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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Car crash not my fault

112 replies

Shibby585 · 13/01/2022 12:52

Just wondering people's thoughts on this. Been driving for 15 years, 12 years no claims on my own policy. Was hit by a young driver from behind as I was waiting to pull off at the roundabout, she was really upset and I said its OK. I got her to pull over, told her to put hazards on and checked our cars.

There was more damage to hers than mine, I have some scuffs and some paint mark. I told her again not to worry and asked for insurance details, she said she didn't know them. She was upset so I also spoke to her dad and said there was only a bit of damage and we were both OK. I told them. I had the car in for a service the next day so would get it checked for safety. Dad also apparently did not know insurance details.

Got the girls number went home and messaged all my details, again she apologised and said if there were any repairs she would pay. I said that's fine I probably just need a new car seat it's probably not worth repair.

I asked again for details to cover myself in case of injury or something turned up wrong with the car she again refused. Then her dad got involved and started messaging saying he didn't have to provide details and they would pay for the car seat. I said if I didn't get them I would notify insurance and police. He said he's already made a police report.

I had to take the day off work and had to take it today, so I've been and got checked I have whiplash. In the end I got sick and rang my insurance and have asked them to deal with it all.

I feel really bad as her insurance will go up and the damage wasn't major, but I got sick of asking and I am actually injured and there is damage to my car. Am I the asshole here?

OP posts:
boringcreation · 13/01/2022 13:46

@EerieSilence

Step one - reporting to insurance, done. Step two - report to police. Shouldn't insurance be mandatory? There's no way they don't know the details - not sure how it's in the UK but the disc with my insurance details is on my front screen over here.
Was about to say this. Is this not the case in the UK?
Getyourjinglebellsinarow · 13/01/2022 13:47

Sounds like she might not even be insured. If you have her reg then just leave it to your insurance company. Not your problem. I was in her position, first year of driving. The roundabout was clear and the car in front started moving, I was keeping an eye on the roundabout in case anything came and she'd bloody stopped and I went into the back of her. It really didn't affect my insurance cost that much tbh.

GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin · 13/01/2022 13:47

just report it as info only

I'm assuming you're referring to reporting to your insurer, at which point it will go down on your file as you having been in an accident and your premium may well increase anyway even if it wasn't your fault. You might as well have the advantage of a) not paying for the repairs and b) it being recorded as not your fault.

As for the father having reported this to the police, I'd be very surprised if this isn't a bullshit attempt at fobbing you off.

Cuck00soup · 13/01/2022 13:48

Being reluctant to handover insurance details doesn't sound good does it? I'd be wondering if she'd actually passed her test.

Fwiw similar happened to me with a teenaged lad a few years ago on a wet road (inexperience, possibly relevant) and his mum couldn't have been nicer to me. It made the whole thing much easier to sort and was probably better for him not to make a massive drama out of it.

GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin · 13/01/2022 13:49

Was about to say this. Is this not the case in the UK?

No.

worriedatthemoment · 13/01/2022 13:49

But your going for whiplash claim as well so you couldn't of gone just down the garage claim

MorningStarling · 13/01/2022 13:52

Most insurance policies require you to inform the insurer if there's an incident that could have resulted in a claim, even if it doesn't. In this case it's clear there could have been a claim from the start so you should have informed your insurer immediately.

Insurers need this information because people who have had one incident are at greater risk of another so their premium will go up (even if they weren't at fault).

Original poster
Shibby585 · 13/01/2022 13:53

@Itloggedmeoutagain I spoke to the car seat company any accident however minor they recommend immediate replacement if car seat as although the car seat may look fine there may actually be damage to it. I contacted them direct and was simply following their instructions of replacing.

@Neron my premiums will go up slightly compared to hers, I also wasn't intending on putting in a whiplash claim, I've been advised to contact solicitors to put in a personal claim but haven't done so yet.

OP posts:
WindyState · 13/01/2022 13:53

Always always go through insurance. Some people are genuine and will work it through privately but many will not.

Sideswiped · 13/01/2022 13:56

I'm not a gambling person but I'd be happy to put £100 on the dad not being in the police....

Santaisstilleatingmincepies · 13/01/2022 13:58

Whiplash can take a day or few to present itself. Take legal advice. Don't feel sorry for her. If she is an unsafe driver that isn't your fault...

Caramellatteplease · 13/01/2022 14:01

If you have whiplash make a claim.

I hope you got their vehicle registration. Claims are much easier with it

BlueSky8 · 13/01/2022 14:02

You pay for insurance so use it.
She won't she sitting feeling sorry for you.

theworldsgonefeckingmad · 13/01/2022 14:03

I was hit in the back of my car by a new driver a few years ago, I put in a claim for whiplash, car got repaired (it was badly damaged) and even though it wasn't my fault you have to declare any accidents regardless of fault for 5/6 years o think it is and my premiums rose by over £100 a year, if the damage isn't bad to your car and you don't have severe whiplash I would think again about going through insurance and personally I wouldn't claim again

NiceTwin · 13/01/2022 14:05

She must have been going at a fair whack to give you whiplash, surprised the damage on your car is so minor.

Cabbagepie · 13/01/2022 14:06

Make sure your car is fully checked out. Someone went into the back of me in a queue of traffic, fairly low speed and looked like only my rear bumper was damaged - their car looked much worse. Got home and opened the hatchback and then it wouldn't close properly. Insurers told me not to drive it and collected it on a recovery vehicle. Turned out the floor was buckled and the car was written off.

AdobeWanKenobi · 13/01/2022 14:06

[quote dinahsdishes]You can check their insurance for a small fee here

www.askmid.com/askmidenquiry.aspx[/quote]
Fee? 😂
Just tick the own vehicle and check for free. Realistically, whats going to happen if you do?

AryaStarkWolf · 13/01/2022 14:10

@NiceTwin

She must have been going at a fair whack to give you whiplash, surprised the damage on your car is so minor.
mmm coming up to a roundabout too.....
Zombiemum1946 · 13/01/2022 14:15

YANBU . The father probably hasn't contacted the police and is worried about insurance costs. She may well be insured on his policy and this will put his premiums up, or, she wasn't insured at all. Their behaviour would suggest there's a problem. Contact the police and make sure its been reported. You've sustained an injury and they've been obstructive.

Exasperatedhousehunter · 13/01/2022 14:41

I made a PI claim when someone hit the back of my car last year. I got £1,000 in compensation for a minor shoulder injury but could have gotten more if I'd gone through a full medical. I settled on the basis of no medical report. My solicitor explained to me that once you have an accident that's your fault, the insurance company will automatically put aside money for a potential PI claim so whether you make a claim or not doesn't affect the other driver's premiums (they will go up whatever you do). So I'd recommend that you do make a claim. Accidents mean that your car is often less attractive if you were to sell it and you don't get that loss in value back.

I am pleased that you have now reported it. I strongly suspect that she is uninsured too. Either that or she is on her parents' insurance and they are shitting themselves that their premiums will go through the roof.

Exasperatedhousehunter · 13/01/2022 14:43

She must have been going at a fair whack to give you whiplash, surprised the damage on your car is so minor.

Not necessarily. You can get whiplash from fairly low speeds. Anyway, I think whiplash is just a term used for neck pain in this situation, as it would be far too early to determine whether there was long term lasting damage.

2DogsOnMySofa · 13/01/2022 14:46

Tell your insurance company and report to the police

DerAlteMann · 13/01/2022 14:55

Dealing with this sort of stuff is what your insurance company is charging you for (among other things). Let them deal with it - it's their job.

Minfilia · 13/01/2022 14:56

No, you weren’t being an asshole.

Legally, as you were injured, they are required to report their insurance information and as that didn’t happen at the roadside, you should both report the incident to the police.

It’s unfortunate for the girl, but the accident was still her fault!

Kuachui · 13/01/2022 14:59

sounds like either no insurance (likely) or doesnt want a claim as knows itll be marked as fault

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