Morris Minor Owners Club

My brother was stationary in traffic when the driver in front reversed into him, she had apparently stopped in traffic so he stopped behind her, she then drove on so he drove on, she then stopped in traffic again so he stopped again. She then selected reverse and reversed into him, the other driver got out of her car and apologised saying she was looking for a parking space. She gave him her company card with a name and contact number on it, she said there will be no problem as it is a company car. The next day she rang him, apologised again and gave him her company insurance details.

That was five days ago, he had contacted his insurance company and told them what happened. They have now comeback to him saying the other driver is claiming that he drove into the back of her and she has two witnesses. The phone number she gave goes to answer phone and she has not returned his call. As you can imagine he is totally at a loss as to what to do next.

go to the police,they may not want to know,but get a name and time of the report,this at least shows good faith

This is a common scam - the lady will swear blind she had a car full of passengers & they will all claim for whiplash.

Rog

It does sound really fishy... make sure your brother absolutely states the facts etc. I doubt her 'witnesses' would be willing to swear to her story in court.

Honest John in Telegraph Motoring is sadly full of stories like this, but these people almost never go to court to try and get damages (presumably because they know they are lying). So it might be worth asking your insurer to take them to court instead of paying out, at which point I suspect the other party will drop it entirely.

Good luck to your brother and let's hope these fraudsters get caught.

Hello Leafie,

it's too late for your brother, but is is good practice to leave a good gap between yourself and the vehicle in front, in other words do not pull up close.

Alec

Alec wrote:Hello Leafie,

it's too late for your brother, but is is good practice to leave a good gap between yourself and the vehicle in front, in other words do not pull up close.

Alec

A key point in the APP course!

A definate scam!

First thing your brother should do is check for street video cameras you may be suprised and find out its been recorded

irmscher wrote:First thing your brother should do is check for street video cameras you may be suprised and find out its been recorded

Spoken to my brother, he asked the council to look at their CCTV footage, they tell him it shows the car in front of him stopping and reversing, unfortunately the rear of the car goes out of shot so it does not show the moment of impact with his car. The council have refused to send him a copy saying only the police can request it. I’ve suggested he speak to his insurance and ask for signed copies of the other driver and the witness statments, then we can see if they mention the car reversing.

As soon as possible ; -Get your brother to advise the Council, in writting "not to wipe it's recording , he is contacting the Police to obtain a copy ". It could well prove to be invaluable evidence
Insurance claims move terribly slowly.
It took me over two years to get my" no claims status" re-instated against an un-insured driver.
Bob

Having had someone drive into the back of me, my advice would be to try and get a witness, too late for your brother I know, I was lucky as a chap opposite came over and gave me his details, The young driver who drove into me, admitted it at the scene, then changed his story, as I had a witness it made a differece, what supprised me is that neither side contacted the witness! Get your insurance company to write to their witnesses (If they are allowed to) to confirm their story, as if they have to lie on paper, they may back down. Good luck to you brother, it is all horrid to deal with!

I now have a video camera (about £25 ebay)that runs in a loop,it's very discreet on my windscreen

lambrettalad wrote:I now have a video camera (about £25 ebay)that runs in a loop,it's very discreet on my windscreen

And that is a very good idea - no disputing that evidence.

Lambrettalad,

I wondered exactly which video camera you purchased that gives you loop operation ?

Was it one like item 261054619621 ?

Cheers !

just type in to ebay

IR 6 TFT Color LCD Car Dashboard Camera DVR Video Recorder CCTV HD Night

the same mine ?