What to do in a Car Accident situation ?

Question

Hi,

This is the sort of question I've never questioned myself as I didnt assume it will ever happen to me. I had an accident in UK, where the car, an old car, is not mine but I am insured.
It was my fault as i was queuing in a line, moving slowly was in the first gear, and I have checked something on the GPS while suddenly the other car stopped and bumped into it.
His car was a tough van and only one rear light broken as far as I could observe. The car I was driving ended with both beacons broken plus the plate number and bumper bended/broken and the hood insignificantly affected.
I didnt really know what I have to do, I asked the man if I should call police, said I dont need to, offered me a paper with his name, and we left.

This is just a case but I'd like to know where I can read what I have to do legally in case of accident.

About this case I only wonder how much I would have to pay ?!

Answer 1

In the US - insurance follows the car - not the driver.

So you would call the insurance company for the car and report the claim to them. If the car did not have insurance, then you can call your insurance company and they will handle the claim.

When you report the claim - give them good phone numbers to reach you and all the information you have on the other driver.

The liability coverage will pay for the damage to the other car. You have to have collision for the car you were driving to be covered.

Answer 2

UK law says you have to:

1] Stop
2] Provide your name and address (and those of the owner if it's not your car) to anyone with reasonable cause to demand it - i.e the other driver in this case
3] Provide your registration number - a bit obvious, it's there right in front of you!

If you're unable to do any of the above, report as soon as possible and in any event within 24 hours to a police station.

Only if someone is injured do you further have to provide details of your insurers.

You've done all three, I presume, so no further legal requirements.

I might add, if he wasn't interested in your details I'd guess he doesn't plan to do anything - just replace the light when he gets round to it I suppose; vans tend to suffer this sort of thing all the time.

Now it's just a case of informing your insurers. If you have fully comp, they will do all the necessary, you will have to pay the excess. If you don't have fully comp there's little point informing them, you pay for all the repairs anyway.

Answer 3

Read your Insurance Policy and it will give you the information you need. As you only broke the tail light I would have offered to pay for the repair yourself because if you make a claim for the repairs you will loose your No Claim Bonus. Get a quote for your repairs and again have it done yourself as you have to pay an Excess to the Garage that does the repair which may be more that the cost or repair or even have the car written off if it is a lot of damage

Answer 4

Never ever say anything that may be taken as an admission of guilt.
Exchange details then leave it to the insurance companies to sort out. Once you've reported to your own insurance it's up to you if you want to claim off your own policy.......you'll lose your excess and possibly at least some of your no-claims bonus come renewal time. Getting it fixed without claiming off your own policy may prove cheaper in the longer term.

Answer 5

In UK. I take it you are insured on your own insurance on your own car so you will be driving 3rd party fire and theft. I would report it to the Insurance company as information only and then if there is a claim you are covered for the other car and they know about it. You will have to pay for "your car" out of your own pocket

Answer 6

you're saying that no person with 2-4 motor vehicle lengths ought to stop going 60 miles an hour. you're good. it is why 2-4 motor vehicle lengths isn't sufficient distance once you're going that speed. you will desire to have had lots extra distance between you. a sensible distance will develop with the cost. 2-4 motor vehicle lengths could have been sufficient in case you have been doing 35, yet at your speed, it wasn't almost sufficient. The Jeep has not something to do with you hitting the motor vehicle in front of you. common policies of driving state that as quickly as you rear end somebody, it is your fault for following too heavily and failing to maintain administration. you're meant to be arranged for any surprising braking from the motor vehicle in front of you - for in spite of reason.

Answer 7

YOU HAVE COMPLETED WHAT YOU NEED TO DO LEGALLY YOU HAVE EXCHANGED DETAILS. NO PERSONAL INJURY SO THE POLICE NEED NOT BE INFORMED CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANY WITH OTHER DRIVER DETAILS FORGET ABOUT IT AND WHAE THE INSURANCE ASK YOU FOR THE EXCESS JUST PAY IT

Answer 8

exchange details, but only if the "other" party" will give you theirs ! MOST IMPORTANT, NEVER, EVER ADMIT FAULT EVEN IF IT IS OBVIOUS, AND NEVER ,EVER SAY "SORRY" AS THIS WILL BE TAKEN AS ADMITTING FAULT. Admit fault and you insurance company will wash their hands of you !