My Fabia was rear-ended by an old style Laguna this evening. It seemed a big impact but I have no idea what speed they were doing - I was stationary on a 60mph stretch of road at the time. I was thrown back and forth (my specs ended up in the rear footwell behind the passenger seat) and my car stereo came out of it's slot with a bit of the dash trim.

Their car looked a mess, mine didn't look too bad - rear bumper demolished, tailgate dented in and out of shape. My rear driver-side door is now out of line and very difficult to open and close. I can see there is a kink in the sill at the bottom. I haven't tried the passenger side rear door yet. It was driveable but at times there seemed to be something rubbing at the back.

It's a 2001 TDI with 35k on the clock and was in excellent condition. Do you think there is any chance they will write it off? I don't know how significant the kink in the sill is or what structual damage may have been caused.

In truth given the state of the car market at the moment the chances of it being a write of I'd say are fairly high; especially with enough structural damage to make doors difficult to close...

yep, she's a scrapper

First off, see a doctor ASAP!

Secondly, glad you're alive!

And thirdly, pictures would help, but a 60mph crash would (to me) mean a write off.

It was a 60mph stretch of road but I don't know what speed they were doing - they must have braked but too late.

It would be a shame if it was written off but I would not be suprised if there was more substantial damage than what I could see in the dark.

Their car was a mess - airbags gone off, broken windscreen, smashed up front end. My car was hit low down which would suggest their car was still braking hard.

I am beginning to feel sore and stiff so will be going to the doctor tomorrow.

sounds like a write off to me. Sounds like the chassis has been bent from the sounds of things, which even on a newer car, would be a tough fix. If you still have access to the car I would remove anything of value before it goes for scrap.

One thing is true though, it will be worth plenty on the second hand spares market as it has an immaculate front end - useful for 90% of other damaged vehicles.

Glad your OK that's the main thing. Car will be a write off for sure, but it's only a car.

Yep ....write off ......first see the Doc.....then remove anything of yours from the car that isn't tied down ......after market stereo, spare wheel, etc. etc.....and start looking for another car.

don't forget to claim for any thing that was broken during the crash....glasses MUST have been broken after that...also claim for days off seeing the Doc or unable to work due to pain

definitely a write off. If your back door is out of line, then the boot floor will have been crumpled - I'd be surprised if your spare wheel isn't jammed in there solid!!

I bet you have whiplash too...(a rear impact at that speed is certain to have jarred your neck and back) - make sure you see your doctor!

Glad to hear you are alright and as stated above definately get yourself checked out.

I may have read the advice wrong but I do not believe in claiming for glasses etc if they are perfectly usable. Compensation/Claims are to recover a loss not replace something that was old or I just fancy a change. It is this kind of claiming that is pushing everyones premiums up. If there is a genuine loss then I have not problem with claiming as that is waht the system is there for!

Yep, bent sill and stuck door mean that the chassis is now bent so the car will be written off.

You are ok, thats the main thing.

Glad to hear you are alright and as stated above definately get yourself checked out.

I may have read the advice wrong but I do not believe in claiming for glasses etc if they are perfectly usable. Compensation/Claims are to recover a loss not replace something that was old or I just fancy a change. It is this kind of claiming that is pushing everyones premiums up. If there is a genuine loss then I have not problem with claiming as that is waht the system is there for!

+10000000000000000000000000:thumbup:

Really ****s me off when people claim for anything due to the fact they have the oppurtunity!! its like those people that see a cracked paving stone and jump into it so they get compo from the council!!!

Back to the point though!

Glad your okish dude! could have been a hell of a lot worse! get yourself to the quack and get yourself checked over!!!! i wouldn't worry about the car atm!

Glad you're ok. It is fairly usual for insurers to offer a low settlement, but don't be afraid to haggle, especially given the condition of your vehicle. Although used prices have dipped, a good Furby will still cost, so start looking now at what you want to replace it with and costs.

+10000000000000000000000000:thumbup:

Really ****s me off when people claim for anything due to the fact they have the oppurtunity!! its like those people that see a cracked paving stone and jump into it so they get compo from the council!!!

Not saying claim for anything ...but make sure you claim for anything broken....or having to have time off to visit the Doc Etc. ...after all if it wasn't your fault, why should you be worse off

Make sure to report the incident to the police as there were injuries.

Thanks for the sympathy and advice people. As it happens the police were already on-site attending to the broken down trailer which caused me and others to stop in the first place.

I have been to the doctor today and advised my insurance company I am suffering from whiplash, I'm feeling worse now but in the scheme of things it could have been worse - could have been a lorry!

I have legal assistance and my insurer says they will refer to someone who will help me claim for personal injury on a no win no fee basis - I'm not yet sure if that means my insurance pays any fee or if any fee would come out of any compensation.

I will be charging the old battery up which I removed 10 days ago in the hope it will be sufficient for recovery so I can keep my 9 day old £100 battery!

I have no idea about the car questions, but I'm glad you've not been seriously hurt, but take it easy xx

I will be charging the old battery up which I removed 10 days ago in the hope it will be sufficient for recovery so I can keep my 9 day old £100 battery!

Just stick it in! Don't worry about these things. Where is the car now? When it's taken away the car can just be winched onto the lorry. Not got 4 steel wheels lying around? The elegance alloys are something I would seek to keep.

I am in Peterborough and have 4 steels with tyres if you want them

The elegance alloys are something I would seek to keep.

But what about the golden rule? Never re-use wheels from a crashed motor?

But what about the golden rule? Never re-use wheels from a crashed motor?

I still use a wheel that was on my flipped car - the only one out of the four that survived intact. Admittedly only as a track wheel, not a day to day one.

Anyway - a rear end shunt is never going to do any damage to the alloys, unless it was really really bad. :eek:

PS: It might not be "ethical" to swap for steels, but this car is almost certainly a write off, so I say as you have been inconvenienced, get what you can of value off it, without taking the mickey (engine mount bolts are 13mm I think )

I still use a wheel that was on my flipped car - the only one out of the four that survived intact. Admittedly only as a track wheel, not a day to day one.

Track use? High stress, speed and heat.....

Track use? High stress, speed and heat.....

Yup - but the wheel never even got a scratch on it during the topsy turvyness, so no worries on my part about re-using it. In better nick than most alloys that have had the odd encounter with a kerb.

Glad to hear you are alright and as stated above definately get yourself checked out.

I may have read the advice wrong but I do not believe in claiming for glasses etc if they are perfectly usable. Compensation/Claims are to recover a loss not replace something that was old or I just fancy a change. It is this kind of claiming that is pushing everyones premiums up. If there is a genuine loss then I have not problem with claiming as that is waht the system is there for!

Code Red ! We have a high horse alert ! lol stop moaning its an individuals choice.

Code Red ! We have a high horse alert ! lol stop moaning its an individuals choice.

Although we all end up paying for it in higher insurance premiums!!!!

I am now off the horse (got a bit of vertigo up there!!!) and back on the ground