Rear Ended on Motorway - Private, or Insurance?

The other driver (the onethat hit you) has already shown themselves to be dishonest in stating they reported it to their insurance company and they are ok with them settling privately when they did not report it

Enough said there not to trust them going forward.

Go through their insurance company and have them answer their own insurance companies questions as to what happened, what they were doing or not doing etc. Not your concern. Hope your back or neck pains abate.

Jesus Christ. Cop on will you. Your not a doctor. Its not uncommon for aches & pains to take a few days to appear after a crash.

Objectively, it’s unreasonable to suggest any malice on the part of the offending driver. In fairness, the individual admitted liability, swapped details & may have been mulling over whether to inform insurer or not based on both parties seeming to agree (initially) on one-to-one settlement. It’s stressful for both and people don’t know what to do. That person can (and should) let their insurer know, yet can settle privately if agreeable to both indiv parties (even with insurers knowledge). Minor accidents are often settled in this way.

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Having the Gardaí attend the scene is useful as statements can be taken, liability admitted, & it’s on record. Liability is the first thing to ascertain when it comes to settlement agreement / costs. Also by both parties informing insurers…it clears this up also.

OP asked:
“Curious why the insurance asked me what I think happened if I didn't actually see the collision.” …if fault is shared or OP admits liability (even inadvertently) , that changes the situation.

nothing a few quid won’t make go away :)

This is true, …following accidents, hormones release to deal with shock - numbs pain and gives the feeling of being ok, so a situation can be dealt with. These wear off. So when the OP says, chronic back pain was gone, that’s most likely why. Hopefully remains gone 🙂 …or back to baseline.

Sorry to hear of this incident OP.

I've been on both sides of this type of situation and dealing with the issue privately (while informing the insurance companies involved) requires a great deal of trust but will ultimately cost the person at fault significantly less than going via the insurance company. As I said, I've been on both sides of this.

The issue in this country (and probably others) is the absolotute pisst$king of repair shops/dealers etc in relation to charging for repairs, particularily when the insurance company is paying - this effects EVERYONE who pays insurance. And as for those claiming that a repair paid for by the insurance company is a "better" repair that one not paid for by the insurance company is someone who hasn't seen examples of both.

Having said all that if you have a genuine injury also, I would 100 percent go through the insurance company route as this can be where things get tricky.

Go insurance all the way, similar happened to me and she had the balls to claim off me despite initially claiming liability.

Go through the insurance. They've already proven to be untrustworthy and if they try a fast one by claiming against you, then in response, pull out the WhatsApp receipts! Be sure to screenshot them.

And still to this day after many years have still not been payed a cent despite being awarded it plus costs

AIG are indeed very clear about it. Look at their online policy document under General Conditions, Item 9. You have a contractural obligation to notify them

Going is private is for mirror clips, side scraps on a 10 + year old car worth les that 5k etc.

You would be mad trying to do the other person a favour by facilitating. The other person will bitch about the real price and want you to go to “this person he knows that will do it much cheaper”.

And don’t be afraid to make your PI claim. It’s what insurance is there for. If you are hurt.

I have had two almost accidents (one where I was in the wrong, one where I was in right). Where I was in the wrong the other person for 30k injuries….and I know **** all wrong with them due to the light side impact, along the side rather than into the side……but sher whatever. It makes no difference if you are in the wrong for 5k or 25k.

Where I was in the right I got nothing….as I didnt claim.

Aviva is the same as AIG

"Even if you plan on paying for the damage yourself, it’s vital to inform your insurer immediately; this is because the other driver may bring a claim in the future."

…and despite what some say on here, Aviva say the Gardai should always be called.