I HATE white van men! (car damaged!!!)

[edesignuk]

Just get back to the station to pickup my car and go home nice and early on a Friday afternoon...and this is waiting for me in the car park :mad:

http://upload.yo-momma.net/uploads/forums/mini_scratched_1.jpg
http://upload.yo-momma.net/uploads/forums/mini_scratched_2.jpg
(see the white paint!?!?!?!)

So I immediately call the British Transport Police to report it, and to get them to check out the camera from the car park (I was parked right opposite one). Well, this is where I start to get even more pissed off! They won't spend the time looking at the camera footage because the time frame that it could have happened in is >4hrs, and I'm not allowed to view the footage. Which means there is someone scraping past the front of my car and then driving off, and no f**ker is gonna look at it. ARGH!!!!!!

[BakedBeans]

there legally obliged to give you a copy of the tape as your on it.... believe me

[Metoyou]

aww there's gotta be something you can do :(

[Mr. Anderson]

If the insurance company gets involved, can't they get a hold of the tape....

And it would be easy to go through the tape and figure out when it happened (provided that the dent/paint was visible from the camera).

Good luck and post a pic of the video clip if you ever get it. That would be damn funny :D

D

[edesignuk]

If the insurance company gets involved, can't they get a hold of the tape....Apparently only the police are allowed to view the tape (the people who operate the cameras aren't even allowed), but they will not look at anything where the time frame given is over 4hrs. Which leaves me right up sh*t creek w/o a paddle. No one can view the damn thing.

Now I either need to claim off insurance, paying £300 excess, and loose no claims and have my premium go up next year. Or pay for the repair out of my own pocket which will also cost me big time.

I'm thoroughly cheesed off right now....:mad:

[edesignuk]

there legally obliged to give you a copy of the tape as your on it.... believe meTell me more...

[Inkmonkey]

That tears the guts out of you, doesn't it? Sorry to hear about your bum luck.
What kind of car is that, by the way?

[Mr. Anderson]

Is it a guideline or a rule for the >4hr thing?

In this case you could really narrow it down if you could see the car and section that was hit. You skip ahead 2 hours, if its not touched, skip ahead 1, etc. cutting the time in half each time when you bracket it and then you won't be looking at 4 hours of tape :D

D

[virividox]

that sucks sorry

[Vector]

It is a mini cooper, you can see more pictures in the picture gallery in his sig.

Sorry edesign, that sucks. I remember the first time i found a dent on my car (never had paint scrapes). :(

[BakedBeans]

Tell me more...

well im 96.394384% sure thats the law... ive got a good friend as a solicitor... ill have a word if you like... you might have to pay x amount but it wont be 300 bloody quid... plus by the looks of it you only need to have minor cosmetic work on your wing (unless there ar big dents/creases) look in yellow pages or thompson local for chip and scratch repair.. there good and cheap...

has it scratched the paint or has it just left its paint of?

edit: ok i see the scratches... get the video get the licences get the address get the baseball bat get me..... get him....haha

[iGav]

Now I either need to claim off insurance, paying £300 excess, and loose no claims and have my premium go up next year. Or pay for the repair out of my own pocket which will also cost me big time.

Only thing you can do is get a quote from a paintshop, and then find out from your insurance company what they'd screw you over come next years premium if you make a claim on it and decide which is cheaper.

It's hard to tell from the photo's, but are there any dents or is it just scratches?? would you be able to polish them out with T-Cut or is it down to the primer?? would Back-2-Black bring the plastic back up as well or is it really shagged??

Nothing you can really do in this situation, you could find out from CAB to see if you have a legal right to have the tape viewed because of Criminal Damage (The Fuzz ain't always right).

I know how you feel though, when I had my Beetle I came back one day to find a dent on the rear wing above the wheel (van driver) and I needed to buy a new wing for it (actually about £50 for a Beetle) but because it was originally a showcar, the car had a custom deep metallic green colour, and no one could match it... so I had to pay to have the ENTIRE car resprayed.

One of those situations where you wish you'd seen who done it, to give them a damn good hiding. :mad:

[edesignuk]

Is it a guideline or a rule for the >4hr thing?A hard and fast rule apparently, why they can't skip through the tape is beyond me ;rolleyes:
well im 96.394384% sure thats the law... ive got a good friend as a solicitor... ill have a word if you like...That would be BRILLIANT! THANK YOU.

It's VERY scratched and also a little dented, one things for sure, it won't polish or t-cut out :mad:

[edesignuk]

edit: ok i see the scratches... get the video get the licences get the address get the baseball bat get me..... get him....hahaThat's what I'm gonna dream of, I'd LOVE to find out what mother f**ker did this then drove off!!!!!!!! ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!

[krimson]

have you contacted a lawyer? I dont know how it works across the pond, but im positive if it was here, a legal request would have gotten you a copy of the tape.

i work right next to LAX, so at one time we used one of the long term international parking lots (it was cheaper), and one of the cars popped my bumper. Since all traffic is taped coming in and out, and there's a camera on each row of parking spaces, it wasn't hard to figure out who it was after my lawyer made the request to the airport authorities.

[edesignuk]

Only contacted the police so far...

[Vector]

At least it is not as bad as this :)

[edesignuk]

At least it is not as bad as this :)That sucked, but there was nothing I could do about it. This not being able to see the video of some ass tearing my car apart is what's really getting to me.

[Roger1]

How do the police know it happend over 4 hours ago? I could have happend 2 minutes before you arrived. :confused:


edit: It's pretty sad your looking at several hundred dollars of work on your car, and the cops won't take 2 minutes to look at the tape. Or let you do it.

[edesignuk]

How do the police know it happend over 4 hours ago? I could have happend 2 minutes before you arrived. :confused:It could have happened any time between 06:20 and 15:40, because that time frame is much greater than 4hrs, the police are not allowed to spend the time looking at it apparently, it's complete bollocks :mad:

[jared_kipe]

I've gotten worse dammage of almost all sides of my car I have chips and s***. One time I was sitting in my car in a parking lot talking on the phone, and this family returns to their SUV that was parked next to mine. The mother helps in a young one on one side, and a slightly older one gets in on the side that is by my car. Well this 6-8 year old opens his car door, and it hits my door. His dad comes over and closes the door and looks at my car, then walks to the other side (driver side) and gets in. Still on the phone I get out and look and sure enough there is a dent and paint is missing. I look at the guy and he shoots me the meanest glare I've ever seen, like my car hit his or something. And he drives off.

[iGav]

That sucked, but there was nothing I could do about it.

that front left hand side of your car is cursed mate!! :eek: I'd get it blessed if I were you... :p

forcefully say the power of Christ compels you a few times, and sprinkle some water on it... that ought to do it... ;) :p

[SilentPanda]

Reviewing 10 hours of tape would take all of 20 minutes or so.... I'm sure they have a fast forward button they could hit... that's rather unfortunate that they're snubbing you like that.

[Mechcozmo]

How do the police know it happend over 4 hours ago? I could have happend 2 minutes before you arrived. :confused:


edit: It's pretty sad your looking at several hundred dollars of work on your car, and the cops won't take 2 minutes to look at the tape. Or let you do it.

I second this. And I may be naive...but doesn't Britain have some control over their citizen's driving? I saw a "Discovery Channel Special" on those white vans, and it seems that something should be done about them. Good luck, and nice car.

[WinterMute]

That really is a pisser, I'd wait in the carpark till I saw a white van with red paint on it and do it over with a baseball bat, you'd be safe, they won't look at the tape... :eek:

Stupid rules suck.

[edesignuk]

That really is a pisser, I'd wait in the carpark till I saw a white van with red paint on it and do it over with a baseball bat, you'd be safe, they won't look at the tape... :eek:

Stupid rules suck.I'm going out buying a balaclava and bat tomorrow :D

[heaven]

But I really love your Mini! Hope I'll get one, too.. Just started doing my driving licence 2 weeks ago, so there is still a long way to go
Hope you'll be able to watch the tape
*preparing my bat*

Good luck!

[evoluzione]

can ya stick you hand inbetween the inner wing and the outer one? try and just pop it out....then t-cut it. save you a bunch. if it's a crease it probably won't work, but if it's a smoothish dent it should.


when i commuted to london every day, i paid the extra cash to get one of the 10 reserved spots out the front of the train station, WELL worth it, no chance of dings, saved 15-20 in getting out of the car park too as there was nowt in my section other than a couple others coming and going ('course i had a lot of value in my stereo too, so i felt much better having it parked there instead of 1/2 mile away where any ass could take his time and break in.

hope you get something sorted mate.

[homerjward]

those sick bastards! doing that to a mini...

At least it is not as bad as this :)
make it stop! make it stop! link to it okay? ;) :p

[edesignuk]

those sick bastards! doing that to a mini...
At least it is not as bad as this :)
make it stop! make it stop! link to it okay? ;) :p
That's also my mini (http://homepage.mac.com/edesignuk/PhotoAlbum8.html) from about a year ago :eek:

[hcuar]

Not to seem obtuse, but what are "white van men"? :confused:

[Vector]

That's also my mini (http://homepage.mac.com/edesignuk/PhotoAlbum8.html) from about a year ago :eek:

If it will make him feel any better, he can look at your upgraded mini.

[edesignuk]

Not to seem obtuse, but what are "white van men"? :confused:They are the scum of the English roads, tradesman that drive around in white ford transit vans not giving a flying f**k about anyone/thing else. This is why with white paint residue, and at that height and spread on the car, I am blaming them!

[Miner Willy]

My symapthies are with you dude. Similar thing happened to me with the white van man. Sat at home minding my own business, my little car parked outside my own front door and a transit turned left into the back of my car causing what i consider to be ********s of damage to my car, but none to his van. He would have driven off if i hadn't gone running off after him. He apologised and that was about it, insurance companies and lawyers are all involved now. He wanted to settle out of the insurance but didn't believe the quote I got for the repairs which was gonna be around £400 - 500 Dreading my premiums next year... even though it's not my fault.

Bugger

:(

[edesignuk]

If it will make him feel any better, he can look at your upgraded mini.If it doesn't make homerjward feel better, it makes me feel better :cool:

[edesignuk]

My symapthies are with you dude. Similar thing happened to me with the white van man. Sat at home minding my own business, my little car parked outside my own front door and a transit turned left into the back of my car causing what i consider to be ********s of damage to my car, but none to his van. He would have driven off if i hadn't gone running off after him. He apologised and that was about it, insurance companies and lawyers are all involved now. He wanted to settle out of the insurance but didn't believe the quote I got for the repairs which was gonna be around £400 - 500 Dreading my premiums next year... even though it's not my fault.

Bugger

:(
White ford transit vans must be banned from our roads! We've put up with them far to long! We also need to get them bloody london black cabs sorted out while we're at it, they always do what ever the hell they fell like doing :rolleyes:

[EminenceGrise]

It could have happened any time between 06:20 and 15:40, because that time frame is much greater than 4hrs, the police are not allowed to spend the time looking at it apparently, it's complete bollocks :mad:

That sucks dude!

This is what I would do:

Day 1: Yes, hello, I think some total prat scraped my car between 06:20 and 10:20, on <whatever day>. Would you be kind enough to check the tape for me?

Day 2: Yes, hello, I think some total prat scraped my car between 10:20 and 14:20, on <whatever day>. Would you be kind enough to check the tape for me?

Day 3: Yes, hello, I think some total prat scraped my car between 14:20 and 15:40, on <whatever day>. Would you be kind enough to check the tape for me?

Don't get mad - get even. Beat them at their own bureaucratic game. Or, just start driving one of these (http://www.unimog.net/sales/) instead - bonus points if you mount this (http://www.havocpaintball.com/mini_gun.htm) on it. It's no mini, but I guarantee it'll take out a transit van! Hahaha

[edesignuk]

That sucks dude!

This is what I would do:

Day 1: Yes, hello, I think some total prat scraped my car between 06:20 and 10:20, on <whatever day>. Would you be kind enough to check the tape for me?

Day 2: Yes, hello, I think some total prat scraped my car between 10:20 and 14:20, on <whatever day>. Would you be kind enough to check the tape for me?

Day 3: Yes, hello, I think some total prat scraped my car between 14:20 and 15:40, on <whatever day>. Would you be kind enough to check the tape for me?That is EXACTLY what I was talking with my dad about doing earlier today...it'd be interesting to see their response.

...bastards...(sorry, just can't stop!)

btw, Mini gun = winner :D

[BakedBeans]

i would be inclined to wait outside and see if anyone knows.... and also put up a poster saying

ACCIDENT HERE YESTERDAY
any info call
mr eric des ign (uk)
01234567890

did you park it by a load of shops?? if so go in and just say... did you see that guy who crashed into the mini and drove off yesterday?? they might just say yeah

if all else fails... search the length of england for the son of a beeeatch

[Abstract]

I've gotten worse dammage of almost all sides of my car I have chips and s***. One time I was sitting in my car in a parking lot talking on the phone, and this family returns to their SUV that was parked next to mine. The mother helps in a young one on one side, and a slightly older one gets in on the side that is by my car. Well this 6-8 year old opens his car door, and it hits my door. His dad comes over and closes the door and looks at my car, then walks to the other side (driver side) and gets in. Still on the phone I get out and look and sure enough there is a dent and paint is missing. I look at the guy and he shoots me the meanest glare I've ever seen, like my car hit his or something. And he drives off.

I would have taken his license plate number, at least. Then I would have keyed his car as he tried to drive off.

Have a nice day, motherf***er.

And not knowing much about this subject, I don't understand why your premium would increase because of a small claim? Your insurance is there for a reason.....to insure you from incidences like this. Otherwise, why pay insurance, right? You really shouldn't have to be afraid to make a claim, as you're the one paying them most of the time...

[edesignuk]

did you park it by a load of shops?? if so go in and just say... did you see that guy who crashed into the mini and drove off yesterday?? they might just say yeahna, in the car park station, the most expensive station on the god damn line I might add :mad:
if all else fails... search the length of england for the son of a beeeatchThat's the next step :D

[Macs R Us]

Wow that must su@k, well as other had said it could be worse... I got my first car, it was a peacie of cr@p (84-86 Plmoth Horizon), but it was my first and only car, some one egged it over night and wercked the paint... It may be a PC (peacie o crap) but I liked, since its all I can afford:)....

[edesignuk]

And not knowing much about this subject, I don't understand why your premium would increase because of a small claim? Your insurance is there for a reason.....to insure you from incidences like this. Otherwise, why pay insurance, right? You really shouldn't have to be afraid to make a claim, as you're the one paying them most of the time...But it doesn't work like that, it's bad enough being a relatively young driver as it is, but any claim you make (no matter your age), regardless of if its your fault will hit your no claims bonus (unless it's protected, which you pay extra for, and I'm not allowed to do yet anyway on account of my age :rolleyes:) and your premiums. It sucks big time.

[hcuar]

If you plan on putting posters up... I'd recommend adding one of the source pictures from your tars as an addition. I'm sure keira would get tons of calls with men trying to be helpful... They'd probably offer to hunt down the Mini killer for her. Now... You just need a female to answer the phone for you.

[edesignuk]

If you plan on putting posters up... I'd recommend adding one of the source pictures from your tars as an addition. I'm sure keira would get tons of calls with men trying to be helpful... They'd probably offer to hunt down the Mini killer for her. Now... You just need a female to answer the phone for you.You know you could be on to something...

[edesignuk]

Right, well I'm off to bed now to have nightmares about the front of my car and the arguments/costs ahead, and dreams about repeatedly running over the person who did this with their own white van :eek: :D Sweet dreams! :p

[Abstract]

But it doesn't work like that, it's bad enough being a relatively young driver as it is, but any claim you make (no matter your age), regardless of if its your fault will hit your no claims bonus (unless it's protected, which you pay extra for, and I'm not allowed to do yet anyway on account of my age :rolleyes:) and your premiums. It sucks big time.

So no matter what your age, you can't make a claim with an insurance company that you pay yearly, even though that's they reason for their existence.

So they're basically a money collecting company that makes pure profit/cash, as they collect money and offer you nothing back? Doesn't make sense to me, and yet it still sounds believable. :rolleyes:

[Vector]

So no matter what your age, you can't make a claim with an insurance company that you pay yearly, even though that's they reason for their existence.

So they're basically a money collecting company that makes pure profit/cash, as they collect money and offer you nothing back? Doesn't make sense to me, and yet it still sounds believable. :rolleyes:

Insurance is one of the greatest scams ever. In most places, it is required by law to have it, and the insurance companies can charge you whatever they want.

You have a deductable, which is probably high if your a kid. If you have damages, no matter whose fault they are, and you submit a claim the insurance company is going to raise your costs. So, if the claim would only be a little bit over the deductable, you would end up paying most of the money and the insurance company would raise your rates. It isn't a good idea to claim the accident unless it is a major one, or you have really good insurance.

[Wes]

We had a dicussion about this video issue in my computer ethics class. The gist of it was, in the UK they are required to provide you the footage provide:

1. You have a legitimate reason for wanting it.
2. It is 'safe' for you to have it (ie. Mi5 operatives are not in your picture). Kind of hard to prove, they can just say, sorry you can not have the footage and have to provide no proof.

I'm sure AL-FAMOUS's solicitor friend will know the situation.

Good luck!

[Mechcozmo]

Drastic steps needed to be taken:

1. Cardboard, fullsize model of a Mini
2. Color sensor (usually an Ir sensor that looks at the reflection of an object, returns a few different colors)
3. 500 lbs. General-Purpose Bomb. Extra credit: 2,000 lbs. Bunker-buster

Now, place the Mini on a street frequented by white vans. Aim the sensor at the back. When it detects white (they can only see ~6 inches, so...) have it trigger the bomb. No more white van.

:D Mindless destruction is less fun than mindful destruction :D

[hcuar]

Drastic steps needed to be taken:

1. Cardboard, fullsize model of a Mini
2. Color sensor (usually an Ir sensor that looks at the reflection of an object, returns a few different colors)
3. 500 lbs. General-Purpose Bomb. Extra credit: 2,000 lbs. Bunker-buster

Now, place the Mini on a street frequented by white vans. Aim the sensor at the back. When it detects white (they can only see ~6 inches, so...) have it trigger the bomb. No more white van.

:D Mindless destruction is less fun than mindful destruction :D

Mr Bush is lookin for ya. JK... Please don't flame me. :D

[Rod Rod]

If the insurance company gets involved, can't they get a hold of the tape....

And it would be easy to go through the tape and figure out when it happened (provided that the dent/paint was visible from the camera).

Good luck and post a pic of the video clip if you ever get it. That would be damn funny :D

D

How would it be funny to see the footage of edesignuk's car getting hit?

I think it'd be sad to see.

[Abstract]

I think it would be sorta funny, actually. Definitely deserving of a nervous giggle.

I think we should all put big spikes around our cars so that if anyone bangs into it, their car picks up a few holes.

[sushi]

They are the scum of the English roads, tradesman that drive around in white ford transit vans not giving a flying f**k about anyone/thing else. This is why with white paint residue, and at that height and spread on the car, I am blaming them!
That sucks. Feel for ya!

At least you didn't get ten yen'ed. What they do is use a 10 yen coin and scrape deeply down the side of your car. It goes into the metal, not just the paint. A few years ago, my GF was visiting my place. Some kids went by and ten yen'ed her car from the front to the rear on one side. Cost to fix was about $800.

Around that same time, someone drove over my car with a motor bike. From front to rear, and over the hood and over the trunk. Luckily, it didn't damage my car much.

I hate it when people do not respect others property.

Hope you catch the person who screwed up your car.

Good luck!

Sushi

[sushi]

How would it be funny to see the footage of edesignuk's car getting hit?

I think it'd be sad to see.
On the contrary. If they have the video of the person doing it, then being brought to justice and having to pay a fine, etc.

Now that would be funny to see.

Sushi

[edesignuk]

At least you didn't get ten yen'ed. What they do is use a 10 yen coin and scrape deeply down the side of your car. It goes into the metal, not just the paint. A few years ago, my GF was visiting my place. Some kids went by and ten yen'ed her car from the front to the rear on one side. Cost to fix was about $800.We call that getting keyed, same principle and end result, but some ass hole uses his car/house keys to do the damage instead :mad:

That'd actually be worse, because with that there is no question that it was intentional, yet for no reason what so ever.

[Wes]

As per http://www.cctvusergroup.com/Data%20Protection.htm:

An individual is entitled to be informed of the following:

A description of the personal data

A description of the purposes for which the personal data are processed

The recipients of the personal data

The individual is entitled to a copy of the information to be provided in an intelligible form.

The Data Controllers rights may be summarised as follows:

That the request be in writing

There is sufficient information to satisfy themselves of the identity of the individual

There is sufficient information to locate the information

S/He has up to 40 days in which to respond

S/He may charge a fee up to the statutory maximum

S/He may continue routine processing

If a data controller cannot comply with a request without disclosing information relating to a third party, s/he is not obliged to comply with the request unless

The other individual has consented to the disclosure, or

It is reasonable in all the circumstances to comply with the request without the consent of the other individual, in which case regard shall be had to:

Any duty of confidentiality owed

Any steps taken to seek consent

Whether the other is capable of giving consent

Any express refusal of consent

The obligations under Section 7 with regard to subject access must be complied with unless

It is impossible to do so

It would involve disproportionate effort

I suppose that is where they are getting out of it.

The individual agrees otherwise

[Rod Rod]

On the contrary. If they have the video of the person doing it, then being brought to justice and having to pay a fine, etc.

Now that would be funny to see.

Sushi

The post I quoted didn't refer to bringing the perpetrator to justice. Anyhow, the justice part would be procedure-laden and boring, unless the white van man/woman made a complete idiot of him/herself in court, or the arrest was made on Cops (if they have such a show over there).

The fun-to-see stuff would be anything extrajudicial, such as has been discussed earlier in the thread.

(this post was inspired in part by Doctor Q).

[Blackstealth]

...tradesman that drive around in white ford transit vans not giving a flying f**k about anyone/thing else...

Transits? You forgot the guys in the white Merc sprinters that like to sit 2ft off your arse when you're doing a not entirely legal 85 down the motorway. There's times I want to stamp on the brakes to teach 'em a lesson but it wouldn't be worth it for what it'd do to my insurance premiums, so I usually step on the accelerator instead...

[homerjward]

That's also my mini (http://homepage.mac.com/edesignuk/PhotoAlbum8.html) from about a year ago :eek:
ouch! i hope you have better luck with your mini next year! :eek:

[Mechcozmo]

Mr Bush is lookin for ya. JK... Please don't flame me. :D

Inspiration...

That would be great to see. I wonder if you could get police video that way?

[jackieonasses]

Apparently only the police are allowed to view the tape (the people who operate the cameras aren't even allowed), but they will not look at anything where the time frame given is over 4hrs. Which leaves me right up sh*t creek w/o a paddle. No one can view the damn thing.

Now I either need to claim off insurance, paying £300 excess, and loose no claims and have my premium go up next year. Or pay for the repair out of my own pocket which will also cost me big time.

I'm thoroughly cheesed off right now....:mad: if the people who operate the cameras aren't allowed to look, and the police aren't allowed to look after 4 hours...then what is the point of the tape? that doesn't make ANY sense. you have to be able to review it.

[edesignuk]

if the people who operate the cameras aren't allowed to look, and the police aren't allowed to look after 4 hours...then what is the point of the tape? that doesn't make ANY sense. you have to be able to review it.Hey, trust me, you don't have to tell me that!

[solvs]

People complain about it (including me), but over here all you have to do is threaten a lawsuit and things get done. The parking lot owner and police will cave if you press. Squeaky wheel and all. Contact the insurance co, too. If you have to pay a premium and/or your insurance goes up, let that be part of the lawsuit if you do sue the responsible party for damages. Good luck, don't let their apathy get you.

[Mechcozmo]

People complain about it (including me), but over here all you have to do is threaten a lawsuit and things get done. The parking lot owner and police will cave if you press. Squeaky wheel and all. Contact the insurance co, too. If you have to pay a premium and/or your insurance goes up, let that be part of the lawsuit if you do sue the responsible party for damages. Good luck, don't let their apathy get you.

SUE DAMNIT!!! CALL IN THE LAWYERS FIRE THE TROOPS! WE DON'T NEED AMMO, BOMBS, OR EXPLOSIVE THINGS! WE NEED LAWSUITS!!!!!

:) I feel better now.

[Abstract]

Its the American way. ;)

But wait, edesign isn't from the US. Darn.

Best thing you can do is consult a lawyer friend, as you've already considered. Someone here must know a lawyer in London.

Man, if I were stinking rich, I'd go after some of these guys by spending thousands of dollars on lawyers and such, even if the cost of finding the bastard is more than the damage of the car. I know it makes no financial sense, but I'd do it just to get it done.....the love of the hunt.

[solvs]

Man, if I were stinking rich, I'd go after some of these guys by spending thousands of dollars on lawyers and such, even if the cost of finding the bastard is more than the damage of the car.
That's the great thing about the system. You can make the guy you are suing pay your attorney's fees. Sometimes, if you lose, your lawyers won't charge you as much or at all. It's also the worst, as people become sue happy. And lawyers are more than happy to take up cases they think the person being sued will just settle because it's cheaper than hiring a lawyer even if you win, because if you are the defendant and you lose, you still have to pay either way.

This is why we also hate lawyers.

Of course, there's always small claims court. Don't know if you have that in the UK. Maybe even hold the owner of the parking lot party responsible for not release copies of the tape to you. Like I said, here you just threaten a lawsuit and people usually cave. People probably aren't as sue happy over there as they are here, and you are probably better for it.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Insurance is one of the greatest scams ever. In most places, it is required by law to have it, and the insurance companies can charge you whatever they want.

You have a deductable, which is probably high if your a kid. If you have damages, no matter whose fault they are, and you submit a claim the insurance company is going to raise your costs. So, if the claim would only be a little bit over the deductable, you would end up paying most of the money and the insurance company would raise your rates. It isn't a good idea to claim the accident unless it is a major one, or you have really good insurance.

Yeah, and here in the states the insurance companies can raise rates just for inquiring about a claim on some lines of insurance.

[Chip NoVaMac]

I think it would be sorta funny, actually. Definitely deserving of a nervous giggle.

I think we should all put big spikes around our cars so that if anyone bangs into it, their car picks up a few holes.

The problem is that these people don't give a hoot about their cars any more than anyones else's.

[edesignuk]

The problem is that these people don't give a hoot about their cars any more than anyones else's.They would do if their car was a car minus 4 wheels :D

[Chip NoVaMac]

People complain about it (including me), but over here all you have to do is threaten a lawsuit and things get done. The parking lot owner and police will cave if you press. Squeaky wheel and all. Contact the insurance co, too. If you have to pay a premium and/or your insurance goes up, let that be part of the lawsuit if you do sue the responsible party for damages. Good luck, don't let their apathy get you.

Not all countries support the "American way" of use of the legal system. Also here in the states, the media is selective in what they will report on situations like this. Trust me I have tried. Unless it is part of sweeps month, or harmful to the political party's - it won't inspire them.

[edesignuk]

People complain about it (including me), but over here all you have to do is threaten a lawsuit and things get done. The parking lot owner and police will cave if you press. Squeaky wheel and all. Contact the insurance co, too. If you have to pay a premium and/or your insurance goes up, let that be part of the lawsuit if you do sue the responsible party for damages. Good luck, don't let their apathy get you.I really don't want to encourage the whole lawsuit culture. I hate it. It's bad enough with all these personal injury claim ads we are getting over here now. In this instance I really don't want to follow in Americas footsteps.