Car Accident Advice

[soulie]

happened to a family member a few years ago ,no insurance ,on a dirt road ,other guy swung wide on a corner and boom ,he lodged a claim with the others insurance gave in quotes ,after around 6 months they fixed his car but he had to pay the same excess of the person he was claiming on .

 

[airborne]

What are their chances of success against someone with no insurance and even worse no insurance and a beat up car?

They will come for you, especially if the repairs to their client’s vehicle is costly. The problem is courts like to apportion blame so even if the 3rd party was not in the wrong the courts may apportion say 30% blame and if the repair is R300k that’s near R100k and that’s best case scenario. Now add your legal costs to defend yourself and it’s a nasty situation to be in.

 

[Craig_]

What are their chances of success against someone with no insurance and even worse no insurance and a beat up car?

Everyone has something, pension, house, car or some or other asset. Chances are there would be something to claim on, maybe even garnish your salary if you have nothing else. I wouldn't want to take on that risk.

Even just rear ending a normal car could be very expensive.

 

[The Darkness]

They will come for you, especially if the repairs to their client’s vehicle is costly. The problem is courts like to apportion blame so even if the 3rd party was not in the wrong the courts may apportion say 30% blame and if the repair is R300k that’s near R100k and that’s best case scenario. Now add your legal costs to defend yourself and it’s a nasty situation to be in.

Exactly this. It is madness to not have insurance and drive a car. Anything can happen. It's actually why a lot of hit and runs occur. People get taken to court and have their assets attached all the time for these sorts of things, and insurance companies have legal teams well geared to extract their money.
In this OP's case, he was too late to act regardless. The Tiguan driver would have notified his insurance very likely immediately and his silence/ignorance is from the wheels already turning.

 

[SAguy]

Driving without insurance, some people are brave/stupid. One silly driving mistake, you bump a Ferrari and you end up living with your cousin who only buys ricoffy.

 

[supersunbird]

Everyone has something, pension, house, car or some or other asset. Chances are there would be something to claim on, maybe even garnish your salary if you have nothing else. I wouldn't want to take on that risk.

Even just rear ending a normal car could be very expensive.

Luckily pensions are protected in this regard.

 

[DapperDanMan]

... and you end up living with your cousin who only buys ricoffy.

Well, if she's hot and you don't drink coffee ... consider it a double-win!


And if she happens to be your second cousin instead of your first cousin, consider it a triple-win.