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AIBU?

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Original poster

Just had a prang - no idea what to do, help!

93 replies

CarAccidentHelp · 03/05/2019 17:50

So just driving slowly into big car park, 5mph or slower as usual, car ahead (30meters at least) is stationary on left side (is all one way obv) and stays with no signals completely stationary for whole approach and i've slowed right down. I assume he is on the phone, he's not indicating or moving - so I indicate and start going past him to the right (loads of room) almost as soon as I am level with him he swings his car right and right into me. He isn't indicating. Jumps out and shouts "I can't believe you just did that to me!", I said "I think you'll find you just drove into me!" we circle cars taking pictures. I am clearly nosed ahead of him and he is into my side front door, which I think shows I was almost past him when he pulled into me - he should have seen me/used mirrors/indicated. He was very aggressive and angry. I did ask ppl behind but they didn't see it.

Anyway we swapped phone numbers and names and I'm home. Been driving 4 years and never had an accident so not sure what I do next. Am insured etc. Help!

Sorry if rambling, am shaky.

OP posts:
Original poster
CarAccidentHelp · 03/05/2019 19:54

Alletrix would you only get that if you claim?

Feel like an idiot for deciding not to now. Was hoping as it is scratching (although now I have seen a small dent at the back of the front wheel arch too) we could just leave it. Told you all I didn't know what I was doing! Both our cars are the same make (cheapest!) and tbh I didn't want an expensive one when I still feel I've only just learned to drive. I don't mind driving about with a few dents on, but the two dents I have are from me misjudging the width on a wall in the early days, so I've just left them!

OP posts:
Mamamia456 · 03/05/2019 19:57

OP you can make a claim online 24/7 which will be quicker than phoning.

Original poster
CarAccidentHelp · 03/05/2019 19:57

Oh no! I thought I would make it easier by saying I didn't want to claim.
I own the car outright.

OP posts:
Original poster
CarAccidentHelp · 03/05/2019 19:59

Mamamia - I've already submitted my claim online, although said I wouldn't claim when asked within the form. Should I do it again and change my mind or wait until Monday? Maybe I can open it using the ref number and amend it?

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 03/05/2019 20:05

Your insurers will have partnered with certain garages who they use for repair work - they have to be a good standard and trustworthy etc

You can’t just go and get quotes! Unless it’s a newish car and a local dealership

There should be a 24 hour claim line in your paperwork

Mamamia456 · 03/05/2019 20:10

I would just wait until Monday and ring them and explain that you would like to claim, you will be claiming from his insurance company anyway. Please don't worry, your insurance company will sort it all out for you.

Original poster
CarAccidentHelp · 03/05/2019 20:12

The online is 24hr. Number is a recorded message which after selecting options for car claim just says you have to report it online then says if I want to talk about a claim already reported to call back Mon-Fri.

OP posts:
Original poster
CarAccidentHelp · 03/05/2019 20:14

Ok, thank you all so much for your help.

If I find out he is a scammer I'll come back and let you all know Grin

OP posts:
partofthewind · 03/05/2019 20:16

He thinks you're at fault, so you need to tell your insurance company. Don't do anything other than than. Let your insurance company deal with his. If you can't get hold of them today or tomorrow (you should be able to, claims lines are usually 24hrs) write down everything that happened and draw diagrams while it's fresh in your mind.

I had a similar thing happen to me in a supermarket car park. Me and a guy were driving towards each other, both intending to turn down the exit road. I was turning left into it, he was turning right (crossing my lane). He drove into the side of my drivers side door as I was turning left. He swore blind it was my fault! He even lied to his insurers saying I'd pulled out of a parking space in front of him. No witnesses, supermarket wouldn't give me CCTV. My insurers supported me 100% because the damage didn't make any sense based upon his lies. They ended up issuing a summons to him to a civil court hearing. He then admitted liability.

This guy could make up a story about how you hit him. You need to tell your insurer your side of events as soon as possible. Hopefully the damage to his car and the damage to yours will tell the story. Don't communicate with him anymore, let your insurers do it.

SouthWestmom · 03/05/2019 20:26

I agree. Wait for your insurance company to start a dialogue with you. Tell them you were passing a stationary car which pulled out into you.

DragonglassHeart · 03/05/2019 20:36

Some great info on the Which? website here OP. I hope this is sorted out easily for you. If he contacts you again say that your insurance Co. have advised you to have no contact and they will deal with it.

What to do if you have a car accident

It reads to me that you should call the police too, especially if you suspect a scam. I suppose they could have other complaints about the same set-up in the area.

Who to call after a car accident

Take a look around. If anyone has been injured in the car accident you should call the police on 999 (and an ambulance too if necessary) as soon as possible. If you don't need an emergency response, then you should call the police on 101 instead.

The police should also be called if the car accident is blocking the road or if you feel there was foul play involved – if you suspect you’re a victim of a ‘crash for cash’ scam, for example, where a driver deliberately causes an accident to make a fraudulent insurance claim.

TowandaForever · 03/05/2019 20:37

@theemmadilemma

Can I ask how 50/50 affected your renewal price and no claims etc?

SunnySummerDays · 03/05/2019 20:42

All declared accidents get added to the government CUE website and they would spot if he is a multiple claimer I would think.

TowandaForever · 03/05/2019 20:43

Everyone says let your insurer deal with it but the other party in my case refused to accept liability despite driving into me.

My insurance company passed it over to their legal firm who told me if I didn't let them try to recover the costs through court action it would affect my insurance.

The law firm doesn't care that he is at fault and wants me to take 50/50. I suppose because it saves them court and solicitor fees.

julensaor · 04/05/2019 01:18

*He wasn't reversing - he was just sat on the left hand side completely still.

In which case it's 100% OPs fault, surely ?*

Wouldn't like to meet you in a carpark @DGRossetti Grin. You cannot sit stationary in a car with no indication of intent. If he was stopped momentarily for a phone call, his hazards should have been on, if he was looking for a parking space on the left, he should be doing so whilst moving even at 5mph and indicating directly when he sees one. You simply cannot stop your car with no indication in the middle of a thoroughfare, public or private. OP I wish you hadn't sent him the message to say you weren't claiming. It's done now but in future if you are involved in an accident take photos, assess the other parties demeanour on it, don't get angry, don't get involved and discuss and just refer straight back to insurance. And get a dash cam.

DGRossetti · 04/05/2019 07:44

You cannot sit stationary in a car with no indication of intent.

car parks are full of stationary cars with no indication of intent. Isn't that what parking is ?

Sorry, but if the OP hit a stopped car, no amount of mental gymnastics is ever going to make it the fault of the stopped driver. Who may have stopped for any number of reasons from mechanical failure to seeing a child run out in front of them.

If the car the OP hit was moving then it's up for grabs. But I was responding to the OPs statement : he was just sat on the left hand side completely still

FenellaMaxwell · 04/05/2019 07:51

@DGRossetti

car parks are full of stationary cars with no indication of intent. Isn't that what parking is ?

Yes dear. But the man wasn’t parked in a parking space, in this case. He was stopped randomly on the carriageway part that takes you around to find a space.

adaline · 04/05/2019 07:52

@DGRossetti she didn't hit a stopped car at all.

She indicated to go around him and he pulled out into her passenger side door!

Inrestlessdreamsiwalkalone · 04/05/2019 07:53

@DGRossetti what should the OP have done then.... pulled up behind him and waited for him to make some form of maneuvere? She could have been waiting hours.

The OP carried out a legitimate maneuvere by overtaking a stationery vehicle. Said vehicle then moved off without mirror or signal. If he had used either then the OP could have appropriate action or the other driver would have seen op and hopefully not driven into the side of her.

Also, unless he had intention of doing a 3 point turn there was no reason for him to turn his steering wheel unless to straighten up in which case... he doesn't know how to handle his car or drive

Shelbybear · 04/05/2019 07:55

Sadly your claim does go up for non fault claims. I had someone pull out in front on me at a roundabout. Then someone crashed into my parked car outside my house (owned up thankfully) Both were non fault claims. My insurance was usually about £200 a year and it went up to nearly £300 the next year.

The insurers go on probability and risk. They say you are more likely to be in another accident once you've had one 🤷🏻‍♀️

Op you should have called your insurance, much better to talk it through with someone. They may have told you straight away whether it was a non fault claim (they did for me, asked what happened and said straight away it's non fault we will be claiming their insurance) and you cld have got your car fixed. You don't pay excess as it's non fault. Your insurance may still go up as you've notified them that there was an accident whether your claiming or not is irrelevant.

Your insurance company usually deal with the repair and get the car collected, arrange a hire car for you etc. It is all very straight forward these days.

NicoAndTheNiners · 04/05/2019 07:57

Sounds like it's 100% his fault. Tell your insurance company it's his fault. Sometimes they try to get you to agree to 50/50 blame but refuse this. He pulled into your side so the damage backs you up.

englishdictionary · 04/05/2019 08:02

I've texted him to say i've contacted my insurers (given name of company) but won't be claiming as damage is minimal.

Why did you do that?

You literally have reply after reply telling you to inform your insurance company and leave it to them.

Do not do anything else. No contact with him, no garages, no nothing. Just speak to your insurer. That is what you pay them for.

wombat1a · 04/05/2019 08:15

Since he is at fault then don't you need to contact HIS insurance company in order to make a claim against HIS insurance. You then as far as I understand only need to tell your insurance company that you have been in a prang and want to claim against the other parties insurance directly.

TheSerenDipitY · 04/05/2019 08:18

do not communicate with that man again, only deal with your own insurance company ( NOT HIS) if anyone calls and says they are from his refer them to your company, dont give them claims numbers, just the insurance companies name

englishdictionary · 04/05/2019 08:24

Since he is at fault then don't you need to contact HIS insurance company in order to make a claim against HIS insurance.

You then as far as I understand only need to tell your insurance company that you have been in a prang and want to claim against the other parties insurance directly.

Don't you' 'as far as I understand'*

No. You don't. Your understanding is incorrect.

You contact your insurer, give them the information, they deal with it.

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