Small car crash in private road

[Brewster0101]

Last night (15.05.2010 @ 8.00pm) I was driving down my drive way to go home, which is a private road to some flats and a young lad had just used the road to turn around and coming out hit me. I had stopped as I saw him but he was going to fast to stop or didn't break quick enough.

My car suffered no damage, but his was a Punto with body kit and the front body kit was ruined and also has pieced his radiator. We exchanged numbers and names. I didn't make a big deal of it as my car fine, I was more annoyed he had used the drive way to turn around when there is a sign at the entrance stating 'PRIVATE ROAD, NO TURNING'

Anyhow 24 hours later, the driver called me and claimed the damage to his car was £300 and wanted to come up with an agreement for me to help him pay for it. I said 'NO' and told him if he wanted to pursue it , he would have to call the police to get a incident number first so he could pursue it with the insurance company.

I then called the police for advise and report it. They said they wouldn't be involved as it was a clearly marked private road. Also they were kind enough to advise an insurance company wouldn't get involved as it was private road. I don't think this lad will contact insurance company anyhow as he was only 18.

My only thoughts are now, what if his friends that were in the car (2) lie about being injured or something. Has anyone had experience with this kind of thing?

[Brewster0101]

Flip flop, what do you base your knowledge on? I have respect for your comments but do wonder why you seem to think the law and insurance company are wrong!

[Nosha123]

~I'm amazed the lad seems to think you will pay for his damage.. when he hit you!

If you were stationary - and he was driving fast enough to leave a skid mark.. he was surely driving too fast for the current conditions - ie small spaces or narrow gaps...

I dont think you have anything to worry about.. just make sure its all documented with Insurance co and in notes for yourself

[flip_flop]

I have worked in international re-insurance for nigh on 20 years and frequently deal with all manner of insurance law.

The police are not authorities on insurance and the person you spoke to at LV was a keyboad operator.

Motor Insurance policies do not exclude cover for incidents happening of private land.

[Brewster0101]

Hard to say he was driving too fast or not, I only saw him coming round the corner and I was able to stop and he either didn't react quit enough or couldn't stop because of speed. But there are gravel scratch marks where he slid - although hard to tell there were his marks if it came down to him lying about it.

Seems odd this is such a grey area - would have thought it was a common occurrence. First time I have ever lived down a private road.

[Nosha123]

if the lad was driving fast enough to not be able to stop in time and you were already stationary - it would indicate to me anyway that he either wasnt looking where he was going (lack of care and attention) or was driving to fast for the road or bend approaching...
either way - I think its very hard for him to claim from you!!

[Brewster0101]

If I had a witness on my side I would completely agree with you. He had a couple of passengers in his car. One sat in the front and one in the back. The passenger in the front was a cocky lad (probably 18 too) thought he knew everything. I could imagine them lying for their mate though.

[chas2008]

Flip-flop is spot on, the wonderful police are not interested in a minor collisions anyway, i am sure if there had been injuries they would of attended,

'I was more annoyed he had used the drive way to turn around when there is a sign at the entrance stating 'PRIVATE ROAD, NO TURNING' '

it does have public access !

[JoolsTwo]

I don't think a passenger in the car would be accepted as a witness. ???

[chas2008]

as an insurance claim this would be classed as 50-50, your word against his without any independant witnesses, im fairly sure passengers dont count.

[Brewster0101]

Ok, so 50/50 claim. In this case I know my insurance wouldn't pay for his repairs (correct me if I am wrong)

So I would love to know what people think I should do based on all the information given. I have never had any one cause me this hassle.

[Brewster0101]

From what I read online. He wouldn't have to give me his insurance details if I ask. It seems that you have to go through your own insurance company and they deal with it.
Is that correct.?

[Brewster0101]

Yeah we exchanged Reg numbers, addresses and phone numbers. I wouldn't give him my insurance details if he asked, I wouldn't expect him too either.

[chas2008]

i would personally sit back and wait for him or his insurerers to make contact officialy , once you make contact with yours it becomes an outstanding claim & on record ,as such it can affect your no claims discount (regardless of liability) until such time its resolved

[Brewster0101]

docspock , there is no accident report number. Police wouldn't give one as it was on a private road. Insurance company did say they would want a accident number too, but because the police wouldn't issue one because of the circumstances then they wouldn't accept any claim.

I will call LV again, spoke to a foreign sounding lady who was hard to understand and I had to repeat everything at least twice to her.