mrklaw

Just had my first car accident. Hit from rear by a car while stationary at a pedestrian crossing. I was car 2 in a queue of 4. Front of car is fine, nothing more than a little crack in my front bumper, and likewise on the woman in front, rear.

My rear is a little worse off:







What advice do you have? I've exchanged details on everyone in the queue, and will sort out Direct line in a mo.

Do you think this is driveable? I got it home, but don't know whether this is a serious cosmetic job, or is there potential structural stuff there?

Will I be able to drive it to work tomorrow, or will I need to get it checked out first?

I also hope I don't get whiplash, but it bl00dy hurt when he hit me, so probably do.

Any recommendations for a garage near Slough/SE? I'm assuming I don't just go for the first one Direct Line recommend.

Also, if I'm not at fault (which I'm not), will my no claims be OK? I'm forever reading stories where even if you are a no-fault bystander, they still find an excuse to screw your premiums anyway

GC8

This is only my opinion, which Im sure will be contradicted (this is Scoobynet isnt it?): but Id say that your car is fit to drive. The lights appear to be intact and correctly positioned and there dont seem to be any sharp edges; as long as the regristered number can clearly be seen you should be OK. The rear suspension certainly wont be damaged but you can satisfy yourself of this by removing the boot carpet and looking at the strut towers; also look underneath at the mounting points. If everything appears to be true and the mountings arent disturbed; youre looking particularly for cracked paint, it will be fine. Im sure that this thread will fill up with trolling posts now, and whilst its true that your vehicle needs to be measured before you can be certain, thisnt isnt poor advice in any respect. This car would probably pass an MOT if you remounted the registration plate.....

Simon

mrklaw

Is it OK to drive before contacting my insurance? Sods are closed now until 8am tomorrow morning.

Sounds better than I thought. Not sure about looking at the mats (don't know if the boot'll close again)

GC8

I cant see any reason why not; if the car feels OK then it usually is; looking at the suspension mounts and links will only reassure you of this.

Simon

RON

Looks fine to drive to me, nearly all suspension mounts are in front of the wheels, so should be fine.

Still a pain in the **** though!!!

_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

When my car before last got shunted it took the insurance about three days to come around, and I drove it until then. The assessor didn't seem to care that I'd been driving it. That was also a rear-end shunt, but the front was fairly badly bent as well.





Yours looks fine to drive - but I'm not an expert.

BTW, you will get whiplash, it's almost guaranteed. It can take up to five days to arrive though. As soon as it's bad you should see your doc and explain what happened. Then you sue the *rse off the guy/gal behind you. Eventually it all ends in the lap of the person at the very back. For those people who think claims for whiplash are frivolous, I can only assume you've never had it.


M

Mackers

When you tell the DOC that you had your seatbelt on, have lost most manouverability in your neck and shoulders (mainly on your left hand side), have been getting terrible headaches which disturb your sleep, you'll hopefully start to feel a bit better.

Don't forget that your getting pins and needles in your left forearm and hand! Not many mention the pins and needles ask any doctor!!


Some times it pays to be a scouser!

mrklaw

unfortunately it did bloody hurt my neck at the time, as it was completely unexpected.

So I'm not particularly looking forward to any of those symptoms...even though I know what you mean.

BTW, is that something (if it happens) that I mention to the insurance, or do I have to go to one of these ambulance-chaser types that I'll find raising up kerbstones on the pavement...

JFB

I know it's not much help but your experience is exactly why I fitted a detachable (sp) towbar to mine. It definitely has increased the gap left by motorists behind me and if one does eventually impale his radiator on my ***, he's more than likely going to come off worse. Well that's the plan anyway but it has been a useful deterrant so far.

Best of luck with the whiplash because that can be a bu99er to get rid of. just make sure you document everything especially any difficulties you have with your neck as you may need a detailed recollecton well on in the future should you deem it necessary to seek compensation.

Jerome

DJ WATTS

Sorry to hear about the bad news but from the looks of it its just minor bumper damage. Should be totally fine to drive and im sorry to be the first to report that YES YOU WILL get increased premiums as a result of this as when you renew or ammend your insurance details and they ask for any accidents or CLAIMS in the past 5 years you will have to answer YES and although the circumstances are in your favour it don't mean jack in the insurancer companies eyes and will result in a slight increase in premiums. Im not sure by how much exactly but expect another £80 annualy added to your premium.

Better put that claim in for whiplash to compensate then.

sKunk

Umm, you left your reg in one of the pics??

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Now dont get me wrong, if people have back, or head injuries, i do sympathise. However, I dont agree with this 'sue everyone for every penny you can get' culture we seem to live in now. Driving on the road is a risk, but so is walking on a wet bathroom floor. Whip-lash is not life threatening. Just rest up and you will be fine. Trust me, I know.
It is these sort of pursuits that pushes up everyones insurance premiums.

mrklaw

sure, but then there isn't some old guy in my bathroom waiting to push me over - at least I hope not

_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

From that I assume you've had whiplash? Was it someone else's fault? And can I take it that you didn't claim or otherwise receive any money for it?


M

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

yes, I have had whiplash. Received from when someone in an audi rear ended me in the snow. Everyone had trouble slowing down. In 5 minutes, the roads went from black to white. Didnt seem fair to sue someone for the bad weather! Yes my neck did ache and was very stiff for 2 - 3 weeks, but i got over it.

Legal Eagle

Hmmm, ambulance chaser eh...
If you want professional advice as to whether you have a claim for compensation, then don't slag off the legal people. They are there to help you, but it may cost you. You pay a pumber or an electrician if you want their expertise, so why not pay a lawyer for theirs?

Rant over

Lum

Looks driveable, but the chassis could be bent, from those pictures, not going to be cheap to fix. On an older car it could even be a write off. I'd get your tracking on the rear wheels checked to be safe.

You wont lose your no claims, but the fact that you've had an accident, even non-fault will push the base premium up a bit anyway. Be sure to get the cost of increased premiums added to your claim when you sue them :P

In answer to your other question, no you wont have to go to the ambulance chasers to claim for whiplash, your insurance's legal cover should handle that for you and probably get more cash for it too as your insurer is paying the legal fees so they dont take it out of your "earnings"

Houghton

iTrader: (1)

Had a similar experience a few years back in a Scorpio. 2nd in a line of 5. Guy in front stopped as a couple of vehicles made a right turn into a side road. I stopped behind him with a reasonable gap, car behind me hit the back of my car, then another hit him, then the fifth hit that one, I reckon they'd been having a little race and came unstuck.

Guy who hit me was very shaken and apologetic admitted he was at fault and we exchanged details. The other two behind looked to be exchanging details then both drove off before I could note their regs.

My car needed bumper, exhaust and a couple of other bits. Fortunately I had comp insurance so the repairs were done straight away. When the claim was put through and the other guy contacted, he swore that he'd been pushed into me by the one behind him. What a two faced lying barsteward.

Despite having the all singing, all dancing legal cover, which turned out to be worth less than the paper, etc. it was never resolved and ended up as a claim. Fortunately I had protected NC.

The moral is, trust no-one, screw them for all you can get before they change their story, after they've had time to think about it and screw you. Get any independent witnesses you can.

Since then I always stop if I witness an accident and give my details to the one I feel is the aggrieved party just so tow rags, like the one who hit me, can't lie their way out of their guilt.

Rant Over and good luck

mrklaw

hey, no offence meant by 'ambulance chasers'. I simply meant those no win no fee people on the telly, who by most accounts seem to be a little bit loose with the promises...

I have no problems with good honest legal people (although I wish they'd convey my house a bit quicker!)

Neil W

Had a rear shunt about 4 weeks ago. I was at set of lights and hit from behind. Not as much damage as you but needs a new bumper cover. I went and got a quote immediately and then dealt direct with the insurance company of the guy who hit me. (Therefore no claim on my own insurance and no excess to pay). I also informed my insurer just in case I neeeded to claim through them.

His insurer asked me to get a quote for the repair and two days later they had contacted my local dealer giving them the go ahead to carry out the work. They said no inspection was necessary if the labour is under £400

Goes in tomorrow to be repaired.

I have been driving ever since it happened.

Hope you get it sorted out with not too much agg.

Cheers.

mrklaw

just had direct line on the phone to say the guy at the back put his hands up, so no problem on repairs etc.

They've said I can either use their recommended bodyshop (Rainbow bodyshop in Slough), or a Subaru specialist if preferred.

Any thoughts on Rainbow bodyshop? Or a scooby specialist near Slough?

I popped it round to Rainbow this afternoon for a quick look (they can't do the work until next tuesday), and they said its drivable, but there is rear chassis damage, which will have to be replaced.

grandjambon

My advice would be to just be open and honest about the pain you feel when you tell the insurance company. They will refer you to a doctor to check out your claim and they should give you a full medical. Its not just about getting £££ but you may need treatment in the future - like chiropractic treatment so you must cover your **** now. Hope there are no permanent problems mate. Good luck.

flat-spot

looks Ok to drive to me, get it checked to be safe...but get that number plate changed or the old plod will be pulling you!

Mackers

Relation of mine took this route as at the time did not feel a need to make a claim, this was 8 years ago, has spent the last 2 Years trawling around various medical establishments and alternative therapy centres to cure a recurring back problem that only appeared 4 years after the initial crash which doctors claim in all probabilty due to its nature was caused in that shunt all those years ago!

Although I do aggree with his morrality, when he added up his figures to date, he slightly regrets the decision!

Claimed £0
Spent on medical bills £1200!!

Swings and roundabouts?