I Hit A Dog With My Car - Advice On Court Action

fedupnow

op - there is nothing wrong with asking for advice from your parents. In fact it shows a level of maturity.

It had occurred to me also that had you been older the dog owner would have responded differently to you. Perhaps been a little more open to reasonable discussions.

propaintballa

Paulie'sGirl wrote: »

Hey OP,

Sorry to see your pride and joy was damaged. I know what its like to be young and proud of your first car. Some people on here are a little jaded and can't think back that far!

Car accidents are an unfortunate reality of driving, but at the end of the day, as my dad says, every one you walk away from is a good one. Could have been a lot worse!

I would advise speaking to your insurer about claiming against the owner. They may choose to see this as a "non-fault" accident, which may not impact your premium and no-claims status. Its certainly worth discussing with them.

Additionally, if you live with your parents, see if they have legal cover on their home insurance? That sort of cover is for a wide range of legal issues, not just home-related ones.

Best of luck

PGxx

Hey, thanks for the reply, i will be talking to my insurers tomorrow again to see what they say. Thanks for the advice.

Sunnyday wrote: »

I think that evasive action would have been a natural instinct if i saw anything moving towards the road out of the corner of my eye.

Stopping for anything and avoiding a collision would have been a priority as that is what i was taught by my ADI, i`ve only been driving myself for around 3 years but i always remember what was drilled into me by the instructor.

Don`t get me wrong i`m not slating you for your actions but can`t help thinking of the "what if`s"

SD

I think what i did avoided any serious accident, i didn't swerve or anything at the split second i saw the dog. The only thing i could have done better would have been to keep going and not brake as violently, but then if i then swerved for any reason at the higher speed, as you say, could have been much worse. Thanks

propaintballa

fedupnow wrote: »

op - there is nothing wrong with asking for advice from your parents. In fact it shows a level of maturity.

It had occurred to me also that had you been older the dog owner would have responded differently to you. Perhaps been a little more open to reasonable discussions.

Thanks buddy, the guy seemed like a really nice guy and as i said, comforted me because i was quite upset. He remained fairly reasonable with me over the phone, despite seeming to try and get out of paying by not returning/ making phone calls... Thanks

ozvaldinho

Get an estimate for the repairs, send it to the guy with the dog directly with a covering letter to say you'll take it to court if he doesn't pay up. He'll soon get onto his household insurers to sort it out if he's covered, that is. If not, too bad for him, that'll teach him to keep control of his dog near a road.

propaintballa

ozvaldinho wrote: »

Get an estimate for the repairs, send it to the guy with the dog directly with a covering letter to say you'll take it to court if he doesn't pay up. He'll soon get onto his household insurers to sort it out if he's covered, that is. If not, too bad for him, that'll teach him to keep control of his dog near a road.

Yeh, i think a letter might be in order at some point. I've had to get the parts myself and do it myself because i can't afford the £1400 the garage quoted and just needed it done because the condition of the car is preventing me driving long distance...

Thanks

Charis

I've read this thread with interest, noticing how most posters have been helpful and supportive but some just have to use the forum to make themselves appear superior. I see it has quite the opposite effect.

One thing that has been bothering me is your statement that your mate was so far up your exhaust pipe that he had to swerve around you. In future it might be safer for you if you follow him He should always leave a decent gap between himself and the car in front, because even on a totally clear road there's always a chance of a blow out which might cause the driver in front to brake in a moment of panic. I don't like to think what would have happened if that oncoming bus had been closer.

Good luck with the claim, whatever you decide.

propaintballa

Charis wrote: »

I've read this thread with interest, noticing how most posters have been helpful and supportive but some just have to use the forum to make themselves appear superior. I see it has quite the opposite effect.

One thing that has been bothering me is your statement that your mate was so far up your exhaust pipe that he had to swerve around you. In future it might be safer for you if you follow him He should always leave a decent gap between himself and the car in front, because even on a totally clear road there's always a chance of a blow out which might cause the driver in front to brake in a moment of panic. I don't like to think what would have happened if that oncoming bus had been closer.

Good luck with the claim, whatever you decide.

Yes buddy, you're correct on that one, i don't deny it, but again, that wasn't me, so really had no control over that. His car is stupidly rubbish at braking in the damp as well, which is odd considering the car, but either way. I'm not sure what happened to him, it might have been the shock of me stopping so suddenly, i know you should be prepared, but one slight lapse of concentration, i don't remember him being close tbh, you know what i'm getting at here.

mikey72

Sunnyday wrote: »

I think that evasive action would have been a natural instinct if i saw anything moving towards the road out of the corner of my eye.

Stopping for anything and avoiding a collision would have been a priority as that is what i was taught by my ADI, i`ve only been driving myself for around 3 years but i always remember what was drilled into me by the instructor.

Don`t get me wrong i`m not slating you for your actions but can`t help thinking of the "what if`s"

SD

I was taught dogs, cats, small animals, perform a controlled stop, not an emergengy stop. It's far better to hit a stray animal than to cause a major crash, or swerve and plough through a bus stop full of children.

DaveF327

propaintballa wrote: »

His car is stupidly rubbish at braking in the damp as well

Shh! Don't tell everyone the road surface was wet too.. a certain cat lover won't sleep tonight!

propaintballa

DaveF327 wrote: »

Shh! Don't tell everyone the road surface was wet too.. a certain cat lover won't sleep tonight!

Not WET! Was just greasy as it was the morning.