�80000 worth of modification to a vehicle that went wrong

[Rachehut]

I wonder if anyone can help me with this. To cut a very long story short, on Boxing Day I was driving my family to relatives', we were at a red traffic light and a Chrysler Voyager slammed into the back of us. Quite straight forward you might think (if you ignore the level of pain, nightmares, stress etc that we have suffered since). Now, the interesting part of it all is that the car that hit us was being driven by a severely disabled man. The Chrysler had been specially modified for him to the cost of �80000 according to the police. They took the car away for comprehensive investigations as he was claiming that the buttons on the control panel had gone wrong. I have now been informed that, subject to a final and comprehensive investigation in the presence of the manufacturer of the modifications, it does indeed look like the car malfunctioned. The investigating officer kept telling me that if that is the case, there will be "national implications" whatever that means. My question then is this: do you think my family and I should or will be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer for the accident? Any thoughts would be most welcome.

[bednobs]

the mans insurance company will pay any compensaton due, and then if possible recover it from the car manufacturer. I am quite flabbergasted that a disability adapted car costs 80 grand for even the most elaborate modifications!

[Rachehut]

You and me both. My car gets written off for less than I owe because it's a Fiat Ulysse and his is going to get repaired cos with the modifications it's worth over �100000!!

[Prescott]

You probably need to go to one of those ambulance chasing lawyer sites for a correct answer !!

[bednobs]

also meant to say, anyones car can malfunction, regardless of whether its adapted or not. My brakes could fail tomorrow (i hope they dont now!) and whoever i crashed into wouldnt expect comp from the manufacturer of my brakes, but rather from my insurance company. just leave it all in their hands. Actually getting the money is not a quick process though

[Toureman]

The" National Implications" means that all cars modified throughout the UK as this one was will have to be withdrawn from use until the malfunction of the disabled modifications are thoroughly checked out so it doesn't happen again.

[chas2008]

just a point to remember even though the police examiner has got involved, they are not always 100% they cant be experts in every field.
Its also human nature to blame everyone or thing except themselves. The number of claiments we get that blame the brakes until you mention getting them inspected by the manufacturer then they withdraw the allegation.
All modern braking systems are designed so they dont fail that must also apply to a motobility vehicle, even more so i would have thought , there must have been some form of backup .

[R1Geezer]

Bednobs is correct, his insurers should pay you and then any national implication can be argued through the courts between the insurer and the manufacturer or even who ever did the mods.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

you have 1 zero too many in your figures,it costs between 8 and 10 thousand to modify the car to disabled levels not 80 or 100,we have serviced several of these modified vehicles.

[Rachehut]

I can only tell you what the policeman in charge of the investigation told me. Until recently I would not have believed that there were people driving about in cars that not only have no foot pedals but no steering wheel either. If you are suggesting that I have exaggerated the situation, I can assure you that there is no need to. I don't know why the police officer would have added extra zeros - that seems rather unlikely.