Snowy_Astra

My mate called me tonight and told me he's been in an accident with his focus

I went round to have a look at the car and he explained what happened.

Basically there was a guy infront of him, he was keeping a good distance, about 30 miles an hour in a residential area (funny enough, where the bloke lives) and the bloke indicated left to pull up.

He pulls up, and my mate passes, and just as he was passing, the bloke pulled out again without putting his right indicator on.

He side swiped my mates focus about 2 foot forward of the passenger side door handle, and the scrapes show it goes right down the side right up to the start of the rear wheel arch.

That sent my mate out of control and straight into a corsa parked on the other side of the road.

Anyway, my mate's car is fucked, the corsa is fucked, and the other blokes car is pretty much fucked.

So my mate goes to speak to him about what happened, and the bloke immidiatly gives his insurance details, registration and address (which he was right outside of) and my mate offers his details, to which the bloke replies 'Nah its ok mate, we'll sort it out tomorrow'

Now that sounds dodgy to me, i reckon he was either pissed, or has no insurance, so until tomorrow we can't really tell.

My mate didn't think to call the police as there were no injuries, spillages, or blocked roads. But he did call them when he got home (which is only about 1/4 of a mile down the road) and told them he suspected the bloke had been drinking, and they didn't want to know! They told him to go to the police station tomorrow and sort it out!

What i'd like to know is who is at fault? Where on the side of the car is it then classed as 'hit at the back'?

This is a pic showing where the offside wing hit my mates focus, and where it made contact to (look from left to right)



Any advice appreciated. Cheers

Physio

It's obviously the bloke in the parked car's fault no arguments whatsoever.
I reckon he might have had a drink & thats why didnt want any hassle just incase leng were called out.

I'd go back over to his tomorrow & sort it all out.

Snowy_Astra

Yeah, i'm going over there with him to have a chat with the bloke, we are not expecting much TBH. Not going by today's standard of human being

Half expecting him to tell us where to go & that he wasn't driving OR that his car was parked on the road at the time and my mate hit it whilst it was parked OR he has no insurance OR he is on a ban!

He said 'I'll settle away from the insurance companies with you' but there is at least Ł5k of damage

The body kit is cracked
Steering arm bent
Alloy snapped
Bent strut
Kink in wishbone
Subframe twisted
Engine sitting closer to bulkhead on one side
Driver door wont open
Loads of offside damage from hitting corsa
Loads of damage to nearside front arch and door and rear arch

I check the floorpan, and chassis beam, seems to be in order, but can't really be sure as the nearside alloy is mashed and the car is sitting about 3 inches lower on that side.

I really feel sorry for my mate, he's spent so much time and money on the car, and this happens

Jimboxr4x4

At least you've know were the guy lives. First thing to do is write out exactly what happened while its fresh in your memory and include EVERYTHING that happened:

- Weather conditions
- Time
- Visibility
- Road conditions
- Exact description of the driver and his behaviour
- Exactly what he said
- Exactly what you said etc etc

Also include a diagram of how the accident happened and photographs of the scene as well of photographs of the damage on all the cars.

The insurance companies will discuss amongst themselves who is at fault but with all of the above material it will be easy to see that he is at fault and that the accident could only have happened by him pulling out in front of you.

It is a shame the police didn't attend but they will not attend accident scenes for 'damage only' accidents so were unlikely to have attended unless you alleged at the time that the guy had been drinking or if someone was hurt.

Hence its always useful to make double sure you haven't got any twinges in your neck which could be whiplash making it a PI (personal injury) accident so police have to arrive and breathalise all parties if you suspect the other person is pissed.

Anyway, good luck sorting it out.

Ginge !

spot on advise there jimbo

Snowy_Astra

Yeah, cheers Jimbo. Gonna go and get some photos of everything now

Thanks for your help guys, will keep you posted