Bus Hit My Car From Behind

[Jimmyd]

My wife was driving our car to work today and a bus hit her from behind. It's a cheap old car so I could only get second class insurance on it. The insurance company said they don't come out to the scene in this case (Virayah insurance, paid about 9,000 baht for the policy with high damage payments, etc.). I'll be changing companies after this for sure.

The driver of the bus gave my wife his license as assurance that he wasn't going to try to get out of responsibility.

I'm at a bit of a loss for where to go from here. I think perhaps I should get a damage estimate from a mechanic I trust and then inform the guy what we expect.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

jimmyd

[taxexile]

i would contact the company operating the bus service , their insurance should in theory pay for your repairs.

[kamalabob2]

Why not go to the Police?

My legally parked Toyota was scrapped by a careless Municipal employee while he was driving a bright Gold Municipal Dump Truck. I was eating lunch and saw the whole incident in front of my house. I took photos which clearly showed the truck, driver, truck license plate, damage and the truck driving off without stopping to get out and discuss the situation. I drove to the Police station and made sure our English teacher, a respected 70 year old retired Thai school teacher was there to translate and read over any documents prior to me signing them. It took only a few minutes for the municipal boss men to come to the Police Station. They viewed the damage of the vehicle and viewed the images on the digital camera. It was agreed in writing that I was not pressing charges against the driver if the City reimbursed me for the cost of repair at the body shop of my choice and auto rental for the period the vehicle is in the shop. Lots of Police stamps, we all signed the papers after they were explained to me by our translator and the Police Officer went off on a motor bike to a copy shop to make copies and bring back 3 sets. They said they were relieved that I was not an "Angry Farang". Lots of wais and at this point I do not think I'll get stiffed by a Municipal City manager.

I went to a local body shop in our small town that seemed to resemble a "chop shop" in East L.A. The paint booth looked a bit dodgy and was not quite up to "Earl Shrive" standards. I was given a verbal price quote and a run around on what type of paint they would use.

The next day I went to a recommended shop in Buriram which gladly gave a written estimate, had a modern looking paint booth, and swore they would use DuPont paint as on a large paint "shelf". Funny part the price was identical.

I have First Class coverage with Viriyah Insurance, but I would like to once again obtain the "no claims" discount on the premium.

Where I live the Police did not run me around in any way, no mention in any fashion of tea money or a commission. I paid the 10 baht for the photo copies from the copy shop.

In my opinion the Police would have the "leverage" to see that the responsible party took it seriously to pay for damages to your vehicle.

[Jimmyd]

Thanks for the responses, they were very helpful. We've been in contact with the bus company and I am getting an estimate tomorrow morning from a trusted mechanic. If the company tries to screw us, we will go to the police.