Car accident - what to do?

kenny · 30-09-2005, 10:53

Hi all,

my mum was involved in a small bump at a train station car park. basically a young guy reversed into her while she was parked. got his phone number address etc but no insurance details as he didnt have them and tbh i think my mum was a bit shaken and didnt ask.

basically he wanted to pay it cash to save his insurance. we took the car down to the local VW dealer who quoted £430ish for the work, full new back bumper, paint and labour. not the cheapest place but as the car was A1 before hand we wanted them to do it as they have good workmanship.

they young guys grandfather works in the trade. he wanted to come up and see the car, as my mum was in on her own she asked me to go up. i went up and basically listen to rubbish from they grandfather, saying he could fix it for £70. basically painting it! nothing else. i ponted out the bumper was out of allignment and cracked(hairline), also where it used to fit flush at the arches it now flares out-his response " ah they are all like that"!

i responded by showing him the fit of the front bumper, which is perfect, he just grunted and said im spliting hairs!

tbh steam was coming out my ears but i managed to stay calm. we now have the insurance company but no policy number. my mum is giving them till this afternoon to make their mind up, cash or insurance.

the car went back down and was examined by a 2nd engineer and he confirmed that it needs a new bumper. before this the mother of the boy has called VW and been abusive down the phone!

why do all these things get so messy, ive had 2 dings myself and both have been like this, so im trying to deal with this as much as i can.

sorry, Rant over

Schtopper · 30-09-2005, 11:00

To be honest as soon as he'd started talking rubbish i'd have just turned around and said, 'fine forget I shall speak to your insurance company this afternoon and we'll sort it that way'.

Don't make life easy for people, just go through your insurance company and get them to claim back from his, if you have legal cover great cos they'll handle it all.

Dr Zoidberg · 30-09-2005, 11:02

Don't even entertain the notion of letting them pay cash.
Claim on their insurance ASAP and maybe that will teach them too look where they are going.

kenny · 30-09-2005, 11:02

if it was upto me, i would, but because its my mums car, she just wants to give the young lad a chance, sadly his grandfather is an a*seh*ole and making me want to screw them to the deck! the young lad seems ok, he is just getting bad advice from family members!

Martin Keene · 30-09-2005, 11:03

If you phone your insurance company with his details, you don't need the insurance details, just a reg plate. Your insurance company can then get his insurance details from a database and claim for you.

SWMBO had a bump a few years ago, she reversed into a pizza delivery driver, and it went months without us hearing anything. Then a letter turned up saying the claim had been processed. Providing you have his name and reg plate you don't need his policy number.

Claim I say, they shouldn't be making things difficult for you...

ItsOnlyMe_vRS · 30-09-2005, 11:04

I had a prang 3 weeks ago, car didnt stop just hit me. Worked out fine no hastle. Just gave the insurance company the car reg and they told me that the car was insured and that was it.

spinndrift · 30-09-2005, 11:05

I'd agree with what others have said. You've gone down the pleasant route and got nowhere so I'd leave it to the insurance to take all the crap.

kenny · 30-09-2005, 11:06

yeah i couldnt agree more, if they cause anymore grief for my mum ill be dealling with it fully, then they will get a shock

MikeF · 30-09-2005, 11:09

I'd try and get them to pay cash tbh, when your mum renews her insurance they now ask if youve had an accident fault or not fault! If you have it makes your premiums higher. Give them one last chance, tell them your going to have to ring the insurance company if this cant be settled, could your mum not go to an independant garage, still have the bumper repaced but maybe a little cheaper, that could calm them down if you got a quote a bit cheaper!

class37 · 30-09-2005, 11:10

Hope the young guy was insured, or u will lose your NB. happened to me once . Put it this way he like hospital food !!

kenny · 30-09-2005, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeF

I'd try and get them to pay cash tbh, when your mum renews her insurance they now ask if youve had an accident fault or not fault! If you have it makes your premiums higher. Give them one last chance, tell them your going to have to ring the insurance company if this cant be settled, could your mum not go to an independant garage, still have the bumper repaced but maybe a little cheaper, that could calm them down if you got a quote a bit cheaper!

we have had a car repaired before and it went wrong! we are not willing to do it cheaper for them incase of inferior quality.

Quote:

Originally Posted by class37

Hope the young guy was insured, or u will lose your NB. happened to me once . Put it this way he like hospital food !!

my mum has protected NCD so should be ok. but tbh if the guy doesnt turn out to be insured he will have more than £500 to worry about!!

class37 · 30-09-2005, 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny

my mum has protected NCD so should be ok. but tbh if the guy doesnt turn out to be insured he will have more than £500 to worry about!!

Was she in the car at the time?

kenny · 30-09-2005, 11:18

yeah, has an independent witness too

class37 · 30-09-2005, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny

yeah, has an independent witness too

Claim for whip lash lol

That will make them happy

heresmo · 30-09-2005, 11:28

Personally, I'd say to go through insurance, especially if it will be a no-fault claim. If it needs a whole new bumper, it might have misaligned the panels or whatever and thus if done at a proper garage you will have some redress if problems show up later.

Also, aren't you (mum) obliged to notify your insurance company of any accidents under the terms of the policy? If so, you could be giving the ins co a get-out in future if you have not adhered to their terms?

It is perhaps unfortunate that the young lad got it wrong, but that would be his problem IMO.

Regards
Mo

kenny · 30-09-2005, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by heresmo

Also, aren't you (mum) obliged to notify your insurance company of any accidents under the terms of the policy? If so, you could be giving the ins co a get-out in future if you have not adhered to their terms?

thats a good point mate, will check that out, thanks

DangerMouse · 30-09-2005, 11:35

You should also report this to the police (he certainly wouldn't have done).

In the event of an accident resulting in damage to another's property you MUST report the accident, IN PERSON (not by phone etc) to a Constable, as soon as is possible and in any event no later than 24 HOURS after the accident (and I shouldn't be using the word accident, as somebody is always at fault). Failing to report is an offence. Furthermore failing to provide your insurance information when requested by somebody with reason to know is a further offence (ie, if you crash into somebody and dont give them full insurance details when requested then they commit an offence).

What this means to you is that in theory there has been at least 2 offences (not taking into account the possible driving without due care & attention etc). Now, whilst the police may not follow up on this, your insurance company and his might be interested to know that you've done all you can and should and that he hasn't, that way they may be able to use it if it ever went to court.

I had an accident last november resulting in 2.5-3k worth of repairs and had to claim on my insurance as he didn't provide me the information. My insurance company tracked him down, but as a result of not getting full information at the roadside they didn't think they'd be able to get very far in court so didn't try and I lost my NCB.... Cheapest insurance (fully comp + business use, and I called a LOT of people) on my new Furby vRS? Over £1,600 on 10 month bonus accelerator.

heresmo · 30-09-2005, 11:42

FAO DangerMouse

I don't think what you are saying is wholly correct. Not being an expert, I'll leave it there.

Regards
Mo

Stuart_J · 30-09-2005, 11:48

If you still want to be nice Give them 24 hours to agree to pay it with your chosen Repairer & make sure they book it in, otherwise go through Insurance. ALSO inform your Insurance company, get them to agree the cost, tell them exactly whats happening at all times & get them to agree to pick up the tab if he fails to pay.
If for any reason he dosent pay you can then fall back on them. It will be in their interests to play ball as if it goes OK they dont have to pay out
We all pay insurance for a reason & if it gets messy let them earn their keep

Octygone · 30-09-2005, 11:51

Report it to the police and also inform them that they won't give you the policy number and give them full details about what happened. That way you will be in the right.

flatfourburble · 30-09-2005, 11:52

You only HAVE to to report it if a person has been injured. Though it's best to report it as a back up if it all goes wrong.

I had the same sort of problem last month, old woman hit the rear of the car and she just wanted to go with just a sorry. Didn't go through the insurance lucky she paid up fairly quickly, caused £500 worth of damaged.

Though it didn't cost that to repair it as I did all the work myself.

If in doubt call the insurance company and they can give you advice I did this just incase it all went pete tong

kenny · 30-09-2005, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octygone

Report it to the police and also inform them that they won't give you the policy number and give them full details about what happened. That way you will be in the right.

they have until today, if no joy i will go to the police with my mum and make sure they get told everything!

flatfourburble · 30-09-2005, 11:55

they will want to know why you didn't report it sooner, best to report it now for your own peace of mind even if the police do nout.

It will also gelp your insurance companies case if it all goes wrong

lee c · 30-09-2005, 14:17

If He Has Offered To Pay For It He Has Admitted Liablility.

Dr Zoidberg · 30-09-2005, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee c

If He Has Offered To Pay For It He Has Admitted Liablility.

Yes , but without getting this in writing he can just deny any knowledge of this conversation and say the stupid woman reversed into him

30-09-2005, 10:53	#1
kenny Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 3,795 Members Car: Audi A4 Quattro S-Line Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Car accident - what to do? Hi all, my mum was involved in a small bump at a train station car park. basically a young guy reversed into her while she was parked. got his phone number address etc but no insurance details as he didnt have them and tbh i think my mum was a bit shaken and didnt ask. basically he wanted to pay it cash to save his insurance. we took the car down to the local VW dealer who quoted £430ish for the work, full new back bumper, paint and labour. not the cheapest place but as the car was A1 before hand we wanted them to do it as they have good workmanship. they young guys grandfather works in the trade. he wanted to come up and see the car, as my mum was in on her own she asked me to go up. i went up and basically listen to rubbish from they grandfather, saying he could fix it for £70. basically painting it! nothing else. i ponted out the bumper was out of allignment and cracked(hairline), also where it used to fit flush at the arches it now flares out-his response " ah they are all like that"! i responded by showing him the fit of the front bumper, which is perfect, he just grunted and said im spliting hairs! tbh steam was coming out my ears but i managed to stay calm. we now have the insurance company but no policy number. my mum is giving them till this afternoon to make their mind up, cash or insurance. the car went back down and was examined by a 2nd engineer and he confirmed that it needs a new bumper. before this the mother of the boy has called VW and been abusive down the phone! why do all these things get so messy, ive had 2 dings myself and both have been like this, so im trying to deal with this as much as i can. sorry, Rant over __________________ Ive seen a lot of good things die and im in an over emotional way So please hand me the bottle I think im lonely now, and please give me direction I think the hurt has set in, and I don’t feel nothing

30-09-2005, 11:02	#3
Dr Zoidberg Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: On the back of an AA truck with a failed turbo Posts: 10,756 Members Car: Octavia II 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 30 Thanked 195 Times in 146 Posts	Don't even entertain the notion of letting them pay cash. Claim on their insurance ASAP and maybe that will teach them too look where they are going. __________________ Alex "I laugh in the face of danger, then I hide until it goes away" www.drzoidberg.co.uk

30-09-2005, 11:02	#4
kenny Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 3,795 Members Car: Audi A4 Quattro S-Line Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	if it was upto me, i would, but because its my mums car, she just wants to give the young lad a chance, sadly his grandfather is an asehole and making me want to screw them to the deck! the young lad seems ok, he is just getting bad advice from family members! __________________ Ive seen a lot of good things die and im in an over emotional way So please hand me the bottle I think im lonely now, and please give me direction I think the hurt has set in, and I don’t feel nothing

30-09-2005, 11:04	#6
ItsOnlyMe_vRS Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Berkshire Posts: 316 Members Car: Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I had a prang 3 weeks ago, car didnt stop just hit me. Worked out fine no hastle. Just gave the insurance company the car reg and they told me that the car was insured and that was it. Last edited by ItsOnlyMe_vRS; 30-09-2005 at 11:06.

30-09-2005, 11:05	#7
spinndrift Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Woking/Bolton Le Sands Posts: 6,643 Members Car: Roomster Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	I'd agree with what others have said. You've gone down the pleasant route and got nowhere so I'd leave it to the insurance to take all the crap. __________________ Rev. Andy The Rallying Reverend www.miniroadrunnerrallying.co.uk Engine data aquisition is fun

30-09-2005, 11:00	#2
Schtopper Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South West UK (Devon) Posts: 249 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	To be honest as soon as he'd started talking rubbish i'd have just turned around and said, 'fine forget I shall speak to your insurance company this afternoon and we'll sort it that way'. Don't make life easy for people, just go through your insurance company and get them to claim back from his, if you have legal cover great cos they'll handle it all.

30-09-2005, 11:03	#5
Martin Keene Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Peterborough Posts: 200 Members Car: Octavia vRS & Westfield Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If you phone your insurance company with his details, you don't need the insurance details, just a reg plate. Your insurance company can then get his insurance details from a database and claim for you. SWMBO had a bump a few years ago, she reversed into a pizza delivery driver, and it went months without us hearing anything. Then a letter turned up saying the claim had been processed. Providing you have his name and reg plate you don't need his policy number. Claim I say, they shouldn't be making things difficult for you...

30-09-2005, 11:06	#8
kenny Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 3,795 Members Car: Audi A4 Quattro S-Line Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	yeah i couldnt agree more, if they cause anymore grief for my mum ill be dealling with it fully, then they will get a shock __________________ Ive seen a lot of good things die and im in an over emotional way So please hand me the bottle I think im lonely now, and please give me direction I think the hurt has set in, and I don’t feel nothing

30-09-2005, 11:09	#9
MikeF Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: north west uk (bury) Posts: 1,337 Members Car: Thanks: 54 Thanked 37 Times in 28 Posts	I'd try and get them to pay cash tbh, when your mum renews her insurance they now ask if youve had an accident fault or not fault! If you have it makes your premiums higher. Give them one last chance, tell them your going to have to ring the insurance company if this cant be settled, could your mum not go to an independant garage, still have the bumper repaced but maybe a little cheaper, that could calm them down if you got a quote a bit cheaper!

30-09-2005, 11:10	#10
class37 Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cumbria Posts: 248 Members Car: ZX10 R at the moment Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hope the young guy was insured, or u will lose your NB. happened to me once . Put it this way he like hospital food !!

30-09-2005, 11:18	#13
kenny Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 3,795 Members Car: Audi A4 Quattro S-Line Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	yeah, has an independent witness too __________________ Ive seen a lot of good things die and im in an over emotional way So please hand me the bottle I think im lonely now, and please give me direction I think the hurt has set in, and I don’t feel nothing

30-09-2005, 11:28	#15
heresmo Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,568 Members Car: Thanks: 51 Thanked 146 Times in 125 Posts	Personally, I'd say to go through insurance, especially if it will be a no-fault claim. If it needs a whole new bumper, it might have misaligned the panels or whatever and thus if done at a proper garage you will have some redress if problems show up later. Also, aren't you (mum) obliged to notify your insurance company of any accidents under the terms of the policy? If so, you could be giving the ins co a get-out in future if you have not adhered to their terms? It is perhaps unfortunate that the young lad got it wrong, but that would be his problem IMO. Regards Mo

30-09-2005, 11:35	#17
DangerMouse Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Surrey, UK Posts: 508 Members Car: Octavia vRS Mk2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	You should also report this to the police (he certainly wouldn't have done). In the event of an accident resulting in damage to another's property you MUST report the accident, IN PERSON (not by phone etc) to a Constable, as soon as is possible and in any event no later than 24 HOURS after the accident (and I shouldn't be using the word accident, as somebody is always at fault). Failing to report is an offence. Furthermore failing to provide your insurance information when requested by somebody with reason to know is a further offence (ie, if you crash into somebody and dont give them full insurance details when requested then they commit an offence). What this means to you is that in theory there has been at least 2 offences (not taking into account the possible driving without due care & attention etc). Now, whilst the police may not follow up on this, your insurance company and his might be interested to know that you've done all you can and should and that he hasn't, that way they may be able to use it if it ever went to court. I had an accident last november resulting in 2.5-3k worth of repairs and had to claim on my insurance as he didn't provide me the information. My insurance company tracked him down, but as a result of not getting full information at the roadside they didn't think they'd be able to get very far in court so didn't try and I lost my NCB.... Cheapest insurance (fully comp + business use, and I called a LOT of people) on my new Furby vRS? Over £1,600 on 10 month bonus accelerator. __________________ Had: Mk 2 Octavia 1.6MPI Had: Black Magic Furby vRS w/ Cruise Control Had: Mk 1 Octavia vRS - They've had too much of my money now! Got: Mk 2 Octavia vRS TFSI - I need to stop buying Skodas now - It's just getting silly!

30-09-2005, 11:42	#18
heresmo Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,568 Members Car: Thanks: 51 Thanked 146 Times in 125 Posts	FAO DangerMouse I don't think what you are saying is wholly correct. Not being an expert, I'll leave it there. Regards Mo

30-09-2005, 11:48	#19
Stuart_J Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Winchester Posts: 5,717 Members Car: Nissan 350Z Twin Turbo Also Octavia 1.9 TDI L&K & Superb td 140 Thanks: 39 Thanked 85 Times in 78 Posts	If you still want to be nice Give them 24 hours to agree to pay it with your chosen Repairer & make sure they book it in, otherwise go through Insurance. ALSO inform your Insurance company, get them to agree the cost, tell them exactly whats happening at all times & get them to agree to pick up the tab if he fails to pay. If for any reason he dosent pay you can then fall back on them. It will be in their interests to play ball as if it goes OK they dont have to pay out We all pay insurance for a reason & if it gets messy let them earn their keep __________________ Speed is an addiction for which thankfully there is no cure

30-09-2005, 11:51	#20
Octygone Old Git Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 6,827 Members Car: Octavia II tdi ..for now Thanks: 182 Thanked 116 Times in 75 Posts	Report it to the police and also inform them that they won't give you the policy number and give them full details about what happened. That way you will be in the right.

30-09-2005, 11:52	#21
flatfourburble "Bones" Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Heathrow/Crewe Posts: 5,449 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	You only HAVE to to report it if a person has been injured. Though it's best to report it as a back up if it all goes wrong. I had the same sort of problem last month, old woman hit the rear of the car and she just wanted to go with just a sorry. Didn't go through the insurance lucky she paid up fairly quickly, caused £500 worth of damaged. Though it didn't cost that to repair it as I did all the work myself. If in doubt call the insurance company and they can give you advice I did this just incase it all went pete tong __________________ Oh to have the internet back..................oh have I missed it

30-09-2005, 11:55	#23
flatfourburble "Bones" Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Heathrow/Crewe Posts: 5,449 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	they will want to know why you didn't report it sooner, best to report it now for your own peace of mind even if the police do nout. It will also gelp your insurance companies case if it all goes wrong __________________ Oh to have the internet back..................oh have I missed it

30-09-2005, 14:17	#24
lee c Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 207 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If He Has Offered To Pay For It He Has Admitted Liablility. __________________ I don't have a signature. It's all chip and pin now.

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