Bumped into a learner driver

fitzparker

So my wife bumped into a learner driver in stop go traffic. 5 mph most. Little Mark on the car (whether it was there before is another thing)

So he called today to say €250 to get bumper removed but if we give €50 he will just get it touched up.

Don't mind paying the €50 but what come back have I got on this. What should I get for it not to come back on me.

He was an unaccompanied learner (although it could be plates for someone else)

Pelvis

If you had of hit him harder you could have got the bumper removed for free.

Veloce

What is the relevancy of the learner driver being unaccompanied? From what you have said - it looks like your wife is at fault here.

jake is right

^^^^^^
The relevance is that he should not have been driving without a qualified driver !

Lyle Lanley

jake is right wrote: »

^^^^^^
The relevance is that he should not have been driving without a qualified driver !

Don't think that allows you to crash in to him. They shouldn't be trying to get out of paying for damages they caused.

50 quid after crashing in to someone is very reasonable. Ask him for a receipt and consider the matter dealt with.

Gatling

Pay up and move on ,

Last thing you want is a personal injury claim as well

Veloce

jake is right wrote: »

^^^^^^
The relevance is that he should not have been driving without a qualified driver !

The learner driver didn't cause the accident though. The OP's wife did.

OldNotWIse

jake is right wrote: »

^^^^^^
The relevance is that he should not have been driving without a qualified driver !

And would him having a qualified driver in his car have acted to prevent OP's wife from bumping into him with her car?

The other driver may have been wrong to be driving unaccompanied, but this is a separate issue and doesn't negate what happened or absolve OPs wife of responsibility for what happened.

fitzparker

No need for some snotty replies guys. As I have stated. We have no problem whatsoever paying the money. Full liability is accepted by the wife. My worry is if I'm just to hand over €50 will I get them to text me that the issue is done etc.

My point about the unoccupied learner Because if he tried to claim anything have I any type of comeback about the above

callaway92

fitzparker wrote: »

No need for some snotty replies guys. As I have stated. We have no problem whatsoever paying the money. Full liability is accepted by the wife. My worry is if I'm just to hand over €50 will I get them to text me that the issue is done etc.

My point about the unoccupied learner Because if he tried to claim anything have I any type of comeback about the above

No you wouldn't. That wouldn't come into the equation as you were at fault.

OldNotWIse

fitzparker wrote: »

No need for some snotty replies guys. As I have stated. We have no problem whatsoever paying the money. Full liability is accepted by the wife. My worry is if I'm just to hand over €50 will I get them to text me that the issue is done etc.

My point about the unoccupied learner Because if he tried to claim anything have I any type of comeback about the above

No. Just because someone else is doing something wrong doesn't operate to reduce your liability for a completely different matter.

artanevilla

fitzparker wrote: »

No need for some snotty replies guys. As I have stated. We have no problem whatsoever paying the money. Full liability is accepted by the wife. My worry is if I'm just to hand over ?50 will I get them to text me that the issue is done etc.

My point about the unoccupied learner Because if he tried to claim anything have I any type of comeback about the above

No comeback, the accident wasn't their fault, if it was a twelve year old drunk driver with a driving ban, your wife is still liable for damages.

Cordell

I think the op is concerned about the fact that even if he pays up the agreed moneys the other driver would still go to the insurance to claim compensations. Unfortunately it is pretty much a gentleman's agreement, so you need to trust the other driver.

Not Quite A Hipster

Gatling wrote: »

Pay up and move on ,

Last thing you want is a personal injury claim as well

Definitely in agreement here. Not worth the hassle of dragging it out.

fitzparker

Great thanks all. Hopefully handing over the money will be the end of it, as it was really minor.

fitzparker

Not Quite A Hipster wrote: »

Definitely in agreement here. Not worth the hassle of dragging it out.

Never the plan. Was just hoping it's the end of it when I do. You hear stories of people making false claims etc

Needs Must

If you're not happy paying €50, then pay the €250 instead. Really I'm at a loss here to understand your way of thinking. The other driver is being more than fair about the matter and your still hesitant.
Pay him and thank yourself that he is being so decent about it.

fitzparker

Cordell wrote: »

I think the op is concerned about the fact that even if he pays up the agreed moneys the other driver would still go to the insurance to claim compensations. Unfortunately it is pretty much a gentleman's agreement, so you need to trust the other driver.

This is exactly it Cordell, it was bumper to bumper traffic. So just want the money to be the end of it. If he gets it sorted it's down to him

fitzparker

Needs Must wrote: »

If you're not happy paying €50, then pay the €250 instead. Really I'm at a loss here to understand your way of thinking. The other driver is being more than fair about the matter and your still hesitant.
Pay him and thank yourself that he is being so decent about it.

As per Cordell. Read my posts again never once disputed it. It's what could come after I'm concerned about. But will take the other driver at face value and hope for the best

Guy Sajer

If it is as you inferred, that the damage to the learner drivers car could have been there before, can't you not provide the evidence to the insurance company?
Why should you pay if the damage was not caused by your partner?

OldNotWIse

fitzparker wrote: »

Never the plan. Was just hoping it's the end of it when I do. You hear stories of people making false claims etc

Yup, this is a real concern. Unfortunately a lot of people are out for what they can screw out of others. Hopefully there wont be any PI whiplash claims. the only thing is there is a growing recognition of the potential for fraudulent claims in this area so fingers crossed. Sorry if my response was snotty.

FAILSAFE 00

fitzparker wrote: »

So my wife bumped into a learner driver in stop go traffic. 5 mph most. Little Mark on the car (whether it was there before is another thing)

So he called today to say €250 to get bumper removed but if we give €50 he will just get it touched up.

Don't mind paying the €50 but what come back have I got on this. What should I get for it not to come back on me.

He was an unaccompanied learner (although it could be plates for someone else)

Are you sure the driver is a learner. They could be sharing the car with a driver who is learning while they are fully licensed. More common now than ever with insurance hikes. Even if the driver is a learner and was not accompanied makes no difference.

Also I'd recommend paying the money and quickly. You don't want this becoming a personal injury claim.

dev100

Give him the 50 and an extra few Bob for a few pints. It will be a cheap bump on Ye

colm_mcm

Cordell wrote: »

I think the op is concerned about the fact that even if he pays up the agreed moneys the other driver would still go to the insurance to claim compensations. Unfortunately it is pretty much a gentleman's agreement, so you need to trust the other driver.

In this case go with the €50 option. Even if the driver decides they have whiplash, you've only lost €50 - it's worth the gamble IMO.

Sleeper12

fitzparker wrote:

No need for some snotty replies guys. As I have stated. We have no problem whatsoever paying the money. Full liability is accepted by the wife. My worry is if I'm just to hand over €50 will I get them to text me that the issue is done etc.

Conversion is getting side tracked. Op knows that his wife was at fault and learner driver on their own makes no difference.
OP you need something in writing from the learner driver. Something saying that you are paying 50 to have the scratch repaired. Make 2 copies. Your wife and the driver can both sign and get a copy. Wouldn't do any harm for you to have a few photos of the scratch.
Imo 50 is cheap and I'd jump at this deal. I think the other driver is being very decent.

fitzparker

Thanks all. I met with the guy myself and paid the money. seemed a decent skin, I just got him to text me to a knowledge money for damage etc. So at least I have that.

Don't think anything will come after it but was just concerned after the other half OTT about it.

Decided to keep the extra few bob for myself to have a few pints to calm the nerves of it all

Thanks again

grogi

Gentleman agreement? Trust? What is it?

No waivers in Ireland?

testarossa40

To possibly cover yourself, recommend you type up an agreement for them to sign, date the incident, note the reg#s, describe the damage, and verbage such as "...agree to accept €50 as full & final compensation and will not seek further payments arising from this incident from me, my agents, or my insurance provider..." - anybody feel free to further sexify the legalese (it's late) or maybe sound out the Legal Discussion forum too...

colm_mcm

Sometimes you're better off not going legal and just playing the whole thing down. I know if someone crashed into me and I let them off with €50 so I cu Ps touch the bumper up, then they go making me sign a legal document - my goodwill towards them would suddenly dry up.

Bob the Builder

Your wife caused the accident - whether or not it was a learner driver is irrelevant.

€50 is very little given the context. I was in a similar situation to your wife a few years back, except there was zero damage on the bumper of the other guy's car. He went through my insurance, claimed almost €1500 including the cost of car hire, a new bumper and damage assessment. All for a 13 year old car that was so crappy I'm surprised it was on the road.

If the driver being a learner is an issue for you, report it to the Gardaí seperately. But unless the other driver stops being reasonable with you, then I don't think it is fair of you to bring that up.

Shefwedfan

I wouldn't listen to one word posted on here because it is all c**p

Mind you, you don't have to listen to me either

Best bit is typing up a letter:P:P Might as well type up Murder She Wrote for all the good it will do you

Contact your insurance. Explain situation and get recommendation. They do not have to put it on system if you want to settle outside insurance

A driver has up to 3 years after accident to claim. So make sure you cover yourself off now

Handing someone 50 quid now doesn't mean they won't pop back up in a few years

You should have asked for license and insurance at crash?

goochy

I would put a N plate on your wives car and give her some driving lessons. Silly driving.

biko

goochy wrote: »

I would put a N plate on your wives car and give her some driving lessons. Silly driving.

This comment is way out of line. Anyone might have a little bump in traffic. It happens every day to 1000s of people.



Thread closed as OP have an answer and I see this not getting better.