Car crash - some q's

dollybird2

Looking for some help here again! I had a crash last week, hit from behind and pushed me into the car in front of me. Basically, I think the car is a write off, awaiting word from the insurance assessors about it.

So, my questions!
I had a baby car seat in the back (didn't have baby with me thank God). I've now been informed that I cannot use the car seat again as the impact may have damaged it, even if the damage isn't visible. I purchased this Maxi Cosi seat weeks ago for over 200 Euro. Can I claim a new one on the insurance claim I have registered against the person that hit me? I can't afford a new one at the minute but need one.

Re: expenses spent going to the doctor and having an xray - can I claim these expenses? I don't want to take a personal injury claim as my injuries are minor and I walked away fully intact.

Can the car that I was pushed into claim from my insurance even though the car that hit me has admitted full liability?

And finally, my car is pretty smashed. If the insurance decide to repair it (unlikely but possible) can I decline and opt for a replacement car of the same value? I'm wary of having a crashed car repaired.

Thanks for any help or contribution guys.

Supergurrier

As for the damage to the seat. As far as i know you can with most insurance companies anyway either claim for a courtosy car or loss of earnings (not sure if it comes under that, but im sure it would be covered as car contents)

However it is more than likely you will have a claim put against you from the person in front that you hit (unfair but what can ya do)

MugMugs

Any loss that you incur be it injury or material and if you're not liable for the same will be covered by the liable parties insurer. That involves your car baby seat and furry dice

CiniO

Supergurrier wrote: »

However it is more than likely you will have a claim put against you from the person in front that you hit (unfair but what can ya do)

Even if he will, and his insurer will have to pay for the car which was hit in front, his insurer should recover that money from the last car insurer, as he was the one who caused the accident and whole damage.
This eventually should leave OP's insurance intact.

Supergurrier

CiniO wrote: »

Even if he will, and his insurer will have to pay for the car which was hit in front, his insurer should recover that money from the last car insurer, as he was the one who caused the accident and whole damage.
This eventually should leave OP's insurance intact.

Once the policy is no longer flagged yes, but if you have to renew in the intervening period it won't be fun

dharn

yes to all the questions you asked !

GreeBo

Supergurrier wrote: »

(unfair but what can ya do)

Why is it unfair? The OP's car damaged theirs...
This is why you are supposed to stop with your handbrake on and leave an appropriate gap.

Supergurrier

GreeBo wrote: »

Why is it unfair? The OP's car damaged theirs...
This is why you are supposed to stop with your handbrake on and leave an appropriate gap.

Handbrake won't stop that kind of momentum tbh

Del2005

GreeBo wrote: »

Why is it unfair? The OP's car damaged theirs...
This is why you are supposed to stop with your handbrake on and leave an appropriate gap.

Where does the OP say they didn't do that?

Seriously though, over 1 tonne of car crashing at any speed will move the approximately same weight a good distance. Also why when you have stopped, I've only ever been told to leave the bottom of the vehicles tyres ahead visible to leave room for me to manoeuvre, should you need to worry about the vehicle behind yours stopping distance?

The fact that the OP is going to have 2 claims pending is itself a joke when 1 person didn't stop in time. Trying to blame them for being pushed into another vehicle is a bit much.

goz83

OP. All your losses will be covered, as this is not your fault. The aby seat should not be used, but you claim the cost of this too. Personal injury and property claims can be split into two, so if you are injured and have spent money on medical bills, then you should claim for this too. Get in touch with your solicitor and he/she will give you proper advice. I was rear ended 13 months ago. I have already been compensated for my car and the injury part of my claim is pending still, but these things take time. You should be covered by the liable persons insurance to get a courtesy car and a car seat too. The car in front can claim from your insurance, but your insurance would just claim the cost from the liable drivers insurance in the end.

As for not having the handbrake on: The OP did not say one, or the other, so we can't assume the handbrake was not on. When I was rear ended, I had my handbrake engaged and I was shunted forwarded maybe 3 feet. I know I was able to see the rear wheels of the car in front, which is always the distance I stop at, but I couldn't have been more than a couple of inches away from hitting the other car after my car was hit. It wouldn't have taken much to hithe other car. I had brand new tyres on the car too, not more than a few weeks old

GreeBo

Del2005 wrote: »

Where does the OP say they didn't do that?

Seriously though, over 1 tonne of car crashing at any speed will move the approximately same weight a good distance. Also why when you have stopped, I've only ever been told to leave the bottom of the vehicles tyres ahead visible to leave room for me to manoeuvre, should you need to worry about the vehicle behind yours stopping distance?

The fact that the OP is going to have 2 claims pending is itself a joke when 1 person didn't stop in time. Trying to blame them for being pushed into another vehicle is a bit much.

You dont, you need to worry about what happens if someone shunts you forward in the event of a crash. Thats why you leave a gap.
If your car gets moved more than 3 feet then there isnt much you can do, but far too many people stop 12 inches behind the car in front.

FYI Im not accusing the OP of not engaging the handbrake, Im merely pointing out that you should always apply the brake, keep the wheels pointing straight ahead and leave a gap in case this happens.

MP62

GreeBo wrote: »

Why is it unfair? The OP's car damaged theirs...
This is why you are supposed to stop with your handbrake on and leave an appropriate gap.

Welcome to fuzzy greenbo logic.
Any sane right minded individual can see where the chain of events started.

dollybird2

Thank you all very much for your advice. The baby seat is covered so thank you for helping me with that. I have replaced it and sent off the receipt to claim the cost back.

Re: the car I hit, my insurer has advised that as the car that hit me has claimed full liability for the accident, their claim will go straight through their policy and won't affect mine. I'm not due for renewal for 6 months thankfully so this should be well cleared up by then.

The handbrake issue - I didn't have my handbrake on. I had literally just come to a stop when I was hit, there wasn't time to apply the handbrake. I had left a gap, always leave enough room to see wheels & tarmac. I rear ended a car a few years back and learnt some expensive lessons from it that have stayed with me to this day.

Thanks for the advice re: courtesy car, I have received a car in the meantime so just waiting to see if my car will be fixed or written off. That will be another story in itself I'd say..

galwayjohn89

goz83 wrote: »

I have already been compensated for my car and the injury part of my claim is pending still, but these things take time.

Dont want to drag the thread too far off topic but I was rear ended last November and my back still has a niggling pain. Anything good I can do for it? Ive heard mixed reviews on Chiropractors and there quite pricey and Im broke!

Stheno

Vuzuggu wrote: »

Dont want to drag the thread too far off topic but I was rear ended last November and my back still has a niggling pain. Anything good I can do for it? Ive heard mixed reviews on Chiropractors and there quite pricey and Im broke!

Go to your doctor, nowhere on boards can give you medical advice.

galwayjohn89

Stheno wrote: »

Go to your doctor, nowhere on boards can give you medical advice.

I understand that. I suppose more looking for what helped others then necessarily what would help me if that makes sense?!? Basically wondering are chiropractors good or bad. Heard lots of missed opinions.

GreeBo

Unregulated medical people = bad.