First Ever Accident - What will happen?

janninew

Dave101t wrote: »

im always checking my rear and brake lights in buses that pull up behind me, tho it is easy to speed towards a car with no brake lights as ive done it but always been a good distance behind so plenty of stopping distance.
never let your gf drive your car!

Cheeky monkey!! My partner doesn't normally let me drive his car, but he reversed mine into our garage door on Monday night, so he didnt have much choice!!

irishgirl62

I remeber my ex braked to avoid the car in front of him but the car behind him hit him from behind thus making his car hit the one in front, it worked out that my ex had to claim off the car behind him and the car in front of him claimed against my ex which in return my ex had to claim for it from the car behind him... the insurance went through the roof until it was all sorted and my ex got his no claims bonus back

janninew

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

Hello Best Mate nice to hear from you.

Help me out I still can't see evidence of a crime.

Is it illegal to drive without brake lights? His were not working so if it is illegal I assume he has committed a crime? If its legal to drive without brake lights then he hasn't committed a crime!!

I'm confused?

Chippy_Minton_2

janninew wrote: »

Is it illegal to drive without brake lights? His were not working so if it is illegal I assume he has committed a crime? If its legal to drive without brake lights then he hasn't committed a crime!!

I'm confused?

It's not a crime to drive without brake lights.:rolleyes:

ifstar

Regulation 23 Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989
It is an offence to use a vehicle on a road if all lamps and reflectors, which are required, are not in good working order.
Pretty sure that applies in England as it does in Scotland.

The police should still take a note of the details for the collision (probably either reported over the phone or online/email) although it's unlikely that anything further would happen to the driver of the car in front as the OP should be paying enough attention to realise they are getting closer. The same can be said for the vehicle that ran into the back of the OP, they should have been paying attention.

The worst the front car would get is a FPN ticket and a vehicle fault rectification (if they do them down South) and a HORT1 to produce his documents.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

janninew wrote: »

I have no problem accepting if I am at fault, does that mean the man who went into the back of me will have to pay to have the rear of my car fixed then?

Yes.

Premier wrote: »

It's a contributory factor. The driver was using an unroadworthy car on a public highway. The driver failed in indicate their intentions (assuming no hand signal was given)

Pedestrians don't have to. Cyclists & horse riders should if they wish to avoid an accident.

Irrelevant. If the driver doesn't notice that she's heading at speed into a 6-foot tall lump of metal and glass, she plainly isn't paying enough attention to the road.

As a cyclist of 20 years I've often wondered how people think it possible to brake and signal at the same time.

EssexHebridean

Hi Jannine

First off - what a nasty shock you must have had. Having twice in the past year been taken out by lorries, I know well that awful sick feeling, just before you start shaking! Have a soak in the bath tonight and an early night as you'll still be feeling a degree of shock.

Those that have stated the chain for the insurance claims are correct - technically you are at fault for hitting blokey in front, so he claims from YOU - you in turn claim from the man behind for the damage to the rear of yours. The only liaison you should need to do is with your own insurance company as they will arrange for the repairs and then claim back what can be from the man behind's policy.

There does seem to be a possibility that the man in front will turn out to be not insured, which could potentially mean he will never claim back from your insurance. It won't change the fact that there is a claim (as your claim on your own insurance for the damage to the front of yours will count regardless) but will reduce the amount claimed on the policy, which will help with future insurance quotes.

A couple of things to remember - when the work is done to your car - ask the garage that does it the value of the repairs - this is information you'll be asked for when you get insurance quotes. Remember you'll need the value of JUST the repairs your policy has paid for - and you might also find it helpful to get the value of any repairs claimed for by Mr No brake lights also. Also, be prepared for the fact that possibly if you claim on the policy and Mr No brake lights does too, that might count as 2 claims, which might mean that your protected no claims will be frozen.

Good luck with getting everything sorted. Hopefully the trolls who seem determined to party on here tonight will be told it's past their bedtimes shortly. :rolleyes:

janninew

Thanks EssexHebridean,

Was a terrible shock, I'm 7 months pregnant so my baby was my first concern, not a lump of metal (I didn't want to put this in my original thread for fear of coming across as a hysterical pregnant women!!)

My partner has just come home and he thinks that the car will be a write off! But he wasn't cross with me! I am annoyed with myself, but these things happen and that's what insurance is for. I'm not a perfect driver, and have obviously made a mistake!

As for trolls, I try to ignore them and hopefully they will get fed up! Oh to be perfect drivers like they must be!!

Rolandtheroadie

EssexHebridean wrote: »

A couple of things to remember - when the work is done to your car - ask the garage that does it the value of the repairs - this is information you'll be asked for when you get insurance quotes.

Is it not better to ask your insurance company what they paid out?

dacouch

EssexHebridean wrote: »

Hi Jannine

First off - what a nasty shock you must have had. Having twice in the past year been taken out by lorries, I know well that awful sick feeling, just before you start shaking! Have a soak in the bath tonight and an early night as you'll still be feeling a degree of shock.

Those that have stated the chain for the insurance claims are correct - technically you are at fault for hitting blokey in front, so he claims from YOU - you in turn claim from the man behind for the damage to the rear of yours. The only liaison you should need to do is with your own insurance company as they will arrange for the repairs and then claim back what can be from the man behind's policy.

There does seem to be a possibility that the man in front will turn out to be not insured, which could potentially mean he will never claim back from your insurance. It won't change the fact that there is a claim (as your claim on your own insurance for the damage to the front of yours will count regardless) but will reduce the amount claimed on the policy, which will help with future insurance quotes.

A couple of things to remember - when the work is done to your car - ask the garage that does it the value of the repairs - this is information you'll be asked for when you get insurance quotes. Remember you'll need the value of JUST the repairs your policy has paid for - and you might also find it helpful to get the value of any repairs claimed for by Mr No brake lights also. Also, be prepared for the fact that possibly if you claim on the policy and Mr No brake lights does too, that might count as 2 claims, which might mean that your protected no claims will be frozen.

Good luck with getting everything sorted. Hopefully the trolls who seem determined to party on here tonight will be told it's past their bedtimes shortly. :rolleyes:

Whether the person in front is insured or not, it makes no difference to whether he can claim against you or not and has no effect on the amount he can claim from you. Basically if your at fault in an accident you are liable whether they have insurance or not