Just wanted to see if my first accident experience yesterday was typical of how things go here.
Yesterday a driver in a van failed to stop at the terminating road in a t junction (through stop sign) as I turned right across a lane of traffic to enter the road he was on. He clipped the rear wheel arch of my car at which point we both stopped.
As I speak no Cantonese and he spoke no English there was no ability to communicate. I took a few photos even though the van driver had reversed his van back across the stop line.
Minor damage to my rear wheel arch along with black scuff marks, and a crack in his bumper.
Fortunately a passing police officer stopped and we pulled the cars to the side of the road. He translated at which point it became clear that the van driver was blaming me for the accident (which explained the yelling and pointing).
I found this somewhat bewildering given my understanding of right of way, the fact that he didn't stop at all, let alone at the line etc.
The police officer then went on to 'encourage' me to settle the matter by saying that if I made a report there was no way of knowing what would happen (mentioned I might be charged for careless driving or that a civil action may commence) and that in any event I'd lose my NCB if I claimed on insurance.
I replied that I was clearly in the right and had no intention of settling in any way that admitted fault, and would prefer to go through the formal process unless the van driver agreed to pay for the damage to my vehicle.
A police van then arrived and two other officers came over. They spoke to me about settling the matter as well and although they didn't threaten to charge me with careless driving, made it clear that it would be very inconvenient for me to proceed with a police report.
I explained my position and after some back and forth with the van driver, he offered to settle the matter for a token amount.
Having no idea what the cost to straighten the wheel arch and polish out the scuffing would be I asked the police if there were other options. According to them there weren't and I needed to decide then and there.
I had heard some horror stories about people being charged with careless driving so out of caution took the token amount, and the van driver left. The police took both our details but said that would be the end of it.
I just wanted to know if this is a common experience in HK and if I should be aware of anything/act differently in future.
Also any tips on very minor (paintless)panel beating appreciated!