Need Assistance: What to Do When a Truck Did a Hit and Run?

Ljayelle on 12/01/2016 - 23:16
Last edited 12/01/2016 - 23:18

Hi Ozbargainers,

I need assistance in this matter please.

The car in front slammed on their brakes, we saw and on this particular road we know there are always accidents so my bf is mindful of leaving fair safety space in front, were able to come to a complete stop and avoided rear ending the car ahead by a metre or so. 1-2 seconds later, we were pushed forward to the car, we feel this huge hit from behind. My boyfriend and I turn back and we both see a truck. By then, the truck is reversing and has taken off!! Due to the impact of the truck I was unable to re-adjust myself and couldn't find my phone to record/take photos, as it has been moved from the truck's impact on us. So while scattering around the lady who was driving behind the truck said the truck reversed into her and made her hit into the car behind her and hurriedly left.

So now, the truck has taken off, we have made our police reports and are waiting on the police to receive further information. I can't believe there are reckless drivers like this getting away with things like this, I'm so shaken up from this and I do not know what else I can do. The police has advised there are no recorded cameras with footage only monitoring cameras for live feed.

No one was able to see the plates on the truck, but my boyfriend's car is a write off and the insurance company has said that due to not having the trucks' details, we are at fault. Even if the police report said otherwise. They filed this as a P4, as the truck driver has left the crime scene.

This happened roughly 1.20pm on General Holmes Drive (northbound) NSW, Tuesday 11th January 2016.

Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated!

Automotive

Comments

  • ilostnemo on 12/01/2016 - 23:26
    +3

    Put signs up around the location asking for witnesses, with your contact details on them.
    Also try facebook, gumtree, cross your fingers you may find a witness.

    • jayelle on 13/01/2016 - 10:57

      Thanks!

  • Randxyz123 on 12/01/2016 - 23:48
    +2

    Did you notice anything about the truck? Make? Any names on the side?

    What an arsehole though. I mean he must have been suspended or drunk or something to drive off from a crash which is a criminal offence

  • resubaehtgnolhcs on 13/01/2016 - 00:20
    +2

    Unfortunately from an insurance point of view, unless you can provide details of the truck and driver, the insurance company will deem you liable and at fault for any repair work or funds for a write off. The suggestion of putting up signs where it happened, facebook and even the dashcam owners facebook page as someone who witnessed it and not stopped may have had a dashcam are all good ideas. Good luck and I hope you find the truck driver scumbag!

    • jayelle on 13/01/2016 - 11:05

      Thanks!

      I understand from the view of the insurance company and they have been very helpful with this matter.

  • zappy32 on 13/01/2016 - 02:37
    +3

    No expert here but this is the way I believe it works…

    Without the identifying the truck there is no way to claim against it's insurance company, but if it did a hit a run it was probably unregistered and uninsured anyway. If the police agree that the damage done to the car in front was no your fault then you should not be liable for it(you're 3rd party will cover it minus the excess if not). The police should be able to judge this through witness statements and the skid marks on the road indicating whether you'd come to a stop before hitting the car in front.

    As for your boyfriend's car, if he has comprehensive insurance then it will cover the repair costs minus the excess. If he only has 3rd party insurance then unfortunately there is nothing you can do.

    If you believe the insurance company is trying to get out of paying what they should, which is likely, then take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman who deal with insurance companies.

    Not exactly the same situation but a good statement from a prior decision by FOS:

    "12. This is similar to a ‘hit and run’ incident on a parked car; in these instances
    insurers still honour claims for damage, even though object responsible for
    the damage is no longer present to be identified.    "

    Simply mentioning taking the case to FOS is enough to force insurance company to honour their policy.

    Walk along the street where the crash happened and see if there is any security cameras pointing towards the road. Even if it didn't catch the crash on camera and kilometre before if you can see your car, the truck and the car following the truck that got hit you may be able to ID the truck from this. You'd expect the police to do this but in reality they'd probably classify it as a minor crime and not worth their effort to go to this extent so if you have the time try and help find out who caused it and get them taken off the road(and maybe behind bars!).

    • jayelle on 13/01/2016 - 11:10

      Thanks!

      He has comprehensive insurance, and we have paid the excess.

      We are now onto investigating the truck driver, all I recall was that it was a truck carrying a flat tray.

  • barginhunter11 on 13/01/2016 - 08:56
    +3

    Just pay your excess and have your car fixed .
    Then worry about the other truck

    • jayelle on 13/01/2016 - 11:23

      We have paid the excess and awaiting on the insurance company to come back with what we need to do as the car is a write off.

  • oscargamer on 13/01/2016 - 08:57
    +1

    do you have fully comp insurance or third party only?

    if fully comp, file a claim and pay the excess

    if TPO - you are stuffed

    • jayelle on 13/01/2016 - 11:22

      He has full comp, we have filed a claim and paid the excess.

  • KB2 on 13/01/2016 - 09:41
    +3

    Sometimes people amaze me!! I hope you track down the truck driver!

    • jayelle on 13/01/2016 - 11:21
      +1

      I know, I am hoping we find the truck driver too. I just thinking after it, if we had any passengers in the back they would have been injured and I would not know how I can deal.

  • BuyoTheCat on 13/01/2016 - 10:12
    +1

    Keep in touch with the lady that the truck reversed into. She can collaborate her story with you and if she gets information of the truck registration# she can give it to you.

    Leave a note around the accident area. There is a chance someone will have the registration# of the truck.

    Good luck

    • jayelle on 13/01/2016 - 11:18

      Yes, we have been in contact with her to ask he she got the rego, unfortunately she didn't but only got the description the same as myself.

  • dogboy on 13/01/2016 - 10:31
    +2

    Seems a little strange that noone was able to get the number plate of the truck before it drove away after causing damage to 4 separate vehicles.

    • jayelle on 13/01/2016 - 11:17
      +1

      Apparently, the truck driver screamed out and motioned to the car behind him "I'll be over there, on the shoulder", but then he disappeared. I guess we were all foolish into thinking that he would have actually stopped and not do a runner.

      Once another dashcam deal comes up I'm definitely buying.

      • dogboy on 13/01/2016 - 13:34

        Wow, what a douchebag. I got sideswiped by a truck on the road a few years ago and the truck didn't stop. had to chase him for about 10 minutes before he stopped at a light to let him know what he had done.

        • jayelle on 13/01/2016 - 22:59

          I know! Oh my goodness, I hope no one was hurt in your incident! Luckily you managed to let him know what had happened.

  • Vieira4 on 13/01/2016 - 14:12

    Any CCTV cameras in that area? Would the police have access to it? Would they find him if they had the footage?

    • jayelle on 13/01/2016 - 22:55

      I'm still searching around for any potential cctv cameras.

      At this stage, none. Yes, police said this is a criminal offence and that they would charge him if they had more details.

  • SlickMick on 13/01/2016 - 22:52

    Do you have contact details of other affected? If you all make a big enough deal of it maybe you could get police to track down the driver?? Or get the insurance company(s) to wear the loss rather than you all being hit with excesses.
    You might need a current affair type interview to convince them they want some good publicity rather than bad.

    • jayelle on 13/01/2016 - 23:11

      Yes, we all exchanged details, they are adamant that the police will be able to find the truck driver.

      I doubt the insurance companies are able to do anything until we find the truck driver at fault.

      With the many stories of truck hit and runs, perhaps there needs to be more awareness about this? We need to keep these maniacs off the road!

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join