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Rear ended - multi car collision

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  • 25-07-2018 1:15pm
    #1
    amcalester
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,121 ✭✭✭


    I was in a 5 car collision recently, I was rear ended and shunted into the car in front.

    After the collision there were 3 vehicles behind me and 1 in front.

    I’ve only TPFT insurance so am now trying to sort out who to claim off.

    I’ve contacted the insurance company of the vehicle directly behind me and they told me to ring the insurer of the last vehicle in the chain.

    I only felt 1 impact from behind so it makes sense that the vehicle furthest back is at fault, but my issue is that I’m left without a car to get to work (180km round trip), if I rent a car can I claim this back?


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    #2
    Stanford
    Registered Users Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Stanford


    I’ve contacted the insurance company of the vehicle directly behind me and they told me to ring the insurer of the last vehicle in the chain.

    Rubbish, Stop interacting with third party insurance companies immediately, the person responsible is the person who hit you from behind, what happened that party is not your concern, report the issue to your own insurance company immediately and let them deal with the matter


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    #3
    Eggs For Dinner
    Registered Users Posts: 2,950 ✭✭✭Eggs For Dinner


    amcalester wrote: »
    I was in a 5 car collision recently, I was rear ended and shunted into the car in front.

    After the collision there were 3 vehicles behind me and 1 in front.

    I’ve only TPFT insurance so am now trying to sort out who to claim off.

    I’ve contacted the insurance company of the vehicle directly behind me and they told me to ring the insurer of the last vehicle in the chain.

    I only felt 1 impact from behind so it makes sense that the vehicle furthest back is at fault, but my issue is that I’m left without a car to get to work (180km round trip), if I rent a car can I claim this back?

    As this is a multi vehicle collision, you will find it a long process to establish who is ultimately liable for your damage. Your own insurer will work towards establishing fault, but only from the perspective of defending claims against you. They will not pursue other parties for your loss.

    Having said that, if all insurers involved come to a consensus as to the chain of events, you can use this information to recover your loss from the wrongdoer, if you are deemed blameless. As for car hire, this must be claimed from a party held liable for your damage, so one aspect will follow the other.


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    #4
    Stanford
    Registered Users Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Stanford


    OP doesn't seem to have contacted his own insurance company yet?


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    #5
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,652 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    You recover from whomever hit you. Ultimately in a 5 car pile up the last car (who caused the damage) ultimately pays


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    #6
    amcalester
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,121 ✭✭✭amcalester


    Eggs For Dinner wrote: »
    As this is a multi vehicle collision, you will find it a long process to establish who is ultimately liable for your damage. Your own insurer will work towards establishing fault, but only from the perspective of defending claims against you. They will not pursue other parties for your loss.

    Having said that, if all insurers involved come to a consensus as to the chain of events, you can use this information to recover your loss from the wrongdoer, if you are deemed blameless. As for car hire, this must be claimed from a party held liable for your damage, so one aspect will follow the other.

    Thanks, spoke with my insurer and as you say they were only interested in who I hit.

    They’ve opened and then withdrawn a non fault claim in relation to the car in front of me but are not dealing with my own claim.

    Any tips on what I can do to move this along?


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    #7
    Eggs For Dinner
    Registered Users Posts: 2,950 ✭✭✭Eggs For Dinner


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    You recover from whomever hit you. Ultimately in a 5 car pile up the last car (who caused the damage) ultimately pays

    It doesn't always work out that way. If the OP stopped and car 3 shunted him in to car 1, then car 3 pays OP's damages unless car 3 can establish that he too was stopped and was shunted by car 4 etc, etc,


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    #8
    amcalester
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,121 ✭✭✭amcalester


    Stanford wrote: »
    OP doesn't seem to have contacted his own insurance company yet?

    I have, did that first.


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    #9
    Stanford
    Registered Users Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭Stanford


    amcalester wrote: »
    I have, did that first.

    Apologies you didn't mention that


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    #10
    amcalester
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,121 ✭✭✭amcalester


    Eggs For Dinner wrote: »
    It doesn't always work out that way. If the OP stopped and car 3 shunted him in to car 1, then car 3 pays OP's damages unless car 3 can establish that he too was stopped and was shunted by car 4 etc, etc,

    This is what happened and what my insurance and car 3’s insurance told me.

    I’m still left with an undriveable car and no way to get work.


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    #11
    Eggs For Dinner
    Registered Users Posts: 2,950 ✭✭✭Eggs For Dinner


    amcalester wrote: »
    Thanks, spoke with my insurer and as you say they were only interested in who I hit.

    They’ve opened and then withdrawn a non fault claim in relation to the car in front of me but are not dealing with my own claim.

    Any tips on what I can do to move this along?

    It really is down to how quick insurers can come to a consensus as to the chain of events. You won't be party to those conversations, unless you engage a solicitor to act for you. One specialist solicitor is Hussey Fraser (not affiliated in any way) and they don't charge you or take a cut. The bill the 3rd party if successful. 1890 666681. It's what I would do


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    #12
    Turbohymac
    Registered Users Posts: 472 ✭✭Turbohymac


    The insurance companies don't really care about the damaged cars or the ops issues with not having a car to get to work.. once there's no personal injuries they don't give a toss.. living near that cork village where accident happened..so much for the ball of money recently spent by local authority to implement traffic calming ,,,,,and also reduced parking big time.


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    #13
    amcalester
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,121 ✭✭✭amcalester


    Eggs For Dinner wrote: »
    It really is down to how quick insurers can come to a consensus as to the chain of events. You won't be party to those conversations, unless you engage a solicitor to act for you. One specialist solicitor is Hussey Fraser (not affiliated in any way) and they don't charge you or take a cut. The bill the 3rd party if successful. 1890 666681. It's what I would do

    Thanks for this bit of advice.

    I rang Hussey Fraser and they've taken charge.

    The insurer of the rear-most vehicle has agreed to appoint an assessor on a "without prejudice" basis and I'm getting an estimate today on the damage done while waiting for the assessor to make contact.

    Its fairly obvious that both these needed to be done but I was reluctant to do anything that might cause me trouble further down line.

    No luck on the rental though so I've had to borrow a car for the next few days at least.


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    #14
    Eggs For Dinner
    Registered Users Posts: 2,950 ✭✭✭Eggs For Dinner


    Glad it helped. They're very good and nice people to deal with. Generally, you can get hold of them when you need them. As for (reasonable) car hire and other out of pocket expenses, these will be recoverable if successful. Keep all receipts


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    #15
    tcawley29
    Registered Users Posts: 1,829 ✭✭✭tcawley29


    Surely if the OP rents a car and keeps receipts he can claim for it once he is deemed not at fault.

    On a side note, if an insurance company provides a rental car which is not as good as what you were driving or not as big could you refuse it?
    just curious really. I would think they should for size issues but not sure. As regards luxury/standard whatever that could be pushing your luck but ya never know.


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    #16
    Eggs For Dinner
    Registered Users Posts: 2,950 ✭✭✭Eggs For Dinner


    tcawley29 wrote:
    On a side note, if an insurance company provides a rental car which is not as good as what you were driving or not as big could you refuse it? just curious really. I would think they should for size issues but not sure. As regards luxury/standard whatever that could be pushing your luck but ya never know.


    If you are provided with a courtesy car under your own policy, it will always be a basic size and model. If you are claiming from someone liable for the accident, you are entitled to reasonable like for like hire


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    #17
    amcalester
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,121 ✭✭✭amcalester


    tcawley29 wrote: »
    Surely if the OP rents a car and keeps receipts he can claim for it once he is deemed not at fault.

    On a side note, if an insurance company provides a rental car which is not as good as what you were driving or not as big could you refuse it?
    just curious really. I would think they should for size issues but not sure. As regards luxury/standard whatever that could be pushing your luck but ya never know.

    I assumed the same but was told that I have to mitigate my losses and not to rent a vehicle until given the go ahead.

    So I borrowed a car today and will work from home tomorrow while I wait for the car to be fixed.

    It’s all a pain in the hole.


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    #18
    Sono
    Registered Users Posts: 2,388 ✭✭✭Sono


    Eggs For Dinner wrote: »
    Glad it helped. They're very good and nice people to deal with. Generally, you can get hold of them when you need them. As for (reasonable) car hire and other out of pocket expenses, these will be recoverable if successful. Keep all receipts

    Very nice, are you sure you’re talking about Hussey Fraser? I won’t comment too much on this but let’s just say I completely disagree with your post.


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    #19
    Sono
    Registered Users Posts: 2,388 ✭✭✭Sono


    amcalester wrote: »
    I assumed the same but was told that I have to mitigate my losses and not to rent a vehicle until given the go ahead.

    So I borrowed a car today and will work from home tomorrow while I wait for the car to be fixed.

    It’s all a pain in the hole.

    Has the vehicle at the rear accepted liability yet? If so they are the ones who will be paying for your repairs and everyone else’s repairs too for that matter.

    Best of luck with it.


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    #20
    Eggs For Dinner
    Registered Users Posts: 2,950 ✭✭✭Eggs For Dinner


    Sono wrote:
    Very nice, are you sure you’re talking about Hussey Fraser? I won’t comment too much on this but let’s just say I completely disagree with your post.


    If you're on the receiving end of their work it can be unpleasant, which is good if they are representing you


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    #21
    Sono
    Registered Users Posts: 2,388 ✭✭✭Sono


    Eggs For Dinner wrote: »
    If you're on the receiving end of their work it can be unpleasant, which is good if they are representing you

    Wouldn’t be worried about being on the receiving end of their work as they literally take on any case handed to them.


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    #22
    Eggs For Dinner
    Registered Users Posts: 2,950 ✭✭✭Eggs For Dinner


    Sono wrote: »
    Wouldn’t be worried about being on the receiving end of their work as they literally take on any case handed to them.

    What is the problem with that, if it is not costing you a penny? You're very cryptic about your own experience. Care to elaborate?


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    #23
    Sono
    Registered Users Posts: 2,388 ✭✭✭Sono


    Eggs For Dinner wrote: »
    What is the problem with that, if it is not costing you a penny? You're very cryptic about your own experience. Care to elaborate?

    No not really, wouldn’t want to say anything that would get me into any trouble! I’ll leave it there, best of luck OP.


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    #24
    Sono
    Registered Users Posts: 2,388 ✭✭✭Sono


    How did this end up OP?


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    #25
    amcalester
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,121 ✭✭✭amcalester


    Sono wrote: »
    How did this end up OP?

    Still ongoing, liability hasn’t been established yet though my renewal came in €100 cheaper than last year so I’m unaffected.

    My car has been assessed and recommended that it be repaired, I’ve a panel beater waiting to get started on it but I’m waiting for the go ahead from the insurance company.

    It’s dragging on longer than I’d like it to but I’m not sure what else I can do other than wait, pay for the repairs nearly and claim it back or initiate proceedings.

    Tempted to pay for the repairs myself and wait to claim it all back. I just want the car repaired at this stage, I do about 1000km a week so a functioning car is vital to me.


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