Why can'™t some drivers understand red means danger, stop'¦?

[edelschmetterling]

I have never seen so much paper work, received so many calls, been offered so many hire cars, asked the same questions or for that matter given so many uniform answers"¦ Sunday 6th April 2008, 15:30ish:

So the lights turn red, I stop and have time enough to notice two chaps waiting to cross the road just standing there, not moving an inch to which I think, "˜hmmm, now would be a good time to cross the road, cars have stopped in all three lanes, it's safe', then I hear screeching sounds for a couple of seconds, second thoughts were, "˜where could that be coming from' and well in short then it hit me, literally, square on. I have no idea what the extent of the damage is yet, she didn't sound the same afterwards, nor did she feel the same.

Why can't some drivers understand red means danger, stop"¦? - I have whiplash in my neck and back and it's getting worse by the day. Not even the injuries caused makes any sense!?

I don't mean to moan, but why run a red light? Why try to run a red light when there is a car in the way? I don't like this 'run red light culture', very non-progressive.

 

[sue11sam]

Tough luck mate, hope you and the 993 quickly recover

 

[944s2]

At the risk of sounding a boring old F##T thats seems to be the way things are going respect nothing take what you can push to limit (and beyond)

The reason my 944 went was someone forgot to giveway at a T junction and pulled straight out into my path

Hope the other idiot was insured so you can sue the A~~E off him

It goes without saying take care and get a good lawyer there are a few on this forum

 

[edelschmetterling]

Cheers, any ideas or good advice would be greatly appreciated. I spoke to the witness yesterday and he told me he reckons there was at least a 10 second gap between my stopping completely and this chap ploughing into the back of me...

 

[Mark Elder]

Oh no - that's really bad news.
I don't think you have much choice but to get an "accident management company" involved - the age/value of a 993 means the insurance companies need to be up against someone who knows what they are doing if they are not going to rip you off. You are entitled to be placed back in the position you were - ie with similar car in similar condition. (And to have similar (or better) rental one while a permanent one is being found and purchased, or yours is repaired)
Good luck.
Let us know how you get on.

What were they driving (how much damage to that car?)

 

[robbosliding]

What you needed was a pedantic police officer at the road side checking tyres to be an expert witness.......
I 'm not going to start down that road again...........

 

[edelschmetterling]

Oh dear, and now it gets better. I received a letter from my insurers wanting me to accept liability...!? So, I'll be calling them on Monday and explaining in seven year old language once again that I had stopped at the red lights & then over five seconds later Muppet driver drives into the back of me... How can that possibly be my fault? []
How does an "accident management company" work? Won't my insurers etc have one? "" They were driving some type of Ford. Car is at the garage at the moment being looked at and quotes for repairs being made etc"¦ The other party will be sending an inspector down to have a look at it on Monday. In the mean while my neck and back are still buggered"¦ This is crap. Has anyone else gone through an experience like this before who can offer any advise? Will be greatly appreciated.

 

[944s2]

Golden rule blame other party

This is where your trump card appears your witness

My scenario was similar other party claimed I was speeding and ran into him (It was in Tesco car park!)

When I told witness what he was claiming she nearly wet herself laughing

Good luck get witness statement quick and get letter from Doc re neck/back for future (big) claim


Dougie

 

[Mark Elder]

ORIGINAL: edelschmetterling

Oh dear, and now it gets better. I received a letter from my insurers wanting me to accept liability...!? So, I'll be calling them on Monday and explaining in seven year old language once again that I had stopped at the red lights & then over five seconds later Muppet driver drives into the back of me... How can that possibly be my fault? []
How does an "accident management company" work? Won't my insurers etc have one? "" They were driving some type of Ford. Car is at the garage at the moment being looked at and quotes for repairs being made etc"¦ The other party will be sending an inspector down to have a look at it on Monday. In the mean while my neck and back are still buggered"¦ This is crap. Has anyone else gone through an experience like this before who can offer any advise? Will be greatly appreciated.

Yes, this is the normal story these days - exactly why you need one of these companies. I think they are evil really - in the end we all lose through higher premiums, but while the insurance comapnies refuse to do their job (protect their own client) and just prefer the easy "knock for knock" approach, owners of decent cars have no choice.

I mean companies like this:
http://www.accidentsmanaged.co.uk
(there are loads - I've never had to use one so can't make any recommendations - only learned about them through meeting a guy (ex policeman) who's job is now delivering prestige cars for one of them).

Basically they take on the job of claiming full compensation for every moment of your time wasted by the muppet who drove into you - including getting you back to where you were before it happened. They only work on cases where its fairly obvious they will win - but I'd have thought yours was an open and shut case - they must be worth a call anyway.

I just googled "uk accident management company" to find the above one - google lists many.

Good luck

 

[Paul Fraser]

I don't see why you need a witness anyway. If someone runs into the back of you (it has happened to me on three occasions, the first was uninsured, the other two were on company insurance) it's their fault, full stop. Even if you brake full-on on an open road, any vehicle behind you should have given themselves sufficent space to avoid hitting you.
Unless the other party is alledging you reversed into them at high speed that is...

 

[day1zero]

Sorry to hear your news...... I used a company called 3As they where brilliant........

Please email me if you need more info....

The only other advice was to state the handbrake was applied at the time...

I was hit on the M6 and shunted into the car infront......

had no problems after using 3A....courtesy car 3 months 2 whiplash claims and retained no claims....

Hop you get sorted........................

 

[IndischRot]

I carry a disposable camera with flash in each car for just this sort of situation. Take photos of the scene, the driver, the witnesses, the tarmac. Just take photos until the camera's finished off. The other driver will know you have photos and this may help them toe the line and not make outrageous claims after the fact.

 

[edelschmetterling]

Many thank all for your support. I have heard that the bumper did its job well. Damage has been listed as bumper (new one ordered and sprayed etc), heat shield, and some other bits, but nothing major. Back and neck are still buggered though. Worked from the office today and it was not a comfortable feeling & I have to go in tomorrow too"¦ Huff. - My insurance have assigned me someone to help me get compensation for personal damages. We'll see how this progresses.

 

[ubertub]

bummer! not you... him!
I got squashed in my Elise by a zombie in an s.u.v. He thought I was dead and was full of apologies until he changed his story...same old same old.
I got an accident management company involved and they took on my claim on the basis that their charges are sooooooooooooooo extortionalte that in the worst case of 50/50 they wil still be in profit. Next day I receive a new Elise 190 hire car at £300/week rent which is charged to Tesco's account. That focusses the assessor's mind, I can tell you. I had an offer of full value n no time...

God! I'm boring myself now. Sorry!

good luck, and get your neck checked out - pronto! My neck was fine but my back is still killing me a year later.

 

[edelschmetterling]

I don't seem able to pluck up the energy or time to fill out the five forms for the insurance claim. Grief, you'll think they'll supply a secretary given the fact that I was the victim to minimise hassles & inconvenience. I am going to have to get this sorted soon. Hopefully picking up the car tomorrow, gosh I have missed her. Damage wasn't too great it seems, new bumper, heat shield, tail pipes etc"¦ Neck and back still buggered though; seriously hope it doesn't last much longer I am beginning to look like I'm periodically doing a Jane Fonda workout in the office.