My wife was in a no fault accident yesterday. She was in the left lane waiting to make a left turn indicating to turn left. a motorbike with 3 other passengers including a baby overtook on the left with double yellow lines then lost control and crashed not colliding with anyone he started to blaming my wife. Police come and statements were made and she made a blater (statement) at the police station. After talks, my wife said she would help the reckless driver to repair his bike and pay for hospital treatment and meds. When I found out I was very angry and told the wife not to give anything but she did. I stormed into the police station and said I'm going to get a lawyer, they said up to you Sir. My wife has a heart of gold and gives generous to the needy. We have more money than most locals so the police say it's okay to help them. I get so angry when drivers make stupid mistakes then blame others when they have an accident. Always the foreigners fault.
Ironically, my son's been scratched by a cat (who got into the classroom) today and I was the one trying to get my wife to calm down about it all!!! Yeah... it's a bummer Jim... the other drivers and that sort of thing do my head in too. Guess we have to try and keep a lid on it and accept people here don't react to things the way we do back home in the UK... it wasn't anyone's fault, your wife's not hurt and she's lucky to be a bit rich, she wants to help them... You want to tell her she's being soft and being taken advantage of and she's wondering what's wrong why are you so angry and why aren't you supporting her and what the f'k are you doing losing it with the Pulis... hehehe It's more fun in the Philippines
I would be annoyed also Jim. Just because it’s the Philippines it doesn’t make it correct. You should not be responsible for every Tom, dick and harry who fall off their overloaded motorcycle… even paying for it you are implying fault. I guess in this instance it’s done now if she has already turned over expenses to pay for their bill… If not, I would refuse to proceed in paying this. Call me a heartless monster. I would say however if it is someone in her local area or community it might be worth it just to keep the peace even if in principal you are against it… little ripples can move into big waves quickly in the Philippines and resentment can build in the community, it is never healthy.
Sorry to hear this Jim but I agree with the other guys you don't want the potential vendetta albeit completely baseless. Having rented a car for 10 days back in June/July I've decided I'm never going to own or drive a car in the Philippines again, I may get a car for my son but it will be the cheapest running second hand vehicle I can get because in my mind accidents small and large are inevitable. You have to have a Marty Feldman squint to watch both mirrors at the same time to watch out for the scooters and bikes many as you say overloaded they cut in, over and undertake, cut in front of you between you and the car in front when you are stopped in order to change lanes, being in a rental vehicle even with CDW insurance it was all just too stressful. I hated the sheet volumn of two wheeled vehicles buzzing like flies around me in Metro Manila and this is from me an ex motorcyclist who loves bikes. Isn't your wife covered by her car insurance at least in part for this?
