Need Advice – Minor Car Accident and Now Unsure What to Do Next

OziShopper on 03/07/2025 - 10:44
Last edited 03/07/2025 - 10:47

Yesterday I had a minor accident while reversing. I checked behind and didn’t see any cars, but as I started reversing, another car drove behind and my rear tow hit their number plate. So, basically very limited damage to their plate. Thankfully, no one was hurt and the damage appeared limited to her number plate.

I got out immediately and apologised. The lady was very kind and understanding, even checked in to make sure we were okay. She asked if I wanted to go through insurance or fix it privately. I said I was happy to pay for the repair privately and asked her to send me a quote. She took some photos, and I did too. She also took my phone number and said she’d call.

Now it’s been a day and I haven’t heard from her. I’m starting to wonder if she may have taken down my number incorrectly. She might be ringing the wrong number and may report it to the police. Regardless of anything, I genuinely want to do the right thing and make sure she can reach me.

Would it be reasonable to call the non-emergency police line with her rego to ask if they can help pass on my correct number or reconnect us?

Worst case, if I don’t hear from her for a week, any advice on what’s best to do here would be really appreciated.

Automotive

Comments

  • El cheepo on 03/07/2025 - 10:51
    +23

    Now it’s been a day and I haven’t heard from her. I’m starting to wonder if she may have taken down my number incorrectly.

    She probably hasn’t had a chance to get it looked at yet as it has only been a day.

    If it is limited to the number plate she might not want to even peruse it.
    Probably was just being cautious by getting your details at the time in case there was further unseen damage.

    Nothing to stress about.
    Still early days.

    • jv on 03/07/2025 - 10:55
      -3

      If it is limited to the number plate

      "In Australia, the government (or a designated authority) owns the physical license plates, not the vehicle owner."

      So my guess is to give Albo a call…

      • Hardlyworkin on 03/07/2025 - 11:22
        +22

        I gave Albo a call. He said he had sent you a cheque to make up for him living rent free in your head all this time.

        • jv on 03/07/2025 - 11:31
          +2

          Tell him he needs to pay the property manager directly…

      • Murkymerv on 03/07/2025 - 13:56
        +4

        JV , "you've done it again".

  • jv on 03/07/2025 - 10:52
    +4

    unsure what to do next

    have a beer…

    • kolorijo on 03/07/2025 - 11:47

      have a kitkat

    • Murkymerv on 03/07/2025 - 13:57

      Call the RACV , someone who gives a shit !

  • freeb1e4me on 03/07/2025 - 10:58
    +3

    any advice on what’s best to do

    Care less

  • Dollar General on 03/07/2025 - 11:01
    +2

    Give it a couple of weeks at least

  • Downvoter on 03/07/2025 - 11:01

    Zero percent chance Policelink will give those details without a reported occurrence. They wouldn’t anyways but that’s besides the point.

    Reverse when not safe to do so. At fault, report it to your insurance if you’re fussing about it already after only a day.

  • Muppet Detector on 03/07/2025 - 11:10
    +5

    Reverse when not safe to do so. At fault, report it to your insurance if you’re fussing about it already after only a day.

    That's terrible advice.

  • hasher22 on 03/07/2025 - 11:21
    +1

    It's nice that you want to fix the problem and have peace of mind.

    How minor was the damage? And it also depends on their cars age and damage. For example if it were my car, which is a 2015 cx3 and the plate was slightly damage, but not enough for me to even worry about fixing it then I wouldn't even bother.

    I would prob ask for like $100 or something lol.

    With that theory, they prob couldn't care less if it's a minor damage to their car.

    • OziShopper on 03/07/2025 - 11:54

      Plate was completely bent in the middle, I doubt they can fix it as is, but who knows!? Perhaps a waiting game for us.

      • hasher22 on 03/07/2025 - 12:38
        +1

        Ah right, can it be taken off and flaten with a hammer? Lol.

        But yeah, I wouldn't stress too much, they got your details. I highly doubt there's internal damage or whatever.

        Don't want to be the devil's advocate, but they could be an ass and go to some panel beater and they can quote 1000s to fix it and list all the 'internal damage' been done so they can get paid. That's insurance gets involved.

        • 87percent on 03/07/2025 - 13:39
          +2

          That’s what I would be worried about.

          “Oh they bent the front axle and now I need a whole new car”

  • 7ekn00 on 03/07/2025 - 11:31
    +1

    She just rear ended a cement mixer that drove off, she will contact you shortly with the $10,000 repair bill :P

  • bargaino on 03/07/2025 - 11:43
    +3

    Yesterday?! I doubt this is the biggest priority in her life.
    Maybe her husband will push the number plate flat with his hands ad tell her to forget about it.

    Does it really even need a new number plate? Unless it is a vanity plate, most people wouldn't care.

  • mrkorrupt on 03/07/2025 - 11:45
    +3

    can i ask the OP if this would have happened if they reversed parked?

    • OziShopper on 03/07/2025 - 11:53
      -1

      Plate was completely bent in the middle due to my tow bar… so, a bit more damage than someone reversed into a parked car. Thanks

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 03/07/2025 - 21:43

      That's why I don't reverse park.

  • rambutann on 03/07/2025 - 12:13
    +1

    You've already done the right thing. Sit back and relax.
    You may find that good karma has resulted in them not worrying about it.

    I once reversed into a car, left a dent - I attempted to push it back out myself but it wasn't great - left a note with all my contact info, never heard from them.
    There's a point where its just too hard to bother getting it fixed.. perhaps they came to that realization after the fact.

  • Wiadro on 03/07/2025 - 12:19
    +1

    Need @MS Paint drawing

  • Nutrino on 03/07/2025 - 12:27
    +1

    All i can think of is mountains and mole hills.

  • Fredfloresjr on 03/07/2025 - 12:36
    +2

    She's still yet to finalise the total cost of her next Family holiday. Hold on tight OP.

  • GordonD on 03/07/2025 - 13:52
    +4

    They don't fix bent number plates. They replace them. Current cost is just under $40. You hand the damaged one over, get a receipt, display the receipt in your windscreen so cops/whoever can see you have a legitimate reason for not displaying a front number plate, and in about 2 weeks a replacement arrives and you get it fitted.

    The concern is not the number plate, it is whether what it mounts to/using is damaged.

    If OP tells us what sort of car it is we might have some idea of whether the number plate mounting for that make/model is a minor or serious issue.

    • ihbh on 04/07/2025 - 13:25

      How the heck do you know so much about such an obscure issue?

    • Euphemistic on 04/07/2025 - 18:39

      In nsw you can order a new plate and exchange when th new one arrives. Keep the receipt handy in case you get pulled over, but you can keep the existing damaged plate on in the mean time.

  • ramb9 on 03/07/2025 - 14:10
    +1

    If you completely bent the number plate, theres a good chance the bumper would be damaged too.

    Could end up being more costly than you expect…

    Had someone run into my bumper with the tow ball thing maybe about a little less than 1cm in and it left dent and paint damage.

  • apple2016 on 03/07/2025 - 14:14
    +2

    She might be ringing the wrong number and may report it to the police.

    You can always report to the police and authorize your contact details to be passed on in case the other driver contacts the police. I have done this once. But never got a response from the other driver. I did my best. Think some persons cant be bothered to fix tiny issues…

  • Caped Baldy on 03/07/2025 - 14:51
    +1

    Did you both get photos of the cars and licences?

    Also, where did it occur? if at home, she could just come back.

    If no damage to the car, maybe just pay the cost of the replacement plates.

  • try2bhelpful on 03/07/2025 - 15:10
    +3

    A few years ago we had a minor bingle with a commercial van. The van was pretty beaten up already and the damage was minor. We exchanged information but we never heard from them again either. Give her time to get some quotes but right now I would just wait for her to get back to you.

  • SlickMick on 04/07/2025 - 09:31
    +1

    As most have said, just chill and allow time for them to get back to you.

    But I would forget about it. There's a decent chance that they decided it wasn't worth pursuing.
    Or they might eventually get around to asking for a small amount, in which case you can just pay it.

    There is a very small chance that they are going to come back with a substantial claim, and if that were to happen you might want to hand it over to your insurance company.
    But it's definitely not worth stressing about.

  • Tiller76 on 04/07/2025 - 10:37

    Hoping you have at least taken pictures of the damage to ensure no future disputes on what was done in the accident????

    • OziShopper on 04/07/2025 - 10:48

      Yes, both parties did.

  • pjd24 on 04/07/2025 - 17:36

    I had a minor accident 7 years ago and we exchanged correct numbers. He hasn't called yet

    • Bruceflix on 05/07/2025 - 19:20

      You'd better post your own thread. Just for peace of mind

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