My neighbour reversed into my car,was drunk.Police useless!?

Question

Friday night i was at work and i recieved a call from my partner.My next door neighbour reversed into my car,he saw it and so did another neighbour.My boyfriend ran outside and had a look at the damage,and spoke to my neighbour who was sozzled!
I called the police,to report it but more so because she was drunk and had obviously been out driving.The police said they would come straight away to breathlise her,and also to talk to the witnessness,they never came,not even the next day.Now shes basicially got away with it,not gonna prove she was drunk.What should i do? Im so angry!

Luckily enough my car had not much damage,only a few stratches,so not gonna claim on my insurance.My neighbour is paying for it to be professionally done at Halfords.

I called the police 3 times that day.The first time they said they had gone but no one answered.The second time they said an officer was on their way again.The next morning they said they can still breathilise her....but failed to show up either!

They just kept saying,that i needed to report the incedent to them in person and show my documents,but i was at work that night and also thay day (24 hr shift) and i explained i couldnt leave as i was with vunerable adults.

Answer 1

If you want to make a complaint about the police, then this link will help. http://www.met.police.uk/complaints/

However, there is a problem here as far as the police are concerned and I would ask you to think things through before you embark on this procedure. They know that the only way in which they can possibly secure a conviction against a drunken driver is to catch them in the act or immediately upon getting out of their car. Once the drunken driver has gone indoors and closed the door, there is always the theoretical possibility that, filled with remorse for her drunken behaviour outside, she may have grabbed a bottle of spirits and downed its contents. It's sometimes known as the hip flask defence. So unless this woman was prepared to put up her hand to drunken driving (unlikely, given the likely consequences for her), a conviction would not have been possible.

Infuriating, but that, unfortunately is the situation. Had your boyfriend been able to detain her at the scene of the incident, then things would have been different. But how could he possibly do that?

Answer 2

It is very important as to what State or Country you reside in as Different Laws are applicable in this situation. There are Civil and Criminal Liabilities involved. If, as you state, there was minimal damage, and your neighbor IS paying for the repair, you would probably be better off leaving it at that. In the U.S. under the Fourteenth Amendment, you were denied Due Process, and Equal Protection of and under the Laws of the United States and the State or Provence you reside in may be Liable but, that's biting off a pretty good chunk for just a simple Civil matter. Make sure you get Sworn Depositions from the witnesses, any Photos of your vehicle and hers that are consistent with the damage caused by her car/truck. If your witnesses testify under Oath that they saw her acting in a manner consistent with that of an intoxicated person the Judge will give more weight to your Claim.

GOD BLESS/GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 3

likely there isn't anything you can do now, since it's after the fact, but if you haven't had the car fixed yet, I'd take "before and after" photos, and start a file. And the fact she's paying for the repairs, is an admission of guilt, or why would she pay? I guess taking a cheque might be chancey, since it could bounce, but that too (a photocopy) would document she paid for the repair. And if anything happens in the future, you could try the police route again, and you'd have proof (from this first incident) that she has a history of DUI. Good luck.

Answer 4

I would make a complaint to the police service and demand an explaination for the no-show.
Sometimes errors in dispatching are made and police don't get dispatched, or they were so busy that they couldn't attend promptly that evening (this is very possible), but you should have been contacted about the accident at least by the next day.

Answer 5

Well she did not get away scot free. People witnessed the accident and saw she backed into your car. She may not get caught for DWI but she is still liable for the damage to your car. I am rather surprised the Police did not show up considering most departments take DWI very seriously. Get her inforomation and send it in to the insurance company or if you want to fast track it get the damage estimated by a body shop and have drunkie who lives next door pay for it.

Answer 6

If possible do a statement at the police about the entire thing, along with the police no-show and the conversation that was held with the woman re: damages being paid for. Stamped and everything.

Answer 7

I really wish that everyone who sends in a question would state where they are located. You're picking on the Police, and you have a right to. Where are you at, Mayberry RFD, or the outback of Australia?. When we got a call, we had to respond immediately. You're right, the Police there are either useless, or your laws are.

Answer 8

Wow, incompetent. I can't believe the police would be like that.
Their motto is "to protect and to serve," right?

There might be an explanation why the police didn't come. >>>$$$$$<<<

Answer 9

It was obviously important to you since you didn't even bother to show up yourself.