2. LISTENING (UNIT11)
Car Rental:
Hello, how may I help you?
Hi there, I'd like to rent a car.
Alright, how long will you need it?
I'll only need it for three days.
Ok, what kind of car would you like?
What kinds of cars do you have?
We have sedans, trucks, vans ...
I'd like a sedan, please.
Alright. Have you ever rented a car before?
No, I haven't.
What is your reason for renting?
Well, my other car is in the shop right now.
Oh, okay. A lot of people rent cars when theirs are broken.
I bet. My sister rented a car when she was on vacation.
Yes, a lot of people do that also. Alright, you said you wanted a sedan ...
Can I choose the make and model of the rental?
Well, we have a Toyota Corolla in black, red, silver and navy blue.
Can I have the silver one?
Sure! Here are the keys to the car.
Thanks! What time do I have to bring it back?
It needs to come back by noon of the third day.
What if I'm late?
If it's late, then we will charge you for another day.
Alright. Thanks again!
Thank you! Drive safely.
shop = auto repair shop
make = the name of the company (e.g. Peugeot)
model = the name of the car (e.g. 208)
Hello, how may I help you?
Hi there, I'd like to rent a car.
Alright, how long will you need it?
I'll only need it for three days.
Ok, what kind of car would you like?
What kinds of cars do you have?
We have sedans, trucks, vans ...
I'd like a sedan, please.
Alright. Have you ever rented a car before?
No, I haven't.
What is your reason for renting?
Well, my other car is in the shop right now.
Oh, okay. A lot of people rent cars when theirs are broken.
I bet. My sister rented a car when she was on vacation.
Yes, a lot of people do that also. Alright, you said you wanted a sedan ...
Can I choose the make and model of the rental?
Well, we have a Toyota Corolla in black, red, silver and navy blue.
Can I have the silver one?
Sure! Here are the keys to the car.
Thanks! What time do I have to bring it back?
It needs to come back by noon of the third day.
What if I'm late?
If it's late, then we will charge you for another day.
Alright. Thanks again!
Thank you! Drive safely.
shop = auto repair shop
make = the name of the company (e.g. Peugeot)
model = the name of the car (e.g. 208)
Renting a Car:
Hello there. I need to rent a car.
Hi! What size are you thinking?
Well, err ... this is my first car rental. What sizes do you have?
We have compact, medium and full size, the compact being the cheapest.
I'm travelling with my wife and little daughter, so a compact car will be fine. What are your daily rates?
For the compact, it's 29,90 (dollars) per day, but if you're renting it for more than seven days, you can take a price break.
Not bad! I'm going to rent it for 10 days.
In that case, you'll be paying 19,90 (dollars) per day.
Wow! That's a great discount! I'll take the compact, then.
Good choice. May I see your driver's license and a credit card, please?
Hello there. I need to rent a car.
Hi! What size are you thinking?
Well, err ... this is my first car rental. What sizes do you have?
We have compact, medium and full size, the compact being the cheapest.
I'm travelling with my wife and little daughter, so a compact car will be fine. What are your daily rates?
For the compact, it's 29,90 (dollars) per day, but if you're renting it for more than seven days, you can take a price break.
Not bad! I'm going to rent it for 10 days.
In that case, you'll be paying 19,90 (dollars) per day.
Wow! That's a great discount! I'll take the compact, then.
Good choice. May I see your driver's license and a credit card, please?
Details When Renting a Car:
Ok, Mr. Patterson, let's see... will your wife also drive the car?
Yes. Since we're going to Boston for my brother's wedding, we'll be taking turns driving.
By the way, can I return the car there, or were there be extra charges?
There are no extra charges for that. Where will you be returning the car in Boston?
At the Boston Airport.
Very good, Mr. Patterson. You're all set. Have a safe trip.
Oh! What about the mileage?
There's no extra charge for miles, but you must return the car with a full tank of gas, or else they'll charge you for that.
Fair enough. Thanks for your help.
Ok, Mr. Patterson, let's see... will your wife also drive the car?
Yes. Since we're going to Boston for my brother's wedding, we'll be taking turns driving.
By the way, can I return the car there, or were there be extra charges?
There are no extra charges for that. Where will you be returning the car in Boston?
At the Boston Airport.
Very good, Mr. Patterson. You're all set. Have a safe trip.
Oh! What about the mileage?
There's no extra charge for miles, but you must return the car with a full tank of gas, or else they'll charge you for that.
Fair enough. Thanks for your help.
Renting by Phone:
Hello, is it Time Travels?
Yes. My name is Beth. How can I help you?
I would like to rent a car to take me to the Hotel Shangri-La from the Las Vegas airport.
Sure. May I know your name and your schedule please?
It's Suzie Thatcher. I'll need it at 12 noon today and I prefer a white limousine.
That's not a problem, Ms. Thatcher. Our driver will be holding a sign with your name on it.
Very good. How much is the rental?
Our rates are 45,00 (dollars) and hour.
Ok, that's fine.
In case of any delays, or problems, please call us at this number, Ms. Thatcher.
All right. Thanks for your help.
Hello, is it Time Travels?
Yes. My name is Beth. How can I help you?
I would like to rent a car to take me to the Hotel Shangri-La from the Las Vegas airport.
Sure. May I know your name and your schedule please?
It's Suzie Thatcher. I'll need it at 12 noon today and I prefer a white limousine.
That's not a problem, Ms. Thatcher. Our driver will be holding a sign with your name on it.
Very good. How much is the rental?
Our rates are 45,00 (dollars) and hour.
Ok, that's fine.
In case of any delays, or problems, please call us at this number, Ms. Thatcher.
All right. Thanks for your help.
Renting a Car at the Airport:
Hello. I'd like to rent a limo to take me to the Hotel Shangri-La.
We have the Luxury Sedan, for 1 to 4 passengers, and the Stretch Limousine, which fits 1 to 8 passengers.
Ok. I'll go with the Luxury Sedan. What are your rates?
Well, they're based on a three-hour rental. The luxury Sedan goes for 55,00 dollars per hour, plus gratuity.
I just need it to drop me off at the Shangri-La, at Echelon Place.
That won't be a problem.
Will it take long?
It will just take a moment for the driver to bring the car around. You can have a seat, if you like.
Thank you.
Hello. I'd like to rent a limo to take me to the Hotel Shangri-La.
We have the Luxury Sedan, for 1 to 4 passengers, and the Stretch Limousine, which fits 1 to 8 passengers.
Ok. I'll go with the Luxury Sedan. What are your rates?
Well, they're based on a three-hour rental. The luxury Sedan goes for 55,00 dollars per hour, plus gratuity.
I just need it to drop me off at the Shangri-La, at Echelon Place.
That won't be a problem.
Will it take long?
It will just take a moment for the driver to bring the car around. You can have a seat, if you like.
Thank you.
You can visit this website: http://www.learning-english-online.net/crew/english-exercise/how-to-rent-a-car
Now, make your own dialogue:
A.
You want to rent a car to make a trip with your family.
- Ask what type of cars they have and ask for recommendation (which one is better for your situation).
- Say what things you would like the car to have (GPS, a big boot, ...).
- Ask what they include in the insurance.
- Ask if they have any promotion or discount now.
- Ask in what conditions is the car now and how you have to return the vehicle (when, tank full, ...).
B.
You work at a dealer's car. A customer wants to rent a car.
- Ask his/her purpose for renting the car to give good recomendations.
- Say the cars that you have and the things they have (GPS, a big boot, ...).
- Say the conditions included in the insurance.
- Say that you do have a promotion or discount.
- Say in what conditions is the car now and how he/she has to return the vehicle (when, tank full, ...).
A.
You want to rent a car to make a trip with your family.
- Ask what type of cars they have and ask for recommendation (which one is better for your situation).
- Say what things you would like the car to have (GPS, a big boot, ...).
- Ask what they include in the insurance.
- Ask if they have any promotion or discount now.
- Ask in what conditions is the car now and how you have to return the vehicle (when, tank full, ...).
B.
You work at a dealer's car. A customer wants to rent a car.
- Ask his/her purpose for renting the car to give good recomendations.
- Say the cars that you have and the things they have (GPS, a big boot, ...).
- Say the conditions included in the insurance.
- Say that you do have a promotion or discount.
- Say in what conditions is the car now and how he/she has to return the vehicle (when, tank full, ...).
Tips for picking up and return your rental car and driving an unfamiliar vehicle:
1. At pick up inspect the interior and exterior of the vehicle and make sure any damages recorded
2. Note the odometer reading and make sure lights and turn signals are working properly
3. Take a copy of the rental agreement noting the date and time you're required to return the car
4. Spend time getting to know the vehicle before you leave the lot
5. Take a test drive in the parking area (if you're not completely comfortable ask for a different vehicle)
6. Practise driving in a non congested area until you feel comfortable behind the wheel
7. you don't know how the car will respond in emergency maneuvers, so drive it with an abundance of caution
8. return your car with ample time, particularly at airport locations
9. fill the gas tank before returning the car to avoid a refueling charge (if you're not sure if you'll have time to fill the tank, see if your rental company offers a fuel purchase option)
10. be sure to take all your belongings out of the car before returning the keys
11. ask the attendant to note the time you return the vehicle, its condition and the fuel gauge in odometer reading.
2. Note the odometer reading and make sure lights and turn signals are working properly
3. Take a copy of the rental agreement noting the date and time you're required to return the car
4. Spend time getting to know the vehicle before you leave the lot
5. Take a test drive in the parking area (if you're not completely comfortable ask for a different vehicle)
6. Practise driving in a non congested area until you feel comfortable behind the wheel
7. you don't know how the car will respond in emergency maneuvers, so drive it with an abundance of caution
8. return your car with ample time, particularly at airport locations
9. fill the gas tank before returning the car to avoid a refueling charge (if you're not sure if you'll have time to fill the tank, see if your rental company offers a fuel purchase option)
10. be sure to take all your belongings out of the car before returning the keys
11. ask the attendant to note the time you return the vehicle, its condition and the fuel gauge in odometer reading.
4. LISTENING 2
CAR ACCIDENTS / REPORTING AN ACCIDENT
How to choose the right breakdown cover
Which Types of Car Accidents Are Most Common?
Drivers worry often about getting involved in collisions with other cars, the resulting damage and the cost of repairs. But there are other road hazards, from trees and potholes to animals, which cause expensive damage but often are overlooked.
According to a study by CarInsurance.com, a site that provides auto insurance data and shopping tools consumers, the classic two-car accident accounted for less than half of the incidents reported by people looking for insurance.
For the survey, CarInsurance.com looked at more than 42,000 online auto insurance quotes given from Sept. 1, 2011, to Feb. 5, 2013. The quotes were for collision, comprehensive and liability coverage on single-vehicle policies for drivers reported an incident in the preceding five years.
The company said more than one third of the all incidents involve things like hitting a parked car, damage from weather, vandalism, hitting animals or road debris. Different types of accidents affect one’s insurance rates differently. For example, while hitting a deer or a tree might result in similar damage, hitting the tree is more likely to make your rates rise.
The following is a list of ways vehicles are damaged, according to reports from drivers, and the percentage of incidents they represent:
Struck another car:
22.7%
(struck a car = empotrar):
Another car struck me:
22.2%
Single-car accident:
7.9%
Act of nature:
5.8%
Struck parked car or tree:
5.4%
Car struck while parked:
5.0%
Debris or other non-accident damage (such as hitting a pothole):
2.9%
(debris = restos, desechos)
(pothole = bache):
Vandalism:
2.4%
Struck animal:
2.4%
Windshield or glass:
2.2%
Theft of car/theft of parts:
1.5%
Hit a pedestrian:
0.4%
Drivers worry often about getting involved in collisions with other cars, the resulting damage and the cost of repairs. But there are other road hazards, from trees and potholes to animals, which cause expensive damage but often are overlooked.
According to a study by CarInsurance.com, a site that provides auto insurance data and shopping tools consumers, the classic two-car accident accounted for less than half of the incidents reported by people looking for insurance.
For the survey, CarInsurance.com looked at more than 42,000 online auto insurance quotes given from Sept. 1, 2011, to Feb. 5, 2013. The quotes were for collision, comprehensive and liability coverage on single-vehicle policies for drivers reported an incident in the preceding five years.
The company said more than one third of the all incidents involve things like hitting a parked car, damage from weather, vandalism, hitting animals or road debris. Different types of accidents affect one’s insurance rates differently. For example, while hitting a deer or a tree might result in similar damage, hitting the tree is more likely to make your rates rise.
The following is a list of ways vehicles are damaged, according to reports from drivers, and the percentage of incidents they represent:
Struck another car:
22.7%
(struck a car = empotrar):
Another car struck me:
22.2%
Single-car accident:
7.9%
Act of nature:
5.8%
Struck parked car or tree:
5.4%
Car struck while parked:
5.0%
Debris or other non-accident damage (such as hitting a pothole):
2.9%
(debris = restos, desechos)
(pothole = bache):
Vandalism:
2.4%
Struck animal:
2.4%
Windshield or glass:
2.2%
Theft of car/theft of parts:
1.5%
Hit a pedestrian:
0.4%
5 most common crash types
Almost 90% of crashes involving provisional drivers in NSW (New South Wales) fall into the following 5 crash types:
25% Rear-end collisions
(rear = parte posterior)
14% Running off the road on a curve and hitting an object
19% Collisions at intersections
(usually with a vehicle coming from the left or right)
14% Running off a straight section of road and hitting an object
17% Head-on collisions
(head-on = de frente)
Almost 90% of crashes involving provisional drivers in NSW (New South Wales) fall into the following 5 crash types:
25% Rear-end collisions
(rear = parte posterior)
14% Running off the road on a curve and hitting an object
19% Collisions at intersections
(usually with a vehicle coming from the left or right)
14% Running off a straight section of road and hitting an object
17% Head-on collisions
(head-on = de frente)
1. The Hit-and-Run
There are two types of hit-and-runs: the one that happens while you're in the car, and the one that happens when your car is out in a parking lot or hugging a curb. Obviously, neither of these are pleasant experiences, but when it happens with you in the car, you at least have a chance to identify the car and take down the license plate number. Damn all you hooligans driving around without your licenses and registrations. You best believe we're going to find you. We've followed the Russian ways, and put dash cams in every one of our cars. |
2. The Horrible Parallel Parker
Why a parallel parking test it not a required part of getting your license in every single state is beyond us. In New York City, we've literally had people tell us that they'll just wait until they tap the other car to put their car back into drive and move forward. So, people aren't just idiots, they're inconsiderate idiots who don't realize that we're going to get their paint biologically tested and hunt them down! |
3. The You-Can-See-It-Coming
It's like when you're getting a shot, and you hate needles but can't look away from the doctor. You're paralyzed, sitting on that weird sheet of noisy paper. On the road, this is the equivalent of other cars completely blocking you in. You see the car coming toward you, and you know something's just not right about its path. It's a path that's aiming straight for you passenger door. Your eyes get bigger, you start yelling at the top of your lungs (even though the windows are all shut), you frantically start slapping at the horn, which hasn't been used in all of the time you've had your car, and your head looks like you're watching ping-pong, snapping back and forth looking for somewhere for you to go. But there isn't anywhere to go, and you're forced to watch as some imbecile rams into your poor baby. We'd rather take 10 needles to our veins. |
4. The Door Ding
Door dings are extremely annoying, purely because you know it's a direct result of somebody's lack of respect both for his or her own car, as well as yours. We'll say it: People who don't care about their rides disgust us, and if they aren't even courteous enough to be careful around other people's cars, they are pretty low on our list. Just because you drive a $2,000 piece of shit, doesn't mean you have to grind its flakey paint into our beautiful door. |
5. The Red-Light Runner
RED MEANS STOP. It's a universal sign, and it's not subjective. You see red on the light, and you stop at the little white line. I'm partially color blind, and I can still manage to follow this, so why can't you? Whatever you're speeding to get to is not nearly as important as my car, which you just so happened to total, because you're dumb. Thanks, guy! |
6. The I-Don't-Use-My-Mirrors-or-Signals
The single most important thing you need to do while driving is stay attentive. Check your speed, check your side mirrors, check your rearview mirror, check your speed again, check the traffic in front of you, check upcoming signs, check your mirrors again. You get the point. People who have their heads in the clouds (or next to a cell phone) are a constant danger to everybody driving near them, and that's further perpetuated when they don't use their signals. They must have been on their phones during driving school, too. |
7. The Brake-Checker
Tailing is one of the many frustrating, and idiotic, techniques that people use while on the road. Whether it's an attempt to draft or just a fruitless message to the person in front of you to go faster, it guarantees one thing: You're pissing somebody off, and you're putting yourself and others in danger. Now, we're not ones to get so frustrated that we'll put the safety of our car in danger, but some people don't give a shit and will brake check the hell out of the people behind them. "Oh, you want to play?" they say. That's about the time when bumper hits bumper in an accident that happened as a result of children stuck in adult bodies. |
8. The Shopping Cart
Although shopping carts aren't directly people hitting our cars, they're the result of people being too lazy to walk 10 steps to put the cart in theh place it's freakin' supposed to go: the designated cart return area. Yes, people, this exists! Crazy concept, we know, but believe it or not, putting two wheels on grass isn't the preferred method. Neither is blindly leaving them in the middle of the lot, where they turn into moving land mines, just waiting to catch a gust of wind and sail right into that rear tailligiht of ours. |
9. The Fifth-Car Rear-Ender
Somebody was going so fast that they hit a car, forcing it to hit a car, forcing that car to hit a car, forcing that car to hit your car. You weren't even near the initial contact site and you STILL got hit. Forget about that dinner you were going to have with your significant other. You'll now be sorting out insurance for the next couple hours. |
10. The I-Drive-the-Same-No-Matter-the-Weather
When Mother Nature decides to throw a hissy fit and starts dumping rain, snow, sleet, or any other type of precipitation that makes driving more difficult, people should be adapting. When you're comfortable driving 80 on a normal day, you should not be going 80 in the middle of a storm. There's always that guy who blows by everybody on the highway, and every single person's reaction is a look of confusion mixed with the "what an idiot" thought. Unfortunately, everybody eventually ends up passing that person later, when they see Mr. Invincible's car and three others in a ditch (zanja/cuneta). |
Taken from: http://www.complex.com/rides/2013/04/the-10-most-frustrating-types-of-car-accidents/the-hit-and-run
Road traffic collisions
Generally fall into one of four common types:
(Info taken from wikipedia.com)
Generally fall into one of four common types:
- Lane departure crashes, which occur when a driver leaves the lane they are in and collide with another vehicle or a roadside object. These include head on collisions and run-off-road collisions.
- Collisions at junctions include rear-end collision and angle or side impacts.
- Collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists
- Collisions with animals
(Info taken from wikipedia.com)
Vocabulary:
1. angle impact /
T-bone collision /
righ-angle collision- are where the side of one vehicle is impacted by the front or rear of another vehicle, forming the "T".
2. head on collision- is a traffic collision where the front ends of two vehicles such as cars, trains, ships or planes hit each other, as opposed to a side collision or rear-end collision.
3. rear-end collision
(often called simply rear-end or in the UK a shunt) is a traffic accident wherein a vehicle (usually an automobile or a truck) crashes into the vehicle in front of it.
4. rollover- is a type of vehicle accident in which a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof.
5. run-off-road collision- is a type of single-vehicle collision that occurs when a vehicle leaves the roadway.
6. side impact / side collitions- are vehicle crashes where the side of one or more vehicles is impacted. These crashes often occur at intersections, in parking lots, when two vehicles pass on a multi-lane roadway.
1. angle impact /
T-bone collision /
righ-angle collision- are where the side of one vehicle is impacted by the front or rear of another vehicle, forming the "T".
2. head on collision- is a traffic collision where the front ends of two vehicles such as cars, trains, ships or planes hit each other, as opposed to a side collision or rear-end collision.
3. rear-end collision
(often called simply rear-end or in the UK a shunt) is a traffic accident wherein a vehicle (usually an automobile or a truck) crashes into the vehicle in front of it.
4. rollover- is a type of vehicle accident in which a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof.
5. run-off-road collision- is a type of single-vehicle collision that occurs when a vehicle leaves the roadway.
6. side impact / side collitions- are vehicle crashes where the side of one or more vehicles is impacted. These crashes often occur at intersections, in parking lots, when two vehicles pass on a multi-lane roadway.
Match the different road traffic collisions with the pictures
Causes of Vehicle Accidents:
1. Roadway Design
Drivers often blame roadway design for the cause of their accident, which is often not the case. Many years have been spent on making the roadway safe for motorists, and many different factors are taken into consideration such as roadway surfaces (dotted lines, pavement), traffic control devices (stop signs, yield), hazard visibility (construction, bends in road), behavioral control devices (speed bumps), road signs (street names), weather and traffic flow. Most of the incidents with roadway design is by someone taking a corner too fast.
2. Poor Roadway Maintenance
Some motor vehicle accidents can be contributed to poor roadway maintenance, such as debris that have fallen on the roadway and haven't been removed, icy or snowy roads, faded road signs and potholes. Again all of this can be avoided if you follow the speed limit or use discretion regarding when you should take it slower.
3. Driver Behavior
Most accidents are caused by driver behavior. As humans, we tend to blame someone else when something negative happens, such as an accident. Most people who are in an accident believes the other party involved could have done something different to prevent the accident. Talking on a cell phone, eating, falling asleep, driving under the influence or applying makeup are prime examples of poor driver behavior.
4. Speeding
o Speeding, even if going five miles per hour over, if done in the wrong place at the wrong time, can be fatal. The faster you are going, the greater risk you are in for getting into a car accident. Government and engineers most often determined what is a safe speed to travel on a given roadway. Ninety percent of drivers speed at least one time in their life; 75 percent admit to doing it often.
5. Aggressive Drivers
A factor in a lot of motor vehicle car accidents involves aggressive drivers. This is one of the most difficult areas for a motorist to change about themselves. Examples of aggressive drivers are tailgating (following the car in front of you too close), flashing lights at the car driving in front of you because you feel they are driving to slow, rude or aggressive gestures, preventing one from moving their car, verbal abuse (cursing at someone) and, worse yet, assaulting someone.
6. Equipment Failure
Less than five percent of all car accidents are caused by equipment failure. Although it is rare to get in an accident due to equipment failure, it can still happen. Causes of accidents from equipment failure are brakes going out, worn out tires and suspension and steering.
1. Roadway Design
Drivers often blame roadway design for the cause of their accident, which is often not the case. Many years have been spent on making the roadway safe for motorists, and many different factors are taken into consideration such as roadway surfaces (dotted lines, pavement), traffic control devices (stop signs, yield), hazard visibility (construction, bends in road), behavioral control devices (speed bumps), road signs (street names), weather and traffic flow. Most of the incidents with roadway design is by someone taking a corner too fast.
2. Poor Roadway Maintenance
Some motor vehicle accidents can be contributed to poor roadway maintenance, such as debris that have fallen on the roadway and haven't been removed, icy or snowy roads, faded road signs and potholes. Again all of this can be avoided if you follow the speed limit or use discretion regarding when you should take it slower.
3. Driver Behavior
Most accidents are caused by driver behavior. As humans, we tend to blame someone else when something negative happens, such as an accident. Most people who are in an accident believes the other party involved could have done something different to prevent the accident. Talking on a cell phone, eating, falling asleep, driving under the influence or applying makeup are prime examples of poor driver behavior.
4. Speeding
o Speeding, even if going five miles per hour over, if done in the wrong place at the wrong time, can be fatal. The faster you are going, the greater risk you are in for getting into a car accident. Government and engineers most often determined what is a safe speed to travel on a given roadway. Ninety percent of drivers speed at least one time in their life; 75 percent admit to doing it often.
5. Aggressive Drivers
A factor in a lot of motor vehicle car accidents involves aggressive drivers. This is one of the most difficult areas for a motorist to change about themselves. Examples of aggressive drivers are tailgating (following the car in front of you too close), flashing lights at the car driving in front of you because you feel they are driving to slow, rude or aggressive gestures, preventing one from moving their car, verbal abuse (cursing at someone) and, worse yet, assaulting someone.
6. Equipment Failure
Less than five percent of all car accidents are caused by equipment failure. Although it is rare to get in an accident due to equipment failure, it can still happen. Causes of accidents from equipment failure are brakes going out, worn out tires and suspension and steering.
What are the most common causes of accidents?
Car Accident Insurance Procedures -- powered by ehow
WRITING
You've rented a car to spend your holidays with your family. Unfortunately, you had an accident with it (explain which type of accident you had). Write an accident report about what happened and claim for any kind of compensation. (225 words)
Here are some phrases that you can use:
Types of accidents
a collision = when two vehicles drive into each other.
a mid-air collision = when two planes collide in the air
a head-on collision = when two cars collide front to front
a car crash = when there's a serious car accident – involving another car or object, or not involving anything else
a derailment = when a train comes off the rails
a (multiple) pile-up = when more than one car crashes into another car, especially on a busy road or motorway
Describing an accident
An accident occurred / happened between two cars travelling in the same / opposite direction. One car was travelling at speed (at X miles per hour)
As the driver was rounding the corner, he drove straight into another car which was on the wrong side of the road. The driver lost control of the car and ploughed into the other lane / overturned / drove into an oncoming vehicle / into a tree.
As the driver was overtaking another / went through a red light / he drove straight into oncoming traffic
A lorry jackknifed, spilling its load over the road.
A car skidded on a wet / oily surface and the driver lost control.
The brakes failed / the car driver misjudged the distance.
The car was speeding / doing 80mph in a 30mph area.
The driver was under the influence of alcohol / drugs / on his mobile phone at the time.
The accident was due to pilot / human error.
The results of an accident
There were no fatalities (people killed)
Five people were taken to hospital with major / minor injuries / for shock.
The driver was shaken, but unhurt.
The passengers were escorted safely from the train.
Firecrews had to cut the passengers out of the wreckage.
The car was a write-off. (The damage was so bad there was no point in claiming insurance)
Fortunately, there was only minimal damage / we escaped with only a couple of scratches.
*Jackknifing means the folding of an articulated vehicle (such as one towing a trailer)
Here you can find an example of an insurance demand letter.
If you want to see how a write a motor/ vehicle accident report click here:
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Motor-Vehicle-Accident-Report
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Motor-Vehicle-Accident-Report