"Slight" Mishap :-(
Discussion
First post and one of woe! Had a "slight" mishap last night. Accelerating fairly gently around a gentle bend just after turning from a side road so doing 20-25 at most and the back end twitched, not by much but enough to touch the curb throwing the front end out of shape and I side swiped an oncoming car, it's a fairly narrow road. Not sure if it was because it was so cold, something on the road or simply my mistake, although previously driven in rain plenty of times without any dramas.
Damage is mainly drivers side wing and front including the radiator, plus the bonnet went flying cracking the windscreen. Possibly also some suspension damage on that side.
Anyway took some photos and sent them to a TVR repair company and they estimate a £9K repair bill, does that sound about right? Something like £3.5K for the wings/front, £800 for the bonnet, and a silly amount for the windscreen, checking/fixing the suspension, paint and labor. If so it's going to be a write off
Real pain as I'd got it just like I wanted, full respray, all the Leven bits etc.
Also the police said its a possibility that I might get done for careless driving, anyone had a similar experience and is it likely to happen (almost all crashes could be counted as careless). They said if it did come to that it would be a fine and points which would really make my day!
Damage is mainly drivers side wing and front including the radiator, plus the bonnet went flying cracking the windscreen. Possibly also some suspension damage on that side.
Anyway took some photos and sent them to a TVR repair company and they estimate a £9K repair bill, does that sound about right? Something like £3.5K for the wings/front, £800 for the bonnet, and a silly amount for the windscreen, checking/fixing the suspension, paint and labor. If so it's going to be a write off
Real pain as I'd got it just like I wanted, full respray, all the Leven bits etc. Also the police said its a possibility that I might get done for careless driving, anyone had a similar experience and is it likely to happen (almost all crashes could be counted as careless). They said if it did come to that it would be a fine and points which would really make my day!
Sorry to hear the news Mark. I hope you're OK though. It sounds quite harsh to be threatening a "careless driving", but that might be more 'cause the other chap reported you. It possibly depends on what corrective action you took and what you told the BiB. That said, at night there could have been ice about which may save you.
Sorry I can't be any help on the money bit, although 4.5k+ for the bits you didn't put a price on sounds quite high to me. That said, I understand windscreens are not a straight-forward job.
Good luck anyway
.
Sorry I can't be any help on the money bit, although 4.5k+ for the bits you didn't put a price on sounds quite high to me. That said, I understand windscreens are not a straight-forward job.
Good luck anyway
.count duckula said:been there,done that.except mine was a cat
when the police come to take a statment you could add in the bits of the accident that you 'forgot' ie the deer/dog that ran out in front of you causing you to swerve etc
Malc
.got let off completely,even after those nice boys in blue calculated by the skid lines that i was doing at least 18mph ott! so there are some good ones out there after all
Sorry to hear about your mishap, glad your OK.
A windscreen should too much to the bill, last I heard they were about £500 fully fitted. If you have some pics you could post a couple on here and maybe we could give a better view on your mishap.
But I have to say, if the roads near you were anything like a majority of the county 25mph does sound little excessive, but not enough for the BiB to do you for careless driving - sorry.
>> Edited by aaandy on Thursday 29th January 08:52
A windscreen should too much to the bill, last I heard they were about £500 fully fitted. If you have some pics you could post a couple on here and maybe we could give a better view on your mishap.
But I have to say, if the roads near you were anything like a majority of the county 25mph does sound little excessive, but not enough for the BiB to do you for careless driving - sorry.
>> Edited by aaandy on Thursday 29th January 08:52
count duckula said:
when the police come to take a statment you could add in the bits of the accident that you 'forgot' ie the deer/dog that ran out in front of you causing you to swerve etc
Malc
No need to be that creative (and say something that others may have witnesses denying) ... in these circumstances just say you sneezed.
It's not avoidable and you must physically close your eyes - AIUI you cannot get done for the results of a violent sneeze which may throw your driving off line a bit (well according to the guy in our company's legal department) ...
Thanks for all the comments. Everyone was fine (myself and the other driver). Hardly felt the impact but the Chim looks really sad!
The road is a main road just around the corner from me, and as bends go it's really gentle and only about 20 yards from the junction I joined it, I've driven around it countless times. Which makes me wonder if it wasn't my driving that caused it but assuming it wasn't there's no way of proving it now.
The other party parked up and then did a runner leaving their (or not) car behind. He may "just" have been uninsured.
Not sure about embelishing, don't want to possibly get in to any more trouble. I told the police at the time basically what happened: I accelerated (not particularly hard), back end stepped out slightly, hit curb pushing front end out, hit oncoming car.
Marc
The road is a main road just around the corner from me, and as bends go it's really gentle and only about 20 yards from the junction I joined it, I've driven around it countless times. Which makes me wonder if it wasn't my driving that caused it but assuming it wasn't there's no way of proving it now.
The other party parked up and then did a runner leaving their (or not) car behind. He may "just" have been uninsured.
Not sure about embelishing, don't want to possibly get in to any more trouble. I told the police at the time basically what happened: I accelerated (not particularly hard), back end stepped out slightly, hit curb pushing front end out, hit oncoming car.
Marc
Admit to nothing is my best advice. You are not obliged to prove your innocence, the BiB have to prove your guilt.
If the other party did a runner, there is no chance of any corrobative evidence and the police will be unable to proceed.
Hopefully you have not been economic with the truth here, but I do not believe the police can find the evidence on which they can prosecute?
Q. Are you an AA or RAC member? You can get free legal advice through their legal dept.
If the other party did a runner, there is no chance of any corrobative evidence and the police will be unable to proceed.
Hopefully you have not been economic with the truth here, but I do not believe the police can find the evidence on which they can prosecute?
Q. Are you an AA or RAC member? You can get free legal advice through their legal dept.
Hello PeterC,
No, not being economical with the truth, wouldn't be any point asking for opinions if I were.
Not sure how not to admit to "anything". If they ask "was it your fault" I can't really say no. If they ask "were you speeding" then I can truthfully say no. Or had you something else in mind?
No I haven't AA/RAC membership but need to check out my car insurance to see if I have legal advice (fully comp with protected no claims from Highway Insurance via Peart). Good point thanks.
No, not being economical with the truth, wouldn't be any point asking for opinions if I were.
Not sure how not to admit to "anything". If they ask "was it your fault" I can't really say no. If they ask "were you speeding" then I can truthfully say no. Or had you something else in mind?
No I haven't AA/RAC membership but need to check out my car insurance to see if I have legal advice (fully comp with protected no claims from Highway Insurance via Peart). Good point thanks.
Of course if my company specialises in insurance for TVRs I would keep a pretty close eye on the internet. Did you know www.pistonheads.com is renowned for its TVR driver forums. You know it was only 2 weeks ago at Racing Green when a Motorway Patrol fast response Police driver was telling me about the site, and how 'enlightening' it could be...bingo guys.
Oh, by the way, I hide my keys in a plantpot, but don't tell anyone
Oh, by the way, I hide my keys in a plantpot, but don't tell anyone
you can get a repair done with non factory parts
have a look here
www.b-link.co.uk/tet/tet/chimaera.htm
front end 1k
bonnet 400 quid.
have a look here
www.b-link.co.uk/tet/tet/chimaera.htm
front end 1k
bonnet 400 quid.
Price could well be right if my experience is anything to go by. Only had my cerb for four weeks and just before christmas allowed myself to be distracted in slow moving stop start traffic. Rear ended somebody else at not more than 10-15mph and now without the car for ten weeks whilst being repaired at TVR Bodyshop in Bristol and £10k+ for repairs. £3.5k for the new front end as all one unit, £3.5k+ for labour,then parts paint and vat and bingo into 5 figures. I had only paid one insurance premium and I know its silly but I do feel pretty guilty about hitting the insurance company for that kind of bill in relation to what they have had out of me. I'm sure they will extract their pound of flesh come renewal though - OUCH
Amazing how much damage a fairly slow impact causes to a fibreglass body. Remember seeing a Lotus Elan that had been rear ended at a traffic light and the whole body had prett much disintegrated!
My chim's only worth about £13K and I've been told that Higway Insurance write off if the repairs come to more than 50% of the value. So it's not looking good on that score.
At the moment more concerned about any possible police action as the insurance company will either be paying for the repairs or fork out.
My chim's only worth about £13K and I've been told that Higway Insurance write off if the repairs come to more than 50% of the value. So it's not looking good on that score.
At the moment more concerned about any possible police action as the insurance company will either be paying for the repairs or fork out.
Bit of advice on the Bib issue.
Quite some years ago, they did me following an accident, for driving without due care and attention. At the time the Bibs attending used such phrases as : Our enquiry is just routine, you should be OK, doubt it will proceed etc ... Due to my inexperience at the time I believed them, then when I did get the summons, pleaded guilty, getting points and a fine. Over the years I've had a number of friends who have had minor accidents and have been handled similarly. Quite a few have disputed it, pleaded not-guilty and the case was either dropped or they were indeed found not-guilty.
The message :
Don't admit anything
Don't trust any 'assurances'
Get a good solicitor
Don't let them itimidate you as that is the strategy employed by CPS.
Also - really sorry to hear about the car.
Quite some years ago, they did me following an accident, for driving without due care and attention. At the time the Bibs attending used such phrases as : Our enquiry is just routine, you should be OK, doubt it will proceed etc ... Due to my inexperience at the time I believed them, then when I did get the summons, pleaded guilty, getting points and a fine. Over the years I've had a number of friends who have had minor accidents and have been handled similarly. Quite a few have disputed it, pleaded not-guilty and the case was either dropped or they were indeed found not-guilty.
The message :
Don't admit anything
Don't trust any 'assurances'
Get a good solicitor
Don't let them itimidate you as that is the strategy employed by CPS.
Also - really sorry to hear about the car.
A polite warning to all in this situation. When you are asked by the deliberately very friendly and helpfull policeman "what happened" you tell him I am not sure. If pressed you decline to answer at this time and inform the officer you will be happy to provide a statement in due course. Giving you the time to take advice if you think you need it.
Any information given at time of the accident, is likely to appear as evidence in the summons and read something like "when questioned the defendant admitted that....." So the golden rule is to say nothing, give no comment at the time and protect your rights.
I am no expert and have no legal training, just experience. Comments from others welcome - do we have any solicitors out there.
Any information given at time of the accident, is likely to appear as evidence in the summons and read something like "when questioned the defendant admitted that....." So the golden rule is to say nothing, give no comment at the time and protect your rights.
I am no expert and have no legal training, just experience. Comments from others welcome - do we have any solicitors out there.
You don't have to admit it was your fault. Accidents aren't anyone's fault. It was just an accident in poor conditions that you had recognised and had adjusted your driving accordingly. Your car lost grip unpredictably. It wasn't careless it was just very bad luck, especially that there was another car there to collect up.
If the repair costs are disclosed to the court, that might not count in your favour though. They might not appreciate TVR repair bills and doubt your 25mph.
Check your legal expenses policy though. That usually covers fatal accidents and uninsured losses. Is defending a due care charge included?
Read up on Ballistic Banana's Griffith repair from last year. A car he didn't want written off, so agreed a contract repair with insurance company to keep a lid on costs.
www.pistonheads.com/tvr/index.asp?storyId=6855
>> Edited by rat on Friday 30th January 20:16
If the repair costs are disclosed to the court, that might not count in your favour though. They might not appreciate TVR repair bills and doubt your 25mph.
Check your legal expenses policy though. That usually covers fatal accidents and uninsured losses. Is defending a due care charge included?
Read up on Ballistic Banana's Griffith repair from last year. A car he didn't want written off, so agreed a contract repair with insurance company to keep a lid on costs.
www.pistonheads.com/tvr/index.asp?storyId=6855
>> Edited by rat on Friday 30th January 20:16
Hi Rat,
Thanks for that.
Thought my Chim's body faired badly but at least it's only wing, bonnet and front, not the whole lot!
Considering the price of bonnets as mine isn't badly damaged, a small V shape out of one edge, about 2" wide x 1" deep and scratches, might be salvagable and save some dosh.
Marc
Thanks for that.
Thought my Chim's body faired badly but at least it's only wing, bonnet and front, not the whole lot!
Considering the price of bonnets as mine isn't badly damaged, a small V shape out of one edge, about 2" wide x 1" deep and scratches, might be salvagable and save some dosh.
Marc
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