I didn't see it coming!

[jamie B]

Just rolling home from a good job today..happy..paid..looking forward to dinner etc....had to take a cut across chelmsford as the a12 was closed.
Doing about 35 mph when a young lad in a little car LITERALLY pulls out from road on the left...couldn't avoid him at all ...WALLOP.
I must admit I slung a few choice words at him..but when I saw how young he was I calmed down a bit..he just kept saying "I wasn't looking"
..anyway his mum turns up and is very nice (as you would be)..I've got blood pouring out my nose (hit myself in the face when I hit his car!) and she then gives the lad the almightiest rollocking you've ever heard!
Turns out he's been driving 1 week!!:yikes: his mums car was a definate write off ..drivers door /front wing/pillar all shot to bits...my poor old van is looking pretty sorry for itself..but drivable (got me home anyway)..the mum was telling me she just paid £1800 to get him insured...hence can we do it outside the insurance..luckily someone behind stopped and said she saw it all, so got her number..so I'm off tomorrow to get an estimate..then we'll see if I have to get onto the insurers or not. I did say to the lad he was lucky..on a faster road that would easily be one or both of us stone dead..
I's funny but you always think you'll be prepared..but that has really shaken me up..it's an awful feeling when you just can't avoid someone...and the day was going so well....on the bright side all the tools are in the front end of the van now..giving me room to load tiles tomorrow morning..if it works!:lol:

 

[faithhealer]

ouch, glad you are both ok. vans mend easier than people

might want to change your signature for a while too

 

[doug boardley]

sorry to hear about that Jamie, but go through the insurance, it's what it's there for. What's to say you get the repairs done and she then decides not to cough up?

 

[White Room]

I'm with Doug on this

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

well played mate, as you said it could have been much worse:yikes:

 

[Ajax123]

glad you're both ok. I agree with them what says you should go through the insurance. that's what the £1800 she paid was for

 

[jamie B]

I know what you're saying..I'll get the van seen tomorrow and give her the cost..if she doesn't pay up front then I'll get onto the insurance people. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt as I've asked someone to do that in the past. I try not to be too cynical..but agree you've gotta watch your *** in this life. maybe you're right and I'm being too soft.to be honest I feel a bit shaken up!
You just don't expect people to do something illogical whilst driving like pull out in front of moving traffic..thank god I was going easy..just went out to the van and looked at the damage..it'll be a few quid..plus the steerings pulling to the left so I reckon the rack may have taken a bashing..it just all happens so fast you can't take it all in. Obviously I'll have to have it sorted by tomorrow as I can't leave it too long to report the accident. The mum just phoned to see if I got back ok and to say if I need to hire a van in the morning to call and she'll pay for it over the phone..so I'll take that as a good sign.
My bloody nose hurts I know that much!..and to top it all..bloody leftovers for dinner ha ha ha!

 

[suave]

happened to me last year mate,young lass only been driving a week,tried to pull out behind me,clipped my bumper,took a chance wi just her number,phoned her,told her i could get a bumper from ebay,for 80quid,and id fit it myself,met her next day,she gave me a hundered,happy days!still not fixed it yet:yikes:

 

[jamie B]

glad you're both ok. I agree with them what says you should go through the insurance. that's what the £1800 she paid was for

agree..I think her point was that he wouldn't get insured again..but as you say that's not really my problem is it?..if he drives like that I'm amazed someone passed him..he's not safe to be out on his own for sure.

 

[CJ]

Glad everyones OK

Could have been soooo much worse

 

[jamie B]

ouch, glad you are both ok. vans mend easier than people

might want to change your signature for a while too

thanks mate..the signature is quite ironic now I admit!:lol:

 

[jamie B]

..and now I calm down a bit..the bird who stopped and gave me her number as a witness was pretty hot...to every cloud etc:lol::lol:

 

[faithhealer]

Plus Jamie, if you developed a blood clot or another million to one shot, the insurance will cover it. You never know

 

[Sean Page]

hope it works out ok jamie, I'm with you on this one, give her the benefit but act sharp if it doesn't look good

 

[jamie B]

Plus Jamie, if you developed a blood clot or another million to one shot, the insurance will cover it. You never know

dude..there's a morbid thought to go to bed on:lol:
I know you're right...I must be the easiest touch on the planet..even my dad (76) said on the phone tonight "personal injury ..1000 pounds minimum" ..I just don't roll like that..I believe what goes around comes around if you know what I mean!

 

[White Room]

Lucky you were'nt on the mobile aswell:yikes:

 

[albyshellshear]

In my experiance the insurance route is the only way to go, too many comebacks when taken into your own hands, you have got nothing to loose its the kids stupid fault he will learn the hard way to be more carefull, mummy wont always be there to baile him out.

 

[jamie B]

yeah..phoned the insurance co. today.
Took the van in for an estimate..£1800...and that's as long as they don't uncover more when they do it (it's pulling hard to the left now and the front beam/r hand wing are crumpled) you try and be a good guy but I just can't risk it, plus I need the van all the time and I'm sure she won't stump for one whilst mine is repaired...ahh well..could be worse..I could be that kid doing a paper round for the next 10 years to pay his mum back :lol::lol:

Thanks to all for the advice!