Hi everyone
My father had a non fault accident in his pride and joy.
Anyway, it is worthless on the market (1985 toyota camry). The accident occured where the other driving hit the car head on. My father was on his side of the road, and the other driver wasn't.
It was a blind bend. Thankfully, it was very slow (20 mph), but the whole bumper and radiator is bent...a right off.
Now, the other driver initially said it was a both fault claim, but obviusly it isn't!
We have a witness, and I don't think the other driver will claim. He was around 26 years old, but obviously being his fault he should. He is very interested in his NCD, but my mind is set that if there is a blind bend, you take caution. He didn't, and there was little my dad could do.
What would be the next step? Any good suggestions, or places my dad can go to?
Thanks in advance.
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It's very easy to get emotional about accidents, but I've found that the easiest way is to just let your own insurance handle your damage/costs and then try and forget the incident. Trying to take revenge on the other driver (assuming that that is what you are contemplating) usually only raises your blood pressure and that doesn't do you any good at all.
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L\'escargot.
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insurance companies can be slow in resolving these problems, and usually proceed down the easiest way for themselves.
Hand the problem over to one of the claim chasing legal companies - especially as he has a witness. If they accept the claim, then he should have no hassle - and he'll probably get a rental car while the dispute is resolved.
Make sure that he is fully checked over medically and register any possible problems.
Who cares if the other driver wants to save his NCD ? that's entirely his problem.
I didn't think you were suggesting any revenge attacks, this would not help your father.
You may hate the 'compensation claim' culture - but that's the way the UK is wired up these days.
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I didn't think you were suggesting any revenge attacks .....
By "revenge" I meant making an issue, with the police or whoever, of whether or not the other driver was exercising due care and attention. The word "attack" didn't enter my mind.
Assuming that there was no personal injury, if it was me I would channel all my energy into minimising my financial loss. Regarding any other possible aspect of the incident, I would totally avoid the risk of throwing good money after bad. I fell into the trap once in my "angry young man" days, but never again.
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L\'escargot.
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There's seomthing I don't understand so please excuse the questions...
How wide is the road at the bend ? How sharp is the bend ? I understand that its blind, as in you can't see around it, but why [other than that] would you need to take caution. Why would one end up on the wrong side of the road as the other driver apparantly did ?
How did they manage to hit "head on" ? Had one of the vehicles left the corner and the acident was on a straight piece of road ? Why wasn't the collision wing to wing ?
Where on the road, particularly with regard to the white line, did the debris lie ? Did anyone take note of this ? Would the witness be able to comment ?
Did you get the other party's insurance details ?
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Q. How wide is the road at the bend ? How sharp is the bend ? I understand that its blind, as in you can't see around it, but why [other than that] would you need to take caution. Why would one end up on the wrong side of the road as the other driver apparantly did ?
A. The road is just about 2 cars wide in terms of width. The bend was blind because a van which had parked there (half in the road, half in the road) was blocking the view. You would need to take caution based on the fact you can't see beyond that van and anything could be coming towards you. He was on the wrong side of the road because he was passing the van.
Q. How did they manage to hit "head on" ? Had one of the vehicles left the corner and the acident was on a straight piece of road ? Why wasn't the collision wing to wing ?
A. He was on the wrong side of the road because he had to be to get passed the van. As he was going towards the vehicle, he hit it head on.
Q. Where on the road, particularly with regard to the white line, did the debris lie ? Did anyone take note of this ? Would the witness be able to comment ?
The road has no white line in the middle. Debris wise, it was all on my fathers side of the road.
Q. Did you get the other party's insurance details ?
A. Yes, I did. It was an AA policy they had.
Obviously, I want to take this forward. Having seen the accident for myself, I can see that it wasn't the first accident the youngster had (he had dents in the car). Although I understand this could have easily not been his fault (i.e. the dents in his car) his attitude seemed to make me believe it was. Beyond this, lets say it was a cyclist or motorcyclist or even a pedestrian...this could have had far worse consequences. And the youngster initially blamed the van for parking in such a way. Obviously this did have a little to do with the accident, but at the end of the day, if you can't see where you are going, you take extra caution.
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Not being rude, but your vehicle is worth very little, so why not ask the other driver just to give you a few quid and call it quits?
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With 12 months MoT the damaged car was worth £300 tops 9pre-accident). 0 months MoT it's worth say £50 tops, perhaps less. Suggest to the other driver that his loss of NCD, increased premium plus excess calculation makes it worth his while to pay £200 and call it quits.
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I get the impression that the Camry was looked after and a reliable motor? Try finding a good, solid dependable motor for £200! There are some about but many are wrecks and you may be inheriting all sorts of problems! Seems wrong why this is an easy way out for what may appear to be inconsiderate driving. I drive a older car (1982 Granada) which is in excellent order, but not worth a great deal - however I like it and why should I be penalised due to some careless nit wit, if I was to be hit? pink fluffy exhaust pipes the other driver, let him sweat over his NCD!!!
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The 20 y/o Camry was worth nothing on the market, but worth more to its owner. The insurance company won't pay any more than its market worth, in my experience. It's a common tale, sadly.
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The other driver, if at fault, is obliged to compensate you for the loss you have suffered. You are obliged to take reasonable steps to minimize that loss. An immaculate, well-maintained, luxury vehicle will cost more than the "book price" to replace.
Keep a record of all costs incurred - remembering at all times your obligation to minimize your losses.
Once you've found another car of similar age and condition to the old one, buy it and then sue the other driver for the price and your costs.
Yes, you'll have to co-operate with the insurers while they faff around for weeks and make derisory offers, but the court summons will eventually stir them into action. Until they get one they won't take you seriously - IME.
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