Euro tunnel bump.... Insurance/ Liability
Discussion
Durzel said:
I think the OP is tacitly saying that he let the clutch out while the car was in gear, and because of this mistake that he believes Euro tunnel/the steward/the car and/or tyre manufacturer bear some responsibility.
Slowly getting there tooThe steward told him to leave it in first gear, which he wouldnt normally do. He's finished moving the car so lets the clutch out as per normal not realising this will make the car lurch and stall.
Should the steward have told him to switch off the engine before leaving it in first?
I know it seems obvious to some but .... in the heat of the moment...
funkymonk said:
Hello, I'm brand new here, Looking for some advice/ opinions.
Last thursday, On my way back from France, having passed through UK border control I boarded the Euro tunnel car train. I was parked by a steward having come to a stop at this point. The car then stalled, in lurching forward it hit the car in front.
I understand I was driving the car, but I was told to park in first gear and where to park. Am I fully liable? I only question this as normally I wouldn't park in first gear and also this close to another car.
Thanks
FM
The instruction is to apply the handbrake, switch the engine off and apply first gear. A competent driver would realise that if they still had the engine running, put the car in gear and let the clutch out that the car would shoot forward. Last thursday, On my way back from France, having passed through UK border control I boarded the Euro tunnel car train. I was parked by a steward having come to a stop at this point. The car then stalled, in lurching forward it hit the car in front.
I understand I was driving the car, but I was told to park in first gear and where to park. Am I fully liable? I only question this as normally I wouldn't park in first gear and also this close to another car.
Thanks
FM
TonyHetherington said:
Indeed - 3 reasons why
1) So people don't walk between cars
2) To maximise amount of cars that will fit on the train
3) So if the train brakes hard the cars don't have far to travel (so minimising impacts)
I agree with those points but surely in deciding that distance and taking that out of my hands they are also partly liable.1) So people don't walk between cars
2) To maximise amount of cars that will fit on the train
3) So if the train brakes hard the cars don't have far to travel (so minimising impacts)
I'm not denying it's my fault I stalled.
PintOfKittens said:
I went on the chunnel the other week. Parked with about 2 inches between my car and the car infront.
Marshal steward said "Put it in first gear handbrake on".
What I did was put in neutral, handbrake on, turn car off, then put into first gear.
Think of this as a learning experience
YEah may well be a learnign expereince, but Im worried about the possible cost.Marshal steward said "Put it in first gear handbrake on".
What I did was put in neutral, handbrake on, turn car off, then put into first gear.
Think of this as a learning experience
funkymonk said:
I agree with those points but surely in deciding that distance and taking that out of my hands they are also partly liable.
I'm not denying it's my fault I stalled.
No they aren't liable. It was your fault, I'm not denying it's my fault I stalled.
You hit the car in front,
You put the car in 1st and let the clutch out with the engine running
You are 100% liable, so don't try to blame other people.
It was your fault!
funkymonk said:
I agree with those points but surely in deciding that distance and taking that out of my hands they are also partly liable.
I'm not denying it's my fault I stalled.
If its your fault you stalled, how is the damage caused their fault.I'm not denying it's my fault I stalled.
Look at it this way, if you stall the car and hit the car in front and they except liability, then it takes away your responsibility to be in complete control of your car while the engine is running.
funkymonk said:
Becuase I stopped where I was told to.
Do they not have a responsibility to take the possibility that I could stall in to account?
I don't suppose they reasoned with the possibility that you could have accidentally put it into reverse and stalled backwards either!Do they not have a responsibility to take the possibility that I could stall in to account?
Note to OP: Stalling is not an expected or usual aspect of most people's driving.
saaby93 said:
So if they dont tell you to do that, and you follow their instruction ( theyre the experts) and the car lurches into the one in front...
Then you are an idiot who is obviously not skilled enough to drive a car, surely it is bloody obvious you don't just put it in gear and let the clutch out if you are stopped.Sorry if this seemed personal it was a general statement.
KrazyIvan said:
If its your fault you stalled, how is the damage caused their fault.
Look at it this way, if you stall the car and hit the car in front and they except liability, then it takes away your responsibility to be in complete control of your car while the engine is running.
That's a fair point well made. Look at it this way, if you stall the car and hit the car in front and they except liability, then it takes away your responsibility to be in complete control of your car while the engine is running.
But normally I wouldnt park so close is my argument.
LukeSi said:
saaby93 said:
So if they dont tell you to do that, and you follow their instruction ( theyre the experts) and the car lurches into the one in front...
Then you are an idiot who is obviously not skilled enough to drive a car, surely it is bloody obvious you don't just put it in gear and let the clutch out if you are stopped.as pint of kittens confirmed
LukeSi said:
Then you are an idiot who is obviously not skilled enough to drive a car, surely it is bloody obvious you don't just put it in gear and let the clutch out if you are stopped.
Sorry if this seemed personal it was a general statement.
I agree I made a mistake, again my point is.Sorry if this seemed personal it was a general statement.
Do we not usually allow ourseleves room in case we make mistakes so as not to cause accidents!?
saaby93 said:
Are you sure about this guys?
He wouldnt normally have parked as close but was under instruction, same as if a police officer directs you.
Ok he could have stopped further back and taken the wrath but he was following directions.
If the parking steward waves you forward so you hit the car in front whose fault is it? At those distances you cant judge it for yourself
Even if under direction of Police, you are still the driver, and you do have a choice - argue with the bugger if you think his direction is flawedHe wouldnt normally have parked as close but was under instruction, same as if a police officer directs you.
Ok he could have stopped further back and taken the wrath but he was following directions.
If the parking steward waves you forward so you hit the car in front whose fault is it? At those distances you cant judge it for yourself
funkymonk said:
KrazyIvan said:
If its your fault you stalled, how is the damage caused their fault.
Look at it this way, if you stall the car and hit the car in front and they except liability, then it takes away your responsibility to be in complete control of your car while the engine is running.
That's a fair point well made. Look at it this way, if you stall the car and hit the car in front and they except liability, then it takes away your responsibility to be in complete control of your car while the engine is running.
But normally I wouldnt park so close is my argument.
Did you do much damage to the other car?
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff