can i get in trouble?

[ginger 69]

Had to swerve out of the way for a very fast, bigger car yesterday, coming up a narrow hill with a bend and smashed my lovely little rover kensington (yes metro!!) into a wall. No one was hurt, except my pride! I was quite lucky to not have done anymore damage than i have as the wheels, engine and bonnet are all fine, but the bumper, left front wing and headlight cover are smashed and it is a mess!! Big hole and jagged edges sort of thing. Anyway have been informed that i may get points on my licence, which i can't risk as i have not yet been driving for two years. Is this true? Can i cover it with a bag and tape untill it is fixed next week?

[Bonzo 2000]

Who informed you that you may get points and why?  Unless the police were called and you were charged for dangerous or careless driving, its unlikely that anything will come of the incident itself, especially if no-one was hurt.  If the wall was damaged, you will be responsible for paying the owner for any repairs, but this would probably be covered by your insurers if you claim.  I assume you are insured - or you will be in trouble.  Finally, if the damage to your car poses a danger to other road users, including pedestrians, with sharp or jagged edges, your car may not be deemed roadworthy.  You should maybe try to remove the damaged parts if possible or at least protect them with some thick padding to avoid any hazard to others.

[twiglet4frog]

unless the police have been contacted and spoken to u then u wont get points! probably what the person meant was u may have higher premiums on your insurance if u claim it on that. You may be expected to pay for the wall but thats up to u and the owner of the wall.

What u should have done at the scene of the crash was to ring the police and report it so that at the very least u can have shown u reported another car caused u to crash. Even if nothing else happened at least u could show this to your insurance company and hope they are lenient

[ginger 69]

No one else was involved and of course i am insured!! I am not a stereotypical 22 year old female driver !!The poor wall did not get injured. I have totally followed protocol, but am not claiming on my insurance as the cost to repair will be less than my excess (and i am lucky to have an uncle that fixes cars!!)Tonight i have had the jagged edges covered and protected. There is also a lot of padding to cover all damage, and like i said it is being fixed next week. I didn't want to be pulled over with it.

[Fitzer]

If the headlight is broken then you shouldn't drive after dark as you will not be properly equipped, if the indicator doesn't function then you may have some problems with the police but if you use handsignals (check your highway code, these are still acceptable) then you should be ok. Sharp edges pointing forwards would also be a reason for the police to get involved, as you say you have them covered then you ought to be all right.

[Cockney_si]

Bear this in mind when you get your next car:-

Some car drivers in cars (larger than a metro) tend to tailgate them and not let them through.

You could buy a slightly wider car with better brakes and then at least you wouldn't have to swerve out of the way of big arrogant car drivers.

[jean88]

Was it your fault or the big bad cars? I agreed with cockney_si the drivers can be so arrogant because they got big cars.

[ginger 69]

big cars fault, but i could have handled it better, maybe! Seen the same car today speeding around another corner, very fast. Recognise the driver! The car did not anticipate any other cars coming down the road and just after mw there was a bus!! Most definatly getting a bogger car next evem though my other car is a subaru!!

[Tim Baxter]

If you recognise the driver and his car why not report him to the plod?