Gutted!

[Diablos-666]

Was driving to my Xmas party yesterday and was going down a very steep and narrow hill.

Nearly got to the bottom when a very large lorry came round a corner and started coming towards me. I slammed the anchors on and moved as far over to the kurb as I could.

There was no way the lorry could make it past me and I expected him to reverse back but no he creeps forward and then realises he can't make it.

The lorry has wedged me between it and the kurb.

He refused to move as the lobby would would jerk back and probably cause a lot of damage to my car.

We were stuck like this for at least 30 mins. My gf got out (I couldn't get out) and took pictures etc..

I had no other choice but to drive out and it scraped down the drivers door and rear quarter!

To say I'm gutted is an understatement.

I got the drivers details eventually, but he refuses liability.

There is a sign at the bottom of the hill showing a red circle with 6ft 6 on it. Surely the lorry is at fault for going up that road?

I was right over on the kurb, the lorry had his wheels on his kurb side and he was still overhanging the centre line.

I have pictures but can't upload them until Monday.

Who will the insurers side with? Me driving forward caused more damage but I had no other option?

[Targarama]

Sorry to hear this.

From what you describe he had the right of way. Legally you should have stopped and reversed (however illogical it would have been). Then you damaged your own car, the truck didn't hit you.

If I thought I was going to damage my car I would have sat it out. The lorry was on a schedule. Any Police arriving would have seen the fact that you couldn't get out without causing damage and told the lorry to reverse.

[Mattt]

Hang on, so you weren't touching, but to get out you drove into the lorry?

[TV8]

I used to travel down a road called, of all things, Narrow Lane leading to the Ann Summers roundabout on the way the M25. This used to happen all the time and once I ended up in a stalemate with the lorry driver. He wouldnt reverse and I would have damaged my car. I got out and had a frank exchange of views - he then backed-up.

Gutted for you.

[Diablos-666]

No, the lorry did touch me. At which point my gf got out and took pictures and spoke to the driver.

I had stopped on the road and the lorry crawled forward, slowly slowly then started scraping my car and then stopped.

[Targarama]

Diablos-666 said:

No, the lorry did touch me. At which point my gf got out and took pictures and spoke to the driver.

I had stopped on the road and the lorry crawled forward, slowly slowly then started scraping my car and then stopped.

Crapola, I guess the girlfriend was not keen on waiting more than 30 mins?

I'd have called the Police.

[Diablos-666]

TV8 said:

I used to travel down a road called, of all things, Narrow Lane leading to the Ann Summers roundabout on the way the M25. This used to happen all the time and once I ended up in a stalemate with the lorry driver. He wouldnt reverse and I would have damaged my car. I got out and had a frank exchange of views - he then backed-up.

Gutted for you.

That is the road. I was right near the bottom when the lorry cut that corner and started coming up.

[TV8]

The police dont seem to care, despite the serious accident down there recently. The only other road without a 5 mile detour has had road works on it for months. I actually drove up the road one night last week and a lorry was speeding down it on the upper section. A second or two earlier or later and it would have been an accident.

[Diablos-666]

If I'd have been any closer to that bottom corner the lorry would crashed into me for sure.
I had to slab the anchors on when I saw him.

The sign at the bottom is a restriction of 6ft 6". I've checked the lorry and it's 7ft 2" wide.

Edited by Diablos-666 on Sunday 11th December 22:09

[rm55]

Diablos-666 said:

No, the lorry did touch me. At which point my gf got out and took pictures and spoke to the driver.

I had stopped on the road and the lorry crawled forward, slowly slowly then started scraping my car and then stopped.

This reads that you stopped because you saw that you couldn't both squeeze past, but the lorry didn't stop and drove into you? Don't understand why he couldn't stop and reverse back after he hit you though?

Could you post the pictures that your girlfriend took?

[Diablos-666]

I'm writing from my iPhone so can't post pictures until I'm at work.

The guy didn't want to reverse. Or go forward for causing more damage.

The end of his lorry was by my door, I think he was worried about taking the front of my car out?

Moving forward: I'll speak to my insurance company tomorrow and see what they say.

Anyone recommend a good body shop? I know Surface & Design are highly thought of, would they pick the car up?

I'd rather it be picked up and sorted. What sort of costs will the repair be? Damage is deep deep scratches down the drivers door and rear quarter.

[rm55]

Yeah sorry I missed that you couldn't post the pics in your original post.

So he almost made it past but the trailer/back of the truck cut into your car? Having an HGV licence myself I can see how it might happen but as you weren't even moving I can't see how it can be anything other than 100% his fault. Also the fact that the front of the truck got passed but the end hit you means he turned in too soon before he was fully past - again all his fault. I don't think you could have any insurance worries either way.

[Diablos-666]

Yes that is exactly what happened.

Almost made it past, we heard him hit scrape the car then he stopped.

He refused to reverse for fear of causing even worse damage. I didn't have any other choice but to drive forward causing more damage

[alex_gray255]

Diablos-666 said:

Moving forward: I'll speak to my insurance company tomorrow and see what they say.

Anyone recommend a good body shop? I know Surface & Design are highly thought of, would they pick the car up?

Sorry to hear this! I've had a few close encounters down the lanes where I live, but usually the lorries or tractors involved are not that stupid. If there isn't room, one of us backs up, but the world's full of...

With regards to the above question, I can suggest a number of places that have good experience with TVRs for body works that I know of...
- Surface and Design (ex-TVR factory guys/very experienced)
- Raceproved (just very experienced full stop. Do most of my body work)
- Hilton and Moss (aka Hilton Coachworks. One of the largest approved body repair shops in UK. Also know TVRs inside out. Also done work on my Sagaris and Tuscan)
- Salford Service Centre (specialist body shop. Employs ex-TVR Power body shop folks)

Other people can probably suggest others, but if the above list helps, great.

Some of them offer discounts for TVRCC members, some offer other discounts if you know who to ask and you fit the bill. If you want more info or opinions on them or their discounts, IM me.

Thanks.

Edited by alex_gray255 on Sunday 11th December 17:47

[Diablos-666]

Thanks Alex.

I'll check those out tomorrow, like I said I'd rather a pick up and delivery though so I'll see who can do what.

I feel disgusted driving my car now

[alex_gray255]

I know that Raceproved and Hilton do collections/deliveries.

Not sure of the others though.

Contact details for the above are here...
http://www.tvrcc-herts-beds.co.uk/links.asp

I've also tried to keep track of discount deals as I get to hear of them
or arrange them. The list on that site is not fully up to date, but
everything on there should still be valid as far as I'm aware.

Edited by alex_gray255 on Sunday 11th December 18:14

[Barry Ashcroft]

Report it to the police he was somewhere he should not of been he's liable end off

[Buzz Billsberry]

Barry Ashcroft said:

Report it to the police he was somewhere he should not of been he's liable end off

Agreed. I assume his truck was over the centre white lines?? If so he's technically on your side of the road and driving with undue care and attention.

Buzz

[Geoff Ashcroft]

If he passed the signs for the width restriction and was on a road that was clearly too narrow for his truck, he's got nowhere to hide and has broke the law (unless he lives there and has access). I would try and get the fuzz involved on the basis he broke the law.

[Diablos-666]

Here are the pictures of the incident.











I have a quote from Surface & Design of ~ £600+vat and £1 per mile transportation. I hope the insurers side with me. If they don't then i'll pay for the damage myself