Spotted this morning - Black 456 hedge plant, West Kent
Discussion
Spotted this morning on my drive to Tonbridge station. Nice black 456 had spun off the country lane through a hedge (well it was parked half in and half out of the field). Behind Bidborough.
Wet and icy road, so easily done I guess, but it'll be an expensive mistake. It's a big hedge!
Wet and icy road, so easily done I guess, but it'll be an expensive mistake. It's a big hedge!
It's verde inglese.
It's a 47k mile 1996 GT manual.
I bought it 3m back.
Black ice on a bend - the rest is plain to see.
Fortunately, I am fine and got right out and walked away. Unfortunately, the car looks like it may be a costly fix.
After a day of watching onlookers swing by, photograph it, laugh, move on, and post about random stranger's misfortune on the web - I've lost a little faith in human nature. To the dust cart driver who stopped, checked I was OK, and reminded me its only a car; I walked out, and "life goes on" - sir, you are a good man. Thank you.
It's a 47k mile 1996 GT manual.
I bought it 3m back.
Black ice on a bend - the rest is plain to see.
Fortunately, I am fine and got right out and walked away. Unfortunately, the car looks like it may be a costly fix.
After a day of watching onlookers swing by, photograph it, laugh, move on, and post about random stranger's misfortune on the web - I've lost a little faith in human nature. To the dust cart driver who stopped, checked I was OK, and reminded me its only a car; I walked out, and "life goes on" - sir, you are a good man. Thank you.
king rubber neckers
, good luck with the repairs OP
Cradoc, now I feel a berk!
I didn't stop as I saw you walking along the road by the farm shop, and the car whilst in a hedge was very clearly in one piece, scratches and a few dents I guess is all. It didnt look like the kind of shunt that would injure anyone.
That bend has field run-off water flowing across it all year round, and the last few months it seems iced up every few mornings. In a high HP rear wheel drive car on fat tyres it would be very easy to get it pointing the wrong way. You have my commiserations and apologies.
I've done it myself before, different bend, same result but in an elise.
I didn't stop as I saw you walking along the road by the farm shop, and the car whilst in a hedge was very clearly in one piece, scratches and a few dents I guess is all. It didnt look like the kind of shunt that would injure anyone.
That bend has field run-off water flowing across it all year round, and the last few months it seems iced up every few mornings. In a high HP rear wheel drive car on fat tyres it would be very easy to get it pointing the wrong way. You have my commiserations and apologies.
I've done it myself before, different bend, same result but in an elise.
Thanks all for your well wishes - I appreciate the comments. Its a treacherous stretch of road without a doubt, yesterday morning the ice was a bad as I've seen in some time. Initial estimates are a five figure repair bill - front end and left hand sills need replacing, the radiator needs rebuilding and the bonnet needs some patch repairs. The worry, which i won't know until Monday, is whether the wrinkle to the skin of the A-pillar is superficial or structural. I am hoping and praying its superficial otherwise we're getting towards non-economic repair levels. I'm gutted, as you can imagine, but thanking my lucky stars I hit the hedge and not either the large oak tree or telegraph pole either side - or worse, anybody else. (PS - please don't feel a berk, RichyD, I appreciate your reply - sorry to hear about your Elise, just out of curiosity how did your insurers deal with it at the time?)
To this...
Glad to hear you are ok sir - it's one of the reasons why we pay many years in to the insurance system and you'll live to conquer another corner... ;-)
cradock said:
After a day of watching onlookers swing by, photograph it, laugh, move on, and post about random stranger's misfortune on the web
Have to say there is an element of this with this whole post - sorry just not necessary IMO. Interesting to see it wasn't posted by a seasoned regular as really there is no gain to be had. Glad to hear you are ok sir - it's one of the reasons why we pay many years in to the insurance system and you'll live to conquer another corner... ;-)
Slickhillsy said:
Have to say there is an element of this with this whole post - sorry just not necessary IMO. Interesting to see it wasn't posted by a seasoned regular as really there is no gain to be had.
Glad to hear you are ok sir - it's one of the reasons why we pay many years in to the insurance system and you'll live to conquer another corner... ;-)
WTF?? Glad to hear you are ok sir - it's one of the reasons why we pay many years in to the insurance system and you'll live to conquer another corner... ;-)
Thanks for your support SlickHillsy - I'm not looking forward to breaking it to my insurers, but you're right, I guess it is what those premiums are for! To be fair though I didn't think there was too much "virtual rubbernecking" going on in this thread - I'm thoroughly grateful for everyone's best wishes. It was more the muppets yesterday going by taking photos that got my goat at the time!
I'm grateful to the original poster for opening this thread - it would be great if any regular posters who read it could share any tips in taking a five figure claim to an insurer! its a first for me but I sense others have war stories to share.
Thanks again for your kind comments, I appreciate the sentiment.
I'm grateful to the original poster for opening this thread - it would be great if any regular posters who read it could share any tips in taking a five figure claim to an insurer! its a first for me but I sense others have war stories to share.
Thanks again for your kind comments, I appreciate the sentiment.
I would contact your insurance company immediately. That is what we pay premiums for. I have done a worse thing with a previous car contacted my insurance company immediately at the scene they sent a tow truck and within a couple of weeks whole thing was sorted. I took myself on a driving training course afterwards and have got a lot out of that. Doing that off my own back pleased my insurance company and there was no change in my premium. It happens brush yourself down and get back on the horse. Good that you are OK and no one was hurt.
Ring them ASAP. A 5 figure claim is nothing out of the ordinary. How many 30k plus daily drivers get totalled every day?
Don't let them railroad you into a quick preferred repairer. Fully understand what all your options are and do your research. When the time comes, fully document the repair work.
Finally, I feel for you but it It isn't flesh and bone. Good luck!
Don't let them railroad you into a quick preferred repairer. Fully understand what all your options are and do your research. When the time comes, fully document the repair work.
Finally, I feel for you but it It isn't flesh and bone. Good luck!
Are the roads in Surrey and Kent still liable to black ice even now? It was windy but the temperature gauge read 7-9 c in the car on Friday going into and out of Reigate from Kent. I'm planning to put summers back on this month and I wonder if it's a good idea still.
Glad you are OK, most important you are not hurt, car can be fixed.
Glad you are OK, most important you are not hurt, car can be fixed.
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