Just rear-ended another car

Lizardlegz · 19-06-2019 8:31pm #1

Hi, looking for advice. Was just at a junction turning left behind another car turning left. Orange flashing light. No oncoming traffic. Car in front starts to pull out. I move slightly forward following suit. Still no oncoming traffic. Car in front suddenly slams on brakes. I rear-end their car.

Minimal damage to my car (2018). Small damage to their back bumper (2010). Swapped details. Noticed theirs was L plate car (however, that could be from their children?).

Driver said they are going on holidays tomorrow for a week. And may be in contact after that. Said they Might go to garage for Quote. Said may or may not be in contact.

Please advise how I should proceed. Thanks.

Rows Grower · 19-06-2019 8:33pm

Any particular reason given for suddenly slamming on the brakes?

Sono · 19-06-2019 8:36pm

you may have collided with someone genuine who won’t feign injuries for such a minor tip or you may be very unlucky and collide with someone who sees the money signs and wants someone to pay for their holiday.

They have 2 years to make an injury claim but fingers crossed if they aren’t injured they don’t let on that they are and take you to the cleaners.

If it’s a very minor tip the insurance company may defend if there is an injury claim.

In short there is nothing really for you to do except notify your insurance company.

Lizardlegz · 19-06-2019 8:36pm

Rows Grower wrote: »

Any particular reason given for suddenly slamming on the brakes?

My partner said I should have asked them. Tbh, I just wanted to swap details with no conversation as I was pissed off as new I would be blamed irregardless...

norabattie · 19-06-2019 8:37pm

Be happy that they might NOT be in contact. If you hit him from behind then I'm afraid you'll get landed with the bill either way.

Rows Grower · 19-06-2019 8:38pm

Lizardlegz wrote: »

My partner said I should have asked them. Tbh, I just wanted to swap details with no conversation as I was pissed off as new I would be blamed irregardless...

Ye were both right.

Lizardlegz · 19-06-2019 8:39pm

Sono wrote: »

you may have collided with someone genuine who won’t feign injuries for such a minor tip or you may be very unlucky and collide with someone who sees the money signs and wants someone to pay for their holiday.

They have 2 years to make an injury claim but fingers crossed if they aren’t injured they don’t let on that they are and take you to the cleaners.

If it’s a very minor tip the insurance company may defend if there is an injury claim.

In short there is nothing really for you to do except notify your insurance company.

Yes this is what I’m worried about.

So I need to tell my insurance company even if I want to pay for drivers cosmetic damage myself? Do I need to tell Garda?

Thanks

pixbyjohn · 19-06-2019 8:39pm

You should notify your insurance really just in case the guy you ran into decides to claim for more than the damage to his car. It is a difficult choice because if his damage costs a small amount maybe you would want to pay direct without having insurance involved. He may well report to his insurance giving your details.

Eggs For Dinner · 19-06-2019 8:41pm

It's a rear ender, you'll be held liable. Report it to your insurers and leave it to them. Hopefully, the other party is is reasonable and repairs will be the end of the matter

blindside88 · 19-06-2019 8:42pm

Just make sure and notify your insurance company ASAP and hope for the best. If they get a quote to fix the car I would advise paying for this yourself if it’s not very expensive

Lizardlegz · 19-06-2019 8:43pm

blindside88 wrote: »

Just make sure and notify your insurance company ASAP and hope for the best. If they get a quote to fix the car I would advise paying for this yourself if it’s not very expensive

Yes this is what I hope to do. If I notify my insurance company tomorrow morning and the other driver submits a claim... will I still have the option to pay myself if not too expensive?

antix80 · 19-06-2019 8:45pm

You're meant to tell your own insurance company. I'll let others comment whether that's a good idea.

Other than that, just wait and see.
Don't admit liability (you've kind of already done that by telling the guy to get a quote, and well you did drive into the back of them)

Be particularly careful if you decide not to go through the insurance. Even if you pay to repair the car, what's to stop him claiming off your insurance for personal injury? Paying for the car is also seen as admitting liability.

Sono · 19-06-2019 8:46pm

Lizardlegz wrote: »

Yes this is what I’m worried about.

So I need to tell my insurance company even if I want to pay for drivers cosmetic damage myself? Do I need to tell Garda?

Thanks

Notify your insurance company, Gardai couldn’t give 2 ****es about it tbh.

If you report it to your insurance company and they inspect both vehicles in their damaged state it gives them the opportunity to decide whether they wish to defend any personal injury claim which may come down the line.

Any minors in the other vehicle?

Eggs For Dinner · 19-06-2019 8:46pm

Lizardlegz wrote: »

Yes this is what I hope to do. If I notify my insurance company tomorrow morning and the other driver submits a claim... will I still have the option to pay myself if not too expensive?

Yes you will. However, if you become unreasonable with the 3rd party, he can insist on dealing with your insurers

punisher5112 · 19-06-2019 8:48pm

You must contact your insurance....

It's quite possible you've been caught for a crash for cash....

These are set ups where under circumstances exactly like you say and likes of roundabouts where they move off and nothing else on the road and plant on the brakes....

Get a dash cam.

RebelButtMunch · 19-06-2019 8:50pm

Rows Grower wrote: »

Any particular reason given for suddenly slamming on the brakes?

Doesn't make a blind bit of difference

antix80 · 19-06-2019 8:52pm

RebelButtMunch wrote: »

Doesn't make a blind bit of difference

Agreed.. it's very easy to assume another car is going to go because the road is clear. The trick is not to drive into them

punisher5112 · 19-06-2019 8:54pm

Best rule is count to 2 let the other go and always keep a distance....

Treat it like a stop sign so be prepared to stop yourself.....

sunnysoutheast · 19-06-2019 10:21pm

antix80 wrote: »

You're meant to tell your own insurance company. I'll let others comment whether that's a good idea.

Other than that, just wait and see.
Don't admit liability (you've kind of already done that by telling the guy to get a quote, and well you did drive into the back of them)

Be particularly careful if you decide not to go through the insurance. Even if you pay to repair the car, what's to stop him claiming off your insurance for personal injury? Paying for the car is also seen as admitting liability.

It will be a condition of every policy that you inform your insurer of every incident that could lead to a claim.

Given the current "money for nothing" claims environment you would be nuts not to inform your insurer to cover yourself imho.

You can always buy the claim off them if the third party turns out to be a decent skin.

Seth Brundle · 20-06-2019 9:33am

I hit the back of a car before Christmas at walking speed.
No damage or anything and the other driver confirmed at the time that all was well and to forget about it. Wished me a Merry Christmas.
I didn't take any pics or insurance details because I didn't want them to start doing the same.

A month later the prick went to the gardai to get my details and subsequently lobbed in a personal injury claim, which I know is them simply cashing in.
The vehicle assessor examined the scene and my car and is in agreement that it looks like a scam claim.
The insurance company are going to vigorously defend it.

@OP - you can't assume that you've heard the end of it unfortunately. Tell your insurance company. Write everything down before you forget it.

Just rear-ended another car

Comments