Can I have a rant?

[Astroscoach]

I need to rant. I'm trying not to lose my cool but I'm worried I'm going to get an ulcer if I don't get this out!
Last month a transit van pulled out of a junction to do a right turn when it wasn't clear and went right into the side of me. He was verbally aggressive, scared off my witness and refused to admit fault.
I still needed a car to get to work so when the hire company rang, I explained I needed a family car to fit the 2 car seats in the back (new after the crash which the insurance wont pay for ask I no longer have the original receipts for the ones that got written off with the car.)
My DH went to pick up the car and got given a sports version Vauxhall insignia and they were quite pushy for us to accept it.
We used it for 3 days and I got a new car. I took good care of it, only driving it to work and back and parking it off road. On the 4th day we brought the hire car back. They noted there was a scratch on the bumper. I could barely see it. My DH said he didnt get any photos of the car before he left with it. He wasn't asked to do any checks but he did note that there was still polish all around the car from the valet they had done, which he asked to be noted.
We've now received a bill for £350 for the scratch to be fixed but the paper work show pictures of lots of other scratches that weren't seen at the time of pick up or drop off.
I feel so stupid as it's all my fault we needed a bloody hire car in the first place. We are down on funds. I'm on mat leave and my DH has managed to get a job after being made redundant with a significant pay drop. The boiler went and we have to replace it amongst other general life stuff. I'm just about holding to together. I've taken it all on the chin so far but this might tip me over the edge!
Thank you for letting me rant.

What does your insurance company say? Police?
I am so sorry this happened to you.
My daughter was injured and her car written off in very similar circumstances. The other driver was very aggressive. The insurance company sorted it all out eventually.

Rant away, that sounds like an awful lot to deal with.
Are you able to dispute the additional scratches? If there’s no chance they were done during your three days then you really shouldn’t be paying for them.
I hope everything gets resolved soon and the new job works out for DH.
My DH has just lost his job (thanks Covid) and is currently job hunting whilst on garden leave, so I know what a worry it is 😢

First of all, I can relate. Maybe not quite to the extreme and there’s nothing I can say which will change it for you (unless I win the lottery and then I will share generously 😂😂). A couple of years ago when I was 17/18 I got into an accident being a new driver. I had the stress of being taken to court etc etc😢just from purely an accident. Then I got a hire car which someone put a nail in the tire with it being a brand new car! Jealousy I guess, if only they knew it wasn’t mine to keep! I then had to pay out. I got a new car which I drove home to find out there was no brake fluid (had to pay out again) and many car drama since 😱it really gets you down and stressed, money etc and not being able to solve problems. But hope hearing that you’ll know it usually comes all at once and then almost ALWAYS comes good somehow and you will find a way to make it right. Good luck and keep positive I’m sure somethings just round the corner. I know it’s awful... Mum of DS 2 months old

Thank you for listening.

@chestnutSquash I did get his number plate eventually and it went through the insurance. Insurance have taken the excess so I am hoping we get that back. I'm sorry your daughter was injured, I hope she's ok now. I can't understand the need for people to be so aggressive.

@ @daisydalrymple sorry to hear your DJ was made redundant too. Times really are hard enough right now without things like this happening. Hope his search for a job is over swiftly.
We are going to dispute the extra scratches. I just didn't need my head space taken up withe extra stress.

@Mummybunny2000 that sounds like such a run of bad luck!
I love your positive outlook though. You are right that things will eventually even out. I really appreciate your message.

Thanks for letting me have a moan. I know this is nothing in the big picture of things!

@Astroscoach it seems to come all at once as it has for you! Fingers crossed for you and no it’s not nothing ..it’s a big big stress. hugs

Dd is still having physio after 6 years. She should have got a lot more compensation IMO. But there are so many fraudulent whiplash claims around that it isn't taken seriously. OTOH, she could easily have been killed, so, I am thankful it wasn't worse. There was a case near me when someone pulled out and caused a minor crash. The other driver got out of his car and killed him.
My dd genuinely thought this man was going to assault her, but he couldn't get the car door open. She was trapped inside. Luckily the police arrived quickly.

@chestnutSquash so sorry that your daughter still has after effects. I think some people behave shockingly when they are put in a corner.

A few years ago my DH was involved in a car crash where the driver hit them side on and the van tipped over. I am so, so grateful my DH and his work colleague in the van were fine, just shaken. A few months later DHS work colleague turned up in a brand new car. He bragged that he boughg it after claiming for whiplash and said he difnt feel bad about it as it was uk culture to claim even if you didnt have it. Shocking.