Rear-ended yesterday

GanAnim

I would love any advice. I am also writing this as I made some errors about what to do after the accident which other people might learn from. Sorry if this is long I wasn't sure how much detail to give.

I was rear-ended yesterday. I don't know why the guy didn't break as he had plenty of time. I was stationary at a junction (I was on a main road about to turn right onto minor road).

It was very odd. He just kept coming at me as if be was not aware of my presence. I don't think he even slowed initially and it felt like he hit me at a fair pace when he did. I almost didn't believe it was happening at first as there seemed no reason for it. I didn't break suddenly, and I indicated in good time that I was going to be turning off the road. He was a reasonable distance behind me so plenty of time to stop.

There was an awful bang when he hit the car and I thought the car would be totally wrecked, but when I got out it didn't look too bad (though when I had a proper look later the bumper is damaged more than I thought). I had quite a bit of back-pain afterwards (not too bad initially but got worse later in the day) but it has improved a bit by today so I really hope that is just temporary. I have other health problems so could really do without added ones.

Ironically I was on the way to the NCT centre for a retest when it happened (I had failed a few weeks ago on 2 areas). The car passed so at least one less thing to think about.

Anyway I did do a few stupid things after the accident (or I could have done things better). I was quite shaken as it gave me a fright, and he was a bit more relaxed about detail than I was. He gave me his contact details, I took his reg number and insurance number off the disc and the commencement date of the insurance, but didn't think to get his insurers name (I was focused on the number as the important thing but now know the insurer name is necessary, and possibly more important, to know). He didn't stop me from taking the details but the disc was torn making it hard to read, not to mention the miniscule print, and he was sort of hurrying me along a bit.

There were a few other drivers at the scene and I should have asked them for contact details in case I needed a witness for some reason (in case he pretended not to have been at the scene at all or something later).

I also didn't ring the guards as I didn't think they would come out to such a minor accident, but I rang them today and they said they would have but that if they were busy there could be a long wait. They said I can go in now to log it as a formality.

I wanted to take some photos and got some (not very good ones). But he just went off so I did it in a bit of a hurry. I suppose I should have tried to insist that he stay the extra few minutes s to get pictures from different angles etc. but I didn't really realise he was going to drive off that quickly. To be honest for his own protection you would think he would want this (e.g. to prove I had no passengers).

I am going to my garage today for them to have a look and a quote. Also the doctor in case I should they have any tips about what I should be doing or not doing to minimise harm.

He wants to do if off insurance which is probably why he was so relaxed about swapping details (he took very little of mine so I texted him everything). I have logged it via my own insurance company but told them not to proceed yet with pursuing it.

I am worried about doing it off the insurance in case the guy is slow to pay up, or something arises later and I have no comeback as I will have settled privately. On the other hand it could be quicker doing it privately and without some hassle his insurance might try to create.

My car is old so the cost of repair might be greater than the value of the car (from an insurance company point of view, not my view). So this is another worry.

Any tips? He weirdly told me he has hit someone else in a crash (I don't know when) which might be also why he is anxious to settle privately rather than through insurers.

Overheal

Do. Not. Settle. Privately.

ironclaw

I'd only settle privately if there was absolutely positively no chance of developing a medical problem in the future i.e. Someone hit my car and I wasn't it in. Back and neck can be very strange and develop weeks, months and even years after an accident, and continue for weeks, months and years to come. Get yourself fully checked out as soon as possible and given that this seems relatively 'high speed' and you have already had some pain, I'd be going the insurance route. A couple of quid on a premium rise is nothing compared to long term medical care should the other party decide to run once they have paid for a bit of paint and a panel beater.

TOEJOE

Good suggestion get Insurance Company to deal with it .
Happened to me three times one claim for damage to car let Insurance Co deal with it.
Was sore for a day after the collisions but then pain went away.

Vic_08

OP just go through insurance, contact yours and give them the details, they may be able to tell you his company based on the policy No. If not the ring him and ask for it, if he refuses go to the guards.

If it is a scrape or similar with nothing violent enough to cause injury then maybe consider settling the damage privately and then only if the person is acting 100% correctly.

Trying to hurry you along would be a big warning sign that if you did go down that route he was going to be less than straightforward to deal with. He was in the wrong, no reason to be putting yourself in the position of having that hassle. Settling privately would be you doing him a favour, doesn't sound like he is deserving of one.

GanAnim

Thanks guys. We I am much happier now. I went to the garage and there was more damage to the car that I had realised. The mechanic wrote up a quote for me and it was to just over 1,000 Euro. This is not an expensive garage either. He advised me to go through insurance as well.

I went to the doctor and he did some tests he could do at the surgery. He thinks it is nothing very bad. He gave me some minor exercises I can do for the neck. He told me it would hopefully clear up but to get back to him if it continues. It is not as sore as yesterday so I am hoping it is some temporary problem.

So I made the dreaded call to the guy who hit me and he was fine. I was worried he would try to be arguing about it but when he heard the amount he said himself it was better to go through insurance and he gave me his insurance company and broker names. So he seemed fine.

He was probably just more relaxed than I was yesterday and not thinking ahead enough that we should exchange all details and then make decisions later. I have known a few people that were rear-ended so I knew myself that it can be more expensive than it first looks. I suppose he was probably a bit shocked himself yesterday as well (and of course he knew he wasn't giving me a false address, or intending to try to wriggle out of it, but I had no way of knowing that at the time).

Another thing I should have done yesterday was to text the phone number he gave me to make sure we had one another's number's correctly, as it is easy to accidently get a digit wrong.

Anyway I feel a lot better about things now. Hopefully it will be all sorted soon. Let's hope I am not involved in any other crashes but at least I have learnt a bit from this one.

goz83

Is it your neck, or back that has been painful? Your first 2 posts mention back pain, but the last one mentioned neck exercises. Or are both your neck and back sore?

From personal and recent experience, these things can get worse. If you have no pain for about 6 weeks, then you're more than likely fine and only suffered minor soft tissue damage. The car you drive and the car that hit you can make a big difference too. An MX-5 rear ending a Range Rover would not do much damage, but the other war around and you'd probably be getting cut out of the MX-5, while the owner of the jeep wipes your paint from his bumper.

I was in a sports car when I was rear ended. But, I was hit by the same type of car. My injuries are serious, but it could have been much worse, had the other car been bigger. I hope you're doing OK.

GanAnim

Well a bit of good news. The other drivers insurance company rang me saying they were not contesting liability so at least that is something as it should move the case along quicker.

ironclaw wrote: »

I'd only settle privately if there was absolutely positively no chance of developing a medical problem in the future i.e. Someone hit my car and I wasn't it in. Back and neck can be very strange and develop weeks, months and even years after an accident, and continue for weeks, months and years to come. Get yourself fully checked out as soon as possible and given that this seems relatively 'high speed' and you have already had some pain, I'd be going the insurance route. A couple of quid on a premium rise is nothing compared to long term medical care should the other party decide to run once they have paid for a bit of paint and a panel beater.

Thanks Ironclaw. I think this is excellent advice. I think in future if I was in an accident I would go through insurance to make sure it is all above board, unless I wasn't in the car as you said, or it was something like a wing-mirror being hit (but not the rest of the car). There could be all sorts of problems later about claims of liability etc if going privately so it is safer to go through insurance I think in most cases.

I think after speaking to the guy again yesterday (to check something) that he genuinely is not good at paper-work/procedural stuff, so that probably explains his sort of laid back attitude towards details. Of course he knew he wasn't dishonest, but as I didn't know him I had no way of knowing whether the address etc. he gave me were genuine, and I made the mistake myself of not taking the insurer name. He seems really nice and I feel a bit sorry for him as he might be in for a shock on renewing his insurance.

goz83 wrote: »

Is it your neck, or back that has been painful? Your first 2 posts mention back pain, but the last one mentioned neck exercises. Or are both your neck and back sore?

From personal and recent experience, these things can get worse. If you have no pain for about 6 weeks, then you're more than likely fine and only suffered minor soft tissue damage. The car you drive and the car that hit you can make a big difference too. An MX-5 rear ending a Range Rover would not do much damage, but the other war around and you'd probably be getting cut out of the MX-5, while the owner of the jeep wipes your paint from his bumper.

I was in a sports car when I was rear ended. But, I was hit by the same type of car. My injuries are serious, but it could have been much worse, had the other car been bigger. I hope you're doing OK.

Thanks Goz. Sorry to hear about your injuries. Initially it was pain in my back and upper shoulders, but I think he gave me the exercises as a precaution and to maintain mobility. Unfortunately I did have a bit of a sore neck (or maybe upper back, I am not sure which it would be classified as) yesterday. That is gone again now and it is just the back.

I was wrecked yesterday and today. I haven't slept well so this is probably partly the reason. I hope it is not that I am more seriously injured, or that it is not going to cause a worsening of my other condition. I suppose it will be a few weeks before I know really. I will go back to the doctor if it continues. I have a medical card so at least don't have GP expenses (though I don't know what access to things like physio would be if I needed it).

His car was much bigger than mine (mine is a small hatchback). Mine only has a 2 star safety rating as well. I think when I replace it I will go for something with a higher safety rating like a Yaris. It is funny, before this the risk of injury to me seemed theoretical and not something that would actually happen. I am only driving a few years and my main concern was not hitting anyone else myself, especially a pedestrian or cyclist, but I didn't really worry so much about getting hit myself.

joe912

I usually find that medical problems get much worse and more serious when you talk to a solicitor

GanAnim

That was a bit mean. I know you don't know me, but I am totally honest and I have no intention of falsely claiming anything. I posted as I can be a bit naïve and sometimes (well a lot of times!) people can see this and walk all over me, so I wanted to be forewarned in case it ended up happening again.

I doubt they randomly hand out money for no reason. People probably have to prove financial loss, the most expensive of which wouldn't apply to me (e.g. loss of earnings doesn't apply to me already. I have a medical card that covers some medical expenses but might not cover some things like physio if I needed it as they might limit the amount of sessions a person could get on the public system).

People were right to warn me to be careful, and not just assume that I am fine and settle off the insurance. Being sick/injured can involved a lot of unforeseen expenses. It is not a question of anyone scamming anyone, sometimes people can be injured and why should they suffer financial loss because of someone else's error? It is bad enough to have a loss of health without financial loss on top of it (I have suffered loss of both, not via an accident, no compensation involved). I know some people are dishonest, but not everyone is. I know if you are able-bodied it is hard to understand all the losses and expenses not to mention irritations that go with having limitations, so it might seem like people are "on the make" when they are not.

I am quite hopeful that I will be get better so I am not overly worried at this point. Having said that I actually feel dreadful since yesterday and much worse than I did a few days ago with nausea and dizziness (on the plus side my back seems a bit better today). I did have the nausea since the accident but I thought it was just a stress/shock thing, but it is worse now even though I am not stressed about it anymore. I am actually hoping it is just the early stages of some sort of winter vomiting bug or something (there is something I never thought I would say!), though I am not vomiting.

whizbang

pull out every insurance bill you can, and ever dreamt of paying. Lay them out on the table in front of you. Add them all up. Add inflation, credit costs etc.

Now, try to think where all that money has gone...

Yep. Nowhere. Now is the time you get to see some value from it. Its not your job to do silly details. Your contract probably prohibits it anyway.

So stop worrying about small details, your only concern is, Cash or Cheque.
Don't be afraid to let your insurance co. know this. In fact make sure they know.

goz83

joe912 wrote: »

I usually find that medical problems get much worse and more serious when you talk to a solicitor

Extremely helpful there Joe. Please share some more of that fine cynicism wisdom.

@ OP. The medical card could be handy alright. I went into the pharmacy 2 weeks ago and the bill was €195 for pain medication. The girl signed me up for a drugs payment card, so my pharmacy bills won't exceed €144 a month. Unfortunately I still have to cover everything else. I hope you're alright and that you have felt the last of the back pain.

Ignore the average "joe"' who might disapprove of anyone making a claim unless their right leg is left in the car after an accident. There are plenty of cynics out there and I would bet they apwould be the first type to make a claim if they found an old bruise after an accident.

Cin1586

This happened to me last week and like you out of shock I didn't do everything correctly and now I am having a nightmare. Got rear ended at traffic lights. It was a super busy time so I took the photographs, the reg and the girls name and phone number. I naively thought she was nice as she jumped out apologised and asked was I ok. Also didn't report it to the guards.

Brought my car to a garage to get a quote for the damage which was 380 euros and rang the girl leaving her a voicemail and send through a photo of the quote details. Nothing back for 2 days. Rang again left another voicemail nothing back. So sent her text saying I would pass this on to my insurance company and the guards as I had not heard back from her. I think she didn't think I had her reg details. Also I have L plates on my car as my boyfriend is insured on my car and uses it for his driving lessons so I think she may think I am a learner driving by myself and wouldn't take it any further. I have had a full license for 4 years.

So spoke with my insurance company who are currently trying to get a hold of her insurance company via the Insurance database. Also yesterday I reported it to my local Garda station. The guy I spoke to was really nice said he would ring her and hopefully his phone call would spur her into action to call me back. Her voicemail name corresponds with the number she gave me on the scene so it is definitely her number.

One thing I have learnt is never to be so naive. Even if you think someone is going to be reasonable don't and report the entire thing. She admitted her liability and asked was I ok but after the fact try to dodge her responsibility. I personally could never do this but obviously a lot of people out there can with no guilt. Just hoping now my insurance company or the Guards can get her details and I can move forward with repairing the damage she caused.

GanAnim

Cin1586 wrote: »

This happened to me last week and like you out of shock I didn't do everything correctly and now I am having a nightmare. Got rear ended at traffic lights. It was a super busy time so I took the photographs, the reg and the girls name and phone number. I naively thought she was nice as she jumped out apologised and asked was I ok. Also didn't report it to the guards.

Brought my car to a garage to get a quote for the damage which was 380 euros and rang the girl leaving her a voicemail and send through a photo of the quote details. Nothing back for 2 days. Rang again left another voicemail nothing back. So sent her text saying I would pass this on to my insurance company and the guards as I had not heard back from her. I think she didn't think I had her reg details. Also I have L plates on my car as my boyfriend is insured on my car and uses it for his driving lessons so I think she may think I am a learner driving by myself and wouldn't take it any further. I have had a full license for 4 years.

So spoke with my insurance company who are currently trying to get a hold of her insurance company via the Insurance database. Also yesterday I reported it to my local Garda station. The guy I spoke to was really nice said he would ring her and hopefully his phone call would spur her into action to call me back. Her voicemail name corresponds with the number she gave me on the scene so it is definitely her number.

One thing I have learnt is never to be so naive. Even if you think someone is going to be reasonable don't and report the entire thing. She admitted her liability and asked was I ok but after the fact try to dodge her responsibility. I personally could never do this but obviously a lot of people out there can with no guilt. Just hoping now my insurance company or the Guards can get her details and I can move forward with repairing the damage she caused.

Oh God that is horrible. It is great that you got the reg number. I'd bet she didn't realise you got it. And you are probably right that she thinks you were the learner and won't pursue it. Very stupid of her to give you the run around and she will be caught and is only adding to her troubles this way (although I am not sure if anything will actually happen to her other than losing the no claims).

I hope you get somewhere soon. It is a horrible feeling until you know you have all the correct details and can proceed. Mine seems to have moved along fairly quickly once I got all the details. The assessor is coming tomorrow. I hope you will be at this stage soon.

I mentioned what happened to me to a few people and they also forgot to get the full details after and accident so it seems to be fairly common. And I have heard a few stories of the person responsible wanting initially to deal with it privately and not through insurance, but then doing a disappearing act once the injured party gets a quote from a mechanic.