WayneH

I had an incident where one of my neighbours (and supposed friends) reversed into my car over the Xmas period. Here's what actually happened:

I park my car in a residential area. I had been out and about and when I returned home I noticed that one of my neighbours was parked in my usual parking space. Not a problem, so I started to manuoevre (sp?) to park in a space two spaces along. I also reverse into the parking space. I had started to reverse back when I noticed that the reversing lights had come on on the Astra (my neighbours car) that was parked in my space. My initial thought was that she was moving out, so I could get into my, usual, space. So, I stopped, took the car out of reverse (to show I had stopped reversing). I then noticed that she had started to reverse, very quickly out of the space, and had clearly not seen that I was there. I tried to engage 1st and move out of the way but as she had reversed so quickly I was unable to even start moving in time before her rear, drivers side part of her bumper hit my car.

After the incident, she got out of the car and said "Wayne, I am really sorry, I didn't see you at all".

The damage to my car was not that bad. There are two small dents on the rear wheel arch plus some damage to the paint. The bumper is also a bit scraped up. As it took her a long time to stop, the wheel arch on my car scraped right down the side of her car, scraping the bumper, quarter panel and both doors.

Now, as far as I am concerned she was completely to blame. She had clearly not looked before reversing and at the time my car was stationary without even having reverse gear engaged. My insurance company seems to agree that this is the case but her insurance company is trying to dispute it saying that we were both reversing. My partner, was indoors and witnessed the incident and can confirm this was not the case. Certainly, at the time of impact anyway.

So, I have got an accident form here to fill out and it asks the following:

a) Do I consider that this accident was partly the fault of both drivers?
b) Would I accept settlement on a 50/50 basis?
c) Would I be prepared to attend a county court hearing.

I was going to answer:

a) No
b) No
c) Yes

But, I would like to get other people's opinion of the possible outcome. I have not claimed off my motor insurance for 7 years and I currently have full NCD which is protected.

Thanks guys

And sorry for the long post

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2005 Skoda Octavia vRS Hatchback - Black Magic Pearl

Paul1.9L&KOct

Get a quote for your car from a bodyshop and get Mrs neighbour to cough up for the bill.

Probly only be a couple of hundred if that.

Stuff the insurance companies - you'll still be waiting this time next year!!

Tom_vRS

I would stick to your guns, especially if your neighbour is ok about it.

Maybe worthwhile getting a quote for repairs if she is happy to pay up - but I would prefer to go through the insurance, unless you really are friendly.

As an aside, I often cover the horn in such situations, and am straight on it giving a pip in a polite way...

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97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

WayneH

Thanks for the replies guys.

I did think about going to a body shop initially but it does seem like the body shops in this area are very expensive (I live in Berkshire). And given that it's a metallic (pearl) paint it would be very difficult to blend in so I want to get a good quality job done. I expect I'd be looking at £700 plus if I used a good bodyshop around here. It's too late to change things now anyway, as the insurance' bodyshop came and collected it yesterday.

And they scraped the bottom of the car, at the back, when putting it up onto the back of the lorry Scraped the bottom of the chrome tailpipe and the tow hook - I was NOT happy. And that was just the damage I could see, I am on crutches at the moment so have difficulty getting around...

I am quite friendly with the neighbours but they made it clear from the start that they wanted to go through the insurance esp given the damage to her (02 reg) Astra.

I thought afterwards about maybe I should have hit the horn but the problem was the time between me realising that her reversing lights were on and her hitting the car was so short I did not have much time to think

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2005 Skoda Octavia vRS Hatchback - Black Magic Pearl

KentStu

Do it the insurance route anyway and answer the queries in exactly the way you indicated. It sounds like your neighbour is a decent person and has accepted responsibility which should pave the way to an easy settlement.

Her insurance co. is trying it on and the best thing you can do is stick to your guns and be prepared to go to court if necessary - that will make it clear to her insurance company that you mean business and they will probably cut their losses. Just as an aside, the fact that her insurance company is being difficult does not mean she is being difficult - some motor insurers will try anything as a first approach irrespective of the wishes of their assured Good luck

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Stu

Yellow Octy RS & '58 Morris Minor Tourer Owner .......... not a hairdresser

Tom_vRS

My thoughts exactly!

Good luck for a quick settlement.

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97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

WayneH

Thanks guys

I think I will stick to my guns as I originally thought. I'll let you know how I get on.

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2005 Skoda Octavia vRS Hatchback - Black Magic Pearl