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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to claim for this?

239 replies

planeymcplaneface · 21/06/2016 23:44

Im writing this from the childrens ward of our local hospital after myself, 1yo ds and my dog were hit by a car today whilst crossing at a zebra crossing.
The driver said he didnt see us despite my buggy being bright turquiose and being in the middle of the bloody crossing!! By luck my ds was in an icandy peach which has taken the brunt of the impact resulting in a back wheel coming off and the chassis being totally buckled. He was spun about 3mtrs down the road and ive never been so scared in all my life. He has cuts and bruising to his head but seems okay otherwise. I have tissue damage to my foot and my dog is in shock from what happened.
I genuinely dont know how i feel there are so many emotions going through my head. All i wanted was a bacon roll for my lunch from my friends snack van and this happened. Its certainly been an eventful tuesday thats for sure.
My dad said as much as it isnt nice ive to claim for what happened and also the consultant said id have grounds to as well. However i dont know if i do would it not be a long process if even there is grounds?

OP posts:
myownprivateidaho · 22/06/2016 07:54

Yes you should claim for your loss. It's not 'ambulance chasing' just him bearing the cost of his own mistake. However there's no need to think about it yet. Concentrate on getting you and your child better.

ohtheholidays · 22/06/2016 07:56

How the hell was it an accident the OP said she was halfway across a zebra crossing when they were hit.

Yes sue the bloody idiot I would,hopefully what ever the court chucks at him and being sued will be enough to stop him ever bloody doing it again!

I hope you,your DS and your Dog are all okay OP it must have been an awful shock for you all Flowers

neonrainbow · 22/06/2016 07:59

Yes you can claim. If claiming injury get a solicitor on it, if just the buggy then approach his insurers.

TheWeeBabySeamus1 · 22/06/2016 08:05

You have an absolute right to claim for both the buggy and pain and suffering for your child. Any monies awarded for your sons injuries will be held in Court Funds for him until he turns 18.

ohtheholidays · 22/06/2016 08:06

Planey I've just seen the picture of your poor baby boy and it made me cry.You must be so worried.

Please make sure that the Police know about everything,all the injurys your poor baby boy has,the problems for your poor Dog and any injurys you have.

Sue the fucking bastard for the lot,everyones injurys,the vets bills,the buggy everything!I'd hope they'd lock the fucking idiot up and like another poster said they should do but make sure they check that he wasn't checking his phone,making a call,texting someone,or using social media when he hit you all and I presume they checked him at the scene to make sure no alcohol or drugs were involved?

eyebrowsonfleek · 22/06/2016 08:13

Flowers to you and your son.

Don't feel like claiming vet's fees, buggy etc is contributing to the compensation culture. It's the least that you should be claiming from his insurance company.

I sincerely hope that this driver is not on the road. How can you hit a buggy and mother on a pedestrian crossing? Angry

I hope that you and your son are feeling a little better today. Smile

Ginmakesitallok · 22/06/2016 08:20

If it was an "accident" involving 2 cars folk wouldn't hesitate to claim of other drivers insurance. This should be no different. Hugs to your wee boy.

Blistory · 22/06/2016 08:23

If you had been driving, one of the first things you would have done after dealing with injury would be to notify your insurers. It's no different just because you were a pedestrian so don't feel bad about it. And I'd be surprised if any insurance company representing the driver would be keen to have this one in Court.

Sorry that your wee one went through that. Don't be surprised if it keeps playing on your mind.

kittensandgin · 22/06/2016 08:24

planey, I hope your DS, you and your dog are better soon and that there won't be any lasting damage. Flowers Ignore the first few posts on this thread, of course you should claim.

MrsRyanGosling, if someone rear-ended you badly enough for you to have a sore neck, there very well might be damage to your car that isn't immediately visible from the outside. There could for example be internal damage to the bumper bar. This may affect shock absorption and could be a safety risk in any future accidents. Please have your car looked at, this type of internal damage is really common.

PirateFairy45 · 22/06/2016 08:26

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
planeymcplaneface · 22/06/2016 08:27

My mum told me that the police checked him out and breathalysed him when they arrived on the scene

OP posts:
Bogeyface · 22/06/2016 08:28

If I had been in this accident then one of the things I would have thought about during the sleepness night would be "Where the hell am I going to get the money for a new buggy from?" and "Why the hell should I be the one worrying about this when the accident isnt my fault?"

Compensation is so that the victim/s of incidents like this suffer no financial losses on the basis that the collision was not their fault. Yes, I would be thinking about it, along with a great many other things, as I was sitting by my childs beside and anyone who says that it wouldnt have crossed their minds at that point is either naive or a liar!

Bogeyface · 22/06/2016 08:32

Pirate wind your fucking neck in and stop making such ridiculous comments.. If the OP was in a car, no one would be questioning whether she should be claiming for damage to her car.

Original poster
planeymcplaneface · 22/06/2016 08:32

pirate why am i not allowed to think about it during a long sleepless night? I am out of pocket for my buggy so yes id like compensated for it. Would you not have things going round and round in your head after something like this?

OP posts:
whois · 22/06/2016 08:34

The OP and her baby were hit by a car whilst they were on a pedestrian crossing! Of course she will get at least the cost of a new buggy from his insurance company FFS.

If the driver had hit another car, in an at fault accident via insurance, his insurance would compensate the faultless driver for their car.

It's hardly ambulance chasing.

Also, hit as a pedestrian whilst on a zebra crossing!!! Scary.

NeedsAsockamnesty · 22/06/2016 08:37

That's what people have car insurance for to cover damages in the event of an incident

eyebrowsonfleek · 22/06/2016 08:48

Pirate - when you're awake in hospital thinking about the accident and worrying about upcoming scans etc, your mind will go to replacing buggies, worrying about the dog... After something traumatic occurring, sorting out practical stuff can be a fab distraction. When my husband left me, I found lots of energy to sort out practical stuff.

Toffeelatteplease · 22/06/2016 08:55

Please please please claim.

Get in touch with solicitors and let them deal with the insurance company. Do it quick so you can go private with any care you or your son need, especially if it is scans etc. In fact that is the first thing right now you need to be doing.

Therealloislane · 22/06/2016 08:55

Planey you poor love, big hugs. And soft gentle ones for little planey too xx

I can see why your mind wandered to claiming, and you're right that you need compensation. You've no idea how traumatised you/ds/dog will be when it comes to using this crossing again.

I was on the opposite side a few years ago when I caused an accident. Two days after said accident I received a letter from a solicitor stating that a claim was being made against me. I was gutted.

A few months down the line I received a final letter saying the claimant was being awarded £4,500. This was paid through my insurance - she claimed loss of earnings as she was a carer unable to work due to injuries.

I had no issue with her claim, I admitted fault at the scene (no other way, I drove right into her) but she lied. She was a carer, in fact unknown to her my great aunt was one of her clients - and she hadn't missed a day of work Sad so it's people like that who make a farce of "claim culture" not genuine people.

BeyondTellingEveryoneRealFacts · 22/06/2016 08:56

Sort of similar, my dh was hit off his bike at a t junction as the driver (coming out of the junction) wasnt paying attention. She admitted it but no charges were brought. However she did pay for the (expensive) repairs to his bike as she didnt want it on her insurance. If that is an option?

Hopefully the police take it more seriously in your case though as it involves a baby Flowers

Emochild · 22/06/2016 08:57

We were involved in a car accident with my 2 children in the car and a double pushchair in the boot -we were rear ended whilst stationary at a red light

Their insurance company sent a cheque out within a week for the car seats and pushchair -it did affect the overall claim for my partners wrist injuries

ExitPursuedByBear · 22/06/2016 08:58

I can't believe some of the responses on this thread. If this had been two cars involved it would have been a straight insurance claim!

You have every right to seek compensation from his insurer.
Cchzgggggxxxux
Flowers

Toffeelatteplease · 22/06/2016 08:58

Doesn't really matter what he says. You were on a crossing. He is liable. May take a while to settle but you may find the other dudes insurance company want to get in quick and help as quickly as possible to keep costs down. Basically get your son the right treatment now it will cost them less in the long run. But do get a solicitor so they can handle it for you. Talk to your insurance company and ask who they use for personal injury you may find this a good starting point

MiffleTheIntrovert · 22/06/2016 08:59

When one of my DCs was in hospital a few weeks ago, I spent a couple of hours wishing I had a phone charger so I could Mumsnet. When your DCs are asleep in hospital the nights are very long and you are much better to keep your mind busy if possible, when there is no chance of sleep.

Also, if you have been in a car accident, the majority of conversations following involve the words "claim" or "compensation". Even with HCPs!

Planey I hope your DS and you are both okay and home safely very shortly. It must have been terrifying and I imagine you are suffering from shock. There are some very unkind people on this thread, please ignore them.

SweetieDrops · 22/06/2016 09:02

God, there are some proper dickheads on this thread and the OP isn't one of them.

OP you've had a horrible shock, I hope your DS doesn't suffer any long term effects from this. Of course you should be entitled to some financial compensation for your buggy.

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