Korean Job Discussion Forums

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

I was driving to work today, in Seoul, and some SM5 decided to change lane without signaling. The car then caused a big dent, with my car, in the passenger door.

I got out to inspect and had my camera phone to take some pictures of his car and mine. I then got back in the car and phoned the insurance people and my brother in law.

Everyone got to the scene and the other driver was blaming me because "I am foreign and don't know how to drive in Korea". The insurance people decided to do their quick investigation and concluded that the other driver was at fault. My brother in law explained to the other driver that I had been driving for a very long time in all parts of the world and he was at fault as he never signaled and his car had hit mine in the side. The insurers also mentioned this to him but he was furious to lose face to a foreign face.

So now they took my car and the man is adamant that he is not going to pay for repairs. My insurers said that they would take him to court to pay for all the repairs and should relax. Luckily for me, I have a hire car for the time being and everyone was really nice to me. Unlucky for the other driver who is prepared to not to pay considering the overwhelming evidence of his fault and his insurers pleading him to pay.

Korean logic. Rolling Eyes

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

That sucks, but you do realize that you totally put the dude in his place (better yet, others did it for you).

Now's when you find out it's his fault, but your insurance will pay 49% of the damages. This is why it pays to have good insurance in Korea. If he were driving a really expensive car, you could, in theory, have to pay him a lot more for the accident even though it was his fault.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

BE, I totally understand where you are coming from and normally those drivers who have an accident do have those 49/51 ratios for damage and repair. However, when a motorist does something "illegal" and the motorist confirms this to insurers and tries to go back on what he said, the ratios don't mean a thing.

Luckily for me my brother-in-law was with me and he was able to express what I wanted to in Korean and he was able to listen to what happened. Unfortunately, I am without my i30 for a few days whilst it gets it factory paneling sorted out.

For me, the cost is minimal (just petrol money for the hire car). The only place that hit was along my side and the SM5 had some small scratches on the front corner of the car. I used to be a painter for vehicles and I can tell it is a very small job. It is just a respray for the black and varnish so it is cheap as chips.

My car, a big panel needs to come off and then replaced at his expense. Apologies if this is in the wrong forum but I thought I put this in the General Forum.

The only thing that annoys me is that this numbnut blames me 'cos I am not Korean. "If I ain't Korean, I can't drive" is his logic. Why? Sad

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

About a month ago I had a Korean driver backing out of a one way street (he realized he was going the wrong way when he created a log jam at the intersection I guess) back into me. I was going the proper way of course and had beeped my horn several times prior to him hitting my car Laughing

. He didn't cause much damage to my car, but I insisted that he call his insurance company. He was very apologetic the whole while. They came out right away and determined that it was his fault. His insurance arranged pick up for my car 2 days later and repaired it the same day (minimal damage only, but they painted the door, quarter panel, and rear bumper). I was quite pleased with the outcome.

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

Happy April Fools Wink

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

GoldMember · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

From my own experience I can tell you this:
1. The other party who caused the accident will lie big time.
2. The police will bend over backwards to mysteriously find evidence confirming the foreigner is at fault.
3. The police will totally ignore evidence that shows the Korean is at fault.
4. There's a good chance that witnesses who just happen to be Korean will have a long chat (before the police arrive) and will side with the Korean driver.