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Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
Driving along the A14 in Suffolk recently I went over quite a high ridge of tarmac left over from roadworks. No warning signs, no possibility of avoiding. The car hit this with quite an alarming bang (worse than any pothole I’ve driven over) and I thought “that has got to have done some damage” and so it proved. Later that day I started my drive home in the dark to discover the headlights pointing straight at the ground about 3 yards in front of the car. Others on this forum who have experienced this sudden change will know it’s a problem with the ride height sensor on the rear suspension.
Taking the car into my local dealer discovered the sensor to be broken and the actuating arm badly bent. The bill to fix it wasn’t as bad as imagined but even so it shouldn’t have happened! I’ve thought of reporting the issue to Suffolk County Council and also submitting a claim for damages but I’m guessing it’s going to be difficult, if not impossible to get them to pay out. Has anyone successfully made a claim against a local authority for this type of damage and what resistance do they typically put up.
Taking the car into my local dealer discovered the sensor to be broken and the actuating arm badly bent. The bill to fix it wasn’t as bad as imagined but even so it shouldn’t have happened! I’ve thought of reporting the issue to Suffolk County Council and also submitting a claim for damages but I’m guessing it’s going to be difficult, if not impossible to get them to pay out. Has anyone successfully made a claim against a local authority for this type of damage and what resistance do they typically put up.
- jabber
- Lifer
- Posts: 3138
- Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 9:23 am
- Location: Hampshire
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
I claimed successfully for damage from Hampshire council but it took over 10 months
Z less again
14 E89 Z4 2.0 msport grey gone now
10 E89 Z4 3.0 Black auto now. Very sadly gone
Gone 04 E85 z4 3.0 Maldives blue smg
14 E89 Z4 2.0 msport grey gone now
10 E89 Z4 3.0 Black auto now. Very sadly gone
Gone 04 E85 z4 3.0 Maldives blue smg
- Crazy Harry
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1689
- Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:32 pm
- Location: Breckland Norfolk
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
Good luck getting anything from Suffolk!
I had a screen go from gravel on the road by a building site in Norfolk and highways there sent me a claim form the first time I called. The form looked a real 'mare to fill in so I decided to leave it and try the contractors who had the building site - who sent me a cheque by return
Did you take a photo of the surface and report it to the council?
I had a screen go from gravel on the road by a building site in Norfolk and highways there sent me a claim form the first time I called. The form looked a real 'mare to fill in so I decided to leave it and try the contractors who had the building site - who sent me a cheque by return
Did you take a photo of the surface and report it to the council?
-
- Member
- Posts: 80
- Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2018 9:26 pm
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
I managed to claim money back too... issue I had was confirming ownership of the road, council blamed highway England but eventually paid out.
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
No, it’s a busy dual carriageway with nowhere to stop safely. I might go back (in a different car!) and get a precise location and perhaps some dash cam footage.Crazy Harry wrote: ↑Fri Oct 26, 2018 3:05 pm Good luck getting anything from Suffolk!
I had a screen go from gravel on the road by a building site in Norfolk and highways there sent me a claim form the first time I called. The form looked a real 'mare to fill in so I decided to leave it and try the contractors who had the building site - who sent me a cheque by return
Did you take a photo of the surface and report it to the council?
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
I’d go back as soon as possible, if you damaged your car I bet others have too & the road might be fixed swiftlyEssexZed wrote: ↑Fri Oct 26, 2018 3:56 pmNo, it’s a busy dual carriageway with nowhere to stop safely. I might go back (in a different car!) and get a precise location and perhaps some dash cam footage.Crazy Harry wrote: ↑Fri Oct 26, 2018 3:05 pm Good luck getting anything from Suffolk!
I had a screen go from gravel on the road by a building site in Norfolk and highways there sent me a claim form the first time I called. The form looked a real 'mare to fill in so I decided to leave it and try the contractors who had the building site - who sent me a cheque by return
Did you take a photo of the surface and report it to the council?
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 2552
- Joined: Fri May 26, 2017 3:40 pm
- Location: Plymouth
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
You need to raise the issue, road defects are dangerous to vulnerable road users. You may well save the life of a motorcyclist.....
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
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OnlineZed Baron
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1617
- Joined: Sat Apr 07, 2018 1:17 am
- Location: Scotland
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
About 12 years ago I clipped an unlit island on a narrow road at night during a heavy rainstorm, damaged by front suspension and wheel. The light that was on the island had already been taken out by a lorry, I reported it to the police (as it was a hazard) and then contacted my insurance, they tried to make a claim against the council who denied any responsibility. Funny enough shortly after, the curbs on the island were reduced in height and a new highly visible lighting system installed!
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- Member
- Posts: 421
- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2018 12:18 am
- Location: Northampton
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
I live in Northampton and can assure you, we have 3rd world road conditions here.
I dont regret a moment of buying the Z4, but i do have to admit that there are days driving in my town where I think to myself that perhaps I should have purchased something not so nice.
Some roads I have to actually navigate as though going through a slalom and now take a different route to work.
So what sort of damage can a person make a claim for?
Damaged wheels?
Suspension?
Has anyone got experience when dealing with councils and pot holes?
I dont regret a moment of buying the Z4, but i do have to admit that there are days driving in my town where I think to myself that perhaps I should have purchased something not so nice.
Some roads I have to actually navigate as though going through a slalom and now take a different route to work.
So what sort of damage can a person make a claim for?
Damaged wheels?
Suspension?
Has anyone got experience when dealing with councils and pot holes?
BMW E36 Compact “Dakar Yellow” (sold to make way for Z4 Coupe)
BMW E36 M3 Evo Vert (sold due to hit & run)
BMW E36 M3 Evo Vert (stolen written off)
BMW E36 M3 Evo Saloon (sold to buy Vert)
BMW E36 318is Coupe (sold to buy M3)
BMW E36 M3 Evo Vert (sold due to hit & run)
BMW E36 M3 Evo Vert (stolen written off)
BMW E36 M3 Evo Saloon (sold to buy Vert)
BMW E36 318is Coupe (sold to buy M3)
- BRC
- Member
- Posts: 667
- Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:56 pm
- Location: Surrey
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
I live in Surrey, pot hole capital of the south and consequently it's not just your car you put at risk when driving but also your life. The Z4 doesn't take kindly to Surrey and it's always a relative pleasure driving out of the richest county that has the worst roads bar none and absolutely no idea how to repair them. Their "repair" process consists of a bucket of tarmac which is then trodden in and is as good as it gets. Usually lasts a matter of days if you are lucky. They also waffle on about their "new repair systems" but frankly it's all one big piss take.
I've taken them to task twice, once was many years ago and to claim for a new wheel and tyre. This was a hard fought case but in the end I prevailed but I had to threaten to take them to court. The second and more recent time was on behalf of my son, this was a little easier because crucially just days before his collision with one of Surrey's finest craters I had reported the offending pot hole and SCC could not claim they knew nothing about it. This tends to be their usual defence but quite often it can be blown out of the water by certain web sites such as "Fill that hole" who physically show reported pot holes whilst also advising the local council responsible for repairing it. Pretty well much once it’s been reported the council is on a hiding to nothing and unable to claim ignorance of the fact. I always urge people to report what they see simply to make future claimants lives that much easier and of course force our council into actually doing something.
Without this is proof then it becomes very difficult to challenge a council but not impossible. They'll make you jump through all sorts of hoops and be as difficult as they can be and even invite you to go and stand in the middle of traffic to photograph/measure the offending hole(s)! You have nothing to lose and if you can stand dealing with irresponsible councils then go for it and keep making a nuisance of yourself.
Sorry about the rant but you can probably gather I'm less than impressed being forced to drive on roads that would embarass third world countries! Meanwhile our beloved coucil leaders pay themselves outrageous sums for doing nothing whilst bleating about how it's all the goverments fault, yeah right.
I've taken them to task twice, once was many years ago and to claim for a new wheel and tyre. This was a hard fought case but in the end I prevailed but I had to threaten to take them to court. The second and more recent time was on behalf of my son, this was a little easier because crucially just days before his collision with one of Surrey's finest craters I had reported the offending pot hole and SCC could not claim they knew nothing about it. This tends to be their usual defence but quite often it can be blown out of the water by certain web sites such as "Fill that hole" who physically show reported pot holes whilst also advising the local council responsible for repairing it. Pretty well much once it’s been reported the council is on a hiding to nothing and unable to claim ignorance of the fact. I always urge people to report what they see simply to make future claimants lives that much easier and of course force our council into actually doing something.
Without this is proof then it becomes very difficult to challenge a council but not impossible. They'll make you jump through all sorts of hoops and be as difficult as they can be and even invite you to go and stand in the middle of traffic to photograph/measure the offending hole(s)! You have nothing to lose and if you can stand dealing with irresponsible councils then go for it and keep making a nuisance of yourself.
Sorry about the rant but you can probably gather I'm less than impressed being forced to drive on roads that would embarass third world countries! Meanwhile our beloved coucil leaders pay themselves outrageous sums for doing nothing whilst bleating about how it's all the goverments fault, yeah right.
Sold a pair of soft top side covers and now retired.
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
Due to the already fragile nature of 326 alloys I’d go over the inner rims with a fine tooth comb, after an impact that heavy i wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve developed cracks
Rob
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
I asked the dealer to check those when it went in for repair and they didn’t report any problems but I don’t know how carefully they inspected them. It was something I was expecting to be discovered!
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
I’d remove the wheels & have a good look yourself, the claim’s going to be a lot bigger if new wheels are needed!
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
By way of an update.....it turned out that the offending road is managed by Highways England so that’s who I submitted a claim to. A quick email to them brought a multi-page form in the post to be completed. It was pretty straightforward and I sent this off with evidence of the damage and the cost of repairs. I got a reply to say it could take up to 90 days for their investigation to be completed. Today I received a letter to say they’ve accepted my claim and will reimburse me in full
So I’d say always claim for poor road surface damage to your car - it might not always be successful but has to be worth the price of a stamp
So I’d say always claim for poor road surface damage to your car - it might not always be successful but has to be worth the price of a stamp
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Anyone successfully claimed on council for damages?
Good news, it’s such a shame our roads have been allowed to deteriorate so badly!EssexZed wrote: ↑Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:33 pm By way of an update.....it turned out that the offending road is managed by Highways England so that’s who I submitted a claim to. A quick email to them brought a multi-page form in the post to be completed. It was pretty straightforward and I sent this off with evidence of the damage and the cost of repairs. I got a reply to say it could take up to 90 days for their investigation to be completed. Today I received a letter to say they’ve accepted my claim and will reimburse me in full
So I’d say always claim for poor road surface damage to your car - it might not always be successful but has to be worth the price of a stamp
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold