Before we start, if I had been through an incident like the above describes, I would have been totally shaken up. So you need not to feel bad about that, or it making you forget to do stuff.
Did you ask, or did the subject come up in front of the police, as to why they stopped in front of you and tried to block your car from moving off and tried to get you from the car ?
Did you specifically tell the police this had happened ?
The claim is verging on the irrelevant here. I would start with the police, make sure that they have a full record, and then ask them what they are going to do about it.
Even if they can't or won't prosecute, you now have an approach for your claim form. Write it down as you did above, and pass it to your insurance company.
Do bear in mind a couple of things; Had you had a previous driving "incident" with the other car ? Any racing from traffic lights, cutting-up (real or perceived) etc. etc. ?
Did you over-react to the banging on your car which was pure neanderthal stupidity on their part rather than any attempt to get you out of your car ?
Where on the A205 did you find a corner so sharp and fast that you managed to spin your car ? Were you driving totally recklessly or, given the circumstances, were your actions appropriate.
Why after all that did you open the window and talk to them ? You've spun your car, but before you move up they can stop their car and come to your window which you obligingly open ?
The police arrived. Who called them ? If it was the other party, then why do you believe that they were seemingly try to hijack you and then call the police so easily ?
Why did the police not react to your story about intimidation and pursuit.
I really mean absolutely no offence, but I don't quite see how the incident started or followed-through.
Insofar as the insurance claim is concerned its pretty black and white - as you described above, their fault. Your over-rection, your fault.
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I broadly agree with Mark though personally would take a strong lime with the Police on the basis of the other party's intimidation and state that you suspect a scam.
The scam suggestion may or may not hang on Mark's point regarding who caled the Police, if it was you then it looks very much like they were trying to extort cash from you however within the following scenrio they could use the police to their benefit:
Young lads driving around in a fully legal, insured though slightly battered car (i.e. one that another dent or two will make litte difference to) trying to intimidate other road users into a collision that could be found to be the fault of the other road user, then trying to get instant cash compensation, if cash not forthcoming from the victim they call the police with a view to an insurance claim against the other road user, perhaps words like "whiplash" slipping in to the claims documentation.
A question for Mark, how can you be said to be negligent if you catch your bumper on another car as you acclerate away from what you expect to be a car jacking and therefore a threat to yours and your families safety?
Regards.
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>>A question for Mark, how can you be said to be negligent if you catch your bumper on another car as you acclerate away from what you expect to be a car jacking and therefore a threat to yours and your families safety?
Err, I'm not Mark, but perhaps because you hit another car through failing to pay sufficient attention to the direction in which you were driving.
OP claims to have 0 years' no claims discount. Now I know we all have to start somewhere, but this sounds just an ikkle bit fishy to me.
OP should think himself lucky not to be done for driving without due care, or some such.
Otherwise, everybody who went through a speed camera & got done would claim some spurious suspected car jacking that they were accelerating away from.
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>>A question for Mark, how can you be said to be negligent if you catch your bumper on another car as you acclerate away from what you expect to be a car jacking and therefore a threat to yours and your families safety? Err, I'm not Mark, but perhaps because you hit another car through failing to pay sufficient attention to the direction in which you were driving.
Point is that you may not have any choice, i.e. the gap between the other car and whatever was small though you make a split second decision to avoid possible car jacking/violence or worse by going for the gap, under such circumstances I cannot see how you can be found to be negligent.
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Yet again another forum member who is asking for advice thatends up getting it all turned around on him, eventually having his motives questioned. The guy has had a bad experience and wants helpful advice, not chastising.
The story may not add up completely, but give the guy the benefit of the doubt. He's obviously had a scare, and from experience, when you look back at these things they don't always make sense, you can't always remember all the details and most of all you do very strange things when that adrenaline gets pumping. Anyone who's ever been in a fight will know this.
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Thanks, Chris
This is absolutely right. I can't add up a few things myself, as I was scared to death and not always understood what I was doing.
P.S. The reason I'm not sure I should take it with the police is that I do realise that I was driving recklessly at that moment, although that was only a hundred yards or so. And tyre marks on the road prove that. So, I do fear it could be turned upside down on me. I'm not sure the police documented it properly at all.
Kostic
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Yet again another forum member who is asking for advice thatends up getting it all turned around on him, eventually having his motives questioned. The guy has had a bad experience and wants helpful advice, not chastising.
Who was chastising ?
You give whatever naive, incomplete advice you wish. I see no issue in asking for more information if my advice is required. There is no need to respond to me with any information or even to seek and/or listen to my opinion.
Maybe we should ahve a thread for comfortable, non-threatening, non-insulting advice which may or may not be any good, but at least its cuddly and pink ?
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I wasn't necessarily referring to you Mark, but my comments obviously hit a nerve with you...
I was merely pointing out that the person has asked for help and think the comments from Mapmaker were a little out of order.
And as for your sarcastic comments, there is frankly no need for them. If you can't make your point like an adult, then don't bother. Just because you're a moderator doesn't mean that you're the font of all knowledge and can speak to any body however you please. You should be setting an example.
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I wasn't being sarcastic. Facetious perhaps, but not sarcastic. The point being I can't see anybody who was "chastising" to any degree, and if you felt that what was there was "chastising" then I think we need a pink and fluffy note.
And who said I was the font of all knowledge, other than you ? And as for setting an example; Why would I have to set an example to a bunch of adults ? I attempt to enforce the rules not be anybody's spiritual guide.
Now I'll wander off and consider whether or not I am still within the said rules.
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as for your sarcastic comments, there is frankly no need for them. If you can't make your point like an adult, then don't bother.
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living dangerously.
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Thanks everyone for support and advice.
Mark, I'll try to answer your questions.
I don't think I explained properly to the police how they blocked me. I just said that they slammed on their brakes just in front of me, and that the guy came out and started shouting and knocking, and that I thought he'd pull a knife or something, so I got scared and just pulled away, clipping his car. I said nothing about the spin. The other guy was telling about this to the other officer. I didn't mention the chase. Not sure why, just didn't think about it. I could hardly think at all. I also felt very guilty about driving like that in a residential road.
After the spin I didn't open window either. They surrounded my car, so I could not go anywhere. Then the driver came up and started shouting to pull up properly, which I finally did (others were shouting when I started the engine and would not allow me to move). Finally, the driver was there at my door, calming me down and suggested we talk. So, basically, he talked me into openning a window first and then coming out if the car. He just started talking a bit more sensibly and to the point. He just made me feel wrong about it all. So, I decided I'd better apologise than aggrevate the situation even more.
Also, when police arrived I was still being apologetic as I wanted to exchange insurance details and get done with that. The guy insisted on cash, even suggested we all go to the cash machine. I said I could not afford that. I think it was them, who called the police. I say I think, because there was another car that they flagged up as we were talking, it just slowed down and then went away. I didn't pay attention to it. However, it came back and stopped when we and the police were driving away. It all now makes me believe it was a scam.
I have never had any incidents in any car. I consider myself a careful driver. I thought something was wrong because I did nothing wrong, on the contrary, I stopped to give way when I saw the car far behind me. I only saw the lights in the offside mirror and stopped. Also I was indicating. He was probably more than 150 yards away. So, when he stopped in this manner I didn't even think it was something to do with what I did or didn't do.
Actually, I raced away when my wife said something like "please, go", nearly crying. She genuinely thought the guy might pull a gun. I just did it like an autopilot. Yes, I did it recklessly I think. I wasn't quite controlling myself, so I'm just lucky no one was hurt and that I even didn't hit anything during the spin.
This happened on the road just off A205, not on A205 itself, as I said, I missed a turn, so I'd gone off A205 by mistake and wanted to get back onto it. I wasn't sure about what area that was, but looking on the map now, looks like it was Forest Hill, near the railway station. Also, I think the car spinned because I tried to swerve around traffic island, which was just around that corner. I've never ever done anything like this before.
One more point. Just a few minutes before, I tuned to London Magic radio station and they were broadcasting news. I heard that story about the 40 yr-old guy, who got beaten to death near his home a by a gang of youth. This obviously contributed to my reaction
Kostic
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I don't think I explained properly to the police how they blocked me.
Well I think you should. Immediately. Partly for your own benefit and partly for everybody elses.
>>so I got scared and just pulled away, clipping his car.
Only you can know. But if you feel that your reaction was appropriate, then make sure that your statement to the police and your claim form make it absolutely clear.
>>I didn't mention the chase. Not sure why, just didn't think about
Then mention it now. Don't worry about the "why" shock and pressure can do many things. Just make sure its recorded now.
>They surrounded my car, so I could not go anywhere.
Move the car forward. At walking pace. It will push people out of the way, not under the car. Don't slow down, don't speed up. And if someone gets hurt, apologise afterwards.
Make sure that your statement to the police is clear. I can think of no reason that they should have been banging on your car other than as part of an assault. Make sure that the police are aware of that. Make sure that the police are very clear that you consider a crime was committed and, whilst it is up to them if they follow it up or not, you will.
Report it to your insurance company in a non-apologetic way. "the other guy did this to attack me, so I did this to get away. Police took other person's details."
Just be comfortable in yourself that you are sure of what did happen.
If it was me, and if someone had made my wife feel threatened in that manner, I would have done a thousand times worse than anythign you did, and there would have been people hurt. However, having been in a few nasty situations I guess I would have a better idea what I was dealign with.
I would also suggest you talk to the police about some of their crime victim support counsellors. Don't laugh - talking to them can get it straight in your mind which can make you feel better about the whole thing.
I wish I'd been there, because its still a bit difficult for me - I can't equate a car full of people assaulting your vehicle, trying to get you out of the vehilce, trapping you in, chasing you down the road, threatening you then actually calling the police and trying to report you. All a bit weird.
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