I was wondering if anyone out there could help me out with a claim I'm currently pursuing against First Bus Company.

A few weeks ago, my wife was driving down Charter Row away from Charter Square and of course was in the right hand lane and minding her own business. About 400 yards down the road on the left hand side is a turning into Fitzwilliam Gate (with Wickes on the corner). Suddenly a bus which was in the left hand lane made contact with our car and then proceeded to turn down Fitzwilliam Gate. We suspect that the driver had swung out into the right hand lane in order to take the left hand turn more easily as it is a sharp turning for a bus, but obviously he didn't take note of my wife's car which was in the right hand lane.

The bus driver is adamant that it was my wife's fault claiming that she veered into him but the damage on the car is to the passenger door only (no wing damage) indicating that something hit us rather than the other way round. The bus company's insurers are sticking to their guns and it looks like I'll have to issue proceedings to recover our damages. Has anyone else had a similar experience on Charter Row with buses trying to dominate both lanes and what sort of evidence do you think may be required for me to pursue the action? - I've decided to pursue the claim privately because I know our insurance co will simply agree a knock for knock with the other side and the amount we get from our insurance will be outweighed by the increased insurance premiums in he future.

Look forward to any pearls of wisdom out there as I don't want to be beaten by a lieing bus driver due to lack of evidence.

Originally posted by Grrrr
I was wondering if anyone out there could help me out with a claim I'm currently pursuing against First Bus Company.

A few weeks ago, my wife was driving down Charter Row away from Charter Square and of course was in the right hand lane and minding her own business. About 400 yards down the road on the left hand side is a turning into Fitzwilliam Gate (with Wickes on the corner). Suddenly a bus which was in the left hand lane made contact with our car and then proceeded to turn down Fitzwilliam Gate. We suspect that the driver had swung out into the right hand lane in order to take the left hand turn more easily as it is a sharp turning for a bus, but obviously he didn't take note of my wife's car which was in the right hand lane.

The bus driver is adamant that it was my wife's fault claiming that she veered into him but the damage on the car is to the passenger door only (no wing damage) indicating that something hit us rather than the other way round. The bus company's insurers are sticking to their guns and it looks like I'll have to issue proceedings to recover our damages. Has anyone else had a similar experience on Charter Row with buses trying to dominate both lanes and what sort of evidence do you think may be required for me to pursue the action? - I've decided to pursue the claim privately because I know our insurance co will simply agree a knock for knock with the other side and the amount we get from our insurance will be outweighed by the increased insurance premiums in he future.

Look forward to any pearls of wisdom out there as I don't want to be beaten by a lieing bus driver due to lack of evidence.

I'm sure there's cameras monitoring the bus lanes round by that junction, get in touch with the council to see if they can help you out.

also, if you have already notified ya insurance co, i dont think you can avoid higher premiums as you'll still have to inform them of the incident regardless if claimed or not!

Thanks Dinp, hadn't thought of that one. I had thought of videoing what goes on down there just to show how the buses negotiate that particular turning.

Originally posted by Grrrr
I was wondering if anyone out there could help me out with a claim I'm currently pursuing against First Bus Company.

A few weeks ago, my wife was driving down Charter Row away from Charter Square and of course was in the right hand lane and minding her own business. About 400 yards down the road on the left hand side is a turning into Fitzwilliam Gate (with Wickes on the corner). Suddenly a bus which was in the left hand lane made contact with our car and then proceeded to turn down Fitzwilliam Gate. We suspect that the driver had swung out into the right hand lane in order to take the left hand turn more easily as it is a sharp turning for a bus, but obviously he didn't take note of my wife's car which was in the right hand lane.

The bus driver is adamant that it was my wife's fault claiming that she veered into him but the damage on the car is to the passenger door only (no wing damage) indicating that something hit us rather than the other way round. The bus company's insurers are sticking to their guns and it looks like I'll have to issue proceedings to recover our damages. Has anyone else had a similar experience on Charter Row with buses trying to dominate both lanes and what sort of evidence do you think may be required for me to pursue the action? - I've decided to pursue the claim privately because I know our insurance co will simply agree a knock for knock with the other side and the amount we get from our insurance will be outweighed by the increased insurance premiums in he future.

Look forward to any pearls of wisdom out there as I don't want to be beaten by a lieing bus driver due to lack of evidence.

As always it's proof isn't it does look that if you do launch proceedings it could well turn out a costly exercise for you as bus companies will not pay out these days easily to keep a motorist quiet much better to let the insurance companies settle it and cheaper at the end of the day.As for videoing the area this will be a pointless exercise as the insurance companies are only interested in the claim in question.

Originally posted by d71146
.As for videoing the area this will be a pointless exercise as the insurance companies are only interested in the claim in question.

It wouldn't be pointless if you can video the same driver doing this and can prove it is him on the video. This would show that he normally swings out into the road.

this is a regular problem what most drivers do is they dont keep to the line and they encroach on to the bus lane as the bus lane is plenty wide enough by the way the bus will have cameras on which they will have given to the insurance company plus they will have requested the film from cctv the council are also aware that cars cut this bend all the time

Originally posted by KenH
It wouldn't be pointless if you can video the same driver doing this and can prove it is him on the video. This would show that he normally swings out into the road.

You would only observe that most of the buses will swing out to negotiate that turn its what buses do.
Consider the fact that the bus is a good 25 maybe more foot longer than your car and therefore requires that bit of extra to negotiate the bend.

I would also say the chances of you getting a video of the same driver would mean you were in for a long wait as well as being mistaken for a bus spotter.

Maybe people need more understanding of how large vehicles manover,maybe this should be part of the driving test.

Originally posted by tango2
You would only observe that most of the buses will swing out to negotiate that turn its what buses do.
Consider the fact that the bus is a good 25 maybe more foot longer than your car and therefore requires that bit of extra to negotiate the bend.

I would also say the chances of you getting a video of the same driver would mean you were in for a long wait as well as being mistaken for a bus spotter.

Maybe people need more understanding of how large vehicles manover,maybe this should be part of the driving test.

Just what I was thinking regarding the long wait camp bed would be needed etc etc.