An accident

I met up with Gill and Julie in Chester on Thursday - our usual monthly (or thereabouts) get-together and very pleasant it was too. Then I came back to the Park and Ride on the bus, got into my trusty little Toyota Yaris and set off home. I had pulled onto the roundabout when a bigger and obviously much faster car, coming from my right decided to keep on coming at top speed, hit the back of my car, spin me round in a full circle and deposit me facing in my original direction but several feet further on and wondering what the hell was going on. It was one of those "I can't believe that really happened" moments, as I got out of the car to find the back of it minus most of the back bumper, lights etc. and somewhat skewed. Even the tax disc had jumped out of its holder to land on the floor by the driver's seat.
As you can imagine by the fact that I am able to write about this in a fairly light-hearted vein, I was not hurt and neither was the driver of the other vehicle (What could have happened --- no, we're not even going there.)
"Well, I think we can treat this as a 'knock for knock'," said the police officer who attended the scene. "Oh, do you," I thought. "Not bothered to look at the skid marks from the other vehicle, then?" But I didn't say anything - I just wanted it not to have happened.
By then Keith had arrived on the scene and ascertained that it was still driveable, so I drove back, following him.
He said he was very proud of me for doing that. Gold star for me, then!
But it looks like I'll be walking to my counselling work on Monday. Let's hope it won't be raining.

12 comments:

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Glad you're okay. But let me get this right - you went onto the roundabout as the other vehicle was approaching from the right - he/she having therefore right of way! Is it the unexpected speed that's your issue? So easy for the police to dismiss it as "knock for knock".

Jennytc said...

I was on the roundabout when the other vehicle came charging through, YP.

Anonymous said...

Gosh, Jenny! How horrible!

But surely, in law, if a vehicle hits you in the rear end it's always their fault, unless they have witnesses to prove otherwise? I bet your insurance company won't like the 'knock for knock' option!

I'm glad you weren't hurt.

Jennytc said...

That's what I thought too, Jay. I was just shaken up and have a few bruises but nothing serious.

Anonymous said...

What an unfortunate way to end your get-together! Thank goodness you're okay! Take care. xx

Mick's Page 2. said...

Hi Jenny.
Oh dear, Oh dear, Oh dear, sorry about you being ‘rear ended’ that like, not very pleasant, its not only the shock and a few bruises you have but the inconvenience now of being with out a means of transport for some time let alone all the extra expense that means.

I think you will spend sometime writing out your statement, writing out insurance claim forms, finding the correct garage for repairs, endless telephone calls, possibly shoddy repair work.

I can’t understand that ‘nice policeman’ saying treat it as ‘knock for knock’, for me that means you were equally responsible for the accident as the other driver. You already negotiating the roundabout and being involved in an RTA ., the other driver was at fault even though you may have only been travelling at 10-mphs [???]. The other driver driving to fast [I wouldn’t mind betting he was a sales rep-!!!!] is paramount to ‘Driving without due care and attention’ and your nice policeman should have taken the necessary action to report this fact. I know police [I have two members of the family in the constabulary] tell me nearly always treat RTA’s like this as knock for knock, less work and paper work for them, they are too busy going outdoing doing important work of car parking summonses, and moving rowdy children on - !!!

Were you or ‘him’ Breathalyzer?

If it was me a very stern and strong letter off to the the Chief Constable.

As ‘Flighty’ says “Thank goodness you're okay! and take care.

My thoughts - ‘Good old Keith’ - what a brick of a man. - Mick.

Rosie said...

What a horrible thing to happen to you.Glad to here you aren't hurt.

Jennytc said...

Thanks, Flighty and Rosie. :)

Well, Mick, our chief of police is Brunstrom - enough said!! The police officer who attended did start off by saying that he was already rushing off to another incident (some tarpaulin on the A55) and that was obviously more important and he certainly didn't want the paper work.

Jennytc said...

PS - no breathalising, Mick. I had been to lunch with my friends but I have a strict rule of never drinking at all when I am driving, so I would have been in the clear there.

gemmak said...

Ugh...sorry to hear this but glad you are ok :o)

Hell....Brunstrom, I thought he was obsessed with speed!! Knock for knock my foot...makes me want to spit! Ok, I won't start on the understaffing issues , yada, yada, yada but, but, but....just arghhhh!

J.J said...

Scary stuff Jenny, and so relieved you were not hurt. Well done on driving straight after too.

Jennytc said...

Gemmak, Brunstrom is, but the accident happened over the border in Cheshire.
Thanks, JJ. :)

Plaster board and dust

So, we're still no further forward on the British Gas smart meter front and I've given up making non-existent appointments with them...