Just involved in a concertina car crash

[Syndrome]

Minding my own business going home from work. Crawled to a stop then get slammed from behind. Guy in an Audi ran into the back of a Holden in front of him when then pushed the Holden into the back of my car. Damage isn't major but damn nuisance.

So who pays for my car repairs? The Audi driver or the Holden driver?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Minding my own business going home from work. Crawled to a stop then get slammed from behind. Guy in an Audi ran into the back of a Holden in front of him when then pushed the Holden into the back of my car. Damage isn't major but damn nuisance.

So who pays for my car repairs? The Audi driver or the Holden driver?

Who cares - exchange details, take photos and make it the insurance companies problem, they'll sort it out.

Unless you're uninsured, then RIP.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Who cares - exchange details, take photos and make it the insurance companies problem, they'll sort it out.

Unless you're uninsured, then RIP.

Wrong answer Franco. I expected better from you.

[Charliewool]

Last car pays

[kevino]

I feel your pain. I have been tail ended twice in the last ten months second time car was written off.
Yes you would have to get and I am sure you did get details of the other two cars regos insurers and drivers licenses. Photos of damage. photos of other two cars. In my case the towie gave out cards for us to fill in and contact insurer.
I also felt bloody angry. And its afffected my driving / I'm expecting the worse at any time. I would say my driving confidence is down.

The last car in the three some who causes the double shunt is at fault. My view.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Wrong answer Franco. I expected better from you.

Make the bastards work for their money, thats what you pay them for

[arm79]

I think the insurance company, if there is one, covering the Holden will pay for your repairs and they will recover the money from the Audi driver.

Ultimately the Audi driver pays for everything, but the claims from your perspective have to go through the chain of who hit who.

As Franco said. Get details, police report if need be and hand to your insurance company and let them sort it out.

[FroudeyBrand]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

Last car pays

this is my assumption, as a friend of mine had a similar issue he was the last car and sadly cause of the effect he was the last car to hit and his insurance dealt with the claims if i can recall.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by arm79

I think the insurance company, if there is one, covering the Holden will pay for your repairs and they will recover the money from the Audi driver.

Ultimately the Audi driver pays for everything, but the claims from your perspective have to go through the chain of who hit who.

As Franco said. Get details, police report if need be and hand to your insurance company and let them sort it out.

Yep, this is my understanding as well. You get the details of the car that hit you. Let insurance sort out the rest.

Not sure why Franco's response was dismissed. It's the correct response. You pay thousands in premiums over the years, let them earn some of it.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

Last car pays

Only if the last car was responsible for pushing the car in front into the car in front of them.

Syndrome will know whether he felt 1 bump or 2 etc.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

Last car pays

Bugger. 21 year old driving his brother's car. Does not know if he has insurance.

[78xcgxl]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Bugger. 21 year old driving his brother's car. Does not know if he has insurance.

Doesn't matter if you have your own insurance. Put a claim in, give your insurance the details and they will sort it all out for you.

[Tassie f100]

If it is only minor shouldn’t be any problems.Can be different if you aren’t insured in the case of a write off.Uninsured drivers tend to get bullied into accepting lower payouts if they don’t have an Ins Co fighting for them

[arm79]

If you have fully comp insurances it matters absutively **** all whether the other drivers are insured or not. Give your insurance company both their names and your insurance company will repair your car for you, and possibly provide you a rental while its being repaired, at absolutely zero cost to you.

If the other drivers are not insured then your insurance company will sue them in small claims for their costs in repairing your car.

If you dont have full comp insurance and the other does then you can make a claim through the other persons insurance, try either one, and they will repair your car. If its only small you might want to repair it yourself and sue them yourself in small claims.

Or again if you don't have fully comp, speak to Kenyon and Ahmet layers in Melbourne. All they do is motor vehicle property claims and recovery on behalf of an injured party, that being you. I have used them before and they are excellent to deal with.

They are NOT personal injury lawyers but property lawyers specialising in motor vehicle accidents. They represent you as the not at fault party and organise to get your car fixed at no cost in almost all cases.

The primarily work within Victoria but I know they are still able to help in other states too, but not all. And its possible they might point you in the direction of another lawyer who can offer the same in your state.

[T3rminator]

I believe its the car that hits you pays. Then if they want to chase someone else who may have caused them to hit you, that's on them and their insurance company to chase.

The rule is, they should have left enough space between their car and yours to not hit you.

[Citroënbender]

Syndrome, were you insured?

[Dr Smith]

The initial cause of the accident is the driver ultimately at fault, but I guess you're asking does your insurer claim against the car that made contact with you and does that insurer claim against the car that hit it etc...

However having been there before, even if your damage is minor just collect all the details from all involved and let your insurance company handle it. You may even have a loan vehicle clause in your policy or in the case of one of our accidents be able to submit the expenses of hiring a replacement van which went on to the driver at fault's insurer...

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by T3rminator

I believe its the car that hits you pays. Then if they want to chase someone else who may have caused them to hit you, that's on them and their insurance company to chase.

The rule is, they should have left enough space between their car and yours to not hit you.

This is the correct answer.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by T3rminator

I believe its the car that hits you pays. Then if they want to chase someone else who may have caused them to hit you, that's on them and their insurance company to chase.

The rule is, they should have left enough space between their car and yours to not hit you.

Just a hypoth question.....how much distance is enough?....if I'm a 2 tonne van with additional load of 800kg on board and a Smart car hits me from behind with a speed at point of impact of 25km/hr and I'm 3 metres from the car in front I'll most likely not move much at all ...say a Kenworth at 20 km/hr hits me from behind is that gap of 3m considered enough distance to not be at fault if I'm pushed into the stationary car in front?

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Bugger. 21 year old driving his brother's car. Does not know if he has insurance.

Hey Syndrome Your concern should only be with the person that hit you.

exchange details like Franco suggested, and pass the details to your insurance company, they will deal with his insurance, problem solved


Chasing the person ultimately responsible is of no benefit.

If the 21 year old hasn't got insurance its his brothers problem but again not your problem.

[arm79]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Just a hypoth question.....how much distance is enough?....if I'm a 2 tonne van with additional load of 800kg on board and a Smart car hits me from behind with a speed at point of impact of 25km/hr and I'm 3 metres from the car in front I'll most likely not move much at all ...say a Kenworth at 20 km/hr hits me from behind is that gap of 3m considered enough distance to not be at fault if I'm pushed into the stationary car in front?

I was going to say the same thing. That rule is there for when cars are in motion, but I don't believe there is anything for when they are stopped.

Even then if it was a rule you'd have to consider what is reasonable.

Leaving a 2m gap in front and being the meat in the sandwich with a 40km tail ender would probably leave the car in front of you unscathed. 60km an hour you might tap them. But what off the rear end agressor is doing 80 or 100, you'll clean up the car in front. Or they are a heavy vehicle combination towing a big van or something. Do you then leave 4m just in case?

It's like being late for work or say an interview. You leave in plenty of time, but something holds you up and your late. Then you get criticised for being late, you should have allowed more time. Well, if you had to plan for every eventuality then you'd have to allow a 12 hour travel time. But that likely wouldn't include the possibility of a meteor taking out the road your supposed to drive down.

To me in the end its a matter of "your property damaaged my property, so I have to claim off you". The meat says the same, but also says "you caused me to damage someone elses property, therefore ultimately you pay for that too".

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by arm79

I think the insurance company, if there is one, covering the Holden will pay for your repairs and they will recover the money from the Audi driver.

Ultimately the Audi driver pays for everything, but the claims from your perspective have to go through the chain of who hit who.

As Franco said. Get details, police report if need be and hand to your insurance company and let them sort it out.

I was involved in a similar type incident 30 odd Yrs ago .& this is how it went Down..

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Just a hypoth question.....how much distance is enough?....if I'm a 2 tonne van with additional load of 800kg on board and a Smart car hits me from behind with a speed at point of impact of 25km/hr and I'm 3 metres from the car in front I'll most likely not move much at all ...say a Kenworth at 20 km/hr hits me from behind is that gap of 3m considered enough distance to not be at fault if I'm pushed into the stationary car in front?

Either way, its all about the vehicle hitting you from behind, whether that causes you to hit another person, or whether they were shunted by another vehicle is the headache the insurance company can deal with.

I had a VX commodore written off a few ears back where a lady took out 5 cars. at least 80kph into stationary vehicles can cause some havoc.
The Guy in the new Calais I was shunted into keep calling me, apparently he had some insurance issues, In the end I had to tell him its not my problem deal with my insurance company

[Citroënbender]

You’re not legally obligated to provide a phone number, just address details that should correspond with the licence.

[T3rminator]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Just a hypoth question.....how much distance is enough?

Not sure what the recommended distance is. But I always leave enough room that I can at the very least see the front car's rear tyres. It's been a rule of thumb taught to me from Ls. But I mainly do it cos it gives me a chance to switch lanes.

[arm79]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

You’re not legally obligated to provide a phone number, just address details that should correspond with the licence.

Not even legally obligated to produce your licence, show it to the other drivers or give them the licence number.*

Which truely truely sucks balls because it allows the other person to provide you with false details and possibly allow them to get away with it.

*In Qld anyways. I remember it being the same in Vic. But might vary state by state.

[kevino]

Originally Posted by arm79

Not even legally obligated to produce your licence, show it to the other drivers or give them the licence number.*

Which truely truely sucks balls because it allows the other person to provide you with false details and possibly allow them to get away with it.

*In Qld anyways. I remember it being the same in Vic. But might vary state by state.

Really.
Back in March a druggie bitch ran up the back of my car while stopped at a red light.
She would not give me anything other then a proof of identity age card which I kept and did not hand back.
Next day I visited Mudgeeraba ( Gc Qld)Police station to hand the card back and report.
The officer said. Oh. We know her well. Rang her mobile and home no -no answer this was at 1230pm,,,,interesting he had the numbers. Didnt answer phones.
He said she will be asleep.
He said we will bring her in and fine her for not exchanging details.
I felt much happier

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

You’re not legally obligated to provide a phone number, just address details that should correspond with the licence.

Yeah, from my experience next time I wont give my number out, just my insurance companies

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Just before we go too far down the rabbit hole of what is legally obligated to be provided after involvement in an accident, the following applies in Victoria (from Vicroads website):

Crash responsibilities
A summary of what you need to do if you are in a crash.

If you are involved in a crash you must:

stop immediately
give help to any injured person
provide your name, address, registration number, and vehicle owner’s name to others involved in the crash, or their representative, and to the police (if they are there)
if anyone is injured and the police are not at the crash, you must report the crash to the nearest open police station
if there is any property damage and the owner (or Police) is not there, you must report the crash to the nearest open police station.

E:NSW is the same (from NSW gov site):

Exchanging details
If you’re involved in a crash you must give the other person or people involved:

your name and address
your vehicle registration number
the name and address of the owner of the vehicle, if you’re not the owner.

[ford71V8]

Originally Posted by kevino

Really.
Back in March a druggie bitch ran up the back of my car while stopped at a red light.
She would not give me anything other then a proof of identity age card which I kept and did not hand back.
Next day I visited Mudgeeraba ( Gc Qld)Police station to hand the card back and report.
The officer said. Oh. We know her well. Rang her mobile and home no -no answer this was at 1230pm,,,,interesting he had the numbers. Didnt answer phones.
He said she will be asleep.
He said we will bring her in and fine her for not exchanging details.
I felt much happier

"Ah yeah we know her well, she's sleeping now, wont be running into people for a few hours yet"


How about taking her license away too?