Hit by foriegn trucker!

I was involved in a accident the other day. After reading several stories about the problems of claiming from foreign drivers has left me rather worried.

The tanker was crossing the roundabout on the nearside lane as if proceeding ahead, no indication was shown. ( As a witnessed by a nice chap who stopped) he then turned right and hit the back quarter of my car as I was exiting on to a dual carriage way and span me around. The police arrived within 1-2 minutes which was a blessing as the tanker driver didn't speak a word of English.

We were directed to a layby nearby where the police took statements from the witness and myself and checked my details and tried to get the details from the tanker driver.

His unit and trailer had different registrations which got alarm bells ringing and all his details were in Polish.

My car's a mess, the bumper and back nearside quarter annihilated by 40 tonnes of lorry, although it's still driving perfectly. But it's no longer road worthy.

My children's seats are no longer usable and my lower back feels like I've been hit by a lorry. Being self-employed I'm worried about proving loss of earnings.

My insurers tell me they have to get a admission of liability from the trucker insurers but this has to go through a UK handler, and this can take time, so for the time being I have no car, can't work and have no idea how long this is gonna take.

How complicated can it be claiming against foreign drivers?

Asked on 12 March 2013 by womper1

Answered by Honest John
It's a nightmare, it's going to get worse, but all you can do is leave it to your insurers. Nothing we can do to help. It is normal to tractor units and trailers to be registered separately.
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