Tears At Bedtime

[dave.m]

A bad end to a bad day.

After a s**t day at work, what else could happen ? Drove 1/4 mile on way home to first roundabout

and got rear ended by an old codger in a new Astra Estate. Spare wheel covered totally destroyed,

back door twisted/bent / bashed/knackered................. and who knows what else. Could only have

been doing about 10 MPH I was just picking away at time.

Anyway front of astra all but destroyed, which makes me think Toyota spare wheels make a great

bumper. First claim in twenty bloody eight years of driving.

Yours,

Tearful, distraught, totally pi***d off, neck aching.

Dave.

[remy]

Sounds like the day i had just look forward to the compensation assuming he insured!!!!!!!!!

Brian

[bothwell_buyer]

Sounds like the day i had just look forward to the compensation assuming he insured!!!!!!!!!

Brian

Dunno if you've had a rear end shunt before but from experience, make sure you get a good garage to check all rear panels and the steelwork behind the panels. I suffered from water ingress following incomplete repairs after a rear-ender which never got fixed. And document everything in writing for yer court case claim! Is there a towbar fitted to your RAV? Cos apart from punching a hole through the guys front end, it would have buckled bits under the RAV. Good luck and take care with the neck.... Ian

[dave.m]

Thanks for that,

Got up this morning, neck ok (could have been caused by the veins sticking out) never bothered with

doctor/hospital whatever. Dont have a tow bar, never had a claim never mind a rear end one, so never

been down this road before.Have left it to insurance co (more than) to deal with. They are picking car

up and sending to Royal/Sun alliance owned repair centre in Glasgow. Not much hassle as yet except

for the courtesy car they offered (Aygo) which I have rejected as its too small for my needs. Got to

hire my own and claim back costs. But to save any hassle I might let hire company do it as other party

admitted liability.

Being in engineering for nearly 30 years, I will be scrutinising work very closely. One point that did

spring to mind, as the spare wheel took brunt of hit should it be replaced ?

Cheers,

Dave.

[Procky in Leeds]

NO! Your neck is NOT OK ;) . Go to doc, tell him you have neck ache, get some pain killers, (don't have to take them). Inform insurance you have whiplash.....!

As for loan car I think your insurance should supply a 'LIKE' car .. ie. Rav

Best of luck!

[NMaria]

As Procky says, make sure you claim for injury. Whether you get like for like courtesy car depends on the terms of your cover. And if you someone hits you from behind, it is automatically a no-fault claim which should not cause you to lose your no-claims bonus and will not go against you if you try to insure somewhere else. I've just been through the same thing and it did not affect my NCB or quotes from other insurers at all.

Extremely upsetting thing to happen, though. Hope the repairs are done well. If it's any comfort - my car was as good as new after the repair although the damage was less severe than yours.

[anchorman]

A bad end to a bad day.

After a s**t day at work, what else could happen ? Drove 1/4 mile on way home to first roundabout

and got rear ended by an old codger in a new Astra Estate. Spare wheel covered totally destroyed,

back door twisted/bent / bashed/knackered................. and who knows what else. Could only have

been doing about 10 MPH I was just picking away at time.

Anyway front of astra all but destroyed, which makes me think Toyota spare wheels make a great

bumper. First claim in twenty !Removed! eight years of driving.

Yours,

Tearful, distraught, totally pi***d off, neck aching.

Dave.

Dave

Just read this.

Sorry to hear it and I hope you're OK. Usually these things cause you endless stress rather than physical pain and it's very annoying when it is down to somebody not paying attention. No matter how much somebody says "never mind it can be repaired" it's always in the back of your mind especially if you intend keeping it.

As the other posts have said you just have to keep an eye open for unseen damage. I once got rear ended in my Nissan Primera by a youth in an Audi Quattro. The Audi just disintegrated and at first sight it appeared to have only popped a number plate light out of the bumper on mine. In fact it had rippled the boot floor. They never managed to pull it back properly but luckily it didn't leak water or scrub tyres - these are the things that will take along time to manifest themselves.

As for your spare wheel, I would take it to a tyre centre and just get them to run it up on the balancer. If it appears to be true and in balance, as long as there is absolutely no visual damage I would probably live with it.

The issue of an injury claim is one I'm never comfortable with. Morally I think it is appaulling that this Americanism has made its way over here and now you can sue for the way somebody looks at you - never mind whether or not you are hurt. However, you have to accept that;

a/ that little niggling bit of discomfort that you may have felt in your neck since it happened could come back and bite you on the bum when you get older.

b/ your insurance premium is so high because it takes into account that most people will claim for such things and make no mistake that if you had rear ended the Astra that they would claim on your insurance. You can make a claim on his insurance without effecting you NCB. Whatever you do discuss it with your insurance company first.

The other consideration is that your insurance company will show it up on your record as a notified accident even if it wasn't your fault and if you change insurance companies they will want all the details. I have a similar notification following an incident where a festering lower form of life decided to kick a panel on my previous car. I informed the insurance company right away in case I needed to claim as I was worried that if I left it too long they could refuse to deal with it. In the event I decided not to claim but still got the "black mark" when my renewal document came.

Keep your chin up mate at least you're still walking.

Regards

[dave.m]

Anchorman et al,

Thanks for good wishes, I can now say that neck is really ok as I do suffer from spondylitis occasionally,

I dont take chances. Regarding this new found american way of doing things, I'm with you there. Dont

get me wrong if there was a problem I would not hesitate to take it further. But I am also apalled by the claim culture (at least 20 people at work today asked if was suing for neck injury) it seems to be the first thing people think in a rear end shunt. What really gets me is that people make a claim for whiplash, if it aint genuine and they go to A+E, there is the first waste of OUR tax. Next the police as you have to report accident if hurt to get an incident report number for insurance company. More of our tax money wasted (also fraud ?). It then goes into the hands of the parasites (lawyers) representing the insurance companies who stretch it out for two years at a cost of say five times what get as settlement. I am really sorry to anyone has been genuinely injured in similar situation and hope you get as much out of the thieving bar stewards as you can get, but myself, I just could not do it, my wife tells me I dont make a good liar anyway.

Anyway, enough of moral and political stuff, a quick update. Car being collected for repair next week.

The guys at Europcar hope to get me an XTrail, (other guys insurance co will love that when they get

the bill) and we'll see how the Rav is when it comes back.

Cheers,

Dave.

[anchorman]

Anchorman et al,

Thanks for good wishes, I can now say that neck is really ok as I do suffer from spondylitis occasionally,

I dont take chances. Regarding this new found american way of doing things, I'm with you there. Dont

get me wrong if there was a problem I would not hesitate to take it further. But I am also apalled by the claim culture (at least 20 people at work today asked if was suing for neck injury) it seems to be the first thing people think in a rear end shunt. What really gets me is that people make a claim for whiplash, if it aint genuine and they go to A+E, there is the first waste of OUR tax. Next the police as you have to report accident if hurt to get an incident report number for insurance company. More of our tax money wasted (also fraud ?). It then goes into the hands of the parasites (lawyers) representing the insurance companies who stretch it out for two years at a cost of say five times what get as settlement. I am really sorry to anyone has been genuinely injured in similar situation and hope you get as much out of the thieving bar stewards as you can get, but myself, I just could not do it, my wife tells me I dont make a good liar anyway.

Anyway, enough of moral and political stuff, a quick update. Car being collected for repair next week.

The guys at Europcar hope to get me an XTrail, (other guys insurance co will love that when they get

the bill) and we'll see how the Rav is when it comes back.

Cheers,

Dave.

Dave

Good for you! They need to change the law on this "where there's blame" thing and get our premiums down.

With regard to the car, keep an open mind. Steve was quite happy with his after getting it back from his demolition derby on ice escapade ;)

X Trail will make a change for a bit!

Regards

[NMaria]

I would like to clarify my earlier point about claiming for injury. If you have a genuine injury involving loss of earnings or medical costs, then I think one is fully entitled to recompense. That is what you pay your insurance premiums for. If there is no injury then of course it would be dishonest to try to claim.

I notice that insurance companies now appear to retain the services of claims specialists. The litigation culture is based on pure greed and appals me as much as it does anyone else, particularly when it involves taxpayers' money such as the NHS or the police; I do not understand how anyone can think a service will be improved for future users if they deprive it of a large sum of money. Sadly, ethical behaviour is seldom reciprocated; instead you run the risk of being taken for a mug and end up subsidising those who are less scrupulous - but at least you will have a clear conscience.

That was a dreadful sermon. I hope you and the car are both soon restored to full health. And I'd be interested to know how you like the X-Trail versus your RAV.

[redlew]

" NO! Your neck is NOT OK . Go to doc, tell him you have neck ache, get some pain killers, (don't have to take them). Inform insurance you have whiplash"

Absolutely disgraceful and dishonest -the poster should be chucked out of the club for this

[Procky in Leeds]

" NO! Your neck is NOT OK . Go to doc, tell him you have neck ache, get some pain killers, (don't have to take them). Inform insurance you have whiplash"

Absolutely disgraceful and dishonest -the poster should be chucked out of the club for this

It seems you are having some trouble with your reading skills! My original advice was based on concern for the accidentee, (dave.m) due to his remark in his original post - "neck aching" ... !

Did you also fail to note that 'Nmaria' immediately agreed with me until she changed her mind based on the pontifications of others.

If you need help with managing to read a 'complete' conversation, rather than getting a 'buzz' out of letting us all know your there, I know a school teacher colleague who may be available.

Meantime, perhaps you would be better polishing your Rav. :!Removed!:

[dave.m]

Guys,

Lets clarify things a bit here, this forum exists to offer fellow members help, advice, hints and opinions

on owning a Rav and driving issues in general. Anything I put on here is my own opinion and I dont do

so to influence others. Several replies have shown what other peoples opinions are and they should be

respected. We are after all on the same side, as consumers having to deal with insurance companies

car dealers and whatever else comes up. So please, can we keep it amicable.

[llith]

First of all , Dave . I'm sorry to hear of your misfortune .

I can only speak from experience as something very similar happened to me a few years ago

Driving into work one morning in my Cavalier SRi I was held up in traffic and was stationary , then out of nowhere a large van (company vehicle ) came hurtling into me .My car was pushed into the vehicle in front of me , the driver of the van admitted it was his fault to the driver of the other car and to myself .We decided not to call the police as he had admitted liability to both of us.

I was able to drive my car to the garage where I purchased it from and they told me to take it to a well respected repairer who would do a good job on the repair.I did this and left the car with them and told my insurance company.

The repairs took 3 weeks and I spent £300 on the hire of an old pickup .When I collected my Cavalier I had to pay my £200 excess to release it . They had done a good job on it but a friend of mine who is in the motor trade told me that my car was now worth a lot less now because it had been in an accident .

On the afternoon of the accident I had a dental appointment and it so happened the dentist had been held up that morning on his way to work because of it .He asked me if I had seen a doctor ,I hadn't and he advised me to do so that evening even if I felt OK at the time.

I saw a doctor the following day and by now my neck was slightly sore , apparently it takes a day or two for someone to feel the pain.He said that I had some slight tissue damage and sent me to the hospital for an X ray as a precaution. The X ray was OK but I had to wear a neck brace for a couple of days.

After getting my car back I then sent a bill for £500 to the company who owned the van for my uninsured losses .They flatly refused to pay . I then had to instruct my insurance company to get their solicitor to take the matter to court and also to file for damages to cover my injuries and days off work .A case was prepared and I had to go and see a specialist to check my neck so that his report would be used in court .

One week before the court case the company admitted liability and made an offer of £1300 , that is £500 uninsured losses and £800 for 3 days off work and injuries .The soliciters advised me to accept , which I did.

Dave , I hope the knowledge of my experience is of help to you in the next few weeks

Regards

Llith

[redlew]

"If you need help with managing to read a 'complete' conversation, rather than getting a 'buzz' out of letting us all know your there, I know a school teacher colleague who may be available."

Hopefully they can teach you that "your" should be you are or you're. You were encouraging someone to make a fraudulent claim and I consider that despicable.

[Procky in Leeds]

dave.m - Well said. My opinion was with the best of intention. I trust you are now feeling better.

llith - Also well said. Thank you for helping to better illustrate my intent. :)

[Uncle Bob]

Sorry to here about your RAV4 Dave :( , fingers crossed they can fix it :) .