Got hit by a foreign lorry on M25 today

Notmyrealname

namecheck wrote: »

Yes - if it's just damage to the vehicle, maybe. But there have been numerous instances of injury to people in vehicles that have been hit by a foreign lorry. I know 2 people this has happened to.

I used to drive around much of the M25 on a long commute and agree with Rev Henry that it's relatively safer to be in the outside lane.

Because breaking down or having a blowout and having 3 or 4 lanes of traffic to cross before getting to safety is much safer to do than just pulling into the hard shoulder to your left.

Those who say its safer to drive in the outside lane are merely showing their complete inability.

namecheck

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Because breaking down or having a blowout and having 3 or 4 lanes of traffic to cross before getting to safety is much safer to do than just pulling into the hard shoulder to your left.

Those who say its safer to drive in the outside lane are merely showing their complete inability.

Yes..if you break down or have a blowout.How many times does that happen in the outside lane? (I am not suggesting drivers should automatically be in the outside lane, but personally if I can safely avoid a foreign lorry then I will.)

I have done motorway commutes for years and not seen break downs or blowouts happen very often (accidents, yes). BUT I know a number of people who have had "issues" with foreign lorry drivers, many of whom seem to be poor drivers who drive much too fast.

rev_henry

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Because breaking down or having a blowout and having 3 or 4 lanes of traffic to cross before getting to safety is much safer to do than just pulling into the hard shoulder to your left.

Those who say its safer to drive in the outside lane are merely showing their complete inability.

I meant leaving a lane between you and the lorry when overtaking said lorry, not permanently hogging the outside lane.

dacouch

baby_frogmella wrote: »

Cheers Golf, looks like their UK agent is Coris UK Ltd in London. Will give them a call in the morning just to confirm this and then pass their details onto Swiftcover.

Bear in mind that they will probably not know anything about the accident as foreign drivers tend to report accidents when they get back to their base which could be in many days time. However it's worth getting on the phone and logging the claim.

You should find Coris will be able to sort the claim out once they have had it confirmed.

Sometimes you need to ring the haulage firm to hurry the reporting along, most are helpful. Should you ring them, ask at the start of the call for an English speaker (Preferably in their native tongue). There is often an English speaker in the office (and they often enjoy getting a chance to show off their English)

Charlton_Taz

I got hit in a similar manner by lorry on the M25 too a few years ago. I was worried too about getting it all sorted out (especially as all the lorry driver had was a business card to give me!). But, to be honest it all got settled fairly quickly....so I wouldn't worry too much.

namecheck

rev_henry wrote: »

I meant leaving a lane between you and the lorry when overtaking said lorry, not permanently hogging the outside lane.

Yes, exactly

baby_frogmella

Ok managed to get in touch with Coris and they are indeed the UK agents for BCR Asigurari so have passed on their details to swiftcover who will liase with them.

Also got my renewal quote from Swiftcover today and annual premium has shot up to £438:eek: (was £215 last year). My 12 years NCD has been wiped away (currently just have 3 years NCD) however Swiftcover have said this will be re-instated if/when the Romanian insurance company settles the claim...they'll also refund the difference in premium. Obviously i could go with a different insurer, but to keep things simple i'll stick with Swiftcover as they are usually amongst the cheapest. Fingers crossed the claim is settled quickly!:)

madjay

Was it an articulated lorry that hit you? because on for foreign articulatedlorries the cab and the trailer are deem two vehicles and will the reg numberfor both cab and trailer for your claim

GolfBravo

The accident report form above (second post) lists both reg numbers.

rev_henry

Speaking of sideswipes, one happened before my eyes on the M62 yesterday, or what looked very much like one. Foreign lorry moved into lane 2, traffic suddenly slowed down and said lorry and car pulled onto hard shoulder, can't imagine it was anything else. Wasn't a small car either, it was a 5 series estate. Why on earth are these mirrors not compulsory?