My Turn: Car Crash

Tesla

Tesla

Tesla

Soldato
Joined
19 Jan 2003
Posts
17,599
Location
Bristol, UK
Hi all,

Had to take my GF to work this morning as her tax disk hasn't arrived from the DVLA. Ordered via the web-based system around 2-3 weeks ago. They have said they had the wrong address :confused:

I am driving along a major road (Coronation Road, Bristol - along the River for those who know it) which is quite busy in the mornings.

There are lots of side roads off of this road and as taught I do not block these when in stop-start traffic in case somebody wishes to turn in or out.

This particular side road is very wide and has very good visibility.

A silver 3-series waited at the front of the queue in the minor road and I was waiting on the major before the junction. I did not flash or wave him out, he did not move forward.

The lights ahead changed so the traffic started to flow and I moved with the traffic. Out of the corner of the front passenger window I see a silver BMW bonnet. I have time to say to my GF "What is he doing?" and then he hits the rear quarter area of the van.

In my mind it's pretty clear cut, he has no right of way. He claims that I "let him out" which I guess I initially did by not blocking the junction but after around 10 seconds of him not moving and then me moving with the traffic I was surprised he thought it an ideal time to pull out from the junction.

At no point did I wait for him to pull out, as soon as the car in front of me moved off so did I. I did not pull off at the speed of light, my van is a 1.3 diesel for a start!

The guy was OK, his English wasn't great and his wife was giving me some stick so I just exchanged details and left. Spoke to a kind passer by who gave me her mobile number too and said she witnessed from a distance but made comment on his parking attempt further up the minor road which she also witnessed.

I have called HelpHire as do not want to drive the van as the rear wheel took a bit of a beating and is quite damaged.

I suppose I should post some pictures up...

crash.jpg


White circle is me, silver is other party. Black is other vehicles.
 
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Thanks. I would post exactly what you did on any other similar thread but when it's your own vehicle you doubt yourself a little.
 
van1.jpg


van2.jpg


The damage doesn't look too bad but I think something has twisted up since the door ajar sensor is open so I cannot lock the van/interior lights are on. Plus if I open the side loading door it rubs on the rear 1/4 panel now.
The other end of the side loading door has popped outward too.
 
Helphire are getting a comparable van out to me today which is good.

Any thoughts on it being written off or not. Comparable vans are around £3k on Autotrader. I don't think I like the idea of owning an accident damaged vehicle, I can't imagine it ever being as perfect bodywork-wise as pre accident. My van is really mint condition.

I can't see any obvious damage underneath but I think the rear quarter is twisted as the side loading door (SLD) rubs against the bumper when opened now.

Also, just emptied the van and note my wooden racking is all split/damaged. It was really substantial racking, some of the wood has split in half though letting the screws pull out.
 
Thanks chaps.

The witness just called me to say she is happy to give a statement if needed, very nice of her.

I'm happy this will be OK now.

Do insurers only write off if value of vehicle is that of replacement? Do they consider the hire van costs etc? No idea what HelpHire would charge for a small van per day?
 
Van was collected this morning, they said to call in a few days after the assessor has had a look at it.

Can anybody offer some input on my above question?
 
most likely written off tbh

difficult to tell with the pics but with what you describe i'd expect it needing some jig time and that in itself means big bill

be warned with helphire involved expect this to drag on and on (remember they will be getting more money in hire costs if this drags on so dont expect them to be in any rush
 
I forget the exact figures but it's something like if the repairs and other stuff come to more than 75% of the value of the vehicle, they write it off.
I could be wrong though.
 
Thanks for the replies chaps. I called a friend last night who had a similar accident in a car.

It was a 306 but this accident was about 5 years ago so vehicle ages and values were similar and his was written off.

Thinking about it they will probably have to jig it, respray the entire side (Can they match in OK just respraying the door and rear 1/4?), replace the door, panel beat the rear 1/4, replace the steel wheel, replace the bumper cap (bumper is in 3 parts, 2 corners and middle, 1 corner part has buckled).
The tyre had no visible damage but would you expect this to be replaced?

If my van is worth £3k then that leaves £2250 for repairs (at 75%). Could be border line I suppose.

My gut feeling is I don't want it now it's been whacked about so I wouldn't be too gutted really.

Anybody have any trade books to look up the book price? '55 Fiat Doblo Cargo 1.3 SX ~45k miles
 
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Was the wheel hit, anything bent in the suspension? Is the body structure damaged behind the door? If no, then it could be just down to a new door and any straightening of hinges/mountings in which case maybe not a write off.
 
My second picture above is the same area as damaged on the door but behind the door (hope that makes sense).

The van is pulling to the left a bit but I had a bit of a nose around underneath and near the wheel and can't see any bent metal so maybe just tracking or such.

The wheel was hit. See below:

van3.jpg


The face of the wheel is scuffed/gouged too but not dented.
 
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