Is It A Write Off??

[ADY1983]

Kind of following on from this thread…

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=37183

Tracy went to take her documents down to the Police station for the producer she got for Friday nights incident. When someone slowed and was signalling to turn left just at the end of our road she pulled out and he drove straight into her. He got out after driving off up the road first he was a bit confused I think anyway he didn't know where he lived or his insurance company so Tracy called the Police the Police turned up and got some details off him by phoning his nursing home , the Police still said it was technically Tracy's fault as she should have waited for him to turn off…

I wasn't there but it was only 300 yards from the house so I went up there the guy was at least 75+ and should never have been driving, the women behind said he was slowing down at every junction and that she would be a witness but I don't know if that will help...

Well we have spoke to the insurance company today the car should be picked up in the next 24 hours and they are going for 50/50 trouble is the excess is £500 I thought it was £250 but then I read the small print under 25 blah, blah etc.etc. Any way see the pic do we think it’s a write off??

What a weekend

 

[Doodle]

For a mid 90's A4, it may well be classed as uneconomical repair - that said, I once had an £1800 repair bill on a £2k Honda Transalp when I was hit by a pickup truck, and his insurance company paid out for it.

From the evidence of the picture it mostly looks like panel damage, so if you're willing to put some spanner time in it could be repaired cheaply yourself.

New wing, bonnet and bumper, realign the headlight, job's a good'un

 

[pammy]

Until an assessment is done you really won't know. It's not been your weekend has it - certainly not for the Audi at any rate.

Sadly I do think Tracey will be held responsible as you should never pull out in front of a car that is indicating in the way you describe. I don't see how the insurance company can tell you what they will go for as all the statements and evidence has not been gathered. 50/50 will be the very best you could hope for - unless the old geezer is unlicensed etc then you might just come out of it relatively unscathed.

You need to be careful making statements like

the guy was at least 75+ and should never have been driving,

because that's a subjective statement. From the sounds of things he was simply unfamiliar with where he was and looking for the right turning. We've all been there. What the witness goes on to say is equally damming as she says he was approaching all junctions slowly. It's up to Tracey as the one pulling onto the road to make a full assessment of how safe it is to do so. A car coming towards you is indication that it is not safe to do so. I know this all sounds harsh and it's not meant to be as there but for the grace of god go us all I would hazzard. But if you come out with a 50/50 I would be happy tbh - unless it can be proven that he should not have been driving.

Hope you get it sorted quickly though.

 

[ADY1983]

For a mid 90's A4, it may well be classed as uneconomical repair.

That said, from the evidence of the picture it mostly looks like panel damage, so if you're willing to put some spanner time in it could be repaired cheaply.

New wing, bonnet and bumper, realign the headlight.

I have thought about that, but I will wait and see what they say, I think it will be as you said uneconomical repair. Even though it has only done 95k with full Audi history and it is the 2.6l...

 

[gurpz]

Sorry to hear that Ady sounds like you have had a bad week. From looking at that it would sound stupid to say that is a write off. I would say just needs a new panel, bumper and indicator cluster. I have not forgot about the criple on the edge of the bonnet but maybe that may just get repaired (perhaps filled) or if the bodywork repair shop finds it easier then maybe a new bonnet even. If the insurance write the car off, it should still be easily repaired to get back safe on the roads in my eyes

 

[Iain]

[

[/QUOTE]

Without a doubt this will be a cat c write off.
The bonnet will repair, but the wing and indicator will need replacement for sure. Also, is carbon fibre front panel damaged in anyway?
It might be worth accepting a sensible offer from the insurance company and
getting another car. Time you have spent repairing and then getting the car VIC tested (£36) might not be worth the hassle.
Good Luck in anycase!

 

[ADY1983]

Until an assessment is done you really won't know. It's not been your weekend has it - certainly not for the Audi at any rate.

Sadly I do think Tracey will be held responsible as you should never pull out in front of a car that is indicating in the way you describe. I don't see how the insurance company can tell you what they will go for as all the statements and evidence has not been gathered. 50/50 will be the very best you could hope for - unless the old geezer is unlicensed etc then you might just come out of it relatively unscathed.

You need to be careful making statements like because that's a subjective statement. From the sounds of things he was simply unfamiliar with where he was and looking for the right turning. We've all been there. What the witness goes on to say is equally damming as she says he was approaching all junctions slowly. It's up to Tracey as the one pulling onto the road to make a full assessment of how safe it is to do so. A car coming towards you is indication that it is not safe to do so. I know this all sounds harsh and it's not meant to be as there but for the grace of god go us all I would hazzard. But if you come out with a 50/50 I would be happy tbh - unless it can be proven that he should not have been driving.

Hope you get it sorted quickly though.

I appreciate what you are saying Pammy and I was not there, but from what I saw of the old geezer he was not with it, maybe shock of the accident? The thing that gets me is the Police weren't bothered, I drove the Audi home and the Police followed they phoned the RAC for the old bloke and told him they would be there within the hour but I don't think he understood and he probably carried on and neither of them got producers or anything

Come on Pammy don't tell me you have never pulled out before someone has actually turned off, I know I have...

Oh and its Tracy no "E"

 

[grober]

Panel damage looks repairable. Any damage to the front suspension or steering? Does it drive OK--maybe not possible to test this at the moment sorry.Decision will probably depend on their market value assessment of the cars worth V pukka insurance repair cost. Watch for the" BETTERMENT "CLAUSE!

 

[ADY1983]

The car seems to drive ok but makes an aufull noise because the plastic inner arch is rubbing I have had a look and there appears to be some damage to the Metal inner arch?? not quite sure...

 

[Gollom]

My commiserations Ady - the week can only get better!

Have a nana :bannana:

And one for drug-free Tracy (without an 'E' ) :bannana:

 

[pammy]

I appreciate what you are saying Pammy and I was not there, but from what I saw of the old geezer he was not with it, maybe shock of the accident? The thing that gets me is the Police weren't bothered, I drove the Audi home and the Police followed they phoned the RAC for the old bloke and told him they would be there within the hour but I don't think he understood and he probably carried on and neither of them got producers or anything

Come on Pammy don't tell me you have never pulled out before someone has actually turned off, I know I have...

Oh and its Tracy no "E"

Which is why I said there but for the grace of god - it's something almost all of us have done at one time or another. But I have to say it is something that I only do if I actually see them looking and turning the wheel to make the manouevre as it was something that was drummed into me when I learned to drive. As I said - I know it might have sounded harsh and was not meant to be, and I am not unsympathetic by any means - just trying to prepare you for what might happen with the insurance down the line.

The guy could well have been shaken up etc and it's worrying that the police left him to it without getting him medical help if he did not seem all there . What sort of state was his car in? Was it fit to drive?

Sorry - I work with two Traceys so the natural tendency is to include an e

 

[e55]

Sorry to hear the bad news. Not been a good week for you at all.
But at least Tracey is ok..........thats the most important thing

 

[glojo]

Panel damage looks repairable. Any damage to the front suspension or steering? Does it drive OK--maybe not possible to test this at the moment sorry.

You beat me to it, plus the vehicle will be documented as a write-off.

Have you considered an advanced driving course for Tracy? I am NOT being sarcastic, or cheeky. These courses are excellent value for money and hopefully make anyone that does one a better, more complete driver.

Regards
John

 

[BTB 500]

Was the wheel hit, if so there could be steering / suspension damage that's not immediately obvious ...

Edit - got delayed while I typed that, so several others got in first!

 

[ADY1983]

Which is why I said there but for the grace of god - it's something almost all of us have done at one time or another. But I have to say it is something that I only do if I actually see them looking and turning the wheel to make the manouevre as it was something that was drummed into me when I learned to drive. As I said - I know it might have sounded harsh and was not meant to be, and I am not unsympathetic by any means - just trying to prepare you for what might happen with the insurance down the line.

The guy could well have been shaken up etc and it's worrying that the police left him to it without getting him medical help if he did not seem all there . What sort of state was his car in? Was it fit to drive?

Sorry - I work with two Traceys so the natural tendency is to include an e

No Worries

His car was ok to drive as I said Tracy thought he was driving off to start with as he carried on up the road then came back, still a state bumper, lights, bonnet etc. but nothing leaking so it would have been drivable... It was unbelievable though as I would have thought the Police would have made sure the car got picked up and he was OK... I guess that's the world we live in...

 

[ADY1983]

You beat me to it, plus the vehicle will be documented as a write-off.

Have you considered an advanced driving course for Tracy? I am NOT being sarcastic, or cheeky. These courses are excellent value for money and hopefully make anyone that does one a better, more complete driver.

Regards
John

Thanks John, it might not be a bad idea, she has pass plus but she can be inpatient, I would like to do an advanced course but I don't know how Tracy would take it

 

[Shude]

There was a micra driving slowly while indicating left to turn into a junction so I pulled out thinking it was safe. In my mirror I had a micra tailgating me STILL indicating left and he followed me indicating left for a further half mile, past several junctions. He had presumably put on the indicator for a soft left turn about a mile before that and it had not clicked off.

That was a close one, after that I have always waited until I'm 100% certain that someone is turning.

This may be of some interest to you: http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=314690&postcount=107

 

[ADY1983]

Yeah but the Police said they weren't taking it any further and that it was upto the Insurance companys to sort out...

 

[MangoMan]

Blimey! Double whammy! Sorry again Ady, and I hope Tracy is ok? Lets hope it doesn't come in 3's.....

 

[Kompressor_Dude]

Is this the car that got hit a few days ago? You must have Audi's limited edition 'Magnetic' option!

Hope you get it all sorted quickly, just be persistant with the insurance companies as they can be slow at times. Good luck!