So I crashed...

[Ki3r]

I was hoping to never make a thread like this again, however on my way home from some training I crashed.

Two lanes to go forward, third on the right is to turn right only. There is a car in lane one, then me in lane two, and some idiot in lane three (right turn only). Lights go green, I go forward, so does idiot in lane three, cutting me up and making contact with me. Thankfully not much damage (front fog, possible front bumper, not had a chance to look yet).

To make it more interesting, the other car failed to stop, was trying everything to get away, running red lights (thankfully they changed just at the right time for me), stopped around 2 miles from the RTC.

While driving the two miles, I'm phoning 999, trying to explain what has happened on speaker phone with the phone on the passenger seat is bloody hard.

He stops for some reason, no idea why, think he worked at the industrial estate inside. He gets out, and first thing I think is 'oh st'.

He is all mouth though, bit of a language barrier, bit of shouting (both ways to be fair).

What feels like forever the Police turn up, it was only a matter of minutes though. Very impressed.

Both breath tested, give my details over to one PC (around six turned up), all the checks are done.

Thankfully a witness saw what happened, and was kind enough to stop, if you happen to read this, thank you.

Now got the fun of dealing with my insurance company...bks.

Have been a bit vague on purpose as he is getting dealt with driving without due car and failing to stop.

Main thing is no injuries to anyone. Sadly not enough damage to my car to get me excited about looking for a new one.

Crap rant I know, but I'm not that annoyed...yet...tomorrow when I sort out the insurance however!

[callmedave]

Sounds like everything is in your favour here. As you say, no one was hurt. It's just a bit of paint and metal. It's the fleshy bit inside that's important. Hope this all goes smoothly for you

[Cemesis]

I agree. His merger might have ended up going 50:50 (insurance can be so st) but as he ran, the police got called and you have a witness, its looking pretty good for you and pretty bad for him.

Actually, its about as good as it could have been thinking about it. Try and stay calm through the whole insurance mess.

[HD Adam]

Cemesis said:

I agree. His merger might have ended up going 50:50 (insurance can be so st) but as he ran, the police got called and you have a witness, its looking pretty good for you and pretty bad for him.

Actually, its about as good as it could have been thinking about it. Try and stay calm through the whole insurance mess.

Language barrier and tried to do a runner?

There won't be any 50/50 as the perp won't be insured.

[so called]

Well done in staying in control and well done to the witness who followed you.
He probably uses that route regular and is p}#%d off about other people doing the same trick.
Good luck. Hope he gets 10 years

[Ki3r]

HD Adam said:

Language barrier and tried to do a runner?

There won't be any 50/50 as the perp won't be insured.

99% sure he is insured (one of the reasons why I phoned the Police as well, as to start with I wasn't sure) as the Police didn't mention anything about it.

Getting an email from them with the details today (work for the Police so was getting sent to my work account).

[Drawweight]

Well done to the witness that stopped.

All too often they decide 'it's too much trouble' and drive on.

[Ki3r]

Drawweight said:

Well done to the witness that stopped.

All too often they decide 'it's too much trouble' and drive on.

Yep, was rather pleased when they did. Sadly I didn't get their details to pass my thanks on.

Insurance company phoned. They are saying it could be 50/50, but won't be accepting that at all. Fact the driver has been dealt with by a driving course (£200 to do it) and a witness has stated that he was in the wrong lane.

Waiting game now.

[Muzzer79]

Ki3r said:

Drawweight said:

Well done to the witness that stopped.

All too often they decide 'it's too much trouble' and drive on.

Yep, was rather pleased when they did. Sadly I didn't get their details to pass my thanks on.

Insurance company phoned. They are saying it could be 50/50, but won't be accepting that at all. Fact the driver has been dealt with by a driving course (£200 to do it) and a witness has stated that he was in the wrong lane.

Waiting game now.

I had a similar incident about 4 years ago, and was advised the same by the insurance company: 50/50

I wasn't having it either - stupid woman was in the wrong lane and hit me so there was no way I was accepting fault.

Take pictures of the scene and your car, I also did a very accurate diagram which may have helped.
100% on the other party in the end

[Ki3r]

Muzzer79 said:

I had a similar incident about 4 years ago, and was advised the same by the insurance company: 50/50

I wasn't having it either - stupid woman was in the wrong lane and hit me so there was no way I was accepting fault.

Take pictures of the scene and your car, I also did a very accurate diagram which may have helped.
100% on the other party in the end

Yeah I shall be doing that in a bit .

I just don't understand how they can say it could be 50/50 with the evidence lol.

[Silverbullet767]

A bit late, but time for a dashcam I think.

[Ki3r]

Silverbullet767 said:

A bit late, but time for a dashcam I think.

Stupid thing is, I have one, just never got around to putting it in my car.

[Ki3r]

Hitting my head already with the insurance company.

Despite asking to be contacted by email as I'm working funny shifts at the moment I'm woken up at 9am to a phone call.

Arrange to drop my car on Monday to see how much it will cost to get repaired. Going to go somewhere else I think as I wasn't impressed with them last time.

Missed another call from the insurance company. Wanting to ask a few questions (ones I had already answered).

Then asking if I had the witnesses details. Again explained that I didn't and that the police do. Apparently they didn't think to get in contact with them...

Told that they are still waiting to hear back from the third party (don't they have 24 hours to report it?).

I very much doubt that they'll hear from him. He tried to drive off, sped away (60+), three red lights jumped, and tried to walk off before the police turned up. Thankfully I'm 6ft 4, wrong side of 18 stone and he was tiny. Just stood between him and the door. Even when the police turned up he kept trying to walk off.

Apparently if they don't hear from him, they are unable to claim of his insurance. After asking them to confirm that again, they put me on hold and said they'll be able to go ahead without his side of it comes to that. He is insured with the same company.

Told it could take a couple of months to sort out.

. Didn't even get my McDonald's in the end .

[wildcat45]

I am not talking from experience and this is a genuine question.

Is this not one of the few times it's a good plan to involve a claims management firm to make sure you don't get shafted. Not chasing compo, but someine to talk tough with your insurers in your behalf.

[Calza]

If it's the same company for you both then it's in their interests to settle 50/50 isn't it?

[Ki3r]

Calza said:

If it's the same company for you both then it's in their interests to settle 50/50 isn't it?

May be in theirs, but not in mine.

No idea if a company would help. I'm happy that I can deal with it myself as its only a small claim and clear cut.

Very surprised to hear from them again today. The third party has been in contact and they are 100% at fault.

Taking my car to get looked at on Monday .

[r129sl]

Ki3r said:

Thankfully not much damage (front fog, possible front bumper, not had a chance to look yet).

It's frustrating, I know, but really, what's the point? What's the point of calling 999 (really, it wasn't an emergency)? What's the point of calling the insurance company? What's the point of worrying about it for more than 30 minutes? There are 30million cars on the road and most of them are driven by dheads. Every now and then one of them will bump into you. It's like a big version of getting a puncture which in turn is like a big version of stepping in dogst. Life goes on.

I don't mean to be facetious or provocative or disrespectful but on your own account, this bump was so inconsequential that you haven't even troubled to look for possible damage. It's already wasting your life with frustrating phone calls.

The best thing you can do is write it all down in a witness statement and sign it and date it as soon as possible. That way, if you must have a dispute about it, you will be able to refer to a contemporaneous record of your immediate recollection while the other side will be scrabbling around with some cobblers drafted 18 months after the event.

Oh, and what the other side will say is that he was unfamiliar with the road, he's from out of the area or he's just moved into it or he doesn't normally take that route and on your own account he's not local, the signage and road markings were unclear (they are always unclear), he realises now that he got into the wrong lane for his intended destination, you tried to prevent him coming into the correct lane ahead of you, he had nowhere else to go, a collision resulted. At worst for him that's 50:50. If the District Judge doesn't like the cut of your jib, you lose. When other drivers make mistakes like getting into the wrong lane, we're supposed to accommodate them, not punish them.

Edited by r129sl on Friday 17th October 18:12

[Four Litre]

r129sl said:

Ki3r said:

Thankfully not much damage (front fog, possible front bumper, not had a chance to look yet).

It's frustrating, I know, but really, what's the point? What's the point of calling 999 (really, it wasn't an emergency)? What's the point of calling the insurance company? What's the point of worrying about it for more than 30 minutes? There are 30million cars on the road and most of them are driven by dheads. Every now and then one of them will bump into you. It's like a big version of getting a puncture which in turn is like a big version of stepping in dogst. Life goes on.

I don't mean to be facetious or provocative or disrespectful but on your own account, this bump was so inconsequential that you haven't even troubled to look for possible damage.

The best thing you can do is write it all down in a witness statement and sign it and date it as soon as possible. That way, if you must have a dispute about it, you will be able to refer to a contemporaneous record of your immediate recollection while the other side will be scrabbling around with some cobblers drafted 18 months after the event.

Because when you spend a shedload of money on a car and some prick drives into it and drives off, you arent supposed to pick up the bill.

s like this drive me fking nuts.

[gizlaroc]

Might be worth getting a quote from their guys, and then taking cash in lieu, they will pay you out less the vat.
You might find you can get it done cheaper elsewhere, well definitely as they will have to get it factory fresh, where as your guy may just fill and spray.

I had this on my ML recently, the quote was £3300 to repair, front wing sprayed, new door strips on both doors, rear arch pulled and sprayed, rear new bumper, new wing mirror, new rear bumper, new passenger side window for a small 1/2" graze, new front wheels.

However, my guy said, plastic weld bumper, spray door trims, pin and pill the arch and refub wheels. £450.

I took the cash.

[gizlaroc]

r129sl said:

I don't mean to be facetious or provocative or disrespectful....

Really??