Euro tunnel bump.... Insurance/ Liability

[funkymonk]

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

[funkymonk]

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?

[funkymonk]

esuuv said:

Do you usually leave suitable stall space infront then? have you passed any sort of driving test?

yes you're 100% liable.

That's a very sincere reply thank you for a warm welcome. Yes I have passed my test. And yes I wouldn't normally park so close to another car static or in traffic.

Do you park closer than a stall lurch to other cars?

[funkymonk]

sinizter said:

esuuv said:

Do you usually leave suitable stall space infront then? have you passed any sort of driving test?

yes you're 100% liable.

Not on the Eurotunnel. They made me get so close to the car in front that I felt I was nearly parked in their boot.

OP still liable, obviously.

This is my point exactly, they parked me so close to the car that as what happend I stalled with the clutch out the jolt hit the other car.

It's my fault the car stalled, I'm not so sure it's my fault I hit the other car.
As I was told where to park.

But no one else seems to agree.

[funkymonk]

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

My point, if I parked at the start of the train so no one else could get on they'd order me to move and rightly so....
Isn't it also their responsibility that the distance they advise to park is safe?

[funkymonk]

DaveH23 said:

OP - if you dont believe you aren't liable for crashing your car when you are driving, who do you believe is?

Why didnt you park as instructed and turn the car off in neutral and then engage 1st when the engine was off?

As annoying as it is all the comments above are correct - it doesnt matter how close you were even if insructed to park there you are 100% liable.

Because of the comotion.

[funkymonk]

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.
I'm not denying it's my fault I stalled.

[funkymonk]

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.

[funkymonk]

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.
But normally I wouldnt park so close is my argument.

[funkymonk]

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.
Do we not usually allow ourseleves room in case we make mistakes so as not to cause accidents!?

[funkymonk]

MercScot said:

100% This

Not sure if this thread isn't a wind up?

I assure you it's not a wind up, I'm worried about loosing my no claims and the cost of insurance goign forward.

[funkymonk]

KrazyIvan said:

Having been on the tunnel train a few times, I know where you coming from, but the onus on stopping your car safely still lies with you.

Did you do much damage to the other car?

I did stop the car. THats what caused the issue ;o)

No luckily no visable so this may not come to anythign I just wondered if people had other experinces of similar situations.

[funkymonk]

Exige77 said:

Is the OP for real or is this where compensation culture has led us ?

Sad

Ex77

I'm sorry you feel that way, I won't be claiming it's more if he claims against me.
I feel they have some liability on this. People who have travelled on the euro tunnel seem a lot more understanding.

[funkymonk]

XG332 said:

Why not just face the fact that your at fault? Do you argue this much over everything?

Who made you go on the Chunnel?

I'm not arguing simply considering my options.
And thinkign abotu the sequence of events.

[funkymonk]

And what would be the case if our parked vechiles hit whilst on the crossing, they would be liable.
My point is not specifically with the person who parked me but that parking cars so close has potential issues to consider.

[funkymonk]

[redacted]

[funkymonk]

KrazyIvan said:

Using the car in front doesn't count

have seen it happen a few times but never been involved, so cant say if anyone has tried to recover damages from the train operator, i suspect it would cost far more then its worth, to see if you could set some sort of legal precedent that would mean they would have to take partial responsibility for parking cars so close together.

Should they not have a responsibility to park cars safely??

[funkymonk]

Maybe I was wrong here, Thank you for all your responses.

I shall update when I hear more.

They did photograph our cars when I asked for the employers details.
So we shall see.

[funkymonk]

MercScot said:

Well I've used it 30+ times a year since it opened, sorry I don't understand at all!

This was my first time, haha.

[funkymonk]

davepoth said:

When the Eurotunnel employee told you to stop, had you already hit the car in front? No. He had instructed you to park your car close to, but not touching the car in front. All you had to do was stop the engine, apply the handbrake and engage first gear in a stationary vehicle without crashing.

You failed to do this. If you are unable to perform this "manoeuvre" without hitting another vehicle, I would seriously question whether you should be driving anyway, but that's not for me to decide.

You are 100% liable for the damage, don't think for a moment you'll get anything other than a Gallic shrug from Eurotunnel.

You can stall on your test and pass. And I have driven for 10 years without an accident, I'm not claiming to be an expert and I made a mistake in the moment.