[minimatt]

On saturday night me and my Mini had an accident. Hit a 40 inch pothole (no you didn't read it wrong, it was 40 inches across and 5 inches deep - photo's being developed). Anyway due to the size of the crater in the road, Mini took a turn for the worst, hit a group of trees and landed on her roof. Just me driving and i'm ok, just minor cuts etc. But i think Mini is a right off.

RIP Mini.

[gvl]

Very sorry for you, she was a nice car

Hope your insurance covers everything.


Ger

[Martin L]

Geeez
Glad to hear you're OK.
Did you take photos of the pothole???
I would sue the local council if I were you.

[minimatt]

yeah i've got photo's of everything, i'll try and post them when i get them back. New Mini due for replacement in November i think.

[Dom]

Sorry to hear about it... glad to head the MINI's such a strong car though

Dom

[gromit]

And the MINI did its job to protect you. On an enthusiast site like this on it's easy to lose sight of the fact that cars can be replaced and people can't.

Sorry about the loss of your MINI.

[McprS]

1st of all gald you are ok, and that is really the most important thing.

Ive had some experience of Pot holes and councils, and i'm afraid it wasnt good news.....

A few years back I hit a crater of a Pot Hole in Sussex and wrote off 1 expensive alloy wheel and tyre, the council's view was whilst they take every care in ensuring roads are crater free they cant always fix each and every pot hole immediately. So basically they said they would address the hole in the road but that I had no comeback........

I hope you have more luck.

[dietcokeplease]

Sorry about your misfortune.

There is a marked difference between a pothole which has only recently appeared to one that is 5 inches deep and 40 inches across - the former is plain bad luck and the latter gross negligence on the Councils part.

Make sure you take pics with a ruler held vertically and laid down horizontally to give scale. And it'll help your case to video and take a witness along before the Council fills it in.

ClaimsDirectDC

[Neil Curtis]

Sorry to hear that mate, glad you're okay...

It wouldn't surprise me if the council get wind of the crash, and have already filled it in pre-empting your claim.

They're nice like that.

I hit a pothole about a year ago and bent noth nearside wheels, wrote to the council and heard nothing. Hope you have more success matey.

Once agin, glad you're okay. At least you can observe the running in procedure all over again .
nc

BTW, where abouts was the pothole? I live out your way!

[AntH]

Glad your OK, sorry about the MINI. Bit of advice with the Council - get a Solicitor to write the letter! My Sister used to work for a council, in the department that dealt with such things. Their attitude was bin all first letters, repsond to reminders saying that 'they were investigating' (& ignore), but to actually deal with letters from Solicitors - most were paid without quible with supporting evidence - repair bill & piccie of hole. Hope this helps! Council couldn't afford the cost of legally challenging cases, but wouldn't pay out if they thought the claimant would go away!

[Dom]

Sound advice going the solicitor route... the letters only cost about £100 I think (could be leaving in a different planet) and you can claim that back from them. However, your insurance company may want to follow this up for you

Dom

[dcfkan]

Matt,

Very sorry to hear that! Glad to hear you are OK.

RIP MINI

DK

P.S. I only just noticed the number plate on your car, me being Chinese would not have gone for anything with the number 4, let alone three in a trot

No. 4 phonetically sounds like death in Cantonese in case anyone care to know

[Pete Hopkins]

You've now got to decided what spec colour combo for the replacement1 you can't get the same???

[Martin L]

Quote:

Originally posted by dcfkan
No. 4 phonetically sounds like death in Cantonese in case anyone care to know

You're 100% correct there DK, they don't call me the "mental oriental" for nothing
Try getting 888, now that's if you can get a Chinese person to part with it though

[MINIjewel]

Glad to hear you're ok! Great testament to the safety of the MINI! Did all the airbags go off?

[MoonPie]

Glad you are okay...sheesh. Sad...

[smiffy]

Bloody hell I'll take a guess & tell you that your insurance company will write the car due to the amount of damage The worst part is get the local council to admit liability You have to prove they were Negligent & knew the pot hole was there & they did nothing about it Any way im done talking insurance crap & hope you get a new cooper asap

[Ady]

My Other half Dawn used to work for an insurance company and has heard of a similar claim. Basically what is likely to happen is that you will claim off your insurer and they will claim off the council. Insurance company = Better solicitors.

Glad you are Ok though, shame about MINI

Ady (R50)

[Shep]

What a sad tale. I am so sorry.

What about the airbags--did they go off? Which ones? The head ones in the roof, the side ones in the seats, the front ones? Did the passenger one go off? (It's not supposed to when no-one's sitting there).

If they did deploy, do you know if any of the air bags, especially the side and head ones, protected you?

[Damo]

Hello Mate!

I know I've been in touch via text but not been on Mini2 to give you my condolences in public!

So gutted for you mate, but main thing is your okay. Seems from what the people online have been saying you may get a chance after all at getting some well desrved money from the council!

Tell you what though, my Dealer did say traction control is a life saver on 17's with Pot Holes, maybe he wasn't wrong!

Quote:

Originally posted by Pete Hopkins
You've now got to decided what spec colour combo for the replacement1 you can't get the same???

This is where I disagree, he should get exactly the same as its the best for Coopers (Cooper S's get the Electric Blue and Dark silver which is another story )

Hope you new Black and White Chilli Cooper with 17's, ASC/DSC and Air Con si with you soon (thought about Climate VERY good )

Will get you pics of My side grills ASAP, still not fitted new front grill yet Waiting to get those holes punched in the mesh so I can fit it. As soon as thats done will have all pics done. BTW THe Aero Spoiler looks the dogs

Anyway wil have to pick you up if you want to come to a Mini Meet, can't have you going without!!! Speak soon mate!