Advice before I do this..

Yesterday at work a colleague reversed into my car. I didn't see it happen but I saw him get out of his car and check the back of both cars. He then came in and went back outside with another colleague and he looked at the back of both cars. I can see this from my office window - they obviously did not think I could see. I was furiously waiting for an explanation. They came back in and the one responsible for hitting my car 'thanked' the other one and they both got on with their day. I was so angry. I've bumped into somebody else's car in the past before, and even with no mark, I'd still tell and apologise to the owner. 

As the day went on the likelihood of an explanation and/or an apology decreased and so did my confidence - did he really hit my car then? Self-doubt started creeping in and I couldn't go out to my car to check because I didn't want to bring unnecessary attention to the situation. So at the end of the day I was last out and could check my bumper. The dirt on the back had been smudged by fingers and there were fresh cracks in the paint work. He HAD hit my car. It played on my mind all night.

This morning am I going to check cctv but I don't have access to it - I'll have to ask another colleague to show me it on their computer. It's an open plan office so it'll be obvious as to what I'm looking for. When I see the evidence what do I do? The situation is made worse by the fact my bumper is already cracked so badly underneath that I wouldn't get it repaired anyway - it probably needs replacing. (My car is bright yellow and I've never owned a car that's been hit by so many other people. 2 have gone into the back of me previously and I've already had it repaired! It's yellow! How can you not see me??).

I am 99% sure, even with evidence, he'll lie about it and I'll be forced into a public confrontation. I hate dishonesty. If he'd have told me yesterday I'd have thanked him for telling me and told him not to worry.

I don't need this on top of my already stressful job. I am correct to pursue this aren't I?

Parents
  • He sounds like a right areshole. If you have the evidence I'd:

    1. Contact your insurer and make a claim

    2. Report his failure to disclose the accident via the local police email form

    Why should you make life easy for him when he's treated you appalling? These actions would only take a few minutes and then any further action is on the hands of your insurance company and the police.

    I'd be tempted to send the following email to your colleague...

    Dear xxx

    Yesterday I saw you bump into my car and this impact has caused damage to my bumper. As it's the respectful thing to do, plus failure to report an accident is actually a crime, I was expecting you to speak to me about this and it's been both upsetting and frustrating that you haven't.

    I've obtained CCTV of the incident and have now forwarded this to my insurer and have contacted the police about your failure to report the incident.

    Regards,

    xx

  • That's kind of the 'nuclear option'... might be better to try a softer initial approach...

  • I would agree - if you really want to get a response (are you looking for an apology? Sorry I'm not quite sure what you hope to gain from the confrontation, perhaps I've misunderstood) talk to them in person first, take someone with you if that's a bit easier, but I wouldn't send a letter out of the blue

Reply
  • I would agree - if you really want to get a response (are you looking for an apology? Sorry I'm not quite sure what you hope to gain from the confrontation, perhaps I've misunderstood) talk to them in person first, take someone with you if that's a bit easier, but I wouldn't send a letter out of the blue

Children
  • Good approach...

    Non-accusatory and someone-else can approach the perpetrator if the CCTV shows them.

  • An apology at this point would be meaningless to me. I literally want them to know I know, with solid proof of the incident. I want to expose them. Why should I be the one made to feel uncomfortable about this?

    I've taken a softer approach and emailed requesting the footage. That way I'm not opening myself up to questions from others. I'm not sure I could hold my emotions back or think fast enough to carry on 'playing dumb' - at the moment I've phrased it like: 'I think my car was hit on the car park yesterday'