Not my fault, but I'm left with the bill

[Deleted User]

If the guy had lived the OP might feel differently. The fact that he killed himself shouldn't change anything though. The OP has to live with what was done to him and suffered a loss, so it's only right that he should be compensated. It won't put everything right again but it will help.

shortcrust

minikarter wrote: »

Thanks for the replies so far. Seems like the only way would be to claim against his estate, what would you do in the situation? (Directed to anyone).

I might go down that route if I was 7,000 out of pocket but not 700. All depends what you can afford though I suppose. The potential upset to the guy's family would weigh heavily on me - I know how I would feel if that happened after the death of one of my close relatives.

Also worth considering the possibility of finding yourself in the newspapers. I've seen stories about situations like this and they're not sympathetic to the driver's financial losses.

[Deleted User]

Don't let the tyranny of the media put you off.

nobbysn*ts

So, what's the difference? It the op had said the pensioner had been inside a car, and pulled out from a junction, there would no problems claiming for most of you. But because he chose to do the same thing, just without a car, suddenly it's different?

minikarter

Ok first off, I wouldn't be even thinking about this route if there was the slightest bit of doubt of my own innocence. As already mentioned, I'm thinking about it as a car accident. If the pensioner was driving, this would all be sorted by insurance. The only difference here is that he was walking, so I'm having to do it via a different method.

Unfortunately I'm not just 700 out of pocket, I also had to take time off work and other expenses take it to about 1100.

My argument is that I can't afford that kind of money for anything right now. Someone else might have funds to pay that at short notice but I'm not so lucky, and to have someone literally walk out in front of me out of their own carelessness and leave me with that kind of bill, as well as the knowledge that my daily routine directly contributed to their death is unacceptable. I have a 100% clear conscience, and have nothing to hide. I believe that if the other party and representatives/family can see this, then they can also understand why I'm doing it and not hold it against me.

I've decided to contact some solicitors to simply find out if what I'm asking is possible first, still waiting for a reply at the moment.