Car Accident - can I claim from council?

aisdil89

Hello,

So last Monday I had a car accident. The traffic lights facing me were green and so I drove through onto the main road. However, the traffic lights facing other car users were all out. Another driver drove through what should have been a red light and I crashed into the side of him, seriously damaging my car.

The other driver's insurance have said their driver is liable and I am waiting to hear back about wether they will repair or scrap my car and give me a settlement. I think due to the damage, settlement is the more likely option and I don't think I will be getting very much for the car, although I have just spent almost £300 in December on repairs and an MOT for it.

My question is, depending on what the outcome of the insurance claim is, could I claim expenses from the council if the settlement is far under what I have spent on the car since I got it in September?

The police attending the scene said that they had called in that morning that the traffic lights were not working and yet there was no-one there to direct traffic and I am almost certain I only saw repair work being done the afternoon of the following day.

Can someone please advise what is the best thing to do in this case?

Thanks for reading.

InsideInsurance

The TP Insurer (TPI) has admitted liability so you can claim all your losses from them, there is nothing additional you can claim from the council that you cannot claim from the TPI.

The TPI may subsequently attempt a counter claim against the council if they think they can recover any of their outlay from them but that is nothing to do with you.

sinizterguy

No, you cannot claim from the council.

You claim from the other driver's insurance who has admitted liability. They may or may not claim from the council or whoever else.


If your car is written off, you will get market value for it (provided you haggle a bit). What work you did immediately prior to keep the car running is not their concern.

Spicy_McHaggis

As already said your claim is with the third party. When the council repaired the lights is of no concern to you.

bod1467

Agree with all the above.

One positive is that the TP insurer have accepted liability so things should be easier for you.