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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:
Original poster
planeymcplaneface · 22/06/2016 22:46

I wont let the negative posts get to me they arent worth my time. We are all okay as can be just now. Ds is sleeping as is ddog and im having a cuppa before bed

OP posts:
lozster · 22/06/2016 23:00

Heck yes you can claim against his insurance just as you would if you were in a car and he hit your car. This is not dependent on the police bringing charges.

Many years ago as a student I was knocked off my bike by a driver pulling out of a junction. My Dad's union pursued the case for me. I was awarded 1k for damage to my bike and me. It took about a year. Your home insurance may also cover you for legal assistance. I think some bank accounts may provide legal cover too. If not then injury lawyers of the no win no fee variety may be an option though I know there are a lot of sharks out there.

Hope you and the little 'un are doing ok. I have the same pram as you and was always pleased by how sturdy it is! Not that I want to put it to the test.

Original poster
planeymcplaneface · 22/06/2016 23:07

I have sent correspondence to icandy letting them know that because of their pram's sturdiness my son is a lot less injured than he would of been in an umbrella buggy

OP posts:
GabsAlot · 22/06/2016 23:08

let us know what happens to the driver plane

and i wish your ds and doggy better

Original poster
planeymcplaneface · 22/06/2016 23:23

I am going to phone the police tomorrow as they had phoned last night and this morning to see how we were. I have to update them of my dogs injuries too the vet told me this afternoon. I will also be speaking to citizens advice too

OP posts:
AliceInUnderpants · 22/06/2016 23:42

Poor doggy Sad

How is your foot today?

monkeywithacowface · 23/06/2016 00:03

God what an horrific experience for you OP. Thank god your little one wasn't more seriously injured or worse. of course you should claim any expenses you incur as a result including the cost of a new pushchair and vets bills. I'm not sure why being on foot rather than in a car makes people think you shouldn't make a claim.

FuckOffJeffrey · 23/06/2016 00:47

Hi OP. Really sorry to hear about the accident and the photo of your DS in hospital is heartbreaking. I'm pleased to hear your DS is out of hospital now and appears to be on the mend. Flowers

I've not got anything helpful to add re: claiming as I don't know much about the subject myself. I just felt compelled to post as I had a similar experience a few years back at a zebra crossing. Fortunately DD was not hit as I managed to pull the buggy out of the way of the car in time. I can't imagine how you must be feeling as our near miss shook me for weeks.

WiddlinDiddlin · 23/06/2016 03:38

Absolutely right to claim, this is what insurance is for and you are claiming for what this persons negligence will cost you.

Don't forget as well as vet bills, if you need a dog behaviourist or trainer out to deal with any repercussions from the accident - for example your dog is now terrified of traffic, claim for that too - thats legit and it could cost you a few hundred quid to sort out.

I hope everyone recovers quickly - I was run over (entirely my fault) at the age of 13 and I still seriously worry about crossing roads now, 23 years later!

99percentchocolate · 23/06/2016 05:01

OP, I'm so sorry you are going through this. How are you all today? Flowers

Imaginosity · 23/06/2016 06:59

I also work in insurance claims and would find it very unusual if you didn't claim. You're a pedestrian with a baby in a buggy who was hit on a zebra crossing! It's the type of claim I'd immediately mention to my manager and we'd straight away know we'd be paying out on that one.

Based on what you've described, the driver will be held to be fully at fault - it doesn't matter if he's prosecuted etc.

The whole point of why drivers pay car insurance is to cover situations like this. There are injuries and damage to property that you should claim for.

In the place I work in we'd compensate you quickly got the buggy while the injuries claim was being processed.

It's very fortunate your child didn't have even worse injuries - it must have been so frightening seeing a car hit your buggy Flowers

FankEweVeryMuch · 23/06/2016 07:03

Is driving through a zebra crossing with people on it a mistake? Confused

Yourface · 23/06/2016 07:14

Not read the whole thread but I couldn't see more clear cut reason to claim then yours. Absolutely claim. You must. This is exactly what insurance is for. I'm sorry this happened to you and I hope you all feel better soon.

Original poster
planeymcplaneface · 23/06/2016 08:03

Morning everyone. We had a not too bad night, ds was a bit unsettled during the night and i couldnt get very comfy for my foot. Ddog slept soundly but hes a bit stiff this morning

OP posts:
FuckOffJeffrey · 23/06/2016 09:21

FankEweVeryMuch - yes

Aibu to claim for this?
Mycatsabastard · 23/06/2016 09:40

I've just read most of this thread, you poor thing Op and your poor little boy :( Hope you both, and your dog are all feeling a tiny bit better today.

Dp was in a very serious accident in December 2013. He was coming home from work and a car pulled out knocking him from his motorbike. That was at 5pm. By the time I'd got to the scene where he was being treated, then to Resus in A&E and then got the kids farmed out to friends and then back to hospital and then to another hospital where he was transferred for emergency surgery and then waiting until 2am until he came out of surgery and onto HDU my brain was utterly fried. I don't even remember the hours drive home. All I knew was that he was stable, he was in good hands but I felt like I couldn't even comprehend the situation we were all now in.

I remember sitting up most of that night talking to friends on facebook and not being able to sleep. I needed to get it out there because you just do!

I totally understand how you felt that first night, you needed to talk and you most definitely need to make sure you claim for a buggy, vets bills, time off work, travel to and from hospital and other medical check ups, any other expenses which can take a long time but you can ask for an interim payment for the buggy to be paid now.

FankEweVeryMuch · 23/06/2016 09:48

Fuckoffjeffrey I meant that I think a mistake is totally minimising what the driver did. It was extremely stupid and dangerous, not a silly mistake. This was in reply to some early replies that said the driver made a mistake and the OP shouldn't seek compensation.

Kit2015 · 23/06/2016 09:49

Just read most of your thread and just wanted to say. I thought about how I would feel in your situation.
Your heart must have stopped. I am so glad that you and your son are if a bit battered and bruised okay.
I hope you resolve the claim (or whatever you decide to do), and you your son and dog are feel 200% very soon. Flowers

chameleon43 · 23/06/2016 10:00

I have never seen a clearer example of when someone should claim. You were in the innocent party and you have been injured and had property damaged. You can and should claim for both of these things.

Hope you all recover soon.

ReginaBlitz · 23/06/2016 11:19

Still stand by what I said. Now I shall fuck off classy!

AppleSetsSail · 23/06/2016 11:29

Fuckoffjeffrey I meant that I think a mistake is totally minimising what the driver did. It was extremely stupid and dangerous, not a silly mistake. This was in reply to some early replies that said the driver made a mistake and the OP shouldn't seek compensation.

Totally agree. I'd never drive through a zebra crossing until I could confirm that there's no one in it. One of my great fears as a driver and pedestrian is emerging half-way from behind a lorry. There is no accident here!

FankEweVeryMuch · 23/06/2016 12:25

OP I forgot to add my well wishes for you all. Flowers

sparechange · 23/06/2016 13:40

Regina, you've been deleted for a reason
You don't stomp back on the thread like a petulant child and claim to still be right.
You were out of order with your comment, and MNHQ agree.
An apology would be more appropriate than a tantrum

BadLad · 23/06/2016 14:07

There is no accident here!

Attempted murder?

Wyldfyre · 23/06/2016 14:16

No. Murder and attempted murder need an intern (men's rea) to kill