchanged - possible violation of policy terms and conditions.
3) Lack of handbrake while stationary & attention distracted by something other than traffic ahead or in mirrors could be taken to mean 'not in full control of vehicle' and/or due care and attention. Such admissions is guaranteed to up your premium, or make them drop you entirely.

So, disclose and have it cost you permanently higher premium or don't disclose and have them refuse to pay out when they find out because the other driver got your reg and claims? Heads they win… tails you lose.
Insurers expect customers to claim asap, so if a week or two have gone by, with no contact, it's unlikely the other driver claimed.

[EDDIE51]

Hypognosis, If you do as you suggest the insurance company will regard you someone who is more likely to make a claim so they will increase your premium .
I know several people who this has happened to.