damage from a road sign

neathjack

Hi all, sorry if this is in the wrong place but basically a huge roadsign has blown off the post and smashed into the side of my car. Is anyone responsible for the sign and damage its caused or do I just have to go through my own insurance and pay the excess fee?
Any help really appreciated!
Thanks

Building_Surveyor

Unless the sign wasn't secured properly then I can't see what negligence there could be. Given the winds lately (80mph where I am today) then sounds like an unfortunate accident.

forgotmyname

Put the sign in the boot to prevent it harming someone and drop it off at the scrappies in the morning. Get a few £ towards your repairs.

Quentin

neathjack wrote: »

Hi all, sorry if this is in the wrong place but basically a huge roadsign has blown off the post and smashed into the side of my car. Is anyone responsible for the sign and damage its caused or do I just have to go through my own insurance and pay the excess fee?
Any help really appreciated!
Thanks

As posted you are unlikely to find anyone liable, but before reporting this to your insurer find out how much a backstreet bodyshop will charge.

Then do dummy quotes online with and without this fault claim in your history to see what difference claiming is going to make to future premiums. Take into account any loss of NCD and your excess.

Then do the sums and decide whether it's worth claiming before reporting this to your insurer.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

forgotmyname wrote: »

Put the sign in the boot to prevent it harming someone and drop it off at the scrappies in the morning. Get a few £ towards your repairs.

that wont get him anywhere the scrappy will not accept council traffic signs as they are owned by the highways department at his local council they should turn him away when he tries.

scotsbob

forgotmyname wrote: »

Put the sign in the boot to prevent it harming someone and drop it off at the scrappies in the morning. Get a few £ towards your repairs.

Smart thinking, in fact I am sure the OP could find a few others that have "blown over" in the high winds. Bound to get a better price for a bulk offer.

InsideInsurance

neathjack wrote: »

Hi all, sorry if this is in the wrong place but basically a huge roadsign has blown off the post and smashed into the side of my car. Is anyone responsible for the sign and damage its caused or do I just have to go through my own insurance and pay the excess fee?

It is unlikely however councils/highway agency have a greater duty of care to motorists than the lay person.

Do you have any photos of the anchor points of the sign? Did they show any corrosion etc?

Ultimately you could put a complaint in to the authority thats responsible for the road (council or highways agency) as well as doing a FOI request to find out when the road was last inspected to check it meets the guidelines. Failure to meet the guidelines doesnt automatically make them liable but it helps stack the evidence against them