2 People In A Car

[enfable]

Someone has a lift somewhere in a car and driver crashes through own fault but had driven sensibility (blind junction).
Excess is very high on car should passenger contribute to excess as driver would not have been in the area otherwise.

[enfable]

I will make a contribution I can afford once I start work but not for the amount the driver is asking for. Wish I'd had enough money for a taxi would have been an problem then. I'd agreed to pay the petrol money before we went, lift was 30 mile round trip.

[Maydup]

It is possible i suppose, that the excess of£800 was enforced, ie if the driver is under 21 or a new driver, but it makes no difference to your responsibilities.

[murraymints]

If I am offered a lift I am more than happy to offer petrol money...but NOT pay for drivers lack of adequate insurance cover !

[Maydup]

Sorry crossed post there.

Obviously not a happy ending but there is not much more you can do other than to pay a small gesture, to preserve this friendship.

[enfable]

ironically we had hone to look at a car for me to buy. I had agreed to pay fuel and buy lunch so believed I was being fair with payment for fuel and time. I will make a small contribution to keep the piece but think the driver may still ask for more.

[jno]

ah well, if you'd already in effect signed a contract - paid for lunch and petrol - then that's the end of it. I think you're doing the right thing in offering to contribute but if he's asking for £400, no way I'd offer that much even if I had it. Accidents do happen but it's up to him as owner to insure against them as he chooses.

[tonyav]

enfable, how much was this car worth pre accident ?.

[Peter Pedant]

.
Oh, you are the lucky one
who is making the contribution - what about half ?

I suppose your lifter wants the whole whack
and the issue of whether you will continue to get the lift has come up.

The xs is very high ... because he has a bad record previously - or because he is young and doesnt drive that well ? or has a high xs to lessen his premium


Now - I am surprised that no one ( you are excused as a non driver ) has raised the possibility that if money is changing hands between passenger and driver this could be a contract for hire... and invalidates the driver's insurance.

But that is just an opinion.....

[enfable]

Car is brand new less than 6,000 miles. It is still drivable but will need body work. Excess was high to reduce premium, driver had 2 years no claims and is in mid 20's.

[black_cat51]

ha! you should inform the driver you'll be claiming on his insurance for whiplash!

[jubieanna]

No definitely not. Not passengers responsibility at all.

[whiskeryron]

If as you say the driver offered you a lift & you accepted you are in no way responsible for any outcome,if however the driver offered to take you somewhere & required payment I would respectfully say the driver was hiring his/her services & negates his/her driving insurance ( not being a licensed taxi service)

[stoofur]

If the driver offered you a lift and you said no. So the driver stayed at home and fell down the stairs. Would that be your fault too? If he was giving you a lift he would not have been at home to fall down the stairs. Surely it is the same thing.

Also if it is the drivers fault. Blind junction or not then it is the drivers fault. I don't think you should pay anything.

[Svejk]

black cat has a point you might pass on. he's lucky, in these benighted times, you're not suing him for whiplash and flashbacks (LoL)

[Maydup]

Just a thought - Is there any possibility that the fault lies with the other driver? I assume there was one.

Could the other driver had pulled out in the path of you two? Make sure you friend denies all responsibility for this crash id there is any doubt as to where the fault lies.

[enfable]

It was my drivers fault, pulled out when should of given way. Need to do so as cars were parked and they were parked legally. The other car may have been speeding but my driver did not see it so can not be sure.