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Original poster

Someone left their handbrake off!!

56 replies

Vinnieeva11 · 19/05/2019 11:05

Hi, sorry I'm new to this and need some advice.
Friday I picked up my little girl from nursery (which is situated on a hill) put my little girl in the car and as I'm walking around to get in my drivers side I see a car coming at me at a speed and my first instinct was to "try" hold it off by putting my hands out !! Don't ask why but I didn't have time to do anything and my daughter was in the car and I thought I could try ease the impact. I just get away from being squashed, however I have got bad knees and my lo aas in the car and it was shunted forward. Luckily my handbrake stayed firmly on other wise it could of been pitentiall fatal. The owner came out the nursery and was under the impression her car was being stolen and admitted her handbrake must of not been on.

Where do I go with this?
I cant see any visable damage but it's my new car and I'm worried about the mechanics underneath and my daughter obviously felt the impact shes 3 and was crying as she didn't know what as going on, and obviously I had momma bear instincts and tried to stop this from happening but this weekend the pain in my knees is excruciating.

Please help i dont know what to do.

OP posts:
Collaborate · 19/05/2019 11:46

the driver of the other car is liable. Notify your insurance.

thankyourforthemusic · 19/05/2019 11:53

You will need to inform your insurance that you want to claim against the other car as they are liable . I'm assuming you got her details?

FinallyHere · 19/05/2019 12:01

Tell your insurers.

The people and the car all need a check up from go/mechanic. Take it from there.

ASauvignonADay · 19/05/2019 12:05

Inform your insurers - this may need to be done within a certain amount of time. You may also need to report to the police (you can usually do this online).

Original poster
Vinnieeva11 · 19/05/2019 12:06

Thank you, she was really apologetic and I did get her reg on a pic and a pic of how she has hit my car, her child goes to the same nursery and the manager did come running out to.

If anything my anxiety is going through the roof as I keep thinking what if my child was where I was or what if the car carried on and killed someone as it's a very busy hill and passers by coudnt believe how lucky we all was.

A few months ago I was in my way to work and someone hit my car in a carpark whilst I was in it and this is an ongoing dispute and I thought this would effect that but honestly I feel like they should know and I am worried about everything

OP posts:
Walkingthedog46 · 19/05/2019 12:11

We live on a hill and my car was completely written off by a huge car that the driver had left the hand break off. It was all handled by the insurance and no police involvement as driver admitted liability.

Veterinari · 19/05/2019 12:19

Handbrakes can be unreliable on hills. Cars should always be parked in gear.

Original poster
Vinnieeva11 · 19/05/2019 12:21

To clarify I dint see any visable damage which is a Gods given with how loud and the impact moved my car, but like I say my 3yo was inside my car and underneath could have damage and my legs for sure have took a hit. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Vinnieeva11 · 19/05/2019 12:22

I know for sure as i always do, however she didn't put on her handbrake in the first place , she was parked on the path behind another car and mine was in front of the other vehicle but on the road and she must of parked at an angle as its rolled off the path not causing damage to the other car straight into me

OP posts:
nwybhs · 19/05/2019 12:24

Have you told your insurance company?

Original poster
Vinnieeva11 · 19/05/2019 12:26

Not as yet it happend Friday night and yesterday i didn't call them, today they are closed I have tried to call them.

OP posts:
TrixieFranklin · 19/05/2019 12:28

You need to go through insurance. Someone hit my car and there was no visible damage but when it was taken in to be looked at there was £5k of damage including the impact bar snapping and then severely denting and damaging my fuel tank which was then leaking.

Who are you insured with?

nwybhs · 19/05/2019 12:29

it happend Friday night and yesterday i didn't call them, today they are closed I have tried to call them.

Oh come on. It happened Friday night? You pick your DC up from nursery at night?

Just call them and stop making excuses. Sitting back saying 'what if' isn't productive. Just do what you are required to do and notify insurance.

Cinnamon12345 · 19/05/2019 12:30

I think that's careless driving and they could be prosecuted.

Original poster
Vinnieeva11 · 19/05/2019 12:32

6pm on the evening yes!!

OP posts:
nwybhs · 19/05/2019 12:33

Who is your insurer?

Evening is not night btw.

Original poster
Vinnieeva11 · 19/05/2019 12:35

Also this is why I'm on here asking for advice, not to be told and questioned by yourself!! 6pm.on the evening after work this happend.
Also no visable damage so inwas unaware of calling insurance..ok?

OP posts:
IsAStormApporaching · 19/05/2019 12:35

I agree with the pp's.
Let the insurance company know.
Also make the insurance company aware you have a child and their car seat was involved in the accident.
You will be able to claim a new car seat as you can never be sure it the plastic and foam under the cover of he seat received any damage.
Try rest your legs easier said than done with little children to watch and see the doctor if it doenst get any better.Flowers

SpeckofStardust · 19/05/2019 12:35

Today they are closed? I find it hard to believe your insurance company doesn’t have a manned phone line 24/7. Get it called in.

Sarah22xx · 19/05/2019 12:36

You need to call insurance first thing tommorow, also email them the pictures of the damage for evidence. I hope you and you daughter aren't too shaken up x

nwybhs · 19/05/2019 12:37

Also this is why I'm on here asking for advice, not to be told and questioned by yourself!!

I was giving literally the most helpful piece of advice you will ever get based on your OP. Don't get all defensive because you haven't done the one thing you need to.

I asked who they were so I could perhaps try to get you a contract for them btw.

titchy · 19/05/2019 12:42

They'll have a 24 hour claim line. Find it and phone them. Be prepared to undergo medicals - you'll need to claim for your injuries. It won't be a quick job.

Original poster
Vinnieeva11 · 19/05/2019 12:58

I have called just now , the claim line was closed I have however told the handler what has happened and they will get someone to call me, with regards to the car my partner has had a good look my bumper has come down on one side and i have visible scratches from the accident , i just feel bad that it's someone who goes to the nursery and she was clearly shaken up too

OP posts:
Original poster
Vinnieeva11 · 19/05/2019 12:59

Thank you, I have called them and your right with the rest Grin I just dont want to get her into trouble

OP posts:
Sarah22xx · 19/05/2019 13:01

Who are you insured with? I'll see if I can find a number as its odd they're not open to take claims on a sunday x