Involved in a car accident with a pedestrian

Kara_P

The accident: I was driving along a dual carraigeway (40 mile an hour speed limit) with poor visiability due to a low sun directly in front of the road. Two teeneage girls ran across the road and I managed to break and avoid hitting them both, then a few seconds later a third girl (not seen by myself or passenger) ran into the side of my car. Police and an ambulance attended the scene and the girl had a broken collar bone and cut on her head. The police gathered 3 witness statements along with mine and my passengers. They concluded I did no wrong and the girl admitted she was at fault and her parents appologised.

Between then and now: I contacted my insurance and after much badgering got them to get the police report and contact the parents as my excess is £500 and the damage to my car is £1800. I was hoping they could at least contribute to my excess if they didnt have personal liability with their home insurance. Turns out they have no insurance and aren't going to pay a penny. My car insurance (Direct Line) are not going to take it any further even though I pay them extra of legal protection.

Is there anything else I can do? I do not have her details as she was in no position to give them to me and the police will not release them (I have the accident report but everything is blacked out except my details).

Gene_Hunt_2

How old is this child?

Kara_P

I think the police said she was 14.

Gene_Hunt_2

Move on then.

nearlyrich

So you hit a pedestrian and you want her to pay your excess??? I don't think that's going to happen somehow.

Kara_P

Nearlyrich... If you read what I wrote then no I did not hit her. She hit (ran into the side of) my car!! I did absolutely nothing wrong and if I had been going even close to 40 she would most likely be much worse off. The police have stated I did nothing wrong (actually applauded me for driving so carefully) and she admitted it was her fault. Her and her friends coulnd't be bothered using the crossing 10 feet away so ran over a 4 lane road!

I have been told I can go to a civil court but wasn't sure about costs and lawyers etc.

Gene_Hunt_2

Kara_P wrote: »

Nearlyrich... If you read what I wrote then no I did not it her. She hit my car!! I did absolutely nothing wrong and if I had been going even close to 40 she would most likely be much worse off. The police have stated I did nothing wrong (actually applauded me for driving so carefully) and she admitted it was her fault. Her and her friends coulnd't be bothered using the crossing 10 feet away so ran over a 4 lane road!

I have been told I can go to a civil court but wasn't sure about costs and lawyers etc.

What's a 14 year old got worth sueing for?

Fancy a new Playstation and some lip gloss do you?

newfoundglory

You can go to small claims court, which is for amounts less than £5,000. There will be a court cost depending on how much you are claiming, and each party generally represent themselves. Costs cannot usually be awarded to either side, so if you win/lose it doesn't make much difference you only lose the court fee.

But as others have said... probably not worth it.

Kara_P

Thanks Newfoundglory, all I was looking for was a bit of useful advice on the topic but of course with these forums you get everyones opinions that don't do anything to help. I will look into the small claims court.

I would also like to say to those unhelpful people that one day when you are out on the raod and this happens to you, I wonder if you will still feel the same.

Gene_Hunt_2

Just be thankful the child is ok and move on.

It's only money.

Gene_Hunt_2

Kara_P wrote: »

I would also like to say to those unhelpful people that one day when you are out on the raod and this happens to you, I wonder if you will still feel the same.

Some of us drive to the conditions.