Miners, they're the pits.
Z4 vs. Scaffold Truck
- Thread starter agammon
- Start date
Overweight oceanographers, slime balls.
OP - really sorry to hear about your woes. What an utter tosser for letting you in then hitting you. I'm local to the area so I know that bit well, some awfully selfish driving goes on around there, it's really bad with the 3 lanes into 2 - everyone wants to get ahead, nobody in the left 2 lanes does the 'merge in turn' thing. If you were merging in turn, he might not have had right of way - a long shot, but did you get a witness? There are tons of CCTV cameras in that area (no exaggeration, seriously it's nuts how many there are just before the mouth of the tunnel) so it may well be on camera. Do everything you can to get the footage, including filing a police report for criminal damage - did you call the police at the time? If it's on CCTV and he can be seen to wave you in, they should be able to see that you quite plainly have a case, maybe for criminal damage, maybe for dangerous driving. Someone on here might be able to give you some better advice if you want/need it, I think there are a few lawyers on the forum.
Gannet - whilst I do agree with your point that to err on the side of caution is the best way to avoid a collision, I don't think the OP was not being careful (my apologies if I've interpreted your post incorrectly!). Although there are idiots out there, there are also courteous people who needn't be feared. I let people past all the time, I also appreciate it when people let me past - I think it's generally good karma. In this instance the guy in the truck didn't sound like he was being vague about his intentions, it'd be a bit like someone seeing you and letting you walk past while you're carrying a round of drinks in a busy pub, and then smacking you around the back of the head because for him it's a bit of a laugh - it's the sort of thing that is completely uncalled for. To live life 'normally', I don't think you should always have to look over your shoulder, somewhere along the line you have to trust someone.
Gannet - whilst I do agree with your point that to err on the side of caution is the best way to avoid a collision, I don't think the OP was not being careful (my apologies if I've interpreted your post incorrectly!). Although there are idiots out there, there are also courteous people who needn't be feared. I let people past all the time, I also appreciate it when people let me past - I think it's generally good karma. In this instance the guy in the truck didn't sound like he was being vague about his intentions, it'd be a bit like someone seeing you and letting you walk past while you're carrying a round of drinks in a busy pub, and then smacking you around the back of the head because for him it's a bit of a laugh - it's the sort of thing that is completely uncalled for. To live life 'normally', I don't think you should always have to look over your shoulder, somewhere along the line you have to trust someone.
That's a real f**ker as people waving you in is no way making it your right of way. People fail their test for moving on when someone waves you across (my wife included). Absolute bar steward though and I hope it is sorted. More and more I think these in car cameras are worthwhile.
[thread hijack]
I feel I should clarify my earlier comments which were made in a rush before I left work...
Of course at some point you have to trust people at some point, though I'm not sure I would trust a beat up old scaffolding lorry - maybe that's the cyclist in me coming through.
My general point was to try and convey that one should not take a wave through a gap from another driver as read and go for it. Again not suggesting the OP did so. I always think when being waved through - could the driver be waving to someone else such as a pedestrian they may know, gesticulating during a phone conversation etc.... ie things that as a driver you may interpret one way when the other driver means something completely different. An alternative example would be flashing of headlights - I never flash them to let people out. I will leave a gap big enough for others to use - it is up to them if they then use it or not. If you flash and they go for it, who's fault is it if you have failed to see an overtaking motorcyclist/cyclist making their way down the outside of the traffic you are waiting in. yours, theirs, the motorcyclist/cyclist... ?
[/thread hijack]
now back on topic, OP - it is rotten what's happened and I hope everything works out for you.
I feel I should clarify my earlier comments which were made in a rush before I left work...
Of course at some point you have to trust people at some point, though I'm not sure I would trust a beat up old scaffolding lorry - maybe that's the cyclist in me coming through.
My general point was to try and convey that one should not take a wave through a gap from another driver as read and go for it. Again not suggesting the OP did so. I always think when being waved through - could the driver be waving to someone else such as a pedestrian they may know, gesticulating during a phone conversation etc.... ie things that as a driver you may interpret one way when the other driver means something completely different. An alternative example would be flashing of headlights - I never flash them to let people out. I will leave a gap big enough for others to use - it is up to them if they then use it or not. If you flash and they go for it, who's fault is it if you have failed to see an overtaking motorcyclist/cyclist making their way down the outside of the traffic you are waiting in. yours, theirs, the motorcyclist/cyclist... ?
[/thread hijack]
now back on topic, OP - it is rotten what's happened and I hope everything works out for you.
Valid point gannet, similar to waiving a pedestrian to cross, and they just cross, without looking the other way!
Total responsibility lays with the person reacting to the gesture. However in this case, the scaffolding guy was just a f@"&@@;,£!!!!!!!
For anyone who laughs in reaction to an accident had alterior motives IMO.
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Total responsibility lays with the person reacting to the gesture. However in this case, the scaffolding guy was just a f@"&@@;,£!!!!!!!
For anyone who laughs in reaction to an accident had alterior motives IMO.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
There is something in the highway code about directing traffic, none of us have the right if I remember correctly. If the bastard admits directing then its simple. Alternatively your insurer can probe their driving records, in particular their taco graph which not only records distance but also driving time / speed...for a lorry time is the one you have the best chance against legally.
A bit late, but for everyone else...if you hit/are hit by a bus or lorry call the police, regardless. Slow them down, have them sniff around the driver- even if it's your fault it adds time to their clock, vital to them, you may find an admission follows!
A bit late, but for everyone else...if you hit/are hit by a bus or lorry call the police, regardless. Slow them down, have them sniff around the driver- even if it's your fault it adds time to their clock, vital to them, you may find an admission follows!
Awful to see, guess this was this morning in the normal queue just before the last exit?
I've had the EXACT same thing before, luckily we were in a £500 fiesta and we didn't care about the mangled rear quarter.
I was at Watford this morning or I'd have probably passed you. Were the traffic cops not there this morning?
Sounds like you'll struggle to win this one though mate.
I've had the EXACT same thing before, luckily we were in a £500 fiesta and we didn't care about the mangled rear quarter.
I was at Watford this morning or I'd have probably passed you. Were the traffic cops not there this morning?
Sounds like you'll struggle to win this one though mate.
So... Update!
I called my insurance company and am deciding not to make a claim on my end (as they say it's my fault [and my excess is £1100!]). I'll be waiting for a wing to become available in the same colour and fit it myself as the car is still driveable although not looking overly pretty. I'll also leave the wheel as is and use them for winter tires as it's a good excuse for bigger ones
On another note... I think the driver may have lost my details or wasn't insured as I haven't had anything come through from their insurance or through my insurance...
I called my insurance company and am deciding not to make a claim on my end (as they say it's my fault [and my excess is £1100!]). I'll be waiting for a wing to become available in the same colour and fit it myself as the car is still driveable although not looking overly pretty. I'll also leave the wheel as is and use them for winter tires as it's a good excuse for bigger ones
On another note... I think the driver may have lost my details or wasn't insured as I haven't had anything come through from their insurance or through my insurance...
Sorry to hear that you are having to bear the cost, what a p*ick, the lorry driver. Maybe there wasn’t much damage to his lorry so he didn’t claim. Fitting yourself, wow, you must be a seasoned mechanic/bodyshop guy! Do you have PNCD?
pvr said:Unfortunately, your premium will still go up next year due to this maddness with insurance that eventhough no claim was made, your risk has still gone up
I know, I had a Prius drive into the back of me when I had my Cooper and when I cam to insure the Z4 it was more than I was expecting it was going to be because of that. :thumbsdown: