I am first registered driver of a motability car. Accident happened early July and it is November now with no decision. I hope this is the correct section, please move the thread if it is not.
The incident in words:
Was out to fuel up for shopping, so me and a friend and the motability car owner were going to do some shopping. Picked up my friend. Fueled up at a station and the exit junction and entrance had a lorry/big vehicle in between the exit and entrance. About to pull out of a junction to turn right (the exit junction of the fuel station) and I went slow as it is almost physically impossible to see. There was a bus on the right and it held up the traffic on my left so I decided to move and continue about 5mph maybe less. Continue to creep, and as I am turning a car hit me at at least 40+mph on a 30 road. On the passenger door behind the driver. The people in my vehicle were me and my friend. There were 2 people in the 3rd parties vehicle, driver and I am assuming his buddy.
With absolutely no where safe to stop, I drove to the set of traffic lights to the right where I was turning, the other driver followed and gave me a few cuss words which annoyed me. I stopped on the closest first road which is about 30 sec away from the fuel station. We all got out the vehicles and he screams *blah, swears* and told me to pay and it would be fine. Only about a few minutes later a couple of his buddies who live close came over and once seemed to be a lawyer or representing them. He wanted my details and to my surprise his establishment was on the same road the crash happened.
I only managed to note down the 3rd parties number plate. Very stupid of me not taking pictures and such. Anyway, it was my first incident and you live you learn.
So they decided they would rather claim. I have a few issues and would like the experts here to reassure/be honest with what may happen.
1. Friend in my vehicle is claiming for personal injuries as he was somewhat pushed into it.... and my insurance company RSA notified me that the firm who is handling his case is pushing for court. I have no idea what they are hoping for because my friend has told the same story as the incident. I did too. So he would tell the judge the same thing, except he did injure his back and got it medically checked. Minor injury. Still same stories.
2. Who is at fault? I forgot to mention. The fuel station has no CCTV footage. Also I was being given way by 3 other vehicles. They had actually stopped to give me way so I could make my turn. It begs the question did the 3rd party overtake (was he the 4th car behind the line of 3?) I don't think so considering the speed he hit me at. But he clearly had seen 3 cars stopped so should have thought someone must be pulling out, yet he decided to ram into me...
3. If I was given way, I cannot be at fault can I? Also no footage, means only word of mouth with no proof. Yet it seems my insurance are paranoid, they seem like they want me to confess something on the phone. Funny bunch really. If nobody can prove who is at fault then what happens?
Please be honest with what could happen. Also there is no law saying me or my friend have to attend court? If I tell my friend to not attend he will agree. His company which he mistakenly filed a personal injury claim against me are pushing for court and I should expect some papers in the post which RSA want me to send to them. What should I do?
The incident in words:
Was out to fuel up for shopping, so me and a friend and the motability car owner were going to do some shopping. Picked up my friend. Fueled up at a station and the exit junction and entrance had a lorry/big vehicle in between the exit and entrance. About to pull out of a junction to turn right (the exit junction of the fuel station) and I went slow as it is almost physically impossible to see. There was a bus on the right and it held up the traffic on my left so I decided to move and continue about 5mph maybe less. Continue to creep, and as I am turning a car hit me at at least 40+mph on a 30 road. On the passenger door behind the driver. The people in my vehicle were me and my friend. There were 2 people in the 3rd parties vehicle, driver and I am assuming his buddy.
With absolutely no where safe to stop, I drove to the set of traffic lights to the right where I was turning, the other driver followed and gave me a few cuss words which annoyed me. I stopped on the closest first road which is about 30 sec away from the fuel station. We all got out the vehicles and he screams *blah, swears* and told me to pay and it would be fine. Only about a few minutes later a couple of his buddies who live close came over and once seemed to be a lawyer or representing them. He wanted my details and to my surprise his establishment was on the same road the crash happened.
I only managed to note down the 3rd parties number plate. Very stupid of me not taking pictures and such. Anyway, it was my first incident and you live you learn.
So they decided they would rather claim. I have a few issues and would like the experts here to reassure/be honest with what may happen.
1. Friend in my vehicle is claiming for personal injuries as he was somewhat pushed into it.... and my insurance company RSA notified me that the firm who is handling his case is pushing for court. I have no idea what they are hoping for because my friend has told the same story as the incident. I did too. So he would tell the judge the same thing, except he did injure his back and got it medically checked. Minor injury. Still same stories.
2. Who is at fault? I forgot to mention. The fuel station has no CCTV footage. Also I was being given way by 3 other vehicles. They had actually stopped to give me way so I could make my turn. It begs the question did the 3rd party overtake (was he the 4th car behind the line of 3?) I don't think so considering the speed he hit me at. But he clearly had seen 3 cars stopped so should have thought someone must be pulling out, yet he decided to ram into me...
3. If I was given way, I cannot be at fault can I? Also no footage, means only word of mouth with no proof. Yet it seems my insurance are paranoid, they seem like they want me to confess something on the phone. Funny bunch really. If nobody can prove who is at fault then what happens?
Please be honest with what could happen. Also there is no law saying me or my friend have to attend court? If I tell my friend to not attend he will agree. His company which he mistakenly filed a personal injury claim against me are pushing for court and I should expect some papers in the post which RSA want me to send to them. What should I do?