Last night at 10:10, i was driving along a country lane at 45mph. Approaching a junction where a road leads off from the left, and i was going straight on, therefore no need to slow down. Some completely ignorant tosser was coming down this lane, and overshot the junction, stopping right in my path IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. Upshot is i hit the drivers side of his VW Bora at 40mph. I jammed the brakes on but no way i could stop in time - and it was wet on the road.
Damage to my car was extensive - airbag inflated, bonnet folded in 2, headlights somewhere above the wheels, radiator caved in. I must have blacked out for the duration of the impact because i dont remember the airbag inflating, or even hitting it, i just remember seeing the guy stopping in front of me, and then the next thing i was shouting expletives through the air bag. Strangest bit: before i got out, i turned the stereo off, put the handbrake on, and took the keys out of the ignition (the engine was still running i think).
My mum had been sat next to me, the side that recieved most damage. She was fine, just shaken up, understandably. My dad was behind her, he needed hospital treatment because the force of the seatbelt on his chest had seriously bruised him. My sister, behind me, was fine. I was also fine apart from slight tightness in the chest that only manifested itself when i got home at half past midnight. Also recieved slight burn to the wrist from the airbag inflating.
When we had all got out and calmed down, we knew my dad was in pain, and my sister phoned for an ambulance and police. Ambulance arrived in 10 mins, police took 20 (friday night). During this time, i took a look at the other guys car. Amazing. His wheel was slightly bent and there was a bit of damage to the wing. He was by himself. He emerged unscathed, however it later transpired he had a massive cartoon-style bruise to the side of his head from the side impact.
When police arrived, my mum, this guy, me, and the guys missus (arrived in seperate car) were on the scene, my sister had gone to hospital with my dad. The policewoman took statements from both me and the guy and breathalised both of us: both were clean. He admitted fault.
Phoned the insurance this morning, gave all the details. Norwich union and spoke to someone english . When i think about what happened though, it could have been so much worse. What if we hadn't been wearing seatbelts? What if we had also taken my dog to my grans and she was loose in the boot? It really doesn't bear thinking about.
Lesson: WEAR SEATBELTS NO MATTER HOW MUNDANE OR REGULAR THE JOURNEY IS
Now i cant get to work, i may have to get a taxi tomorrow, from doncaster to sheffield, i cant get a courtesy car until i take my documents to the cop shop, when i may be able to find the guys insurance company out and get them to send me a car. My insurance is sending an assessor to look at the car to see what damage there is and whether it is repairable (doubtful)
Does anyone know if i will loose my no claims bonus? Will MY premiums go up? afaik, they shouldnt because it was in NO WAY my fault, but then life doesnt work that way does it? all this just because some guy misjudged a junction.
RIP my beloved Punto
Damage to my car was extensive - airbag inflated, bonnet folded in 2, headlights somewhere above the wheels, radiator caved in. I must have blacked out for the duration of the impact because i dont remember the airbag inflating, or even hitting it, i just remember seeing the guy stopping in front of me, and then the next thing i was shouting expletives through the air bag. Strangest bit: before i got out, i turned the stereo off, put the handbrake on, and took the keys out of the ignition (the engine was still running i think).
My mum had been sat next to me, the side that recieved most damage. She was fine, just shaken up, understandably. My dad was behind her, he needed hospital treatment because the force of the seatbelt on his chest had seriously bruised him. My sister, behind me, was fine. I was also fine apart from slight tightness in the chest that only manifested itself when i got home at half past midnight. Also recieved slight burn to the wrist from the airbag inflating.
When we had all got out and calmed down, we knew my dad was in pain, and my sister phoned for an ambulance and police. Ambulance arrived in 10 mins, police took 20 (friday night). During this time, i took a look at the other guys car. Amazing. His wheel was slightly bent and there was a bit of damage to the wing. He was by himself. He emerged unscathed, however it later transpired he had a massive cartoon-style bruise to the side of his head from the side impact.
When police arrived, my mum, this guy, me, and the guys missus (arrived in seperate car) were on the scene, my sister had gone to hospital with my dad. The policewoman took statements from both me and the guy and breathalised both of us: both were clean. He admitted fault.
Phoned the insurance this morning, gave all the details. Norwich union and spoke to someone english . When i think about what happened though, it could have been so much worse. What if we hadn't been wearing seatbelts? What if we had also taken my dog to my grans and she was loose in the boot? It really doesn't bear thinking about.
Lesson: WEAR SEATBELTS NO MATTER HOW MUNDANE OR REGULAR THE JOURNEY IS
Now i cant get to work, i may have to get a taxi tomorrow, from doncaster to sheffield, i cant get a courtesy car until i take my documents to the cop shop, when i may be able to find the guys insurance company out and get them to send me a car. My insurance is sending an assessor to look at the car to see what damage there is and whether it is repairable (doubtful)
Does anyone know if i will loose my no claims bonus? Will MY premiums go up? afaik, they shouldnt because it was in NO WAY my fault, but then life doesnt work that way does it? all this just because some guy misjudged a junction.
RIP my beloved Punto