Uninsured Driver hit me

DaveD · 03-11-2003 7:59pm #1

On the way home from work this evening an uninsured Transit van rolled off the kerb and hit my passenger door. The address given was Connollys Park in Tallaght ??? - never heard of it ??

The driver didn't have a mobile and couldn't "remember" his wifes mobile no. He is to ring later tonight so lets pray he does. Anyone have any experience with uninsured drivers ?? He did give me what he thought was his wifes mobile no. but it seems to be for someone else.

Is there anyway of tracking him apart from the reg of the van (which btw isn't registered in his name). Gardai did attend the scene and the Garda was great. He has warned the driver to pay for the damage or face prosecution for no insurance.

Cosworth · 03-11-2003 8:13pm

You will be able to claim from the motor insurance beareu of ireland(MIB) for any accident involving an uninsured driver,i have just received a settlement from them when i was involved with an accident with an uninsured driver.

But it sounds a bit dodgey that the van wasn't insured and wasn't in his name and he had no mobile and didn't know his wife's mobile no,sounds to me like he is trying to get away with it.

But as long as the garda where present you have a witness and you can claim even if you never see him again.

Silvera · 03-11-2003 9:15pm

He warned the driver to pay for the damage or face prosecution for no insurance

WHAT ???????????

You mean, if he pays up, the Guard is going to let him away with being uninsured ?????????
Madness !!!!

The book should be thrown at any driver caught with no insurance :mad:

It's those people who are contributing to the high cost of car insurance in this country !!!
Every insured driver in this country is paying for all the uninsured drivers out there.

It's high time a confidential phone number was set up (like the one for bogus insurance claims) to catch uninsured drivers !

unkel · 04-11-2003 12:15am

Originally posted by Silvera
WHAT ???????????

You mean, if he pays up, the Guard is going to let him away with being uninsured ?????????
Madness !!!!

:mad: :mad: :mad:
That's the way I read it as well
:mad: :mad: :mad:

robo · 04-11-2003 12:24am

Hey DaveD, was that the accident in Ballsbridge?
Outside the RDS?

Sorry to hear about your problem, but yeh the driver of the uninsured van should get a bit more of a punishment than just pay your damages...no bloody insurance!!! Makes my blood boil!!

shurl · 04-11-2003 11:42am

Originally posted by Silvera
WHAT ???????????

You mean, if he pays up, the Guard is going to let him away with being uninsured ?????????
Madness !!!!

WTF?

Eh, is it not illegal for you to drive without insurance?

Scuse me Mr. Policeman Sir! but eh would ye mind doing your job now and then?. Maybe then we won't have as many uninsured out there if they know they won't get away with it!.

S.

mike65 · 04-11-2003 5:17pm

Originally posted by DaveD
Is there anyway of tracking him apart from the reg of the van (which btw isn't registered in his name). Gardai did attend the scene and the Garda was great. He has warned the driver to pay for the damage or face prosecution for no insurance.

Do you have the registred owners name? Did he know the driver was uninsured? The Garda sounds like he is going beyond his powers - I dont think they have that sort of descretion.

Mike.

ps buy a camera at least you'd have piccy of the culprit!

seamus · 04-11-2003 5:37pm

If you're worried, I'd say go up to Tallaght Garda Station with all the info you have, and have a nice chat with the lads there, see if they know the guy, recognise the name (as an alias or otherwise), or even recognise the address.

Failing that, there's a phone book available (but expensive - there may be a copy in your local library) that lists pretty much every house in the country, the name of the inhabitants, and the phone number. Yes it's legal.

DaveD · 04-11-2003 8:51pm

The Guard i think tried to threaten the bloke by saying if he didn't pay then he's be prosecuted. He should be prosecuted anyway in my opinion!

Phoned the Garda today and told him the guy never phoned me. He says he's gonna summons the driver for no insurance. Don't know how he's gonna trace him though, address doesn't exist !!

Not gonna let this one lie though - I will find this bloke - New door €1200

@ Silvera - Defo agree with a confidential line being set up for reporting uninsured drivers. I actually wotk in a claims dept. in an insurance co. and you wouldn't belive the amount of claims we see involving uninsured drivers. There are 80,000 uninsured drivers on our roads :mad:

@robo - accident wasn't in Ballsbridge, happened in Phibsboro.

Riamfada · 05-11-2003 12:18am

Originally posted by DaveD

Not gonna let this one lie though - I will find this bloke - New door €1200

And then keel him? Or at least do his door. Surley the Garda asked too see his drivers license ect ect. Is there a chance the Van was stolen?

Cosworth · 05-11-2003 12:30am

Originally posted by seamus
Failing that, there's a phone book available (but expensive - there may be a copy in your local library) that lists pretty much every house in the country, the name of the inhabitants, and the phone number. Yes it's legal.

Any more info on this,and does it list phone numbers that are unlisted in the ordinary phone book,and when you say expensive,do you have to pay for this service and how much?
And is this available in every local library

Cheers
Gary

Borzoi · 05-11-2003 9:09am

It's called Thom's Directory, it lists streets and addresses and who is the registered occupier, (taken from the electoral register I belive) The book is expensive, but as Seamus says, it's in the reference section of the library.

Combine with phone book, for added stalking capabilities

woosaysdan · 05-11-2003 1:48pm

he has warned the driver to pay for the damage or face prosecution for no insurance.

yeahbut if he was to arrest da **** he would have paper work to do!!! and we cant have that now can we

eth0_ · 05-11-2003 1:59pm

It's an absolute disgrace the garda didn't take him down to the station there and then! That b*****d should be prosecuted whether he pays for your door or not!
I'd lodge a complaint with the garda commissioner, did you get the garda's name or badge number?

K2 · 05-11-2003 3:58pm

jesus, I've just come here after ranting about coppers in afterhours. wtf didn't the copper drag him down to the station? Please tell me he didn't allow the uninsured driver to , ahem drive away!!

DaveD · 05-11-2003 10:30pm

The Guard that came to the scene was on a bike - Word on the street is that they all clock off at 6. Accident happened at 5.30/5.40. Haven't been able to trace this guy yet.

Originally posted by eth0_
It's an absolute disgrace the garda didn't take him down to the station there and then! That b*****d should be prosecuted whether he pays for your door or not!
I'd lodge a complaint with the garda commissioner, did you get the garda's name or badge number?

Yeah, have the Guards name & badge no. Many people have said this to me (including a Guard that i know). The only thing is i don't wanna become a marked car !

Capt'n Midnight · 05-11-2003 10:40pm

Why bother getting insured if there is no penalty ?

What's the story with the NCT - you don't need it for TAX, just for insurance, and as for TAX.

Does yer man still have 14 days to produce his insurance cert at a Garda station of his choice ?

Write down and date what happened this evening - adding in any details you can remember
I've heard that in court cases you can only refer to written statements if done on the same day - else you rely on your memory (not sure if true but...)

Driving without insurance / Tax / on provisional - if they took all those guys off the road it would remove a lot of traffic conjestion.

Victor · 05-11-2003 11:06pm

Originally posted by Capt'n Midnight
What's the story with the NCT - you don't need it for TAX, just for insurance, and as for TAX.

But you need the insurance to get the tax, so it's covered.

Originally posted by Capt'n Midnight
I've heard that in court cases you can only refer to written statements if done on the same day - else you rely on your memory (not sure if true but...)

It needs to be contemporary, not necessarily "same day". But yeah, write it up now.

Capt'n Midnight · 05-11-2003 11:22pm

Not really - anyone without insurance probably don't have TAX

The point about TAX is that it's only a €50 fine - and that's if you get caught - yes after three months they can confiscate the vehicle, but in most cases the TAX+INSURANCE+Cost of fixing it to NCT stds. is more than the Vehicle is worth. So no financial incentive to get it done.

BTW: have a look at the voters register for names and addresses - can't remember if it is in the library or garda station.

Guy:Incognito · 05-11-2003 11:33pm

there shouldnt have to be a financial incentive for people to obey the law

Victor · 06-11-2003 4:14pm

Originally posted by Stekelly
there shouldnt have to be a financial incentive for people to obey the law

The reality is different. In conversation with the local Garda sargent, he feels adequate on-the-spot fines for everything would seriously cut down on his work.

the_syco · 06-11-2003 4:22pm

Name and shame time.

Give us the Reg number.

Someone may know who owns it, or have gotten into accidents wit similar van.

All else fails, I'll look on the net for it. You'd be surprised wot u can find, if u look correctly

Villain · 06-11-2003 4:40pm

Do you know any member of the Police force well or have a relative??

They will be able to find out who this guy is pretty easy.

I'd go back to the Guardai do.

DaveD · 06-11-2003 9:18pm

I work with a bloke who knows a guy in the tax office. Vehicle isn't registered in this guys name. Seems last owner sold it in Aug '03 to Travellers !

I've tried everything but haven't been able to trace him at all yet.

The van that hit me was a Ford Transit. It was white & blue. Top half was white, bottom half blue. The Reg is 91D21720.

Thanks everyone for your help

!!

Villain · 06-11-2003 9:42pm

Travellers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh NO. Did the Guardai get a name??

Probably false but you never know.

Turner · 08-11-2003 12:15am

This fella should be done for this. E2500 fine, disqualification for 1 year on first offence afaik and also a mandatory endorsement on his licence.

Uninsured drivers boil my blood.

dsab · 08-11-2003 10:26am

Just as a note... is there not a government fund for people who got hit by an uninsured driver ?I think you can make a claim against this fund in this case. But not sure if that`s only for personal injuries or for the damage of the car as well.

Maybe have a look into that.

mike65 · 08-11-2003 11:13am

Yep there is a fund which we pay for through a levy on policies, its the last port of call but it should always be
considered for uninsured driver crashes...

Mike.

Silvera · 08-11-2003 5:20pm

From what I have heard, if you claim from the 'Uninsured Drivers Bureau' you will only get between half to two thirds of your claim amount.

Our man in Havana · 08-11-2003 6:52pm

better than nothing.

DaveD · 08-11-2003 9:37pm

You can claim from the Motor Insurers Bureau for incidents involving uninsured drivers. In the past it would take months to get money but these days if you have Comp insurance the MIB have an agreement with all insurance companies to allow you to claim off your own policy without affecting your bonus. Much quicker ! The only thing is an excess of €444 applies but at least you're getting something !

BigEejit · 09-11-2003 1:00pm

isnt it mandatory that everyone carries their driving license? (or am I dreaming?) .... I thought failure to have it is an on the spot fine too ... fúcking useless guards, couldnt give a shít....

Our man in Havana · 09-11-2003 1:04pm

Originally posted by BigEejit
isnt it mandatory that everyone carries their driving license? (or am I dreaming?) .... I thought failure to have it is an on the spot fine too ... fúcking useless guards, couldnt give a shít....

No its not mandatory. You have 10 days to bring to a cop shop of your choice.

Capt'n Midnight · 09-11-2003 3:25pm

It kinda helps when you change your car that the insurance company sends out the right cert rather than re-issue the existing one. (you see you have to send the old disk back..)

Thankfully I was not stopped and there was still insurance cover on the car from the previous owner (they did replace the car or cancel the insurance since it had little time to go) and my policy allows me to drive with their consent..

Turner · 09-11-2003 3:47pm

Originally posted by Bond-James Bond
No its not mandatory. You have 10 days to bring to a cop shop of your choice.

Rubbish.

While driving a car in a public place or accompanying a provisional driver it is mandatory to have your full driving licence with you.

sceptre · 09-11-2003 4:52pm

Originally posted by Bond-James Bond
No its not mandatory. You have 10 days to bring to a cop shop of your choice.

All changed. Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 1994 if I remember rightly. Brennan said that the cops would start enforcing it at the start of this year.

mike65 · 09-11-2003 5:56pm

Yeah thats what I belived, in fact I posted a thread about it. I still have'nt been asked to show my licence.

Mike.

Silvera · 09-11-2003 6:23pm

Yes, it's my understanding that all motorists had to carry their driving licences since Jan '03.

I recall that farmers were complaining (nothing new there:D ) that they wanted 'duplicate licences' - so they could put one in each vehicle they drove (car, tractor, jeep...) :rolleyes:

Capt'n Midnight · 09-11-2003 6:31pm

That carrying licenses - it's just a way of making us carry ID

MojoMaker · 12-11-2003 3:02pm

No ****...because guess why? Yep, people stopped and given a producer were using false names & addresses and never turning up at the Garda stations, among other reasons. We are one of teh few countries (maybe even the only one other than the UK?) that does not require its citizens to carry formal id.

Our man in Havana · 12-11-2003 3:05pm

Originally posted by MojoMaker
No ****...because guess why? Yep, people stopped and given a producer were using false names & addresses and never turning up at the Garda stations, among other reasons. We are one of teh few countries (maybe even the only one other than the UK?) that does not require its citizens to carry formal id.

In France and Holland it is voluntary.

crawler · 12-11-2003 5:47pm

Same happened me :-

Here is what to do - YOUR insurance Company will claim from the MIB and there is an excess of €440.

YOU need to get a report form the Guard in question stating that the Van driver did not produce insurance when required

Send in your claim ( with receipts etc etc ) to YOUR insurance Company along with this report and tell them that you want them to claim your costs - excess from the MIB - ALSO make it very clear that you are NOT claiming from YOUR policy and that this will not impact on your claims history

You will have your money in about 3-4 weeks.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In my case it was a foregin person who reversed into us - false insurance and tax cert.

BE WARNED - talking to the Guard at the scene the latest trick is :-

They go to a quiet roundabout and drive around it
When you come up to the Roundabout they stop and wave you out
They then crash into you and YOU are in the wrong!!
They then claim from you or in many cases demand money from you to NOT make a claim.

NOT being anything "ist" by the way - these are simply the facts as told to me

RicardoSmith · 13-11-2003 11:10am

I don't rate your chances of finding this guy. Hes long gone.

seamus · 13-11-2003 11:52am

If you hear nothing back, report the Garda. That kind of carry on is ridiculous. Anyone who drives a car van or truck uninsured, is scum. Gardai should immediately detain anyone driving uninsured and impound their vehicle, whether it belongs to them or not.

Actually - The guy had no insurance, no driving licence on him, and said the van didn't belong to him. Yet the Garda decided that he was honourable enough to give his real details. Fuck sake. Report the Garda regardless of the outcome.

Victor · 13-11-2003 1:05pm

Originally posted by Silvera
I recall that farmers were complaining (nothing new there:D ) that they wanted 'duplicate licences' - so they could put one in each vehicle they drove (car, tractor, jeep...) :rolleyes:

So, exactly how would these be endorsed if there are say 3 licences.....

BigEejit · 15-11-2003 5:36pm

Originally posted by seamus
The guy had no insurance, no driving licence on him, and said the van didn't belong to him. Yet the Garda decided that he was honourable enough to give his real details. Fuck sake. Report the Garda regardless of the outcome.

Indeed, that was gross stupidity (not uncommon in the profession :eek:) ... I dunno where you go to complain about a guard being a twat.

Our man in Havana · 15-11-2003 6:00pm

Originally posted by BigEejit
Indeed, that was gross stupidity (not uncommon in the profession :eek:) ... I dunno where you go to complain about a guard being a twat.

From oasis.gov.ie

If you wish to make a complaint about any member of An Garda Siochana, you may do this in several ways:

Put your complaint in writing to the Garda Siochana Complaints Board (see "Where to apply" for contact information)
Call into the Garda Siochana Complaints Board at the address above and make your complaint in person. Opening hours are from 10:00a.m. - 12:30p.m. and from 2:30p.m. - 4:30p.m. Monday-Friday.
Call into any Garda Station in Ireland and request Form GSC1 - this is the official form on which you should outline the nature of your complaint. The completed form is then sent to the Garda Siochana Complaints Board.

DaithiSurfer · 15-11-2003 7:42pm

Thats ****ing scandalous.
The guard let him carry on driving an unisured vehicle even after he had already caused an accident.
Good story for the paper or radio if you ask me.
Let that be a lesson to us all.
Never believe the guards at the scene of an accident.
You have to tell them what their own job is.

Uninsured Driver hit me

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