[Sir_Pigley]

I'm a bit shaken up, in shock, but glad not to be badly hurt. This morning I was returing home after dropping my son off at school. I was turing right off the main road down a side road - the lorry behind me was travelling too fast and lost control under braking on the loose chippings. He slammed into the side of my car as I was turning right.

He punted me off the road and into the bushes - I suspect the car is a total loss, but at least I am OK.

I called Rybrook BMW's accident helpline and their service includes full handling of the claim and the provision of a like for like hire car. My own legal expenses cover on the insurance will do the same. Does anyone know if there are any advantages or disadvantages of allowing one or other of these parties to handle this for me? I'd appreciate some advice - perhaps if someone has experience or knowledge of this area they could PM me a phone number or something.....

[SO8]

Ouch, glad you are OK !!!

I can't begin to imagine how that felt - it must have been terrifying !

Whoever you decide to use get a proper like for like car - there is no way on the basis of what you say that the lorry insurance won't be forking out for it ...

[xenon]

Yeah, that must have been pretty frightening. Glad you're not hurt. Let Rybrook's accident management deal with it.

Is the chap in the high-vis on the phone to the job centre?

[hmi1750]

Glad your not hurt! Definitely use a claims company to deal with all.

[rogerxp]

Bloody hell . That could have ended up much worse; thank goodness you're still in tact.

No idea on the insurance side of things but hopefully it's all handled quickly and professionally for you.

I know it's easy to say after the accident but surely, if you were driving that wagon and realised you'd be hitting a car turning right, wouldn't you make every effort to steer to the left so hopefully just clipping the car instead of planting it completely side on???

[rogerxp]

You can tell it's a Friday ; excuse my photoshop skills...

[zltm089]

glad ur ok....lorry drivers...heh...

[Kerr]

Unlucky and very lucky at the same time.

Don't think many people would walk away ok from that. Must have been a big impact to force you so far off the road.

[atariboy]

So glad you are ok and thats the main thing. The car can and will be replaced.
Certainly use a claims company to sort things out. It normally all goes through very quickly

[Sir_Pigley]

Here are some pictures of the damage:




















And here are a couple of the car the accident claims company have already delivered:

[Falmouthboy]

Glad you are OK - and that's the main thing.

One word of caution on using the BMW accident help service - I don't know if the same applies with your insurers legal protection.

'Like for like' hire cars are expensive and it's your right to have one, but be 100% confident that the lorry will be deemed totally at fault and that everything is 'right' with his insurance. If there is any doubt in your mind, take a modest hire car if you need one. From what you have said there should be no doubt about fault, but if the insurance companies agree 'knock for knock' you could find yourself footing the bill for the hire of a 3 Series or similar - not cheap! I assume the police were involved.

I hope it all works out OK, have you started to get a 'twinge' in your neck yet - a shunt like that is bound to have given you whiplash!

Oh dear - that hire car - your'e not going to want to give that back - are you!

[ed335d]

Glad you're ok - can't chip in with any more advise, all sensible so far!

[rogerxp]

Can't fault their efficiency up to this point can you. Nice courtesy car though .

[Sir_Pigley]

The courtesy car comes with an insurance policy that covers the cost of the hire in the event that the costs cannot be reclaimed from the 3rd party.

However it is costing £285 per day, so I think the other insurance company will pull their finger out to get this settled quickly.

[Kerr]

If you can live with 2 doors, that's a great car in return.

[xenon]

Originally Posted by jdcampbell

However it is costing £285 per day, so I think the other insurance company will pull their finger out to get this settled quickly.

I suspect they will. How badly damaged is the B pillar? Might be a write-off.

[Sir_Pigley]

Originally Posted by xenon

I suspect they will. How badly damaged is the B pillar? Might be a write-off.

The B pillar is damaged, the roof is kinked and so is the dashboard. I am pretty sure it will be written off.

[335iLondon]

Bloomin hek!
looks like that could have been alot worse
Did it smash both your windows!

Nice car for the mean time though...

[Sir_Pigley]

Yes both windows on that side of the car were smashed.

[Hotcoupe]

Geez that looks bad, but could have been a lot worse, thankfully your son wasn't in the car as stuff like that can leave horrible memories.

I hope you get it sorted, don't stay in the bid 'D' for long, you won't want to give it back.

[creepy coupe]

Looks like a write off. Pity looked a nice motor, as they say, a least you're ok.

[norman1979]

Have they given you the 335 on credit hire?