I was involved in a minor accident last week. It was my fault. I bumped into the back of the car in front, going about 15 miles an hour in rush hour traffic when she slammed her breaks on to let a car who was going in the opposite direction turn right in front of her. So, the damage to my car is to the bumper – it’s hanging off and needs replacing. The thing is, my car is not worth much. It’s an old M reg Astra and I’ve been advised by a friend who knows a lot about cars that it will probably be written off when it goes to the insurance companies garage as the cost to repair will outweigh the value of the vehicle. That said, my excess is £300 and I had a quote from another garage for £120 for replacing the bumper on my car (this was before I got a phone call from the other driver involved that told me she was no longer willing to let me pay for the damage to her car outright because she was "injured" and was claiming personal injury) and my insurance co. told me if I didn’t put my car through the insurance they would still have to send an engineer out to assess the damage and I couldn’t get it fixed until that had happened and it would take me twice as long and maybe cost me more to do it that way so I may as well put my car through the insurance. If they do write it off, can I refuse or contest this? If not, and I buy it back, will I have trouble getting a "written off" car insured, or how much do you reckon my premium will jump up because of it?

thanks
Ed Fox – answer the question, don’t give me a lecture. You dick.
In addition – nice two points there for totally not answering the question. I am fully aware that the accident was my fault, and I am also very aware that it is good manners to allow a driver to turn right in front. It wasn’t, however, good manners for the driver that was turning right to exceed the speed limit to drive down the inside of almost stationery traffic in order to turn right, and it is also not good manners to do an emergency stop in rush hour traffic. HOWEVER, I still acknowledge that the damage to mine and the vehicle in front was MY fault – as I said originally. The above details were irrelevant given that my question was not insomuch a question about my claim, or how much of a reckless driver you deem me, but a question about my car should it be written off. Keep your smug attitude to yourself, and if you’re that much of an a-hole that you can’t manage that, at least try to answer the question or just don’t bother replying.
I am not a "young" driver, but I am a relatively new driver. I do not make a habit of driving up the a**e of other drivers. I obviously did not adhere to the two second rule, or my reactions weren’t quick enough. I was pre-occupied, wrongly, with the need to get home quickly due to a family emergency – none of which I think is an excuse, though seeing as you all came here to judge me rather than help with a genuine concern I thought I’d give, yet again, some more irrelevant information to you. How many more times do I have to acknowledge that it was my fault before somebody will just help me with my question?

I was parked and had signalled to pull out. The road was a side road off a main road with enough room for over 4 cars wide. A lady came up hill really fast and smacked into front of the bumper /driver side. She was on the wrong side of the road as I had only edged out. i was stationary at time of accident. The car I was driving was a courtesy car as someone had kindly reversed into my own car the day before. I was not in the car when this happened so not at fault! car was parked. But the other driver kindly contacted me.
I exchanged details with the lady driver who bumped into courtesy car. No liability was accepted. She had her daughter and grandchild in the car at time of accident. Im sure the drivers switched over? The police were not called. When I got home I contacted my doctor and was seen immediately as neck injury. I contacted police who took details and came out to see courtesy car. The courtesy car had little damage but the 3rd party car was scraped from door to door as to the speed of accident. For about 7 months I have been giving details to my lawyer and personal injury update but the lawyer has informed me the 3rd party cannot find any details of my car being in an accident. I have contacted rental company on this and the car information was not recorded. She has also come back to me saying that the 3rd partys lawyers would now like to see my medical details. Also that they may decide to call it a 50/50 accident. I am quiet distressed about this as no evidence so the lady decides to pursue and now saying Im at fault, then call it 50/50? To add insult that they want to see my medical records. I have had no drawings of the others drivers accusation of the accident or any other information. Although I provided all this information fro them. Can anyone help me sort this out or give me good advice as it seems unfair that after a year they are calling it 50/50 and my lawyer is accepting this plus that they can no longer represent me if this is the case?? Just to add the only reason I did not make a claim prior to the accident was I did not know that I could because no action had been taken on the accident actually happening.
I live in Scotland. Can I use another Lawyer ? and can anyone give me information to help. Thanks

I am not a driver, so perhaps someone who is could help out here; points to the best answerer.

My friend was involved in an RTA a few weeks back: somebody pulled out in front of him, without indicating, in order to turn down a sliproad (which has a no-entry sign), causing him to decelerate from the road’s cruising speed (50mph) to zero within a short distance (5-10 metres).

Both cars were written off, but no one sustained serious injury; the Police are prosecuting neither party.

My friend has a comprehensive insurance policy, but was informed by his insurers today that they will not pay out for his car’s replacement (valued at around £2-3k) as they claim the tyres were bald. (My friend has ABS, which to my limited understanding would cause this to happen, especially given the stopping conditions).

My friend is now most distraught that this will ultimately render his policy ENTIRELY null and void- thus making him liable for third-party injury claims (if any). Is this likely?

Any help will be most appreciated.
Cheers so far, but I should clarify that my friend is not concerned about his OWN injury claim: his prime concern is whether his insurance company would cover any THIRD-PARTY injury claims (if any are made). Thanks

On friday I was hit from behind by another car. I was stationary, with my handbreak on. The car did not attempt to stop and ploud into me at around 40-50 mph. As a result of this every car following this car also crashed into the back her ( like a dominoe effect) this, then shunted me around 5-6 times into the cars in front of myself. I was sandwiched between these cars in my little mk4 fiesta, untill i cut from the car and taken away on a spinal board and away in an ambulance.

I was released that evening with no breaks, but since then I am unable to grip anything tightly with my right hand, I can not lift my arm completely. My chest is bruised and so i cannot sit up from a lying positiion by myself. My neck is sore ( common whiplash) and lower back.I also have a perforated ear drum which has made me deaf in my left ear.

It wasent untill today that I have spoken to my solicitor about personal injurie claims, so no nothing about them. I actually feel quite unlawfull claiming for money for my pain…sounds silly but its not something i know much about and what i do know, people usually lie or exxaggirate their injuries….
obviously my car cannot be replaced, and i cannot at this point in time afford to buy a new one. I am off work obviously due to this, and am unable to really go anywhere by myself.

how much do you reckon i would be liable for, or how much should i settle at as some people have told me to not take the first quote they give me.
yes i have received medical attention. saw doctor on monday, whoo diagnosed whiplash etc and put me on pain killers and anti biotics for ear. going back friday as its staill painful. i have been told to expect to wait 2-3 months before i hear from a concultant regarding the claim to asess me at a further date, which is understandable…
no, there was 2 cars in front of me, the one at the very front jammed on HER breaks. the car behind her stopped, and myself, as there was enough distance to. also we didnt have to skid or anything. she stopped for no apparent reason. as the crash wasent caused untill the girl behind ploud into me, its her thats being ‘blamed’ .

also before this happpend i looked in my rear view mirror and saw her coming towards me talking to her passinger. she made no attempt to break. also the first thing she did was run to my window screaming ‘im sorry im soo sorry its my fault im sorry!!!’
i already have a lawyer on the case. just wandered how much i would be to expect…

I was driving when a car swerves in front of me and slams on her breaks.Causing me to hit her & total my car. She claims she swerved because another car was about to hit her, both cars and myself waited for police and made a report.I went home in a cab while they went on with their lives.No damage done to them.I have liability but she has full coverage.What should I do, i have minor injuries and just left the hospital with a sprain neck.How will my car get repaired?

I have taken my friends car and met with accident I don’t have license , no insurance in name , fault on me while driving dallas,tx . No property damage (2 cars are total damage). car was taken for drive with the permission of my friend, who is out of town and may return back only after 6 months and Insurance of the car in his name.. In that case who will the insurance of my friend can be claimed ?

Today I hit a car in front of me at like 5km/h, it was a very slow impact and it was snowing like crazy so the roads were slippery and my car slid slowly as i tried to break. There was absolutely no damage, not even a scratch to either of the cars.

It was a 50yr old black lady. She was fine, but claims that she hit her head and may get a small bump. We pulled to a gas station that was nearby and exchanged info on the drivers license + phone numbers. She did NOT ask for insurance policy papers, so we did not exchange those. She said that she will not report this as there was no damage. No police report, we just drove off.

Should I report this to the police/insurance company? I’m worried that she might report it and claim some bullshit damage/injury money and since i dont plan on reporting it I would be fucked.

Also, what if 6 months later, she get some injury unrelated to a car accident, and then decides to claim that it was me who hit her since she has my info and sue me or some crap? Whats the worst thing she can do?

Another thing, I was driving my parents car, I’m under the insurance, but what if this this thing that i described above comes up, can they get in trouble?

I hit a parked Suv’s back bumper. I damaged my car, the accident was mostly the result of a very loose power steering belt. I have a few tickets on my record,but most of these are old and in NY get erased from your record after a time (I only have one speeding ticket the rest were minor or parking). I have never been in an accident as the driver. Im wondering if I should go thru ins or not, the estimate the person gave me for the bumper (it has a pretty bad gouge in it) was 600. If I put a claim in, will my insurance go up >? I only have minimum coverage, no collison etc. Im not sure what to do, I dont have alot of money but I dont want to screw myself, either. THANKS IN ADVANCE for any advice.
Oh, I have already fixed my own car btw (my father is good with cars)because thee right headlight was damaged and I needed to get to school.
thanks for the answers. my father tightened the belt already (right after). the thing would screech loudly esp when i turned teh wheel all the way, and it would shake and hang up a bit making it hard for me to get out of tight spots. I dotn think it slipped, but it definetly shaked and screeched. I guess I wont put a claim in, if the ins goes up,and something else happens I may screw myself (I am commuting to school somewhere I now I have to parellel park all the time). thanks for the advice.

I was involved in a car accident about 2 months ago i am 18. I was driving it was wet and icy i hit a small pothole then lost control of my car and hit another one i was issued a failure to control speed ticket. The persons car who i hit got an attorney as they should but then that attorney went out and drafted the 3 other people in my car to file claims against me even though none of the 3 were injured. However, they did not just file a claim against me but also my parents. My question is do they have any legal grounds to go after my parents the loan for the car was in my dads name however i am on the insurance and was the one driving my parents weren’t anywhere near me at the time. I am 18 and a legal adult, so from my understanding unless the cause of the accident was because of a Malfunction on the car that the owner did not fix the only person they can sue is me? is this correct i fully understand that i will be sued but how/why can they sue my parents if the car inspection fond no problems with it i am 18 and responsible for my own actions my parents are not. I live in Texas if this is important.
The first answer i got was helpful but i am not completely convinced it is accurate mainly because she said they could go after my parents cars and house. Which i know is 100% not true in Texas because we are protected by the Texas Homestead act that prevents ANYTHING touching your house and 1 one car per person in the household, unless it has to do with not paying your mortgage or Not paying Taxes this causes me to question the extent of the knowledge the person that responded has in Texas Law

I had a no-fault accident going on a highway. The faulty driver dropped an ac machine on the road and 15 cars, including mine, are damaged by hitting various parts of the machine. Other driver took responsibility for his negligence but other driver’s insurance company (progressive) denied to pay in the arbitration stating that they don’t have enough coverage (total 000) to cover all 15 cars and arbitration somehow found that a reasonable excuse and didn’t force any liability to progressive.

Now my insurance company says they are not going to pursue any further. I have a police report clearly indicating the other drivers fault and therefore I am thinking of filing a small court claim for my deductible (0).

Shall I file the suit against the insurance company (progressive) or the other driver or both? Also how hard will it be to collect the money if I win?