Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Beginner September 2007

Witnessing a road traffic accident

MrsKitty, 14 February, 2009 at 12:25 Posted on Off Topic Posts 0 6

Saved

Report
Hide content

Morning all,

last night my 17 year old niece and her friend were travelling home from the cinema quite late at night when a car with no headlights on came speeding towards them doing at least 80 mph, if it was not for the quick reactions of her friend, it would have been a direct collision and that just does not bare thinking of. The other car ended up embedded in a tree.

My nieces young friend went to get out of the car to see how the other driver was but my niece became hysterical, convinced that the other driver was obviously up to no good and would hurt them or take their car if they got out (she was in deep shock) so they just went straight home, which is 3 minutes away from the accident.

My sister and BIl are are away so my nieces were being looked after by their grandmother who after hearing what had happened, decided to take my niece back to the scene to make sure the police and ambulance service had been called. Which they had but also rather strangely there was now an upturned police car (which we can't place as the time lapse was far too long for it to have been a police chase) there as well. Anyway, my niece refused to get out of the car so her grandmother went over to explain the situation and then they went home. No details were taken and it was not mentioned if a statement would be needed. Should my niece get in contact with the police? They were the only witnesses to the accident as no other cars were on the road at that time. Her friend does not want to, and my nieces grandmother has advised them not to get involved, but my niece is unsure as she thinks that she should and has asked me for advice in the absence of her parents. Obviously I have said is that she needs to speak to her parents before she does anything but I also told her I would see if she had a legal obligation to come forward as a witness, especially as no details were taken at the scene. Can anyone offer any advice on this please?

Thanks

Report
Hide content

6 replies

Latest activity by DebbieD, 14 February, 2009 at 15:06

Beginner April 2007
Orly Bird · 14 February, 2009 at 12:37
Report

Hide content
Yikes, what a horrible situation. All I can suggest from a practical point of view, is that both your niece and her friend write down everything that happened; everything that they remember. Has your niece spoken to anybody medical about the shock ?

I'd be inclined to go to the Police, but I have no idea about legal obligation etc. KTC is probably a better person to ask about that.

? to your niece.
- Reply
Eric · 14 February, 2009 at 12:38
Report

Hide content
How frightening for them, I would have thought the police would want to speak to them, I'm not convinced they can avoid it really. x
- Reply
Beginner September 2007
MrsKitty · 14 February, 2009 at 13:00
Report

Hide content
Thank you for both for your replies, Orly, that is a very good idea about getting them both to right down as much as they can while it is still very fresh.

It is not so much that they wish to avoid talking to the police, its more of a case that the police did not take their names and addresses when my niece went back to the scene, so the police won't know who to contact even if they do wish to speak to them. I must admit, I would be inclined to phone and explain that i witnessed it and give my details if it were me who saw it, but i don't want to undermine my nieces grandmother, as she is in her care until her parents return. Although if there were a legal obligation, that would be a different matter.
- Reply
Beginner July 2008
choicey · 14 February, 2009 at 13:03
Report

Hide content
I would have thought if they returned to the accident scene and explained what they had seen but the Police were not interested at the time, there is not a lot they can do at the moment. If one of the yellow accident signs appears asking for witnesses and information, then would be the time to go forward. I agree with writing the events down whilst it is fresh in their minds, in case they need to give statements later.

With regard to the shock of witnessing such a frightening incident, I would be inclined to seek some medical advice for your neice and maybe her friend if she is suffering too. What a horrible experience for them both.
- Reply
Beginner May 2004
Curly Girly · 14 February, 2009 at 13:06
Report

Hide content
According to "Traffic Accident Advice" website

In the UK, you are not legally obliged to give your details as a witness to a traffic accident, but if you do so then you may be called to give evidence in person at a court or at an insurance settlement hearing and your account can make all the difference to an innocent driver - especially if compensation or criminal claims are being made.
- Reply
Beginner September 2007
MrsKitty · 14 February, 2009 at 14:25
Report

Hide content
Thank you. I will pass the information on to her, and suggest to my sister that she takes my niece to see someone for the shock. I think she is now worried in case the person was badly hurt and by not stopping they did not get the help they needed quickly enough. The upturned police car 15 minutes or so later is a bit of a mystery though!

Thanks again for you advice.
- Reply

DebbieD · 14 February, 2009 at 15:06
Report

Hide content
That must have been awful for them and I hope they are okay and that the people involved in the accident are also okay.

Having had a bad accident last year, I have only just been given the name of the independent witness who stopped at the time. Although his statement hasn't been needed as the other driver was over the limit, I am eternally grateful to him for bothering to give his details and I will be writing to him to thank him.
- Reply