Car damaged on car park speed hump

[JoeyJoeC]

I think I already know there is nothing I can do about this, but just in case...

 

Was driving at the top of the Liberty / Mall car park in Romford a couple of days ago. Lots of traffic heading out to the exit. Went over a very high plastic lump of a speed bump going as slow as possible over it, (1mph or less) and after the front wheels went over, it scraped the entire bottom of my car breaking the exhaust which now is blowing.

 

My car isn't partially low, it has an after market suspension on there, but some new cars come that low.

 

The speedbump is higher than the allowed 10cm, looked to me around 20cm high and short. No way to avoid it other than blocking the car park...

 

Anything I can do?

[ericsbrother]

you can write to the owners of the car park and tell them about the damage and that the hump is higher than allowed on a public highway and ask them why they consider it necessary to install something that can be forseen as to be likely to cause damage and what are they going to do about it?

[SabreSheep]

As long as your suspension is road legal and meets any minimum requirements, I would suggest when you consider their reply a small claims action for damages.

 

To include garage repair fees

Loss of wages due to not being able to get to work (IF this is applicable)

Cost of public transport

 

Get a few different quotes for the repair work and go from there.

IF they do not want to stump up the costs then get the work done and send a letter before action itemizing the damage and costs. Not guaranteed but worth a shot.

 

Remember asking the mechanic to identify in writing that the exaust broke due to the hump would be good. Also photographs of hump with applicable measureing stick alongside it showing hight. Photographs of damage. etc

[JoeyJoeC]

As long as your suspension is road legal and meets any minimum requirements, I would suggest when you consider their reply a small claims action for damages.

 

To include garage repair fees

Loss of wages due to not being able to get to work (IF this is applicable)

Cost of public transport

 

Get a few different quotes for the repair work and go from there.

IF they do not want to stump up the costs then get the work done and send a letter before action itemizing the damage and costs. Not guaranteed but worth a shot.

 

Remember asking the mechanic to identify in writing that the exaust broke due to the hump would be good. Also photographs of hump with applicable measureing stick alongside it showing hight. Photographs of damage. etc

 

Thanks, I will check to make sure the height of my car is the legal height, I'm sure it is but it is slightly lower than standard. Annoyingly, my dash camera stopped working a few weeks ago thus I didn't have a video recording of my speed and the horrible bang and scrape.

 

The car park management are looking in to it now.

[2ltr16valve]

Just to point out.

The liberty and the mall are two different car parks.

You need to be clear about what one it was

[SabreSheep]

Thanks, I will check to make sure the height of my car is the legal height, I'm sure it is but it is slightly lower than standard. Annoyingly, my dash camera stopped working a few weeks ago thus I didn't have a video recording of my speed and the horrible bang and scrape.

 

The car park management are looking in to it now.

 

Also get others advice on who to claim against. It might be landowner u need to claim against

[JoeyJoeC]

Just had an email back from them.. Although turns out to be a friend of a friend. They said that APOCA manage the car park, but I'm sure it's the land owner that would be liable?

[Conniff]

If they are looking into it, then get over there now and get measurements and pictures in case they change things and you need proof at some time in the future.

[JoeyJoeC]

Awkward situation as it is someone I know, so I feel I can't complain to them too much.

 

They said to contact APCOA, as they manage the land, and when I asked who the land owner was, she seemed slightly disgruntled and said it doens't matter as APCOA manage the land and have liability.

[Conniff]

So awkward for you, you're showing loyalty, but they can give you the run around.

 

 

No such thing as a friend in these circumstances, they will put themselves and their job first.

[JoeyJoeC]

They seemed adamant that the contract put all blame on APCOA, I have emailed them and wait for a response. If I don't get a reply I will send a letter instead.

 

I will inspect the damage at the weekend when it is light and take pictures. The exhaust was defiantly damaged since immediately after you could hear the loud deep drone coming from the exhaust under the car.

[Conniff]

Have you had a response to your email ?

[JoeyJoeC]

No not yet. Was waiting till after the weekend for them to reply.

 

Just drove the car 10 meters up the road and exhaust fell off. Literally is broken off and weld is broken.

[Conniff]

Well don't feel guilty because you know someone there, you aren't attacking them but the company.

[unimatrix1066]

Well don't feel guilty because you know someone there, you aren't attacking them but the company.

 

What sort of car have you got , depending on which model there might be height variations

[JoeyJoeC]

It's a Toyota Celica Gen 7.

 

Exhaust has had it, snapped off at one of the cats. Needs rewelding or new pipe.

[SabreSheep]

photos and mechanic report to back up your claim should you need to go to small claims. Keep reciepts for repair work etc

[Conniff]

Have you heard back from them yet ?

[Coughdrop]

I hope you have photos. They need to be taken with a ruler against the offending bump, and a 50p coin against the ruler to prove callibration.

 

I fell foul to this after a motorbike accident. By the time I was recovered sufficiently from hitting a pothole and being thrown under an oncoming Transit Van, the pothole was long gone. Sadly I now carry a measuring tape in the car with me, as I've had tyres go in big potholes since and claimed from the council.

 

I realise this is a private car park, and only the contract would state whether it is the company or the landowner who is responsible (hard to get sight of that!) However, if they didn't pay up after a LBA, the newspapers would be interested.

[Conniff]

Any update for us Joey ??