How to pay for accident damage?

[Matthew_T]

Why I said small claims court, that on Friday 8th June a woman is taking me to court and suing me for £1344.11 we reversed into each other, but she is stating that she was not moving at the time, both the insurance company’s called it 50/50, but she wants her day in court, if she wins the day I have no money to pay her as I'm on disabled benefit.

If she wants something then give her a nuckle-sandwich, at least then she would be getting something from you which is deserved.

 

[sabian92]

Why I said small claims court, that on Friday 8th June a woman is taking me to court and suing me for £1344.11 we reversed into each other, but she is stating that she was not moving at the time, both the insurance company’s called it 50/50, but she wants her day in court, if she wins the day I have no money to pay her as I'm on disabled benefit.

Why such a specific amount?

And if she wins they'll probably dock it out of your benefits. Sad but true.

 

[musa]

How did you reverse into each other?

 

[sidevalve]

Getting back to OP, as he was cycling to work and seems to have a credit card he doesn't appear to be a child and as such is responsible for his own actions. If he ends up in court he may well get a court ruling against him which will remain on his financial record for a long time. £300 is not a very large sum considering the damage mentioned and [much as I hate to say it] I really don't see why the taxi driver should be made to suffer if the accident was not his fault. Braking hard is NOT a crime and following vehicles, [of any type] should allow room to stop, end of story. That many don't is neither here nor there, if you stop and a car runs into your rear the police if called will not be interested in an excuse of "well he stopped so I ran into him".
Had this been the other way around I'm sure we would have had lots of replies howling for the driver to be hanged from a lamp post. Cyclists can cause accidents and if they do they should stop crying "foul, it's not my fault" and pay up.
I realize this may upset some folk but this is a real world with real resposibilities. Motor insurance became mandatory and if cyclists don't take this on board some form of cycle insurance, be it on household or specific will too.
I do sympathize with what was in the end a mistake but as I said had it been "a mistake" the other way around would anybody have any sympathy for the driver ?

 

[al78]

Getting back to OP, as he was cycling to work and seems to have a credit card he doesn't appear to be a child and as such is responsible for his own actions. If he ends up in court he may well get a court ruling against him which will remain on his financial record for a long time. £300 is not a very large sum considering the damage mentioned and [much as I hate to say it] I really don't see why the taxi driver should be made to suffer if the accident was not his fault. Braking hard is NOT a crime and following vehicles, [of any type] should allow room to stop, end of story. That many don't is neither here nor there, if you stop and a car runs into your rear the police if called will not be interested in an excuse of "well he stopped so I ran into him".
Had this been the other way around I'm sure we would have had lots of replies howling for the driver to be hanged from a lamp post. Cyclists can cause accidents and if they do they should stop crying "foul, it's not my fault" and pay up.
I realize this may upset some folk but this is a real world with real resposibilities. Motor insurance became mandatory and if cyclists don't take this on board some form of cycle insurance, be it on household or specific will too.
I do sympathize with what was in the end a mistake but as I said had it been "a mistake" the other way around would anybody have any sympathy for the driver ?

*applause*

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

Getting back to OP, as he was cycling to work and seems to have a credit card he doesn't appear to be a child and as such is responsible for his own actions. If he ends up in court he may well get a court ruling against him which will remain on his financial record for a long time. £300 is not a very large sum considering the damage mentioned and [much as I hate to say it] I really don't see why the taxi driver should be made to suffer if the accident was not his fault. Braking hard is NOT a crime and following vehicles, [of any type] should allow room to stop, end of story. That many don't is neither here nor there, if you stop and a car runs into your rear the police if called will not be interested in an excuse of "well he stopped so I ran into him".
Had this been the other way around I'm sure we would have had lots of replies howling for the driver to be hanged from a lamp post. Cyclists can cause accidents and if they do they should stop crying "foul, it's not my fault" and pay up.
I realize this may upset some folk but this is a real world with real resposibilities. Motor insurance became mandatory and if cyclists don't take this on board some form of cycle insurance, be it on household or specific will too.
I do sympathize with what was in the end a mistake but as I said had it been "a mistake" the other way around would anybody have any sympathy for the driver ?

That's putting it mildlly indeed - but your whole post summed up my thoughts entirley
As for some of the advice on here.... at least the op and his son sound like they aren't shirking thier responsibilities

 

[tubby trotter]

Getting back to OP, as he was cycling to work and seems to have a credit card he doesn't appear to be a child and as such is responsible for his own actions. If he ends up in court he may well get a court ruling against him which will remain on his financial record for a long time. £300 is not a very large sum considering the damage mentioned and [much as I hate to say it] I really don't see why the taxi driver should be made to suffer if the accident was not his fault. Braking hard is NOT a crime and following vehicles, [of any type] should allow room to stop, end of story. That many don't is neither here nor there, if you stop and a car runs into your rear the police if called will not be interested in an excuse of "well he stopped so I ran into him".
Had this been the other way around I'm sure we would have had lots of replies howling for the driver to be hanged from a lamp post. Cyclists can cause accidents and if they do they should stop crying "foul, it's not my fault" and pay up.
I realize this may upset some folk but this is a real world with real resposibilities. Motor insurance became mandatory and if cyclists don't take this on board some form of cycle insurance, be it on household or specific will too.
I do sympathize with what was in the end a mistake but as I said had it been "a mistake" the other way around would anybody have any sympathy for the driver ?

Thanks sidevalve, thats pretty much how we viewed it.

To continue the tale, we spoke to a couple of friends of friends with legal background, and were advised that there may well be a case of loss of earnings should the driver persue an insurance claim. The driver also refused to accept the offer for my son to pay by credit card for the repairs after they were done, as in fairness how can he rely on that happening, he only has our word for it. In the end the 'legal-ish' advice was pay up asap and hope to avoid escalation which could get much more expensive, so I'll be living on gruel for a couple of months and have transferred the cash to my son. We have reduced the risk of any comeback by getting the driver to sign a disclaimer for 'full and final settlement' etc. Its not perfect but seems to us the best compromise, it was my son's fault as others have noted! Last news is the driver met my son, signed the disclaimer without a squeak and took the cash. He was in his scratched car and my son noted that he had indeed scored through the paint quite enthusiastically on two separate panels during his journey across the car, so as some have noted it seems a pretty reasonable quote from a reputable bodyshop to fix.

The moral of this tale for us is ride defensively and make sure you are covered, I wonder how many folks reading this have not even thought about insurance? It hadn't occurred to us, its quite chilling to think what could happen if you are really unlucky, and cycle insurance is not a lot for the peace of mind it brings.

Thank you to all who have replied with constuctive and sympathetic advice. I'm new to the forum but I have had a nice warm fellow humanity feeling of support through your feedback, it is much appreciated.

Tubs

 

[mickle]

Nice one.

 

[mr_cellophane]

Would have been OK a year ago when he was living at home, but he is now 100 miles away so our insurance won't cover him.

You sure about that ? Have you checked ? My house contents covers my daughter while she is at Uni the same as if she was living at home. If your's doesn't you need to change companies.

 

[PaulSB]

If she wants something then give her a nuckle-sandwich, at least then she would be getting something from you which is deserved.

What a great attitude you appear to have towards life if your posts in this thread are a reflection of your true views.

 

[GetAGrip]

Although our bikes are insured through our contents insurance to a point, it is on the strength of this thread that I have got third party sorted.
Since our cycling miles have increased, it's something we intended to do, but not quite got around to doing.
So, glad you have managed sort things out to everyone's satisfaction (sort of) and thank you for giving me a nudge to avoiding a similar situation happening to our family!

 

[Nebulous]

I've recently taken out British Cycling silver membership, mainly to get a licence for doing open TTs, but going by this post it is quite a good thing to have the 3rd party insurance and public liability as well!

 

[fossyant]

Op if your son is still in your home, check your home insurance for third party liability over. Might take the pressure off. And the taxi driver is able to claim for loss of earnings whilst the car being repaired, just like you may be able to claim for public transport costs to work, for example, if your car was damaged.

 

[Cal44]

This thread has really made me think....cycled since I was a child and never insured any of my bikes outside of buildings/contents insurance. I don't use my bike to commute but if I did I would certainly look in to insuring via a third party now that I have seen what the outcome can be from the above. It may be little comfort to you Tubs but hopefully others have learned from your experience! Thanks for letting us know how you got on.

 

[tubby trotter]

Op if your son is still in your home, check your home insurance for third party liability over. Might take the pressure off. And the taxi driver is able to claim for loss of earnings whilst the car being repaired, just like you may be able to claim for public transport costs to work, for example, if your car was damaged.

Thank you for this. You are right, our home insurance (Direct Line Plus) has good third party cover for family members in this situation, provided they live at the home address. It also covers our other son when he is at Uni. Unfortunately our Tom is now living and working away from home so he is not covered, none of us had even thought about it.