accident at roundabout

[emma0606]

a couple of days ago i was in an accident at a roundabout and my vehicle sustained a fair bit of damage. the other driver apoligised for causing the accident at the scene but has since denied any blame. my insurance company direct line have said that accidents on roundabouts always go 50/50 and no driver is ever pinpointed to be at fault. this means that i have to pay �400 excess, lose my no claims bonus and my insurance will go up too, all because this stupid drive hit me! i just want to know if anybody has ever won a claim through having an accident on a roundabout and if so how they went about it.

many thanks

[alan30]

bit of a broad brush answer from direct line? My daughter was side swiped on a roundabout by a lady changing lane without looking. My daughter claimed successfully. There was no problem with her insurance company and never any suggestion about not claiming against the other party. Don't take Direct Lines first answer. Do you have legal expenses on the car policy or through a breakdown company AA or RAC as it may be worth using it to take legal advice.

[tubeway]

I have had somebody drive into my car on a roundabout - no problem with insurance pay out at all - you need to have a good talk with your insurance company

[neg213]

Insurance company's are quite happy to go 50/50 on accidents where no one is obviously to blame, especially where you both have the same insurance co. The small amount they pay out will quickly be recovered by an 'increase in insurance premiums' they almost operate as a cartel! There is no loyalty to you the customer, kick off and get them to contest it.

[ummmm1]

Yes..hopefully you'll get more answers and then you can print this page and take it to them!

If it wasn't your fault it wasn't your fault. Argue the case.

[samuel23]

I had a similar incident and I'm sorry to say it turned out for the worse for me. I was in a petrol station waiting in a queue for my turn in the car wash. As the car wash kept packing up, running, then stopping, then restarting again, I decided rather than be late for work I'd leave my place in the queue and get going. Because the queue was quite long this idiot in a flash car decided he'd cut in front of the people already waiting and jump in my space. Unhappily I hadn't quite left my space, so he scuffed his front bumper on the side of my car. I thought it would be a simple case of claiming against him, as I was moving forward and he hit me. Oh no! He was with Direct Line and I was with the Halifax - the claim and counter claim went on for a year - in the end my insurance company decided, totally against my wishes, to agree 50/50. Bang went my no claims even though it wasn't my fault. This idiot didn't care, his was a company car. I later learnt that I could have appealed to the ombudsman, but by then I given up.

[Gef]

The fact that it was on a roundabout is irrelevant. However, unless you can come up with an indepedent witness then it will be your word against the other driver and it will go 50/50.

[indie1978]

where your car was damaged determins whos at fault . and to elaberate on another answer there are only four insuarnce companys in the country all the ones you have heard of are subsideries . if you were injured go to a solicitor independantly.

[geminili]

hi emma0606 have you got an outcome yet? your outcome would be of interest to me. I recently had an accident on a roundabout, I was on the inside lane to come off the 3rd exit. As a pass the 1st exit still on the inside lane a van came on and hit me on the left side (left door, wheel arch, and whole front left panel). Same as you, the company that owns the van said I changed lanes! Got a witness which I believe will be on my side. However, he doesnt seem to be to helpful, wouldnt give me his address to send out witness form but told me to send to his local post office..... If my witness decides he cant be bothered to get involved, will it be 50/50? I'm with previledge.

[emma0606]

My accident is still being assessed by Direct Line's claims department. It looks like it may go 50/50 too which doesn't help the likes of me or you.
I've lost out on so much because somebody hit me that I don't think I would own up in the future if I caused an accident.
I approached the roundabout I was on before the other driver and he somehow managed to overtake me in the left hand lane. He then crossed my lane and caused similar damage to what you have received. I have since learnt that it's actually illegal to overtake on a roundabout. It is this fact that I hoping will clear me from any blame. I will let you know what happens!Emma

[geminili]

Hi Emma

well my witness has decided to be un corporative, so i told my insurance company that. told them i am willing to stand in court to testify. Even with photos of the damage my insurance company said they wont fund my case to court because without the witness statement it is not possible to prove which version of event is true! I am really angry with my insurance company and I wont go with them when its time to renew.

[geminili]

well after some complaining and hearing the exact full story, they willing to fight my case. fingers cross

[xjs6]

I was also advised by my own solicitors that, due to a case precedent, my insurers NFU Mutual would be unlikely to pursue my case against an idiot who swerved right into me on a roundabout despite the road markings and signage indicating no right turn from the left lane, even though the other driver admits in his statement that he did this - his case is being fought by (surprise surprise) Direct Line. Fortunately NFU are more enlightened and I got confirmation today that we are taking him and Direct Line to court on 21st May 2010. I suspect that Direct Line will settle out of court rather than risk my setting another precedent.