I've just been to a car accident just now, need advice

rus4u

Hi all,
I just have just been in a car accident in my almost new(bought in June 2013) which I pay monthly for, for the next 5 years, I have comprehensive car cover with Privilege - 3 years NCB.

A track has hit me in my right hand side passenger’s door on a turn just 2 hours ago.

So I have a few questions:

1. Was it my fault? ( I think it was )
We have been waited at the lights with a few cars in front of us
(picture: https://app.box.com/s/09bimswthl3kgqqk6xog), me – left lane , him – right lane
(only 2 lanes on this road), when we turned there is a road with 3 lanes and we both went for the middle one (picture: https://app.box.com/s/kcq5pf00lq573nwb55n7) and that went he hit me

2. What’s best for me to do now? How will it effect me?
These are some pictures at the accident: https://app.box.com/s/elv3vax2l7cseqc2iinj

The driver works for a Transport company so I guess that is not his track if that matters

Thanks a lot for any good advice/information

Hintza

What's a Track?

DUTR

!!!!!! is a track? anyways from what you describe it may go 50/50.
Sorry to learn of your accident, but these things happen sometimes , inconvenient as it is.

stef73

Truck rather than track?

DUTR

Hintza wrote: »

What's a Track?

Right then, looking at the pics he means truck.
Looking further at the pics, perhaps it maybe the other party to blame as the damage is in the rear, however before the OP gets excited, it looks too like you were straddling lanes, also something to note for the future, Lorry Vs Car? The lorry wins everytime, the height of the truck, you maybe below the drivers visibile range, this time it was just the panel, but a next time and it could be your life.
Adopt a defensive driving style.

GwylimT

I would have thought the left hand lane would have been for the left hand lane, where as the right hand lane would be the for the centre and right and lane. But either way, mirrors! You also need to be in one lane, not straddling, plus the lorry may not be able to see you very well in that position. These things are hard, so don't be suprised if the insurance go 50/50.

The damage doesn't look to bad considering you were hit by a lorry, if you haven't already get onto your insurance company. Is your alloy bent? From the photos your door can probably be saved, if the dints cannot be removed areas could be filled, the scrapes on the back aren't too bad either. Make sure the garage check all of the clips on your rear bumper and lights, they can be broken quite easily, sometimes they can be repaired, sometimes you need a replacement.

SaLoGo

Having looked at this junction from above on Google Maps, and through the street view, my opinion is (and just an opinion it is) that you were in the wrong.

The road you were turning into (Broad Street) actually has 4 lanes, not 2. Therefore the way I read the road is the the left hand lane on Albion Road is for the 2 left lanes on Broad Street and the right hand lane on Albion Road is for the 2 right hand lanes on Broad Street.

Building_Surveyor

Surely when you turn at a junction in lane 1 you should then enter the next junction in lane 1, then move over if need be rather than cutting across lanes? Plus trucks very often have to straddle lanes to make the turn, that's why it's best to give them a wide birth.

I think you'll be lucky with 50/50 but let the insurances fight it out. I think you will probably lose some if not all of your NCB if your insurance has to pay out. Good luck!

And look on the bright side, it could have been much worse!

forgotmyname

Google confused me, As you move forward from Albion Way it jumps to the right.

But it does seem like you were in the left land and should have stayed in the left lane. In your picture it looks like the white car is also making the same mistake.

Keep away from a trucks blind spot. Avoid the nearside like the plague.


Your fault or both sides may admit some fault.

If it ever happens again you should get better pictures of your vehicles damage. Blurry shots with your fingers wont help if there is a dispute.

rus4u

Thanks for all your replies, I have not contacted my insurance company, decided to have some thinking and call them tomorrow morning, a few more questions:
1. Is it 24 hours you have to report a car accident?
2. What happens if they report about it and I don't?
My friend is advicing me to give the guy's company a call and ask if they are going through insurance or not, they just have a few little scratches on ther truck, what if they just decide to leave it? is it not going to be better for me to spend £400-600 on my door and keep my NCBs ?

What's best for me to do now? any options?

GwylimT

I would most definitely not be calling them to ask if they were going through their insurance or not, I also doubt they would leave scuffed paint, not only does it look unprofessional it will cause future problems. Yes really you need to inform the police within twenty four hours.