RTA Advice

[Minimad5]

Evening all,

Had my first road traffic accident today, someone decided to pull out on me as i was already on a roundabout, and you know the rest.

 

As it's the first time i've ever had an accident, i need to ask some questions:

 

I'm only T.P.F&F (third part fire ...) so insurance won't repair my car, they have however passed me onto some company (abass or something) and they said they can sort it all out from third party, as he was at fault, but they reeled off loads of terms and conditions, so i'm not sure what to do - repair it myself or get them to chase other persons insuranc ?

 

Really hope he doesn't start lieing either, as i just want a smooth 'transaction'

 

Other advice greatfully recieved, as i dunnay have a bloody clue here

[Bobthebeard]

If you were not at fault then it will be sorted by the other persons insurance. Regardless of your level of cover.

Providing it was clearly their fault etc..

[HH-R]

Aye, if it's the other person at fault then they should fix your car or write it off and give you CASH MONIEZ without any penalty.*

 

*Unfortunately you'll have to claim it as a non fault accident for the next 3/5 years come renewal time which often puts the price up.

[Parky]

Provided its an economic repair - what car is it Minimad and that sort of damage have you got?

[eddyramrod]

I'm sure others will be along to tell you stories, but FWIW...

Take lots of photos, both of your car and where it happened.

Are you feeling any pain or other ill effects?  If so, get straight to hospital and get checked out.

Is your car still usable?

Definitely have Abass (or whoever they are) chase up the other guy's insurance.  They are supposed to bring you back to the position you were in before the crash, at least in terms of your car.  Whether that means repairing it, or sending you a cheque... well that remains to be seen.  You can assume the other party will lie, like a rug.  If he then tells the truth, it's a bonus.

And... good luck!

[Bobthebeard]

Aye, if it's the other person at fault then they should fix your car or write it off and give you CASH MONIEZ without any penalty.*

 

*Unfortunately you'll have to claim it as a non fault accident for the next 3/5 years come renewal time which often puts the price up.

Non fault accident had no effect on the cost of my renewal TBH.

[Minimad5]

It shocked me to be honest, he seemed to just not give a shit and pull out.

Yeah i've been to the local medical place, but that wasn't very helpful 'take paracetamol'

Now that i'm back and relaxing, my head is absolutely booming, possibly from inertia ?

 

Its a V70 with localised damage - Headlight smashed and front wing creased, bumper has some scuffs, but i can live with scuffs for now.

Thankfully airbags did not deploy.

I assume my excess will be deducted from my account soon ?

 

Stress !

[HH-R]

You shouldn't have to pay any excess if it's clear cut that the other party was at fault.

[Bobthebeard]

Is your head booming with just the stress or actual injury? Depending on your honesty you may go down the claims route. Personally I would never claim if not actually injured, but up to you!

[purplebargeken]

Glad you are ok first of all!

 

Can you fix it yourself? If so, get parts prices and shove them at the fuckwits insurance company.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

If the Accident Management company are willing to take your case, which they only do if it's 100% guaranteed that they'll get their money ,ie clear cut not your fault with witnesses, go for it.

I've used similar companies twice in the last 5 years and it's great having everything taken care of ,they even use their own tame assessor etc so you don't have to argue write off values. They also don't take your excess and usually offer the salvage to you.The reason is obviously because they make 10 times what your claim costs.

But to misquote Lyndon B Johnson-' They might be ambulance chasing bastards,but they're your ambulance chasing bastards' .

[HH-R]

Headache might be stress, or did you hit your bonce when you were hit? I got hit up the back as a passenger once and smacked my head on the B pillar.

[dollywobbler]

If your insurance is being an arse, speak to the other bloke's insurance directly. There's no need to get another company involved - they just want a slice of the cash settlement. At no stage should you have to pay an excess. 

[Minimad5]

I don't know bob, but i can assure you i'm not one of these 'cash' claim type of person.

I'm not really bothered too much about a bit of pain, as-long as it doesn't affect me at work.

 

My girlfriend is complaining of typical shoulder and neck injuries, as the impact was focused on her side.

I just want the gentleman to have his vehicle repaired (and blooming think about the gap next time) , and for my vehicle to at-least get a new headlight, but will certainly be nice to have it looking good again.

[skattrd]

Be careful, were there witnesses?

If no witnesses the other party can change their story and try to make out it was your fault, then its your word against theirs.

 

I had a small accident 2 years ago, I say it was other parties fault but they didn't accept liability and changed their story when it got to the insurer. Now we have two parties with 2 different stories and no witnesses. 2 years later it still isn't settled as neither of us will accept liability.

[Minimad5]

I have pictures that show the area of damage to both vehicles (his immediate front, and my front JUST before wheel) which 'obviously' explains he pulled out into my path - or the damage would have been further along his vehicle.

 

Really in two minds what to do.

I have some sort of legal cover, wonder if they have any advice.

[Mr Lobster]

Your insurer can deal with it if it definately wasn't your fault - thats what you pay them for.  I'd be wary of involving an accident management company tbh. 

 

Do you have witnesses? - if so pass their details to your insurer. Without winesses it can become a lot harder if the third party changes their story and says you were at fault. Also worth finding out if the area is covered by CCTV and pass details to insurer or ask for copy yourself.

[wuvvum]

Dash cams are your friend in situations like this.

 

 

 

[Minimad5]

No witnesses stopped, but the roundabout was bloody chocker with people... And the area is covered with CCTV

[alf892]

Norfolk makes a good case....just make sure the t and c do not include a part which makes you liable for the costs if you case fails or liability is split.

This would mean that they charge you for any car they provide if they can't stick the full charge to the other insurers.

And if liability is that clear cut you don't need anyone in the middle.......

[dollywobbler]

If you have the other party's details, I'd try the direct approach first. Ambulance chasers can FRO. If there's an admission of liability, then it's pretty plain sailing but DO NOT let ANYONE take your car away. If an assessment is needed, get the assessor to come to the car. 

 

To be honest, if it's just minor damage, I'd be tempted to fix it myself. If all goes well and the third party insurer offers to stump up, then I'm sure they'd be happy to pay a bill of one wing and a headlamp rather than whatever a bodyshop would choose to do the job. If the insurer won't stump up then just chalk it up to experience. Sometimes, it isn't worth the hassle. 

 

When my 2CV got thumped VERY hard up the arse, I had a sore neck for a couple of days. It cleared up so no personal injury claim was made.

[Minimad5]

Thanks guys.

I shall contact his insurance tomorrow after this legal cover contact me, although my insurance said they will deal with it all.

I'll get some parts prices tonight and ask them to cover costs since there customer was at fault

[dollywobbler]

I must admit, I would expect your insurance to do a slightly better job than just palm you off onto another company. Mine ended up getting horribly messy due to the bloody awful legal company that Footman James was using at the times. Ended up in court arguing over a £150 excess! The other side didn't quibble the thousands to fix my car or the subsequent hire cars I made the mistake of getting (because they were offered - no doubt at considerable mark-up so that insurance premiums keep rising for everyone. Same story as ambulance chasers).

[alf892]

I got a tap up the back a couple of years ago.....

 

Rang my insurers (flux)........claims dept run by am company.

 

Rang other side......same.

 

Googled other side....turned out to be the pru......although sold by m and s.

 

So I rang directly and explained that whole system seemed to be geared to each team shagging the other and told them I just wanted my car fixed. No courtesy car and no medical claim.

Got estimate from place of my choice.......assessor came and had quick look.

Took car to get fixed and paid nothing.....no excess

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Whilst the view from the moral high ground might be lovely.

The view from the bus stop whilst waiting for the 3rd parties insurance company to settle what ,unless the V70 is less than about 6 years old will probably be a write off is not quite as pleasant.

 

Insurance costs shitloads, and taking a pointless stand against ambulance chasers is not going to reduce our premiums next year.

With my hire and reward policy,trade policy and 4 kids cars I pay £5,000 a year for car insurance and I'm fucked if im going to let any myopic twat's inattention cost me one single penny on top.

[dollywobbler]

It's that sense of entitlement which pushes the premiums up every year!

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I know , but when there are MPV loads of scammers getting tens of thousands in compo for Whiplash* in every sink estate around the country, I don't think engaging a company to ensure your car is either repaired or replaced without been out of pocket is too much to ask, it is part of the insurance process these days, as evidenced by Minimad having one recommended to him by his insurance company.

[Luxxo Waftybarger]

Speaking as a lawyer (unqualified) can I just say please speak to a proper road traffic accident or personal injury solicitor. Your insurance won't cover you for your own claim against third parties, only damage you cause to others as that is the point of third party policies.

 

A claims management company will take their fees from any settlement you obtain from the party at fault, possibly at exhorbitant rates. A solicitor may give you a better deal. There is no reason why you should accept anything less than the loss you have genuinely suffered, including injury to yourself as well as the car. Straightforward car accident claims are highly streamlined now and can be done cheaply but don't accept the first ambulance chaser you're offered.

 

Shop around for the best deal.

[Twiggy]

Ifyou`re a member of te AA or the RAC, it may well be worth while contacting them fo help.

[TimothyClaypole]

I'm with the AA - might see the rest of my money in 3 months if I'm lucky.