New Fabia SE attacked by the A316! (pics inside)

[MST]

Last night I was on my way home from work in my 2 month old MY14 Skoda Fabia when I drove under an elevated section of the A316 on the Middlesex/Surrey border, as I was driving around the roundabout bearing right to take the fourth exit onto the slip road several chunks of masonry fell from the underside of the elevated section and hit my car in at least 3 places - bonnet, roof and windscreen.

How it didn't go through my windscreen I don't know and to say that I'm a little peeved would be an understatement, not least because of the impending rigmarole I know my insurance company are going to put me through if I decide to make the claim through them. I pulled over as soon as I could and after running back down to the roundabout and retrieving the largest piece I could find, approximately 6" x 4" x 2"; the rest shattered on impact, I set about reporting it to the Highways Agency, police and of course Mrs. MST and my Dad (funny how we still rely on our parents in such situations). Mercifully, the HA confirmed that they are responsible for this part of the road from this junction otherwise it would've been down to the local council and were actually as helpful as they could've been on the phone given the circumstances, they're sending me out a claims form. The police attended but were unable to make a report as there was no personal injury and no damage [caused by a vehicle] to roadside property, but they did get a traffic unit to attend who confirmed that the Borough Engineer needed to be informed as a matter of urgency - there was talk of closing the junction, the second to last one before the A316 becomes the M3 southbound.

My main concern was, and to a point still is, that the claim will be rejected on the grounds that it's not from the structure of the elevated section and came from the back of a vehicle transporting rubble traveling along the carriageway above. Clearly it is as you can see where it has detached from underside and the piece I have is consistent with this, I've photographed both this and the damage as best I can and the officers have said they're happy to provide statements if necessary.

Gratuitous pics of the damage...

 

I was driving around here (the exit in the pic is the third):



When this (and a hell of a lot more!):







Fell from here:





Landed here:







Causing THIS:







Smashing isn't it!

[Ootohere]

"Talk of closing the Junction!"  

Surely the requirement was to Close the Junction and then have the Engineers Inspect,

 

Its not like they do not know the risks now and the possible outcome of someone not as lucky as you have been.

 

george

[ruffday]

If i was you i would get it repaired and dont go through your insurane and make a clain of the HA  and tell them that if they refuse to pay you will go through the small claim court. 

Get some advice but it is worth a try.

[MST]

If i was you i would get it repaired and dont go through your insurane and make a clain of the HA  and tell them that if they refuse to pay you will go through the small claim court. 

Get some advice but it is worth a try.

 

I'm in two minds to be honest, in any case it'll be going to a garage of my choice for the repairs as both my partner and I have had bad experiences of insurance company's "approved repairers"

 

Anyone recommend a good bodyshop in Surrey?

Edited 4 May, 2014 by MST

[Ootohere]

I take it you are just going to have a new bonnet fitted, and then colour matched.

 

Since your car is so new i would suggest you take a recommendation from your Skoda Dealerships Principle.

 

If you were requiring Body Repairs/Panel Beating i would not suggest that.

but for a new panel and the best colour match go on a recommendation from someone in the trade,

they will be checking your car in the future at Inspection Services..

 

george

[MST]

I take it you are just going to have a new bonnet fitted, and then colour matched.

 

Since your car is so new i would suggest you take a recommendation from your Skoda Dealerships Principle.

 

If you were requiring Body Repairs/Panel Beating i would not suggest that.

but for a new panel and the best colour match go on a recommendation from someone in the trade,

they will be checking your car in the future at Inspection Services..

 

george

 

I think so, a new bonnet along with a new windscreen as it has multiple chips and I think the roof is going to need a polish if not a respray. Annoyingly my Dad's a panel beater/paint sprayer of 30 years but since leaving "self unemployment" and taking a wage he no longer has the workshop capabilities to do the work for me :(

 

From what I understand the work HAS to be carried out by a Skoda approved bodyshop in order to retain the all important 3 year paint warranty?

[moley]

Anyone recommend a good bodyshop in Surrey?

Premier panel skills in Farnham.

http://www.premierpanelskills.co.uk/

[MST]

I'm getting confused, as Skoda are part of VAG does that mean a bodyshop listed as an Audi/Seat/VW approved repairer would also leave my paint warranty intact?

[nellyboy]

Very lucky nobody was injured mate, I drive under that thing twice a day. I guess all these structures have to show signs of age like this over time. Hope the damage gets sorted and they fix the overpass pronto.

[simonsheil]

Its concrete spall. Not serious in the short term but a sign some attention is needed. One of these unlucky events where one second earlier it would have missed.

No consolation to the op however highway's agency are generally fairly good at holding there hand up.

[gallego1968]

You were very lucky nothing serous happened to you, i would get legal advice and go for it as it is clearly from where you said.

[MST]

Premier panel skills in Farnham.

http://www.premierpanelskills.co.uk/

 

Cheers, definitely shortlisted!

 

Can anyone recommend me any other Skoda approved bodyshops in or around Surrey?

[Mr Rubble]

Just putting my Superb into Rainbow at Farnborough after someone used my rear end as their brakes, result one bent Superb. Previously repaired my Octavia, that job was very good and not a million miles from Farnham, Vag approved. Also I don't know who Garlands in Aldershot use, but they did a very good job after their valeters decided to remove the laquer from my wing on the Octavia.

[MST]

Well the quotes are in, took it to 2 VAG approved bodyshops and the cheapest came out at £2,038.22 with the other at £2,406.05 inc. VAT...OUCH!

[Ootohere]

Is that them quoting on doing the Windscreen as well, rather than it done now as a Windsceen Cover item?

 

The New Bonnet and Roof should not come near that.

I had a New Bonnet including hinges and Front Panel,  Grill, and 1 head light, lights in December

Quotes were under £2000.

[MST]

^ Yes, and respraying the roof.

[gadgetman]

Definitely not kids throwing stuff?  We're again having bouts round here, which is crazy given kids were already found guilty of killing a lorry driver a few years ago on the A45.

[MST]

Forgot to say that the plot has now thickened, on Tuesday I received an email from Connect Plus who are responsible for maintenance on behalf of the Highways Agency and they've informed me that it is, in fact, Transport for London's responsibility and not theirs.

 

Definitely not kids throwing stuff?  We're again having bouts round here, which is crazy given kids were already found guilty of killing a lorry driver a few years ago on the A45.

 

Definitely not, I know the pics above aren't great but the hole where it fell from is clearly visible to the naked eye; I reckon if you were to get back up there it would go back together like a jigsaw, though I don't doubt TfL's claims handler: Gallagher Bassett, will give that one a go!

[fabiamk2SE]

Sorry to hear this :(.

Urgh. Must be absolutely gutting.

All the places it could of landed and it goes straight on your brand new car :(.

[MST]

Gutting is not the word, the worst part is anticipating how TfL are going to try and wriggle off the hook - I knew more or less straight away after it happened that whoever I claimed against would say that it could have been thrown deliberately or fallen from the back of a truck etc.

 

It sounds awful I know but if it had caused a more serious accident in which I'd been injured then at least it would be taken more seriously than it is now, again...I know how awful that sounds but everyone keeps telling me how lucky I am yet I don't feel quite so lucky :(

Edited 10 May, 2014 by MST

[gadgetman]

If you have legal cover, get them on the case ref unsafe structure, inspection schedules etc.

[seboni121]

If the item that hit your car matches the bridge structure I would think they'd not have a leg to stand on ! Take it to small claims court

[MST]

If you have legal cover, get them on the case ref unsafe structure, inspection schedules etc.

 

I've already submitted a FOI request to TfL in the hope that it might gee them up a bit but I shan't hold my breath!

 

If the item that hit your car matches the bridge structure I would think they'd not have a leg to stand on ! Take it to small claims court

 

The problem is that the roundabout beneath is littered with debris from the structure, any Tom, **** or Harry could pop down there now, grab a piece and pretend to be in the same position I am; though you can clearly see the flat underside on my piece where it has fallen out.

[simonsheil]

Bridge inspectios are yearly and will have been completed. Concrete spelling as a structure ages is not uncommon but not really detrimental to the bridge.

That said they should still pay out.

[gadgetman]

That's a bit alarming

Perhaps tip off the local paper