My car just got hit - need some advice please

Charliezoo

My car just got hit on a roundabout on a dual carrigeway. The guy who hit me was in the LH lane going straight on and I was in the RH lane going straight on (being a dual carriageway you can use either lane for going straight ahead as it remailns in 2 lanes all the way along).

The guy in the other car thought I was turning right and pulled over into my lane just as we were both exiting the roundabout. Our cars clashed on the wing and both cars had a big black mark down the side. The car wasn't actually his, it belonged to his boss so he gave me his own mobile number and name and also the name of the company. His car looked like it was slightly worse off then mine as the alloy was clearly scraped but the rest looked like a T-Cut job. His car was a pretty battered 10+ year old car and mine is brand new. He didn't admit responsibilty but at first he had a go at me saying that I should have only been in the RH lane if I was turning right. When I pointed out that it was a dual carriageway where either lane could be used he backed down and said he wasn't placing blame on me. I am positive that I was totally in the clear but I'm unsure how this is proven.

I've got home and given the car a wash and unfortunately there's more cosmetic damage than I thought. The alloy is badly scuffed and it looks like I need a new tyre and wheel arch trim. Thankfully the bodywork looks ok and I am happy to T-Cut a scuff on the wing myself.

I've never had an accident before and don't know what I should do next. I would appreciate any advice on how to pursue this - I hate the idea of having to go through the stress of a claim and don't want to get the guy into trouble but at the end of the day my car has been damaged and it was his fault.

Any advice would be much appreciated, thank you.

ScottishSapper

Charliezoo wrote: »

My car just got hit on a roundabout on a dual carrigeway. The guy who hit me was in the LH lane going straight on and I was in the RH lane going straight on (being a dual carriageway you can use either lane for going straight ahead as it remailns in 2 lanes all the way along).

The guy in the other car thought I was turning right and pulled over into my lane just as we were both exiting the roundabout. Our cars clashed on the wing and both cars had a big black mark down the side. The car wasn't actually his, it belonged to his boss so he gave me his own mobile number and name and also the name of the company. His car looked like it was slightly worse off then mine as the alloy was clearly scraped but the rest looked like a T-Cut job. His car was a battered 10+ year old car and mine is brand new. He didn't admit responsibilty but at first he had a go at me saying that I should have only been in the RH lane if I was turning right. When I pointed out that it was a dual carriageway where either lane could be used he backed down and said he wasn't placing blame on me. I am positive that I was totally in the clear but I'm unsure how this is proven.

I've got home and given the car a wash and unfortunately there's more cosmetic damage than I thought. The alloy is badly scuffed and it looks like I need a new tire and wheel arch trim. Thankfully the bodywork looks ok and I am happy to T-Cut a scuff on the wing myself.

I've never had an accident before and don't know what I should do next. I would appreciate any advice on how to pursue this - I hate the idea of having to go through the stress of a claim and don't want to get the guy into trouble but at the end of the day my car has been damaged and it was his fault.

Any advice would be much appreciated, thank you.

I would suggest getting a quote for the wheel, tyre and wheel arch, then get separate quote for the T cut job. Write to him give him the total cost but you are prepared to do the T cut yourself. Give him the option of paying or going through insurance

Quentin

You cannot rely on his roadside "backing down" over liability.

You ought to inform your insurer of the incident (tell them it's for "info only" if you don't want to claim at this stage).

Then if he pays up you are sorted, and if he doesn't (or worse, claims against you), then you can let your insurer deal with it.

Charliezoo

Thanks for all your help, I'll call my insurance company today to let them know. Unfortunately the scuff on the wing is more than a T-Cut job, where his wing mirror scraped the wing its left a small dent.

As for contacting the guy who hit me, I would appreciate some advice on how to go about this.

He gave me his full name and mobile number but no address and I don't feel particularly comfortable about phoning him. He wasn't the owner of the car so he gave me the name of the company. I could write a letter to them instead but I'm not sure if it would be a bit mean to go straight to his boss rather than give him a chance to settle the bill himself I would be happy not to involve the comany or insurers if he wants to just pay the bill for the fix.

What would you do?

fivetide

If the car is a mess his boss knows already.

Chanes are he wasn't insured and the longer you leave it the more likely it is that YOU turned into his lane - know what I mean?

If you don't have witnesses then get on it or he could do you up like a kipper.

5t.

Quentin

Your issue is with the vehicle owner, not its driver. (The insurance policy covering the vehicle will have been taken out by the owner).

So you need to report the owner to your insurer when you inform them.

If you want to deal with the third party, then write to the company, saying you hold them liable, enclose a quote for the repair and ask them to confirm they will pay all costs associated with the incident.

If this gets you nowhere, then contact their insurer direct. Ask the company for their insurance details. (If they don't play ball you can get them from the askMID website.)

Charliezoo

fivetide wrote: »

If the car is a mess his boss knows already.

Chanes are he wasn't insured and the longer you leave it the more likely it is that YOU turned into his lane - know what I mean?

If you don't have witnesses then get on it or he could do you up like a kipper.

5t.

Ok, what next - letter to the company or sum up the courage to call the guy himself?

When it comes to the damage to his car, his car was already so battered it wouldn't surprise me if he was able to wipe off the tyre marks and it wouldn't be so noticeable. On my brand new shiny white car the scuffs are far more obvious.

maninthestreet

As the other driver was changing lanes, it was his responsibility to ensure it was safe to do so. This assumes that there were no signs or road markings indicating that the RH lane was for turning right only. The other driver may have committed any offence by not giving the OP his address.

Quentin

Charliezoo wrote: »

Ok, what next - letter to the company or sum up the courage to call the guy himself?

A letter is easier - then if they want to deal direct with you the ball is in their court to do so.

Alternatively if you want to deal direct with their insurers, a phone call just to ask for those details might speed things up.

fivetide

Charliezoo wrote: »

Ok, what next - letter to the company or sum up the courage to call the guy himself?

When it comes to the damage to his car, his car was already so battered it wouldn't surprise me if he was able to wipe off the tyre marks and it wouldn't be so noticeable. On my brand new shiny white car the scuffs are far more obvious.

I'd get your insurance on it. Give them the name of the firm and the driver.

Have you called the firm to see if he actually works there at all?

I wouldn't get involved with the 3rd party, just let the insurance do it as it sounds like significant damage to your car. The important thing is to get the wheels in motion as it were. I bet they contest it.

5t.

fivetide

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Motorinsurance/DG_067630

If you're involved in an accident

If you have an accident that causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property, you must give both your own and the vehicle owner's name and address, along with the registration number of the vehicle, to anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring them.
If you don't give your details then you should report the accident to the police as soon as possible within 24 hours. You must also report the accident to your insurer, even if you're not intending to make a claim