Other party disputing claim

Hastobe_Katt

My husband had a car accident a few months ago. He had pulled over and parked up at the side of the road to check something. As he was leaning over to look in the glove compartment another car came around the bend behind him and ran into the back of his vehicle. We thought it would be straightforward claim. Vehicle hit from behind while stationary - straightforward case of the other party travelling too fast etc for the road conditions. My husband received a letter today saying that the other party had provided 'a different version of events' and were challenging what my husband had told the insurance company.

I thought a shunt from behind into a stationary vehicle was about as straightforward a scenario as you could get re fault / blame?

Insurance company is Direct Line. (As an aside, I had a similar issue with DL last year when someone hit my car (in a car park). The other driver admitted liability at the scene and then changed her story when she contacted her insurers - and I had to pick up half the bill (and my premium went up by £500!) Changed insurers when I renewed and a was quoted a premium in line with what I paid pre accident.)

Quentin

The other sides story conflicts with yours (for example you state you were stationary whilst they may be saying you reversed into them).

Who can decide on the truth when there are conflicting stories unless there are witnesses?

Hastobe_Katt

It seems that there is almost no point in providing details on what happened to the insurance companies - they aren't interested in the truth or a fair outcome just in reducing their own liability regardless of whether that is at the expense of the innocent party.

System

I sympathize with your description of what has happened, but you must see that the two insurance companies only have your word and the word of the third party about what actually happened, so without an independant witness or photographic evidence, they have little option but to consider both arguments.

It is always important to try to get an independant witness name or take photos, disregard what the third party may or may not say at the time, they may seem friendly but may change their attitude when the claim process starts (like in this case).

Can you go back to the scene of the accident and take photos of the marks on the road (if they still exist) to add weight to your description of what happened ?

Hastobe_Katt

We will take pictures which may help. The problem with witnesses is that no-one wants to get involved. Several people saw what happened with my accident last year but no-one was willing to be a formal witness

Hastobe_Katt

I think it's becoming a general thing - to lie to the insurance companies. The assessor told me he reckoned that 50% of the statements he received were either misleading or downright lies - but that they can't prove it.

My nephew's partner had similar problems. Accident not her fault, no witnesses at the scene (rural location, early morning) but then the other party produced several 'witness' statements supporting their version.