Accident-ABS failed?

supermum38

This afternoon I was unfotunate enough to write my car off after going into the back of another car ONLY the air bags did not go off and I don't think the ABS worked!

The strange thing is that literally 13 days ago I had a free brake check and new discs and brakes fitted at a national Autocentre. Would they have checked the ABS? There were no warning lights or messages but surely it is considered part of the brake system?

Also I have only had this car for 5 months and when I first collected it I had to return it to the dealership more than once because it would cut out and had an engine warning light came on.

I have been advised to get my own inspection relating to the above but have yet to find this online. I am also curious as to whether my insurance comapny should investigate if |I have legal protection? Again not easy to find the answers to...

Any advice will be gratefully recived. I feel guilty because my mum helped me get this car so I could keep my job. I have been driving for work for the last 4 years and just got the full time role after completing my degree with the OU. I genuinely believe this accident shouldn't have happened.

P.S Please don't troll and say I am just a bad driver, I sold my last car after 4 years and the previous car after 9 years! I am not into writing cars off!

DUTR

I'm not sure what you are asking?
You ran into the back of somebody, you were driving, how can you not be at fault?
Good luck with a prompt resolution.
many people have had an accident at some point during their driving career, although it feels like the end of the world ....it isn't.

Carrot007

Airbags tend to go off only when they are needed. They can cause problems otherwise.

ABS would not have been tested in your ridiculous touting for business check. Please avoid such places and get a service at a reputable garage. If you bought the car from one of the mainstream second hand dealers a service is the first thing you should have done as they would say they did but did not. (You have no way of proving this).

Why do you think you needed ABS? Was it icy etc? Many car's don;t have ABS so you should be fine without it anyway.

verityboo

The airbags would only go off if the car deemed the crash severe enough (there was a danager of the driver hitting the steering wheel for instance). Modern cars absorbe the impact so that airbags do not deploy at low speed.

ABS systems usually self test when you start the car and drive off. A warning light would stay on if a fault was detected. A garage would not usually carry out any tests on the ABS unless a fault was indicated

supermum38

I never said I haven't had accidents but I can say I avoided them with ABS because my car stopped. It did not stop. It is also a similar model to my car of nine years. Yes, I bought it from a trader with recommendation and the check was offered. I bought it with a new MOT and warranty.I am not looking to place blame as this doesn't even affect my insurance which is protected. I have business use and fully comp insurance.

I was just hoping to drive a safe vehicle and I'm relieved I didn't hit a child.

Sorry, if you don't agree.

daveyjp

Too close whilst going too fast is why you had the accident.

ABS merely prevents skidding and allows you to steer when braking to avoid a crash, it does not necessarily make the car stop in a shorter distance.

John-K_3

ABS is not there to stop you more quickly, it is there to allow you to continue to steer while braking.

Are you saying that the wheels locked, and so your steering became ineffective, or did you just keep steering straight ahead while you drive into the back of another car?

Aylesbury_Duck

OP, how do you know the ABS didn't work?

Unfortunately if it didnt, its still your responsibility to maintain a functioning car. An ABS malfunction shouldnt stop the brakes working and it is up to you as a driver to maintain a safe braking distance and a roadworthy car. Even if the ABS wasn't working, its still a roadworthy car and perfectly safe if driven properly. ABS only stops the wheels locking so if you braked, the wheels locked and you slid into the other car that would suggest the ABS failed. Even if it did, thats not someone elses fault.

It sounds like you underestimated your braking distance and were over-reliant on the cars brakes and tyres to stop in time.

neilmcl

supermum38 wrote: »

I never said I haven't had accidents but I can say I avoided them with ABS because my car stopped. It did not stop. It is also a similar model to my car of nine years. Yes, I bought it from a trader with recommendation and the check was offered. I bought it with a new MOT and warranty.I am not looking to place blame as this doesn't even affect my insurance which is protected. I have business use and fully comp insurance.

I was just hoping to drive a safe vehicle and I'm relieved I didn't hit a child.

Sorry, if you don't agree.

Would you actually know how to get ABS to work or would you actually know if it did?

DUTR

supermum38 wrote: »

I never said I haven't had accidents but I can say I avoided them with ABS because my car stopped. It did not stop. It is also a similar model to my car of nine years. Yes, I bought it from a trader with recommendation and the check was offered. I bought it with a new MOT and warranty.I am not looking to place blame as this doesn't even affect my insurance which is protected. I have business use and fully comp insurance.

I was just hoping to drive a safe vehicle and I'm relieved I didn't hit a child.

Sorry, if you don't agree.

Whether ABS or even AEB, the vehicle cannot defy the laws of physics, having allowed more distance between you and the vehicle in front would have a greater chance of avoiding an accident.
The vehicle is safe..... perhaps the driver wasn't on this occasion?
Your insurance will be affected as in you have a claim outstanding and pose a greater risk to the under writers.

paddedjohn

Op, are you of the impression that ABS would automatically brake for your you??
You were obviously too close or you would have stopped in time so you are to blame.