Crashed into a Traffic cone....

maceocc2 · 23-10-2008 8:22pm #1

I was driving down the M50 today, when a traffic cone got blown out in front of my car because of the bad weather, had no option but to crash into it as there was a car behind me tailgating, bit of damage done, everyone was alright.

I was wondering if there is anything I can do to get the construction company to fork out for the damage or is it just my tough luck?

Gary ITR · 23-10-2008 8:26pm

Should have jammed on and let the spoon behind run into you, then he'd have had to fork out for the damage

mickdw · 23-10-2008 8:47pm

The open carriageway should be safe and free from construction debris. Send them a letter.

Our man in Havana · 23-10-2008 8:48pm

Send them a solicitors letter.

maceocc2 · 23-10-2008 8:56pm

Thanks for the info, I'll get onto the solicitor in the morning.

bazzachazza · 23-10-2008 9:08pm

Years ago when I lived at home i was going to work at about half 6 and was driving up from the Beacon hospital towards the M50 they were still building it at the time.

As i was just turning right to drive down the side of the M50 a large piece of what I thought at the time was plywood blew up and over the side of the construction works at flew towards my windscreen i dodged the car to one side and the object hit the wing mirror I stopped and got out to look It was only cardboard so no damage I tell ya I nearly poohed myself when i saw it blow up and over.

I was told by the then G/F's mother to call the health and safety part of the construction company and report it to them as well. I didn't bother as there was no damage.

Also a guy stopped to see if I was alright unfortunately I took him up wrong and gave out to him I thought he was giving out because of where I stopped he said I understand I saw it happen and was just checking to see all was alright.

Berty · 23-10-2008 9:16pm

The traffic cone was probably not attached to its base. If it was It would never have blown over because they are damn heavy.

I hit around 100 or so one morning in the construction yard a few years back. It was dark and some female truck driver sort of knocked down the building my office was in (handbrake off in artic). They unloaded the cones off the side of the truck into my space around the side. I crashed into it in a 2001 Hilux which is sort of a tank and a good workhorse.

I saw the funny side of it sending cones in every direction. Chief Engineer made me pick them all up though.

F*ck they are heavy.

Gary ITR · 23-10-2008 9:21pm

I wouldn't go the solicitor route just yet. Report it to the nearest garda station to the scene so there is a record, then give the construction company a bell and see what they say. Would save you the expense of sending a solicitors letter

Our man in Havana · 23-10-2008 9:35pm

Construction company will just deny liability. Waste of time calling them tbh.

Berty · 23-10-2008 9:41pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

Construction company will just deny liability. Waste of time calling them tbh.

Nope, the worst they can say is no.

Being from the Construction Industry, simply mention the HSA and they will jump to your beat. The less reports they have the more the NRA pays them month on month. Less reports mean more money.

dingding · 23-10-2008 10:03pm

Had a case where my car was damaged by a road after roadworks. Contacted the county council (not in DUblin) and I got a cheque from the contractor after a few weeks. The council contacted the contractor on my behalf.

Might be worth contacting the appropiate council or the NRA.

the bolt · 24-10-2008 9:04pm

maceocc2 wrote: »

I was driving down the M50 today, when a traffic cone got blown out in front of my car because of the bad weather, had no option but to crash into it as there was a car behind me tailgating, bit of damage done, everyone was alright.

I was wondering if there is anything I can do to get the construction company to fork out for the damage or is it just my tough luck?

blown out....... act of god give the guys a break,could have been a lot worse the way some people drive on m50

Tannylan · 24-10-2008 9:07pm

Is the cone alrite

mumhaabu · 25-10-2008 12:26am

Tannylan wrote: »

Is the cone alrite

lol, one of the best I heard in a while, you made my night loling still!

Bandara · 25-10-2008 6:15am

send a solicitors letter to God.

MugMugs · 25-10-2008 6:54am

maceocc2 wrote: »

Thanks for the info, I'll get onto the solicitor in the morning.

Dont go sending Solicitors letters.

1. Report to Gardai
2. Call Construction Company and report
3. Follow up with a letter, keep a copy
4. Wait for a response
4a Deal with Construction Conpany's Insurance Company
5. Report to HSA and follow up with another letter and keep a copy.
6. Wait for a response
7. Go to a Solicitor and demand that he pursue his costings from the other side and not you.

Bearcat · 25-10-2008 8:14am

i nearly hit two of the cones, they were at the gaps in the barriers.

superjosh9 · 25-10-2008 11:59am

I've always wondered if I'd hit one, especially on the M50 when they are used to designate lanes. Also, on the N11, if left out, kids come along and often place them in the middle of the road, which is helpful.