Car crash next steps

Norfolk_Jim

teddysmum wrote: »

Contact the other person's insurer and quote a dealer's sale price for the car's replacement.


I had such an accident three weeks ago, but the other person's insurer contacted us,so our insurer was not used.


My car is an old N reg and initial offer was for repair, but not enough to cover such, due to the rarity of a tailgate. Our son called them and got me the replacement price for buying from a dealer ,though there are lots of cheaper private sales, and less 10% salvage, I got to keep the car.


Also,don't dimiss injuries as some neck problems can occur at a later date.


I had problems with my back (within a few hours) due to an existing condition, but no neck problems (except initial stiffness) until a week later, when a sudden bolt of pain resulted in my being unable to move it more than a few centimetres each way. (My sister has since told me that she had similar late onset).

Thank you for raising those points. It was pretty low speed impact but enough to break my watch and give me sore shoulders and a headache. No neck pain so far so it was helpful to be reminded that there could be late appearing symptoms

teddysmum

glentoran99 wrote: »

Compensation can set in at any time after an accident..

Are you implying that I am being dishonest ?


I told the insurer about my pre-existing condition and have an appointment with my neurologist, who will be able to spot any differences since my last MRI.


Don't judge others by your own standards.

teddysmum

Norfolk_Jim wrote: »

Thank you for raising those points. It was pretty low speed impact but enough to break my watch and give me sore shoulders and a headache. No neck pain so far so it was helpful to be reminded that there could be late appearing symptoms

But beware of the above poster who thinks that all people with delayed injuries are cheats.


I felt absolutely fine at the time of impact,but my legs turned to jelly on walking down the drive, when I got home. I'm assuming this was just shock.


However, later I had back pain and loss of feeling with heavy pins and needles in one leg. My neck was fine, except for a little stiffness.


My impact was low speed (would have been less if I was moving, as the relative speed is the difference between individual speeds ), but enough to throw a heavy bag of books from the back seat to the floor well.

Sally_A

Norfolk_Jim wrote: »

Thank you. Do you suggest using the online form that you give the link for? It appears to be for Aviva policy holders only.

I'd try the number on that website as they should be able to point you in the right direction.
Aviva like to "cuddle" the non fault Third Party (i.e. - YOU!) as this can halve the cost of their outlay.

If they play hard to get - just say you'll go to a no win no fee place - that should get them moving. Give them a chance to make contact with their policyholder first though.

Norfolk_Jim

teddysmum wrote: »

Are you implying that I am being dishonest ?


I told the insurer about my pre-existing condition and have an appointment with my neurologist, who will be able to spot any differences since my last MRI.


Don't judge others by your own standards.

What on earth are you going on about? Has there been a rude reply and its been deleted?

glentoran99

teddysmum wrote: »

Are you implying that I am being dishonest ?


I told the insurer about my pre-existing condition and have an appointment with my neurologist, who will be able to spot any differences since my last MRI.


Don't judge others by your own standards.

It was a joke settle pettle

teddysmum

glentoran99 wrote: »

It was a joke settle pettle

You have a very odd idea of 'joke', as your comment 'Compensation can set in at any time after an accident.' comes over as sarcastic accusation.

PPPro

Norfolk_Jim wrote: »

Someone drove into the back of me at a T Junction yesterday. My car is a write off. It is old and has little value - maybe £125. My insurance excess is £195. I see a few similar models of similar age and mileage on auto trader for £200-£300.
I'm not sure the best way to proceed. I have informed my insurance of the accident but not claimed for the moment.
Not sure how to proceed in my best interests. I don't have any injuries from the crash, I just need another car. I doubt there is enough value to interest a claims handler and I do not know how to go about claiming directly off the other drivers insurance (Aviva). What do you insurance experts suggest my next step should be please

Presumably you are hoping to hold the other driver entirely responsible for this accident?

Personally I would let your insurance company take care of the claim
(No point keeping a dog, or in this case paying for it, and barking yourself)

Otherwise you'll need to let your insurers know you don't wish them to take any action (which could leave you liable for a huge amount if the other driver successfully claims you are at least partly, if not wholely responsible)

If you want to do this alone, you pursue the other driver (not their insurer).
If your car is only worth £125 (lets assume for simplicity this will not not disputed), then the most you can claim would be £125 (plus possibly costs you incurred such as removal costs if your car was not drivable after the collision)

I would suspect the other driver will ask you to go through their insurers, in which case then do so.

But ultimately, if you need to go to court (do this in small claims), you claim against the driver and it will be for him to ensure he defends it (he'll probably pass it onto his insurers and they will instruct a solicitor, or possibly a barrister to defend their client)

Don't worry about your excess - that normally only applies if your insurer has to cover the cost of your repair, not where full recovery is from the third party.

Unless you obtain full recovery, this will be a accident assumed to be at least partly your fault.
(Important for insurance in the future)

Quentin

PPPro wrote: »

....Otherwise you'll need to let your insurers know you don't wish them to take any action (which could leave you liable for a huge amount if the other driver successfully claims you are at least partly, if not wholely responsible) .....

This is totally untrue, and unnecessarily scaremongering


If the other driver does make any claim (successful or unsuccessful) this will always be dealt with by the OP's insurer irrespective of whether or not he OP makes a claim.

PPPro

Quentin wrote: »

This is totally untrue, and unnecessarily scaremongering


If the other driver does make any claim (successful or unsuccessful) this will always be dealt with by the OP's insurer irrespective of whether or not he OP makes a claim.

If I were to accept this point of view, which I obviously do not, then I would suggest the OP may as well slap their small claim in now.

They will obviously either win or lose.

If they win, job's a good un.
If they lose, tell your insurer to deal with the fallout ...
:cool: