The police did their job correctly and very promptly, and then didn't take it any further because no crime had been committed so it was then purely an insurance matter!
Here, reckless or negligent driving is a crime: a misdemeanor. The standard for a conviction for negligent or reckless operation in violation of this statute is "ordinary negligence", examining whether the person breached a duty to exercise ordinary care.
The next level would be "gross negligence". The difference between ordinary and grossly negligent operation is a matter of degree. A person can be convicted of ordinary negligent operation by failing to "exercise ordinary care" while driving. A grossly negligent operation conviction, on the other hand, requires proof that the motorist's driving amounted to a "gross deviation from the care that a reasonable person would have exercised."
In
@TonyM's situation the other driver was clearly guilty of at least negligent driving, but when she decided to leave the scene of the accident she committed a more serious crime.
§ 1128. Crashes; duty to stop
(a) The operator of a motor vehicle who has caused or is involved in a crash resulting in injury to any person other than the operator, or in damage to any property other than the vehicle then under his or her control, shall immediately stop and render any assistance reasonably necessary. Subsection 1102(g) of this title (stopping not to impede traffic or jeopardize safety; exceptions) governs the location where a person shall stop. The operator shall give his or her name, residence, license number, and the name of the owner of the motor vehicle to any person who is injured or whose property is damaged and to any enforcement officer. A person who violates this section shall be fined not more than $2,000.00 or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both.
The charges are vastly increased if you leave the scene of an accident where there is serious bodily injury or death. You could be fined $3000.00 and face prison time of up to 15 years.
Here we blame the perpetrator. Apparently in the UK you blame the victim.
Here it is hardly just a mere insurance matter. It is a matter of public safety.