Just wanted to get a few opinions really, sorry for post length.
I had an accident in the car a couple of weeks ago, basically I was turning right (into a driveway to turn around) and a car following me hit me, though as I was halfway through making the turn it hit me almost side-on rather than squarely from behind.
There was a fair amount of damage to both cars (but no injuries - low speed accident), so it's going through the insurance companies. Details were exchanged at the scene, and no other people stopped or offered to be witnesses.
When I reported the incident to my insurance company, they told me I would not be considered at fault since the car that hit me was following me - which sounds reasonable.
However, the driver of the car following is now alleging that I was not indicating right (untrue), that I pulled sharply to the left before the accident (untrue), and that I was trying to make a u-turn (untrue).
I've just had a letter from their solicitors saying the accident was "clearly caused by my negligence" and that they have written to my insurors to get them to admit my liability.
1. Is it usual for people to lie to try and weasel out of it when they realise they're in the wrong?
2. Do insurance companies always make a speculative effort to try to get the blame shifted to the "other" driver, or do they only try if they think there are reasonable grounds?
3. What happens when there are no independant witnesses? I had 3 passengers in my car who back me up, the other drive had 2 passengers who back him (or her) up. There were no 3rd party witnesses who stopped, I assume the other party has not suddenly "found" some. So it's pretty much my word against his.
4. Are disputes like this always handled purely by the insurance companies and their appointed solicitors? Or do they go to court etc? Do I have to do anything myself?
5. The other party's solicitor hasn't asked me to do anything other than to "contact my own insurance company". Do I have to reply to them if they ask me to contact them directly?
6. I went to the Police in the evening, several hours after the accident to ask for a bit of advice. I took all my documentation and explained what happened, but they did not want me to officially report the accident. Since there were no injuries and full details were exchanged at the scene. The officer told me the Police would not be interested in this, but is it posisble this could change if the other party is alleging I did something illegal (are u-turns even illegal??)?
Sorry for all the questions, I've never been involved in an accident before so I have no idea what needs to be done. Also, my insurance company are proving virtually impossible to contact about this, though have apparently authorised the repair of my car.
Cheers.
I had an accident in the car a couple of weeks ago, basically I was turning right (into a driveway to turn around) and a car following me hit me, though as I was halfway through making the turn it hit me almost side-on rather than squarely from behind.
There was a fair amount of damage to both cars (but no injuries - low speed accident), so it's going through the insurance companies. Details were exchanged at the scene, and no other people stopped or offered to be witnesses.
When I reported the incident to my insurance company, they told me I would not be considered at fault since the car that hit me was following me - which sounds reasonable.
However, the driver of the car following is now alleging that I was not indicating right (untrue), that I pulled sharply to the left before the accident (untrue), and that I was trying to make a u-turn (untrue).
I've just had a letter from their solicitors saying the accident was "clearly caused by my negligence" and that they have written to my insurors to get them to admit my liability.
1. Is it usual for people to lie to try and weasel out of it when they realise they're in the wrong?
2. Do insurance companies always make a speculative effort to try to get the blame shifted to the "other" driver, or do they only try if they think there are reasonable grounds?
3. What happens when there are no independant witnesses? I had 3 passengers in my car who back me up, the other drive had 2 passengers who back him (or her) up. There were no 3rd party witnesses who stopped, I assume the other party has not suddenly "found" some. So it's pretty much my word against his.
4. Are disputes like this always handled purely by the insurance companies and their appointed solicitors? Or do they go to court etc? Do I have to do anything myself?
5. The other party's solicitor hasn't asked me to do anything other than to "contact my own insurance company". Do I have to reply to them if they ask me to contact them directly?
6. I went to the Police in the evening, several hours after the accident to ask for a bit of advice. I took all my documentation and explained what happened, but they did not want me to officially report the accident. Since there were no injuries and full details were exchanged at the scene. The officer told me the Police would not be interested in this, but is it posisble this could change if the other party is alleging I did something illegal (are u-turns even illegal??)?
Sorry for all the questions, I've never been involved in an accident before so I have no idea what needs to be done. Also, my insurance company are proving virtually impossible to contact about this, though have apparently authorised the repair of my car.
Cheers.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}