Forced off road by dangerous driver, damage to car
Discussion
Hi all
Nearly two weeks back I was pretty shook up after being forced off the road by a dangerous driver, sustained damage to my car (approx 2k) and to my rhs arm, I’m currently off work because of it.
Long story short, the road In question is a very good quality road with good vision (see pic of my view and direction of travel just before incident)
I’ve just came over the crest of a hill and started a decent down a gentle hill, I noticed in the distance a motorcycle just finish an overtake on a van (2 vans and two bikes heading toward me that I can see)
Then a second vehicle pulls out from behind the same van (furthest away from me) and starts to overtake, I dip my brakes instinctively (honestly was at no more than 60) he keeps coming towards me my side of the road, as he gets yet closer on my side, I hit the brakes hard and abs kicks in, he is still coming at me, at this point I’m certain if I stop dead in my lane he will hit me head on due to the speed he is carrying so I’ve no option but to take evasive action and drive car hard to the lhs, mount a kerb and get my car out of the way on the oncoming vehicle, I had to take my whole car off the road, all four wheels, ended up with the passenger wheels on the grass verge and the drivers side wheels on the pedestrian footpath see crude red lines on pic)
Other driver did a runner! Have cctv footage clearly showing vehicle passing two petrol stations on this rad before and after the place the incident took place, second time stamp pretty much confirms that they didn’t stop too.
Rang the police and reported it, with a description of car, didn’t get a reg but did describe it, light colour, people carrier, mpv type and for some reason thought it might be electric, police man said with out a reg I’d no hope :-(
10 mins later the same officer rang me back saying a member of the public had reported the incident and gave a number plate, stil, not sure if ther are or are not willing to make a formal statement, next day I had to make a statement, asked if I’d go to court…no problem, I was given the other drivers details on a card, name, registration, insurance details, policy number (still don’t understand how they could give this to me when they hadn’t even approached him yet) turned out I was on the money, a silver, electric mpv, since that I’ve really had no updates, apart from they are going to approach the drive to make them declare who was driving at the time of the alleged incident and then get them to come in for an interview.
I damaged two tyres and two wheels on my car, hurt my rhs arm and am currently of work as I drive to different sites every day and can’t due to my arm, currently attending physio and car is off the road since the incident.
Rang my insurance, told them the whole story and they said no problem I can claim of my own insurance but they will not pursue his as there was no contact between the cars, So that’s my insurance through the roof if I do.
Decided to order the wheels and tyres myself to avoid this and go and see a solicitor to recover my costs, didn’t go well, he was more interested in his fees and what he could charge me (175 an hour and that could rise by a maximum of 200%) said a few times that no matter what happened he would need paid, would invoice me every month for work done and to be aware that if it went to court, even we won, some insurance companies don’t cover all legal costs and his fees would come out of any monies I’d receive.
Said he would be looking £175 for the initial meeting I had with him yesterday even If don’t formally engage him.
Feeling a bit disappointed at this point and just don’t really know what to do next,
Any advice would really be welcome at this point :-) thanks
Nearly two weeks back I was pretty shook up after being forced off the road by a dangerous driver, sustained damage to my car (approx 2k) and to my rhs arm, I’m currently off work because of it.
Long story short, the road In question is a very good quality road with good vision (see pic of my view and direction of travel just before incident)
I’ve just came over the crest of a hill and started a decent down a gentle hill, I noticed in the distance a motorcycle just finish an overtake on a van (2 vans and two bikes heading toward me that I can see)
Then a second vehicle pulls out from behind the same van (furthest away from me) and starts to overtake, I dip my brakes instinctively (honestly was at no more than 60) he keeps coming towards me my side of the road, as he gets yet closer on my side, I hit the brakes hard and abs kicks in, he is still coming at me, at this point I’m certain if I stop dead in my lane he will hit me head on due to the speed he is carrying so I’ve no option but to take evasive action and drive car hard to the lhs, mount a kerb and get my car out of the way on the oncoming vehicle, I had to take my whole car off the road, all four wheels, ended up with the passenger wheels on the grass verge and the drivers side wheels on the pedestrian footpath see crude red lines on pic)
Other driver did a runner! Have cctv footage clearly showing vehicle passing two petrol stations on this rad before and after the place the incident took place, second time stamp pretty much confirms that they didn’t stop too.
Rang the police and reported it, with a description of car, didn’t get a reg but did describe it, light colour, people carrier, mpv type and for some reason thought it might be electric, police man said with out a reg I’d no hope :-(
10 mins later the same officer rang me back saying a member of the public had reported the incident and gave a number plate, stil, not sure if ther are or are not willing to make a formal statement, next day I had to make a statement, asked if I’d go to court…no problem, I was given the other drivers details on a card, name, registration, insurance details, policy number (still don’t understand how they could give this to me when they hadn’t even approached him yet) turned out I was on the money, a silver, electric mpv, since that I’ve really had no updates, apart from they are going to approach the drive to make them declare who was driving at the time of the alleged incident and then get them to come in for an interview.
I damaged two tyres and two wheels on my car, hurt my rhs arm and am currently of work as I drive to different sites every day and can’t due to my arm, currently attending physio and car is off the road since the incident.
Rang my insurance, told them the whole story and they said no problem I can claim of my own insurance but they will not pursue his as there was no contact between the cars, So that’s my insurance through the roof if I do.
Decided to order the wheels and tyres myself to avoid this and go and see a solicitor to recover my costs, didn’t go well, he was more interested in his fees and what he could charge me (175 an hour and that could rise by a maximum of 200%) said a few times that no matter what happened he would need paid, would invoice me every month for work done and to be aware that if it went to court, even we won, some insurance companies don’t cover all legal costs and his fees would come out of any monies I’d receive.
Said he would be looking £175 for the initial meeting I had with him yesterday even If don’t formally engage him.
Feeling a bit disappointed at this point and just don’t really know what to do next,
Any advice would really be welcome at this point :-) thanks
Edited by Youforreal. on Friday 12th April 09:08
Cheers for all the replies gents :-)
Just off the phone with my insurance company and mentioned the insurance ombudsman, that seems to have changed their tune, all details taken on the police incident report (this far) and they will be approaching the police for further information and his insurance company as well it seems.
I’ve a lot of other stuff going on at the moment and none good so just a hassle I didn’t need right now, life getting in the way of a good time again.
Just off the phone with my insurance company and mentioned the insurance ombudsman, that seems to have changed their tune, all details taken on the police incident report (this far) and they will be approaching the police for further information and his insurance company as well it seems.
I’ve a lot of other stuff going on at the moment and none good so just a hassle I didn’t need right now, life getting in the way of a good time again.
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