Going to court over insurance claim
Discussion
I've witnessed a minor accident a couple of years ago, and have now been invited to court as a witness by the solicitors representing one of the insurers.
In some ways I'm baffled that this has gone to court, as it seemed clear cut apropos fault and there were no injuries, just 2 dented and scuffed up cars (although 1 had damage to a B pillar) - but they were both brand new, luxury marques (both 63 reg cars, for an accident that happened in the 2nd week of September 2013).
I've already given a detailed written statement, including photographs, and sketch map/storyboard images to the insurer's solicitor, and it's now so long that I can't really remember anything beyond what I put in the statement.
I'm just wondering what to expect in court (if it even goes that far), and what sort of questioning there would be. At the moment, I'm thinking that all I could reasonably say would be "please refer to my written statement".
Obviously, I'm happy to play my part in the process, but it'll be a 600 mile round trip to get to court and a day off work, so I don't want to waste my time.
In some ways I'm baffled that this has gone to court, as it seemed clear cut apropos fault and there were no injuries, just 2 dented and scuffed up cars (although 1 had damage to a B pillar) - but they were both brand new, luxury marques (both 63 reg cars, for an accident that happened in the 2nd week of September 2013).
I've already given a detailed written statement, including photographs, and sketch map/storyboard images to the insurer's solicitor, and it's now so long that I can't really remember anything beyond what I put in the statement.
I'm just wondering what to expect in court (if it even goes that far), and what sort of questioning there would be. At the moment, I'm thinking that all I could reasonably say would be "please refer to my written statement".
Obviously, I'm happy to play my part in the process, but it'll be a 600 mile round trip to get to court and a day off work, so I don't want to waste my time.
Edited by WatchfulEye on Tuesday 15th September 01:46
I'll just point this out, 2 year membership 44 posts and only 9 months ago, you were full of lots of technical / legal / human rights type info on every insurance and legally related thread going. Now you're unsure what going to court entails.
Edit: to stop unattractively pouting and change to a rude pointing
Edit: to stop unattractively pouting and change to a rude pointing
Edited by LoonR1 on Tuesday 15th September 07:59
Laurel Green said:
On the only time I have attended court as a witness for an accident(Rolls Royce v lorry), the driver of the lorry changed his plea to guilty before we entered the courtroom so did not have to give any evidence. I was still payed for my time and expenses though.
That would've been for a motoring offence, not a civil insurance matter. Had a similar situation a few years ago. Witness to an RTA, provided written details of what I saw plus diagram etc.
I received a request a couple of years later to attend court as a witness. Court was about 250 miles away. I had no strong view as to who was at fault and felt there was nothing I could add in person 2 years later that was not in my written description from the time of the accident.
I wrote back to the solicitors and told them this. They withdrew the request for me to attend. Happy days!
I received a request a couple of years later to attend court as a witness. Court was about 250 miles away. I had no strong view as to who was at fault and felt there was nothing I could add in person 2 years later that was not in my written description from the time of the accident.
I wrote back to the solicitors and told them this. They withdrew the request for me to attend. Happy days!
Had a similar situation a few years ago. Witness to an RTA, provided written details of what I saw plus diagram etc.
I received a request a couple of years later to attend court as a witness. Court was about 250 miles away. I had no strong view as to who was at fault and felt there was nothing I could add in person 2 years later that was not in my written description from the time of the accident.
I wrote back to the solicitors and told them this. They withdrew the request for me to attend. Happy days!
I received a request a couple of years later to attend court as a witness. Court was about 250 miles away. I had no strong view as to who was at fault and felt there was nothing I could add in person 2 years later that was not in my written description from the time of the accident.
I wrote back to the solicitors and told them this. They withdrew the request for me to attend. Happy days!
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