Chancer of a taxi driver

[CByrne]

My brother has a Lotus Elise, his absolute P&J.
Was driving home last week at about midnight (not drinking), on a one way street near Royal College of Surgeons car park.
Was a lot of traffic at the lights, and an impatient taxi driver (no passenger with him) who was in front, thought there was nothing behind him, reversed, so he could do a Uturn, go the wrong way on the one way street and take a side turn.
Being in an MPV, and my bro's Lotus Elise being so low, he didnt see the Lotus behind him. He went straight up on top of it.
Garda were called, details swapped, Garda didnt want to know anything about it.
Taxi driver was apologetic at the time. He was uncontactable all this week, but by bro went to his Insurance anyway to make if official. Just came back today from the Insurance company that the Taxi driver is contesting the claim, and wants damages off my brother for going into the back of him.
Repairs quoted at 5.5k for the Lotus. Minor for the MPV
Assessor agreed with quote. Hinted it looked very much like the MPV went up on the car, and that there is no way a fibreglass lightweight car could lift the MPV on top of it if crashing from behind.
Tried to calm by bro down, worried he is going to do something he might regret (he is not aggressive or tempered, but he is just so annoyed that the taxi driver has the balls to challenge the claim). Bro is a very big guy as well, and knows how to look after himself. To make matters worse, his mate is a taxi driver and has given my bro your mans records, address, everything.
If this doesnt get settled there will be trouble.
Bro has two witnesses, one in the car, a mate, and an independent bystander on the road who this morning said he would have no problem making a statement.

Anyone know (maybe Dave) how long a settlement could take?
Bro was hoping for a cash settlement as he needs the car up and running for work etc.
But as the taxi driver is intent on dragging this out.
If it takes too long by bro might lose the rag............

[Nailer]

I can understand your brothers frustration, its people like that taxi man who try and screw the system at any given oppertuinity and make a balls of it for the rest of us.

[CJ]

What a pain in the a$$, its bad enough that some flute wrecks your motor only to try and reverse the blame.

Hinted it looked very much like the MPV went up on the car, and that there is no way a fibreglass lightweight car could lift the MPV on top of it if crashing from behind.

Very good point, I'm sure this would stand up in court. Also, if he admitted responsibility at the scene then thats moere ammunition. Where there witnesses at the scene to corroborate your bro's story? If so then thats the nail in the coffin for Mr Taxi driver, he's gonna end up learning the hard way if you ask me....

CJ

[Dave]

best bet is for him to contact his broker, failing that his insurance company, he could claim off his own policy (if comp) for his damages to get his car fixed and once all is resolved he then claims off the taxi man and hey presto his bonus is back to normal.

Sounds like the taxi driver is fecked in my opinion...... did the cop take details etc? if so i'd contact him too to get his accident report, they are meant to fill one out for every accident they attend, i'm pretty sure there would be something on that if the taxi driver admitted liability!

if it's all going through insurance then the taxi drivers insurance company will probably admit liablility if there are witnesses etc and the garda report form, reason being they will want to reduce any costs and it gets even more expensive if it ends up in court, they will have their own costs and then the costs of your brothers legal bills, it'll just be an economic decision to them!

happened to me before, old guy rang into be when i was doing a 3 point turn and my own insurance company said i should admit liability because if it ended up in court i'd loose!! (ended up getting 50-50)

[soc]

But as the taxi driver is intent on dragging this out.
If it takes too long by bro might lose the rag............

Unfortunately this is an all too familiar situation in Ireland these days!! I feel very lucky that my accident with the cement truck got sorted so quickly. I'd pass everything over to the insurance company. Let them chase the taxi-drivers insurance. If your bro does have comprehensive then I'd do as Dave sugested and claim on his own insurance to get the car fixed and let them chase the other company for a refund. Then when it's all sorted have a little chat (if you know what I mean) with taxi driver for theraputic purposes.... maybe give me a call to watch cause this kind of thing makes my blood boil!!

[ikeane]

maybe give me a call to watch cause this kind of thing makes my blood boil!!

Note to self...dont mess with soc....

[soc]

maybe give me a call to watch cause this kind of thing makes my blood boil!!

Note to self...dont mess with soc....

heh - really I'm a gentle soul but sometimes in my own head I imagine myself to be a hard lad

[ikeane]

Know what ya mean about the d**k of a cab driver though soc.
If it was me I'd be pure

Hope it gets sorted soon for your brother CByrne. Let us know how it goes.

[Myfeckin FTO]

That is sh1t!

There are some chancers out there - had a similar situation last week - drunk guy runs across road in front of car - MfFTO brakes and comes to a stop - drunk guy falls over pretending to be hurt. MfFTO gets out to make sure drunk guy really gets hurt and drunk runs off. Then someone rear-ends me while all this is happening. Claims he couldn't stop in time despite the fact I had enough time to stop the car - blow the horn and get out. Luckily enough I wasn't driving the FTO.

I can understand how your brother is feeling - I'd be very much inclined to go round to that taxi drivers place and introduce a sledgehammer to his car. I used to be a very patient guy but a series of similar episodes has severely shortened my wick - and the guards do absolutely nothing to help except sympatise.

[Muad_dib77]

That is sh1t!

There are some chancers out there - had a similar situation last week - drunk guy runs across road in front of car - MfFTO brakes and comes to a stop - drunk guy falls over pretending to be hurt. MfFTO gets out to make sure drunk guy really gets hurt and drunk runs off. Then someone rear-ends me while all this is happening. Claims he couldn't stop in time despite the fact I had enough time to stop the car - blow the horn and get out. Luckily enough I wasn't driving the FTO.

Oh my effing-god.. This plonker must have been p1ssed or just going too fast..

Am I right in assuming that you wasn't even in the car when the accident happend?

[Myfeckin FTO]

....Am I right in assuming that you wasn't even in the car when the accident happend?

I was out of the car and hadn't quite reached the drunk when I got hit from behind - the other driver (young - circa 18-20yrs) didn't seem drunk - just wasn't paying attention IMO. This took my focus off the drunk in the road and as I had turned my back to survey the damage the other guy (and mates) did a legger. There was quite a crowd of bemused spectators around and the way things were going I was expecting a 747 to crash land on the road in front of me so I didn't wait around too long - there was far more damage to the front of yer mans car - the plastic bumper on the Alfa 147 I was driving seemed to absorb the impact very well and only had some slight paint damage - the bodyshop sorted it next day for free while my FTO was in getting some bits and bobs done so it worked out ok in the end.

[CByrne]

GREAT NEWS !!! My Bro just rang and told me he got video evidence from the Dublin Business School who had a camera at the site, CLEARLY showing the taxi man reversing into the Lotus. And after Alan told the Insurance company this afternoon, and they contacted the Taximan explaining, he STILL denied it.
So now, it looks like your man will be paying out for the compensation, and will be getting a hiding to boot once the cash is exchanged.

A copy of the evidence will be sent my my bro's solicitor to the carriage office shortly...

[Muad_dib77]

GREAT NEWS !!! My Bro just rang and told me he got video evidence from the Dublin Business School who had a camera at the site, CLEARLY showing the taxi man reversing into the Lotus. And after Alan told the Insurance company this afternoon, and they contacted the Taximan explaining, he STILL denied it.
So now, it looks like your man will be paying out for the compensation, and will be getting a hiding to boot once the cash is exchanged.

A copy of the evidence will be sent my my bro's solicitor to the carriage office shortly...

NEATO! No way of weaseling out of Video evidence - I hope they get the nasty man..

[ikeane]

[MAC 1]

Sorry to read all this is happening to you guys. Unfortunately there are far too many people out there with F.all regard for others. I read recently that in England it is estimated that 10% of all drivers have dodgy documentation/no insurance/tax etc.
For that reason alone I make sure I've got fully comp cover!
Regards the cabbie, he'll get what he deserves now you have video evidence from an 'unaffected third party', brilliant news. It's also proof indeed that the only people who need fear CCTV are those up to no good!
I've been saying this for some time to all those who object to national identity cards. You've only got something to object to if you've something to hide.

[Mustang]

My brother has a Lotus Elise, his absolute P&J.
Was driving home last week at about midnight (not drinking), on a one way street near Royal College of Surgeons car park.
Was a lot of traffic at the lights, and an impatient taxi driver (no passenger with him) who was in front, thought there was nothing behind him, reversed, so he could do a Uturn, go the wrong way on the one way street and take a side turn.
Being in an MPV, and my bro's Lotus Elise being so low, he didnt see the Lotus behind him. He went straight up on top of it.

Seems that this is not an isolated incident check out this link

[CJ]

I can see how this might be a problem with a car thats only 1.1 metres in height!

CJ

[CByrne]

Yeah it is def a problem and for the genuine driver who didnt see the car, you would have to feel sorry for them. Its a road legal car, but at the same time, it is damn low! I'd be annoyed if I had to pay out.

Similarly theres a slight injustice when you crash into an expensive car.
If you bump into a Punto and a panel or two needs replacing, its likely you wont need to go through the insurance and just pay cash to the third party. If its a Porsche on the other hand, you can pretty much say goodbye to your no claims bonus. In effect, you can be penalised for the car the other party is driving, once you claim.

At least the Insurance companies say a claim is a claim, regardless of the cost being 1000 eur or 10000eur, but I wonder if the size of the claim is remebered for the calculation of your next premium.

Moral of the story- if your skidding and gonna hit something, aim for the Punto or the Corsa.

[baldtyres]

GREAT NEWS !!! My Bro just rang and told me he got video evidence from the Dublin Business School who had a camera at the site, CLEARLY showing the taxi man reversing into the Lotus.

A copy of the evidence will be sent my my bro's solicitor to the carriage office shortly...

Glad to see justice being done, too many clown motorists out there.
Now any chance of the video being posted on YouTube or similar when the air is cleared and compensation is paid. Not that I'm looking for free entertainment from your bro's misfortune but would love to see how a Lotus works as a ramp. I believe this is not the first time ever a lotus has given a car a wedgie!