The Dream Is Over

[Anees]

You seem to have had more then your share of bad luck. Hopefully your smiling again soon. :D

[Niraj]

quick question lads...

after the second accident, i was just curious the situation of blame.

the guy of the bmw admitted liability, and later that day offered my dad a sum of money to cover the cost.

however this morning, his insurance company still has not admitted liability... i really hope this doesn't turn into a battle.

so on that note, i'd just like some advice as to what the outcome is to be.

the facts are:

he did not stop at the giveway sign.

he drove into the firing line of my vehicle

he didn't give me the chance to not hit him.

the front passenger side of my car hit the rear drivers side of his.

anyone (Mike?) know what the steps to pursue are?

[Mr Morse]

Nij - without independent witnessess, it's your word against his, and the insurance will usually settle on a "knock for knock" basis, where his insurer pays for your damage and vice versa.

In Prisca's case the driver of the Land Rover admitted liability but as neither his admission or the accident were witnessed, it's her word against his.

Insurance companies are notoriously slow in settling claims such as this and you really can't do much other than to pester them until they take action.

[Niraj]

hmmm :(

this is so much unnecessary stress.

i've got action claims, hire company, solicitor, insurance broker, and dad all on the phone at the same time :( this is doing my head in. i can't think straight... i feel like i'm going to be losing out financially at the end of all of this.

the bmw driver had better not change his word. at the accident scene, he offered me money, to not go through insurance. unfortunately it was too low, so i refused. after assessing the damage, i rang him again, informing him of the cost, and he offered a larger amount, but still not enough to cover the cost of the damage, so he said that it would be better if we claim it off his insurance, which we are going through the process of now.

i really can't handle the stress of my lexus, this accident, and other job stresses i have at the moment... and the worse thing is, i can't afford to take time out.

damn this blasted society of 2 faced people, this guy had better admit liability...

[Mr Singh]

OMG. Must seem like a nightmaire mate.

Keep your chin up!

[Niraj]

I dont know how many of you are bored with my story, but i can tell you for sure, i'm sick and tired of it...

The Saga Continues.... >>>

After writing off my dad's lancer, he offered me a citroen ax, to drive while both those cars are being repaired. This is the last of my dad's courtesy car's, and is actually meant to be my sisters car, when she passes.

I need a car to get to work, so I had no choice. Beggers, can't be choosers.

I used the car to get into work. It was a nice, slow drive in, but got me from A to B. Used it at lunch, to get me some food, was a nice slow drive.

By the time it got to home time, I was pretty happy that i had survived an entire day without any mayhem. (i guess i spoke too soon). 2 miles from work, the Catalytic convertor decides, that rust has won the battle, and fell off... hanging only from the exhaust manifold. The mid pipe had no support, and fell to the ground, flying sparks EVERYWHERE!!!

I pulled over, called my dad, and I had to abandon the car at roadside.

What could have been the outcome? Driving along, had the midpipe stuck into the ground, it would have pole vaulted the back of the car into the sky, flipping me over, and to my death. Alternatively, the sparks could have got to the fuel tank and blown me to smitherines. :( Final Destination... i think death is chasing me! (and i'm serious)

I am obviously completely without a car, and no means of way of getting to work, which i HAVE to get to, because i'm the ONLY ict support guy they have now (My boss has taken leave since last monday).

Anyway, out of the kindness of my dad's heart, he helps me do roadside repair that evening, strapping up the exhausts with wire, so we can get it to the workshop. He opens his garage last night, and somehow, manages to weld the whole lot back together. I have a car that works, for at least a week more, to get me through all this hassle.

Anyway, on the journey home, my dad followed me back, to make sure the weld didn't break and the exhaust didn't hit the ground again.

As we hobbled back home, he was pretty close to me, and one of us got flashed by a GATSO... the thing is, I was DEFINATELY doing only 35mph... and he confirms that he was doing 35mph as well... the Gatso zone was 40mph, so i'm actually becomming stressed out about my fate....

Sorry to have bored you all... here are some pics to brighten up this post.

Dad welding the Cat back to the midpipe.

The lancer parked up deep in the bottom of the garage

Lancer and Lexus

Lexus sittling lonely

Lexus and Citroen

Citroen

ALL 3 of my BAD LUCKS

Anybody got a price for a second hand catalytic convertor from the manifold for a Citroen AX, please.

[Mr Singh]

That sounds really awful dude :(

Sounds like your dads been great throughout ur recent trials...

[Niraj]

yup, he's a top quality geeza.

[MrADeveci]

They say it comes in threes mate .................. so hopefully that's it !

Luck should hopefully, insallah be on your side .............. ;)

[Kazi]

Certainly sounds like a s :tsktsk: y hand you had dealt. Hope things look up for you buddy

[Andy_F]

Damn Nij, you really are getting the crappy end of the stick lately. Things can only pick up from here mate.

[peter026]

They say it comes in threes mate .................. so hopefully that's it !

Luck should hopefully, insallah be on your side ..............  ;)

←

No thats Four

[aido]

Blimey mate, don't watch Final Destination now because that will really scare you!

To be honest mate, try not to think about it, I know it sounds silly after what you've gone through, but the human mind is a fickle thing and if you are too busy thinking about trying to prevent something or being too cautious, something else is bound to happen.

Take care mate and I hope things now start to take a turn for the better!

[waddy]

I noticed the landrover in the back of the garage Niraj - take that you'll be more than safe in that trust me.

I was in our landrover when it was hit in the side at 60 - bent the rear corner and that was it - wrote off the sierra that hit it.

They are bullet proof.

Hope your luck takes a turn for the better in the coming weeks. Things can only get better though can't they, I know it's a cliche but every cloud and all that.

Chin up :)

[imi]

I hope things start to turn around for you Niraj, can't believe one thing after another.. :luck: Keep ya head up.

[EZZ]

just got to be patient bro and take each day as it comes. will be praying for you, keep safe. :)

[SHAHZ]

Ohhhh :tsktsk: , Man im truely gutted for you bro, keep your head up

[Pies]

Well your situation kind of puts everybodys elses little problems into perspective.

Chin up and I bet it all ends up fine - the lex will look even better once repaired too as treating yourself to a few bits will make you feel better!

[Niraj]

The insurance assessor finally got himself round to inspect the vehicle.

He then proceeded to offer my dad £600 labour to repair the vehicle to full state. This included all specialist work, bodywork, electrical, windscreen, etc...

As you can imagine, this is not possible.

So he had to reject their offer, and they have taken my Lex away to one of their approved repairers :( I'm absolutely gutted, because it means i wont be able to do any mods from the insurance, and that i have no control over how everything is repaired. I'm sooo angry... what type of insurance man doesn't realise the amount of work involved in fixing the car. What a wally!

Anyway, for anyone who knows about mechanics and pricing, here are the damaged parts, so who can give me a quote for less than £600??

1x Front Bumper

1x OSF Wing

1x OSF Wing Moulding

1x Repeater Lamp

1x OSF Door Moulding

2x alloys

2x Lower Suspension Arms

2x Tie Rods

2x Hub Carrier

2x Hub

2x Bearings

2x Oil Seals

1x Fog & Washer Saddle

1x Windscreen

1x Centre Cap

1x Wing Arch Plastic Guard

1x Engine Guard

1x OSF Headlamp

2x Tyres

The Estimate....

Parts at MLP

O/S/F Wing, O/S/F Wing Moulding, Front Bumper, O/S/F Lamp, O/S/F Door Skin, O/S/F Door Moulding, O/S/F Suspension Assembly (check steering rack when assembled), O/S/F Splash Guard, O/S/F Indicator Repeater, Two Road Wheels, N/S/F Suspension Assembly.

Strip & Fit

Both Suspension Assemblys

O/S/F Wing, O/S/F Door, Complete Front Bumper, O/S/F Headlamp.

Metalwork

Fit O/S/F Door Skin, Hang & Align Door

Cut holes in Front Bumper Cover

Prepare & Paint

Front Bumper, O/S/F Door, Blend O/S/R Door, O/S/F Wing

[maneesh]

I sympathise with ya, I had loads of probs with my insurers even though I had a clearcut claim!

As much as I love Lexus cars, after my LS400 decided to hit a tree at 50mph and rollover (with me still in it!), you realise it's just a car. I cherished that car for 6 years and put so much time and money into it.

You damn lucky you weren't in the IS200 when it got hit by the S class as that is one heavy car, and even luckier that you didn't have injuries after colliding with the Beemer.

Stay safe dude!

[The Editor]

Niraj,

Remember you DO NOT have to accept their approved repairer !! It's YOUR car and the insurance company has no right to say where it goes for repairs YOU DO !!

What all insurance companies will do is try to cut down the labour cost to rediculous levels by using their muscle. You do not have to roll over and accept their venue for repairs.

They may well ask for two estimates of garages you are prepared to take your car and they will always pick the one with the lowest labour cost as this is always negotiable - The price of the parts generally aren't.

Hope you get things sorted

The Ed

[Bazza]

perhaps we should organise a "build niraj`s lexus" meet

could get mat to strip it down, (just remember when to tell him to stop)

with all the skill and expertise on this forum , im sure we could do it

i can make tea

[crazylex]

Even at £30 an hour thats only 20hours, what a muppet the assessor must be, an "authorised repairer" might b around £30 at the rates the insurance get but 20 hours - no chance - looks like a least a 40 hours.

How old is you car mat, cos those hubs and suspension parts are an absolute arm and a leg ! (no pun intended). If it was my car (v reg) I'd be thinking (worried) it might be written off

[Niraj]

i will explain why i'm angry in just a moment.

crazylex: you are spot on. we quoted the insurance 33hours work @ £30. our second estimate by someone we dont mind having it done at was 32hours @ £32.

anyhow, the insurance company is now returning the vehicle to us, as they have been unable to start the work!!!!! i should have the vehicle back by tonight...

nb: EVERYONE:

AVOID AXA!!!

UFF!

[Cous3]

Niraj, just a thought about the Gatzo incident.......did you notice any cars coming in the opposite direction at the same time? There is a Gatzo near Chiswick roundabout after B&Q, it's a 40mph zone and is a dual carriageway..........but traffic coming TOWARDS the Gatzo in the outside lane can set this one off, I've seen it many times!! And they still leave it in that position even though the double flash hits the oncoming drivers eyes

I feel for ya with the cars.............My Rover Coupe blew a head gasket and then the timing adjuster just disintergrated causing loads of damage. So I borrowed my old man's Rover 200, only 9k on the clock, 2k later that too blew a head gasket, and I was driving it like my old man does, real slow!!! Cost me a packet

Keith