[Lolance]

Hi guys,

So...my bro is back from uni and went to pick up our cousin from uni for a nice family Christmas (nicely set up for a happy story ). It's going to be long so quit while you're ahead!
On the way there, I went round a corner a bit too quick, lost control and the car ended up in a ditch On losing control I hit a small concrete post on the left front end, the car then spun itself round on the road and went backwards into the ditch and onto it's passenger side. I was told it was greasy but that's no excuse for going round corners too quick.

Anyways, it was in the countryside and some houses were on the other side of the road and the neighbours came running out to help us. A particular couple let us stay in their house and made us tea and even offered us noodles! The police turned up and instead of viewing us as two young lads (I'm 21 and my bro is 19) with a flash car in a ditch, he could see we were quite visibly shaken. I was questioned in the X5 and breathalysed and then basically told I we were some on the luckiest guys on the planet (we both came out unscratched).

The police went on their way and I was then told I was the sixth car in as many weeks that has ended up losing control on that corner. The girl before me had lost control but ended up on the other side of the road (the housing side ) and missed two massive oak trees before settling in one of the gardens. The residents are currently campaigning for a speed limit that I will put my name to.

Ok, so I phoned my insurance company (Direct Line) who sent out a recovery vehicle and arranged for it to be taken to my local dealership (Sytners Notts) on Monday. I've been hearing horror stories about not getting stuff fitted at Mini approved bodyshops and arguments about warranty so I made sure it was going to be taken there.

Going to phone up Sytners on Monday and sort out an estimate (rear quarter window smashed, front end will need to be replaced (bonnet, upper + lower bumpers, new bi-xenon lights) probably the whole passenger side, roof, and steam was coming out of the bay when we were helped out of the vehicle...BMW engineers...£££ ) and then the insurance company will send out an inspector/engineer to approve the estimate or reject (don't know what happens then...).
Also going to phone up Enterprise (insurance's choice) as they will be providing me with a hire car for the duration of the time the Mini is in the garage (I think ).

So a few things from this accident:
1) I am never going to try and take corners as fast as possible again.
2) Replacing the run-flats with proper tyres as soon as possible.
3) I'm going to be a nice SAFE slow driver from now on.
4) I have had a very lucky escape and feel so much guilt for endangering my bro and anyone else who could've been there

I hope this helps anyone out there think about driving quickly from now on. No-one else was involved in this accident and there is no-one else to blame but me.

Just need some advice from when I phone up on Monday. Will give an update for those willing to help me out. Have I followed the correct procedure? This is my first ever prang/crash/ditch and so haven't been in this situation before.
Here's Maurice in the ditch, haven't got any photos of when he was towed out because used up all the phone battery making my frantic calls.

Many thanks to all those motorists who stopped to see if we were ok. Particularly to the guy in the blue Mini Much love to Richard and Pam (if you so happen to read this) for looking after us and postponing your afternoon. You have been too helpful.

Have a nice Christmas guys,

Lawrence

[deanquartermaine]

A similar thing happened to me a month or so ago.



Word or warning if you replace the run-flat MAKE SURE you tell Direct Line our else they will invalidate your insurance Direct Line are one of the strictest insurance companies around for undeclared mods.

[deanquartermaine]

Advice

Make sure it goes to a MINI dealearship at the very least, and try and get them to turn it around ASAP, call dealer for updates rather than insurance company (that gets a quicker response IMHO).

Let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Dean

[ThE.gRiZzLe]

Really sorry to hear about your accident mate, glad to hear your both ok though, I guess it does teach people a lesson about speed and how it is dangerous.
Also it shows that there are nice people out there aswell, and although you dont want to blame anyone else but yourself do not let it put you off driving, just let it improve you as a person.

The procedure sounds correct as a friend of mine had a similar experience in an MG ZR, and they came out ok so hopefully your insurance will help out alot however you will lose your no claims and have to start from scratch unless you had it protected, but i do agree change those BLOODY RUNFLATS, ive got some and all they've managed to do is kill my car so it would be a good investment.

I really hope everything goes well and you manage to sort everything out without any further complications.

Glad to hear you and your bro are ok mate! Be SAFE!

[KillerByte]

Very sorry to read this Lawrence. I know you haven't had Maurice very long.

The important thing is you're both ok, and while the MINI is in a bad way it will get repaired or replaced. You've been very mature about the situation and you've not tried to make excuses for your own mistakes. It sounds like you have learned from the experience and hopefully your thread will highlight the importance of slower, safer driving, particularly at this time of the year, for other motorists.

I hope you're able to continue your MINI adventures in the very near future.

[Phil Craddock]

gutted for you Lawrence - at least you are ok matey if a little shaken up.

Lets hope you get it sorted out soon as.

Phil

[DaFlake]

Sorry to hear about it but I am glad that you are ok.

I do have a few questions; what is your beef with run-flats? IMHO, you exceeded the limits of the vehicle and tires so I doubt that regular tires would have helped any better as you would have just pushed it harder. I constantly hear the complaints about them, but I have driven on both and find that the RF's actually seem to feel a lot more solid on the road.

I am just curious. Also, were these winter tires or were they summers? I cold weather summers lose traction at 7 C because they start to harden. Winter tires are designed to stay softer at cooler temps. So, if you had improper tires on the car it could have contributed to your loss of traction.

Just my thoughts, but like I said, I am sad for your loss and happy that you are OK.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Oh my days, not another one

Looks like you were very lucky to get out of that one unhurt, specially with a passenger as well!

If the roof or passenger side is damaged too much, Maurice will probably be a write off

You might want to check about the hire car, one of my friends car was hit and she was with Direct Line, they would give her a hire car, but she would have to pay for it they didnt tell her till just before it got delivered either

Hope everything is sorted out for you soon

p.s. Dean I was so shocked when I saw the pics of your MINI on DMR Not long till you back in a MINI again though ay!

[SeldomSeen]

You've been very lucky indeed, looking at the pictures.

I hope you can get the repairs (or possibly replacement?) sorted out quickly.

Have you thought about some advanced driving training? The IAM run excellent local based courses and that could help to rebuild your confidence.

Drive safe.

[Nath316]

Sorry to hear and see

I know the runflats arent exactly the best bit you cannot just blame them as I am sure the road was greasy and bad conditions and as you admit you were going a tad quick

Good luck on getting it all sorted

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by deanquartermaine (original)

A similar thing happened to me a month or so ago.

That much damage was repaired?

[KillerByte]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

That much damage was repaired?

No. He has ordered a new MINI.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by KillerByte (original)

You've been very mature about the situation and you've not tried to make excuses for your own mistakes.

+1 on that comment. I'm really impressed with the way you've handled a serious first prang!

One thing to bear in mind, wet roads are significantly more slippery if they are wet AND salty. Something to bear in mind at this time of year.

Tigger.

[Randall Raines]

Sorry to hear about the accident, as everyone says, all that matters is that you're both OK? .

Quote: Originally Posted by Lolance (original)

So a few things from this accident:
1) I am never going to try and take corners as fast as possible again.
2) Replacing the run-flats with proper tyres as soon as possible.
3) I'm going to be a nice SAFE slow driver from now on.
4) I have had a very lucky escape and feel so much guilt for endangering my bro and anyone else who could've been there

At least you can & will hopefully learn from your mistake, I've had a couple of good friends and a couple that I just knew that have not been able to (died, seriously injured themselves or seriously injured someone else ), also a few more that either went to jail or are in jail for dangerous / reckless driving (causing death or injury to passengers / other Innocent motorist / people).

You should take time to reflect over the holiday period as it could have turned out so very different , and it would've ruined many other lives not just yours .

Quote: Originally Posted by supa-dupa-cooper (original)

You might want to check about the hire car, one of my friends car was hit and she was with Direct Line, they would give her a hire car, but she would have to pay for it they didnt tell her till just before it got delivered either

A very valid point by "supa-dupa-cooper", there will be some small print and you will only be allowed the hire-car for a certain amount of time (as soon as some insurance companies decide the car isn't being repaired it has to go back), and should the insurance throw your claim out for whatever reason you will have to pay for any hire-car yourself .

Quote: Originally Posted by deanquartermaine (original)

A similar thing happened to me a month or so ago.

Normally with damage like this & yours, It will more than likely be classed as written off straight away as most main dealers won't get involved with them, the main dealer prices will throw the repair cost over the threshold that is set for repair, so they will end up in my territory . so you will probably get a replacement car with it being so new , I'm sure you will take more care of your new one .

That's another reason that you should tell your insurance about any mods as the way the accident is it's your fault and they will find any excuse to get out off paying out, as you've found out you never know when something is going to happen .

A little word of warning to people remember if you go out drinking the night before you could still be over the legal drink, drive limit the next morning so be careful, if in doubt don't drive (I know it's not applicable in this case but it is for this time of year (your claim will definitely get thrown out whether it was your fault or not ).

[Fevs]

glad you are ok lawence

can i ask where was this as i know you are local to me and our roads at the moment are a real mess with the farmers

[85NIXMIN]

wowieeee your lucky to be alive by the looks of those pics

[adam_Randell]

Sorry to hear about this mate! Hope it all goes well and u have better luck in the new year! Had a crash in February, know what its like! Lucky it only the car thats f***d

Adam

[Fin]

Glad to hear your ok Lolance. It's good to hear that you are taking responsibility, and have recognised the risk you put yourself, brother and others in. If I were you I would try and put the crash out of my mind for the moment and enjoy Christmas

[Harpo]

If you are heartbriken about your car (and who wouldn't be?), you couldn't imagine how heartbroken your nearest and dearest would be if you had been injured.

At least your loved ones can visit you at home instead of the hospital.

Run flats btw are not the problem. It's the wheel. A wheel is an inherent compromise - they are designed to go backwards and forwards. Do this simple experiment; stand a wheel upright on your driveway or garage, then with your index finger, push the tread slightly - it rolls forward!
Now put it back in the original position and apply the same amount of pressure to the top of the tyre wall... Now imagine putting 100+ bhp laterally through the front wheels. It's all a matter of basic physics.

Further to Seldom's comment, I too can second his suggestion about advanced motoring skills. I spent £10 on a two hour course with RoSPA. The best £10 I have ever spent. Check their website for details, and buy and read Roadcraft - the Police Driver's Handbook - it is both interesting and educational. Get your Mum & Dad to buy you a copy for Christmas.

[Randall Raines]

Quote: Originally Posted by Randall Raines (original)

You should take time to reflect over the holiday period as it could have turned out so very different , and it would've ruined many other lives not just yours .

Quote: Originally Posted by Fin (original)

If I were you I would try and put the crash out of my mind for the moment and enjoy Christmas

My previous comment wasn't meant in a bad way it was meant as "Fin" has said "put the crash out of my mind for the moment and enjoy Christmas" (enjoy Christmas with your family and friends and realise how lucky you are). It may make you think twice next time your tempted to put your foot down, that's what I meant to say .