As said above that camera is great - you can clearly see the reg when paused just before impact! Must have been the 'lighthouse family' keeping you nice and chilled about it haha!! I think I'd have been screaming blue murder and looking for a spot to spin round and give chase

What a lucky escape from what could have been a horrific if not fatal accident. I hope you get your car repaired to as new condition or, better still, assessed as a write-off and replaced. Your camera has more than earned its purchase price.

Insurance companies love sending vehicles to their authorised repairers, they usually make it more awkward to for you to go to a Skoda bodyshop, but you can request it, I had my Octavia repaired at an authorised repairer, it went back twice for rectification, 2 years later the lacquer peeled off...... suggest going to D M Keith in Leeds, brilliant bodyshop!

update: Got my courtesy car, an 11 reg Fiesta. not a bad car, steers nicely but is in NO hurry to get anywhere

Glad you OK, 6 inches over and it could well have been game over, I don't think the car will be written off for that amount of damage, new wing, a pillar, windscreen and mirror unit with a few extra trim pieces and she should be as good as new.

The van driver MUST have known about the hit as the shock from the impact would have been sent through the body of the tipper.

Ian

A police investigator left a message on my phone- aparently there where other vehicles involved in the incident apart form mine and they have the van drivers details.

After seeing that footage last night i made double sure the things in the back of the works van i had today where proparly secure, your seriusly lucky u wernt hurt by that.

Hope it all gets sorted out quickley and well done for staying calm..... Or did u edit any road rage sounds out?

Let us know what the van driver gets at the magistrates court for that little mishap!

Thank god you are OK - that could have been horrific.

Shows how sturdy the Fabia is and how the strengthened windscreen makes a difference - I would be aiming for a new, replacement car. There is always something in the back of your mind when you get a repaired car back, that it isnt perfect! - but I am sure they will do a great repair.

Good for you being so calm, was part of it because you knew that it had all been recorded and you could review the evidence later?

Have a beer tonight and remember that it is only a hunk of metal which can be fixed.

Cheers.

Absolutely horrendous. Glad you're OK. But beware, next few vehicles like this ,coming toward for next few years ,will bring it on again . I was double shunted on the M6 , many years ago,and missus still gets bothered if we stop in trafficon the motorway, or if we get a tailgater .Folks say "ok- hit up the rear, it's not your fault" ,but I always sweat if in a jam on a motorway.It's not the damage,it's the effect ,that hits you next time you're in a similar situation .

As for the car , hope you get a new one. .Mine went into a main dealer for repairs, was driven back by our fleet manager ,and some weeks later went straight into another main dealer who questioned the quality of the work , and that was for a body shell .

to be fair, i already knew the camera would have recorded something so i knew i had something to back my claim. i still remember spitting out bits of glass dust when i got out.

Absolutely horrendous. Glad you're OK. But beware, next few vehicles like this ,coming toward for next few years ,will bring it on again . I was double shunted on the M6 , many years ago,and missus still gets bothered if we stop in trafficon the motorway, or if we get a tailgater .Folks say "ok- hit up the rear, it's not your fault" ,but I always sweat if in a jam on a motorway.It's not the damage,it's the effect ,that hits you next time you're in a similar situation .

As for the car , hope you get a new one. .Mine went into a main dealer for repairs, was driven back by our fleet manager ,and some weeks later went straight into another main dealer who questioned the quality of the work , and that was for a body shell .

I back off the car in front and allow room to move forward just in case someone behind doesn't appear to be slowing up. Also handy if you leave room to dive into another lane in the same scenario.

Blimey that was bad and glad you are ok. Good job you were filming and now can get them done for it.

A police investigator left a message on my phone- aparently there where other vehicles involved in the incident apart form mine and they have the van drivers details.

I knew it - still bet it is the car right behind him.

Thought you were chilled in real life meeting you, but you really are chilled, I echo comments made earlier so pleased you are unhurt, a cyclist or biker would be dead, or for that matter someone in a convertible. Sensible driving from you too , I hope the flatbed driver gets what is coming to him, and you have a speedy and correct resolve to your situation

Good news, Admiral called, they seen the video and told me as soon as the 3rd party insurer knew we had footage of the incident they admitted full liability, no dispute and i dont even have to pay my excess. Due to the value of the car and how new it is, it is unlikely to be written off they say. Also they said all repair work would be guarenteed for 5 years by Admiral so any rectification work is covered. They assured me that any car under 3 years old must be repaired using genuine parts and paints and to the same standards as any dealership bodyshop. Will see how that turns out.

glad your ok.. shame some idiots lack of care has done this to your car

Good news indeed, any news of a prosecution?

Good news, Admiral called, they seen the video and told me as soon as the 3rd party insurer knew we had footage of the incident they admitted full liability, no dispute and i dont even have to pay my excess.

Bet that drive recorder has paid for itself!

Great news on you being OK and the way it looks like it's going to pan out.

Personally I would still insist on it going to Skoda. It's your choice at the end of the day, you are the customer. Glad it's moving along nicely for you.

Good news, Admiral called, they seen the video and told me as soon as the 3rd party insurer knew we had footage of the incident they admitted full liability, no dispute and i dont even have to pay my excess. Due to the value of the car and how new it is, it is unlikely to be written off they say. Also they said all repair work would be guarenteed for 5 years by Admiral so any rectification work is covered. They assured me that any car under 3 years old must be repaired using genuine parts and paints and to the same standards as any dealership bodyshop. Will see how that turns out.

What about the other 6-7 years of anti -corrosion warranty that will have been voided?

Personally I would still insist on it going to Skoda. It's your choice at the end of the day, you are the customer. Glad it's moving along nicely for you.

+1

I back off the car in front and allow room to move forward just in case someone behind doesn't appear to be slowing up. Also handy if you leave room to dive into another lane in the same scenario.

I do this too. A few times I reckon it's saved me from getting hit

Just a word of warning with regards to Admiral. I had the same happen to my Furby after 6 days of ownership. Admiral will pass your claim to albany assistance who insist you go to their authorised repair agent. I declined and after speaking to various Albany people they passed me back to admiral who authorised me to go to a main dealer .After getting 2 quotes and faxing them off the repair went ahead swiftly. Albany will also palm a hire car of to you from day one as well even if your car is driveable. I declined the hire car as they will try and bill the other insurance company for the excessive hire period which they will only pay the amount of tme your car is in for repair. When they bounce this back to Admiral unpaid they bill you.

I have only just received my money back from Admiral 6 months on and have cancelled my policy. Just a word of warning google Albany assistance complaints . Not good reading. Good luck with the repairs mate.

Just a word of warning with regards to Admiral. I had the same happen to my Furby after 6 days of ownership. Admiral will pass your claim to albany assistance who insist you go to their authorised repair agent. I declined and after speaking to various Albany people they passed me back to admiral who authorised me to go to a main dealer .After getting 2 quotes and faxing them off the repair went ahead swiftly. Albany will also palm a hire car of to you from day one as well even if your car is driveable. I declined the hire car as they will try and bill the other insurance company for the excessive hire period which they will only pay the amount of tme your car is in for repair. When they bounce this back to Admiral unpaid they bill you.

I have only just received my money back from Admiral 6 months on and have cancelled my policy. Just a word of warning google Albany assistance complaints . Not good reading. Good luck with the repairs mate.

Yep, my mate with the rusty Polo, insured with Admiral and went through Albany to their approved repairer. 18months later, going rusty....no problem with getting recification work booked in but then another couple of years down the line, rusty again.

Not worth the risk in my opinion but its not my car....

Handed over the footage and photographs of the aftermath to the police investigators.

The repair work is already under way. estimated completion date 30-03-12.