My 23 year old son was hit by a tree when he was driving recently. The tree was an old tree and when the police came along they said that this happens sometimes when the ground is very wet. Luckily he stopped after impact and he was not hurt and no other vehicles involved.
Car needs a new windscreen but also a new radiator and some repairs to the engine and minor bodywork - cost probably £1,500 plus hire car.
Insurance is a big problem as it my son's second accident within 2 years. He is covered on his mother's policy and a) they have threatened to knock off the Protected No Claims Discount and b) they now suspecting that he is the main driver and want proof that my wife uses the car. She does indeed use it for work as a teacher almost daily and he uses it occasionally. Incidentally he has passed his IAM Test and is a good driver so will be badly penalised by this stroke of bad luck.
Main question though is what are the chances of getting compensation from the local authority for not protecting the road from old trees at the roadside that can be dislodged in the wet weather?
|