Discussion
Stopped at a set of lights, preparing to turn right behind about four cars. Filter not on yet, so only one car gets through a gap in traffic. Everyone moves up one place but the woman behind me keeps going and rams into the back of me. Incredibly so, given she would've been stationary behind me before it.
It was a big impact, sent the aircon/climate control unit flying out of the dash.
The back of my car and the front of hers don't look that bad, nothing like what the impact felt. Bumpers popped out of place, her bonnet a bit misaligned, beginning of her wing crumpled, towing caps popped off, that sort of thing.
Showed someone the pictures and they said it couldn't have been that hard because of how both cars looked, which made me second guess myself.
I don't want to make it look like I'm making a meal of something, I'm more likely to play something down and I'm not an ambulance chaser. I'm not in pain but I can tell from my neck and upper back tightness something's happened, sort of like the next day after working muscles you're not used to. Can feel in my chest where the seatbelt grabbed me. Was going to see how I feel in the morning. It being a work day is more than inconvenient.
Spoke to insurance right away, they're sorting it and sending someone out to assess the damage tomorrow.
Posting to ask is there anything I should be doing? Never been hit before.
Thanks PHers.
It was a big impact, sent the aircon/climate control unit flying out of the dash.
The back of my car and the front of hers don't look that bad, nothing like what the impact felt. Bumpers popped out of place, her bonnet a bit misaligned, beginning of her wing crumpled, towing caps popped off, that sort of thing.
Showed someone the pictures and they said it couldn't have been that hard because of how both cars looked, which made me second guess myself.
I don't want to make it look like I'm making a meal of something, I'm more likely to play something down and I'm not an ambulance chaser. I'm not in pain but I can tell from my neck and upper back tightness something's happened, sort of like the next day after working muscles you're not used to. Can feel in my chest where the seatbelt grabbed me. Was going to see how I feel in the morning. It being a work day is more than inconvenient.
Spoke to insurance right away, they're sorting it and sending someone out to assess the damage tomorrow.
Posting to ask is there anything I should be doing? Never been hit before.
Thanks PHers.
Edited by Lawsome on Sunday 26th January 23:26
If indeed you are suffering from whiplash get yourself to the doctors to get your symptoms on record. Then keep a complete record of every expense you incur.
Has the third party admitted fault? (bit early maybe). Do you think your car is repairable or is there a risk of it being written off?
Has the third party admitted fault? (bit early maybe). Do you think your car is repairable or is there a risk of it being written off?
It is likely that you will feel worse in the morning. Take paracetemol and have an early night.
The front and rear of cars are designed to limit damage to the rest of the vehicle by absorbing impact. They are deformable, to an extent, and tend to spring back. If there's damage beyond that, then it was a fair impact.
Advice - so feel free to ignore it: don't worry about appearing like an ambulance chaser. If you are injured and suffer pain or financial loss, you are entitled to be compensated. I won't be upset if you ignore me. You'll be joining a big club.
I've been hit in the rear at traffic lights. In fact twice. I was hit from behind once, pushing me into the oncoming lane. I then pulled into the side of the road to allow traffic to pass, and the other car drove into me again. So think yourself lucky it was only the once. I wondered why. It happens, it seems.
Hope you feel OK in the morning.
The front and rear of cars are designed to limit damage to the rest of the vehicle by absorbing impact. They are deformable, to an extent, and tend to spring back. If there's damage beyond that, then it was a fair impact.
Advice - so feel free to ignore it: don't worry about appearing like an ambulance chaser. If you are injured and suffer pain or financial loss, you are entitled to be compensated. I won't be upset if you ignore me. You'll be joining a big club.
I've been hit in the rear at traffic lights. In fact twice. I was hit from behind once, pushing me into the oncoming lane. I then pulled into the side of the road to allow traffic to pass, and the other car drove into me again. So think yourself lucky it was only the once. I wondered why. It happens, it seems.
Hope you feel OK in the morning.
I was hit before Xmas some one pulled out into the side of me, very minor impact just dents/scrapes all down the side. She admitted full fault, claimed from her insurance said I was completely fine, and then received phone calls everyday for about a week asking is I was SURE I was fine, definitely no injuries? Positive nothing is aching now it’s a day later and would I like to file a injury claim etc. Ridiculous really no wonder so many people do it and insurance is so high! Not much help to you OP but if you are injured take a few days off work and make a claim to compensate don’t play chances with your health.
To answer some questions:
She admitted fault in person, although led to believe this means little. Insurance are phoning me tomorrow.
My cars engine, colour etc. is rare and I paid over the odds for it because of that, but the book value is only a grand or so and nearly 20 years old.
She was only going as fast as you can build up in a 1.2 litre hatch from being at a standstill to a couple of car lengths. Probably thought the filter was on, rather than anyone stopping ...or was on her phone.
She admitted fault in person, although led to believe this means little. Insurance are phoning me tomorrow.
My cars engine, colour etc. is rare and I paid over the odds for it because of that, but the book value is only a grand or so and nearly 20 years old.
She was only going as fast as you can build up in a 1.2 litre hatch from being at a standstill to a couple of car lengths. Probably thought the filter was on, rather than anyone stopping ...or was on her phone.
Edited by Lawsome on Sunday 26th January 23:53
My wife was hit similarly by an old lady about a year ago. She was waiting to turn right and the old lady simply drove up the road behind her and straight into the back of our car.
As with yours, the damage didn't look too severe at first. However looking underneath the car showed how the bumper had taken out the boot floor and then popped back out. The bodyshell had been slightly twisted by the impact and the damage was just enough to be irreparable - CAT B write off.
It transpired the impact was hard enough to have broken a couple of my wife's ribs. It also exacerbated neck injuries she'd suffered in another no-fault crash only a couple of months earlier (it was an unlucky couple of months!) Fortunately both insurance companies arranged physio for her but, a year later, she's still suffering some pain from the accidents and physio is on-going. Don't underestimate how badly you've been hurt and take physio if it's offered. If you refuse physio, they may take that as your recovery being complete and you may be unable to claim for further physio in the future should your symptoms worsen.
I hope you don't feel too bad tomorrow!
As with yours, the damage didn't look too severe at first. However looking underneath the car showed how the bumper had taken out the boot floor and then popped back out. The bodyshell had been slightly twisted by the impact and the damage was just enough to be irreparable - CAT B write off.
It transpired the impact was hard enough to have broken a couple of my wife's ribs. It also exacerbated neck injuries she'd suffered in another no-fault crash only a couple of months earlier (it was an unlucky couple of months!) Fortunately both insurance companies arranged physio for her but, a year later, she's still suffering some pain from the accidents and physio is on-going. Don't underestimate how badly you've been hurt and take physio if it's offered. If you refuse physio, they may take that as your recovery being complete and you may be unable to claim for further physio in the future should your symptoms worsen.
I hope you don't feel too bad tomorrow!
LosingGrip said:
Take some ibuprofen it will help with the inflammation.
You'll ache more over the next few days once the shock wears off.
If it is the ribs, avoid taking ibuprofen for the first 48 hours (NHS advice.. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-or-bruised-ri...You'll ache more over the next few days once the shock wears off.
Lawsome said:
Spoke to insurance right away, they're sorting it and sending someone out to assess the damage tomorrow.
Posting to ask is there anything I should be doing? Never been hit before.
Thanks PHers.
My mate was knocked off the road 1-2 year ago whilst driving his mondoe and someone sideswiped him (actually an off duty driving instructor lol). The instructors car knocked him into a ditch and wrote off friends mondeo.Posting to ask is there anything I should be doing? Never been hit before.
Thanks PHers.
Edited by Lawsome on Sunday 26th January 23:26
My mate disagreed with claim-culture generally. However, he was persuaded when he started suffering pains in neck shoulders etc, he actually blacked out briefly apparently. When HIS insurances managed the claim he ended up getting a somewhat lacklustre amount, something like £2k for quite a severe crash with lasting injuries.
I know of others who used specialised claims management firms, based in Bradford, and received better part of £5k for much milder collisions. My advice is to ask around and not pursue the injury claim through your insurance by default.
vindaloo79 said:
...he ended up getting a somewhat lacklustre amount, something like £2k for quite a severe crash with lasting injuries.
I know of others who used specialised claims management firms, based in Bradford, and received better part of £5k for much milder collisions. My advice is to ask around and not pursue the injury claim through your insurance by default.
There are so many variables that it’s not necessarily a case of comparing two different collisions and looking at settlement amounts in isolation. It’s common for two occupants in the same RTC to end up with very different injuries and/or settlement amounts.I know of others who used specialised claims management firms, based in Bradford, and received better part of £5k for much milder collisions. My advice is to ask around and not pursue the injury claim through your insurance by default.
The mechanism of the impact can be relevant, such as front/rear as against lateral. The make up of the individual can be relevant too. Do they have relevant past medical history which results in an exacerbation of symptoms? Do they have degenerative changes resulting in an acceleration type injury? Are they more susceptible to a particular injury? Or did the point of impact render them as such?
A total settlement amount is also difficult to compare, as you’d need to know any breakdown between the actual injury element as against anything for financial losses. If two claimants suffer similar injuries, but one is self employed and unable to work for a year, whereas the other is unemployed with no work history or realistic prospect of achieving employment going forward (but for the incident), the settlement amounts are likely to be very different. Another claimant may require help and assistance with daily tasks and/or treatment whereas another may suffer similar injuries but not. E.g. one has young children and cannot then look after them and relies on outside help, or simply is more vulnerable and more needy.
Then there can be issues with deductions for contributory negligence (e.g. is the claimant getting 100% liability, or perhaps only 75%?). Or might there be mitigation issues (failure to do what you can to minimise losses, such as not attending medical appointments) or perhaps credibility issues that increase ‘litigation risk’?
Also I don’t tend to hear much positivity about claims management companies in that area (quote the opposite in fact), but have no firsthand knowledge.
In terms of seeking medical advice, I agree this is the logical / sensible first step, but with the motivation being to aid the recovery (which reflects mitigation) in the quickest timeframe possible, or simply just to be checked out and reassured. If your injuries are short lived and the recovery/financial impact is straightforward, then speaking to your own insurer and checking whether you have legal expenses insurance to assist with a claim might be sensible, as you are then unlikely to have to pay for separate after the event insurance (not compulsory but could make bringing a claim without it more difficult) and also possibly avoid paying a success fee which a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement will likely require. Though going with the cheapest option isn’t always going to get the best outcome/service, e.g. achieving 90% of say £5k would obviously be better than getting 100% of say £2.5k, so you may want to speak to solicitors as well to make an informed decision.
To find a firm, you can go on APIL’s website. They are the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and have a find a solicitor function. The Law Society website does as well, which may help. The claims process then will deal with both the injury side of things and any uninsured losses you may incur. Keep a note of all expenses (and receipts) if you do go down this route. In certain cases, keeping a note/diary of how the recovery progresses and photos of any visible injuries can be helpful too, but this may be overkill where the injured are short lived.
The important thing is to get better. Good pain relief helps recovery as tensing you neck/spine is counter productive.
If your off work, unable to drive, loss of income etc, or have long standing injury, then compensation is fair enough. However if your absolutely fine after 48hours that's much better than any monetary value, so focus on what's important.
Also previous comment about headrests is actually important, this is as good a time as any for people to remember what they are there for (not resting your head) and it's amazing how many people drive around with them at totally the wrong height to work.
Daniel
If your off work, unable to drive, loss of income etc, or have long standing injury, then compensation is fair enough. However if your absolutely fine after 48hours that's much better than any monetary value, so focus on what's important.
Also previous comment about headrests is actually important, this is as good a time as any for people to remember what they are there for (not resting your head) and it's amazing how many people drive around with them at totally the wrong height to work.
Daniel
Some good advice above, also just because you can't see much / any damage it's worth making sure there's nothing untoward.
The repair bill on this was just shy of £1,300 after a small car hit the back end at about 10mph...
Right hand exhausts became slightly mis-aligned and melted part of the diffuser which had also popped a few clips , the left centre PDC was dislodged and broken, around a week or so later the paint on the bumper started crazing where the plastic had flexed under impact.
The repair bill on this was just shy of £1,300 after a small car hit the back end at about 10mph...
Right hand exhausts became slightly mis-aligned and melted part of the diffuser which had also popped a few clips , the left centre PDC was dislodged and broken, around a week or so later the paint on the bumper started crazing where the plastic had flexed under impact.
If you genuinely feel pain then go to the hospital. If it’s nothing at least you reassured yourself but if it’s more serious then you’ll be in a hospital which is the best place to be if you’re hurt!
Chasing compo is not relevant at this point, just get yourself checked out - no good in carrying an injury because you’re to proud to get it checked.
Chasing compo is not relevant at this point, just get yourself checked out - no good in carrying an injury because you’re to proud to get it checked.
Lawsome said:
She admitted fault in person, although led to believe this means little. Insurance are phoning me tomorrow.
Many years ago, in the 1970's, I was hit by an old dear who readily admitted responsibility. I got her to write it all down and sign it at the roadside.Full of the joys of spring I popped into my broker to get a claim form and gleefully told him I had her confession. His words were not to mention it because her insurers may repudiate the claim as she has admitted liability.
Is this still the case?
Olas said:
If you genuinely feel pain then go to the hospital. If it’s nothing at least you reassured yourself but if it’s more serious then you’ll be in a hospital which is the best place to be if you’re hurt!
OP, you can go to an MIU instead of an A&E if you have one nearby. Probably a shorter wait.Some injuries can take a while to show effects. A few years ago I had mild whiplash that took a couple of days to show up as aches and stiffness across shoulders and neck. I was fit and played rugby ( front row) and missed one game as a result. I went to the club’s physio as a precaution as it was an easy first assessment. He advised missing one game and coming back for further checks. The effects disappeared within a couple of days and no long term problems.
My advice is get a Dr to check you out asap. Your neck is not an area to mess about with. You might experience problems in the future due to injuries that take a while to show up. The neck is a complex and exposed area with more than simple muscle aches as injury sites.
My advice is get a Dr to check you out asap. Your neck is not an area to mess about with. You might experience problems in the future due to injuries that take a while to show up. The neck is a complex and exposed area with more than simple muscle aches as injury sites.
Glenn63 said:
I was hit before Xmas some one pulled out into the side of me, very minor impact just dents/scrapes all down the side. She admitted full fault, claimed from her insurance said I was completely fine, and then received phone calls everyday for about a week asking is I was SURE I was fine, definitely no injuries? Positive nothing is aching now it’s a day later and would I like to file a injury claim etc. Ridiculous really no wonder so many people do it and insurance is so high! Not much help to you OP but if you are injured take a few days off work and make a claim to compensate don’t play chances with your health.
Nearly 10 months on and I still get the same phone calls daily. Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff