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Had a car accident on the way to school

217 replies

Zaina89 · 09/06/2026 10:08

Was on the way to take my kids to school this morning, exited a roundabout 2nd exit with my left indicator on. I assumed my indicator had turned of because I had turned and I have played back the dash cam footage and can’t hear any indicator. Neither when I was driving could I hear the indicator hadn’t switched off.
was driving 40 on a 40 road. This was 1/2 minutes approx after putting my indicator and exiting round about.
next thing I know driving down this 40mph road a car on a give way on my left with his indicator on turns out in front of me, immediately as I see him turning I slam my brakes on and beep my horn. Because of my high speed you can hear on the dash cam footage the noise my brakes are making because I slammed down. He didn’t even attempt to move back and he hit into the left side of my car. The man wasn’t even getting out of his car he just reversed back. I got out of my car shouting “ what have you done?” “ why did you just do that?”
only then he got out of his car and even then didn’t check his car or mine and just stayed at his drivers door. When I kept asking him “ why did you do that?” He just remained calm, smiled weirdly and said “ you had your indicator on to turn left, I’ve got it all on camera”
my indicator wasn’t on when I immediately got out to check my car, he didn’t even bother to check for any damage on his car and didn’t bother to see mine.
I asked him for his phone number and details and that I would be going to drop my kids off at school because we are now late and they are in shock and upset and he refused and said “ it’s a company car, just take a picture of my reg” and got back in his car. He didn’t even move away from his drivers door, didn’t check the damage, didn’t make any pictures or videos of our cars or the damage. Refused to give me his name and phone number and just said take a picture of my reg and got back in his car and drove away like nothing happened.

im just in complete shock, my son was sat in the passengers side and im just getting a panic attack thinking if I wouldn’t have slammed the brakes as soon as I saw him doing what he did it would have been a bad accident. No one is hurt, my car isn’t badly damaged mostly just bad scratches.
I genuinely did not know my indicator was on ( if it even was!) I can hear when my indicator is on and I couldn’t hear anything even looking back at the dash cam footage you can’t hear the indicator just me and my children casually talking and then you can hear me beeping and slamming down on the brakes and then the collision. If my indicator was on, I’m not sure why it hadn’t turned off or made noise because I exited the roundabout a minute or 2 before the collision.

surely by my speed going 40mph and not slowing down or intending to turn he should have known I was not turning and shouldn’t have pulled out! Trying to remain calm but it’s just so strange he refused to give me his name and number and also very strange he didn’t seem concerned to atleast check his own car and any damage, didn’t even take any pictures or videos!

OP posts:
ShiftingSand · 09/06/2026 11:12

Zaina89 · 09/06/2026 11:05

When I said I shouted, I literally just meant I raised my voice a bit and asked “ what have you done” “ why did you do that”.
I understand I could have handled it better but I wasn’t being violent or rude in any way or shouting in his face. I literally just was upset, in shock and shaking and asked him with a slightly raised panicked voice “ what have you done and why did you do that” My son was in that side of the front of the car that was hit as well and how he came out at me and the speed he could have been really hurt. I was in a lot of shock and worried about the children as well.

When you’re in shock you might act in a way that you wouldn’t normally and I probably would have raised my voice a bit just because I would have been imagining the worst case scenario for my kids. It’s strange that he didn’t ask if you and your kids were okay. Also seems like something he’s experienced before or, like someone else said, setting up an insurance claim. If he’s got dashcam footage as well then that could be useful to match up with yours.

ImaSpringChicken · 09/06/2026 11:10

The main thing is everyone is OK.
On the face of it, it seems that the other driver was in the wrong.

SidewaysOtter · 09/06/2026 11:09

ijustwanttoworkout · 09/06/2026 10:33

You left your indicator on, 40mph is a limit not a target and you should’ve been paying better attention. A scary lesson to have learned.

That's nonsense - driving at 40mph in a 40 limit is nothing to scold her for and act as if she should have been driving at a slower speed 'just in case' Hmm

She's already said that she's reasonably sure she didn't leave her indicator on and has said she couldn't hear it ticking on the dash cam.

And even if it WAS on, a PP has posted the relevant section from the Highway Code which shows quite clearly that the other driver was in the wrong. You never assume another driver is going to do a manoeuvre until you actually see them do it.

Jenkibuble · 09/06/2026 11:09

I hope you and your son are OK - that is the priority. Cars are just things / metal - as annoying as the claim etc is.

One piece of advice (I learnt the hard way) do NOT use a 3rd party eg Accident group as they are SLOW at claiming. They reckon they streamline the process but do not.

ShiftingSand · 09/06/2026 11:08

viques · 09/06/2026 10:15

He was silly to pull out in front of someone he says was indicating left until they actually start to turn! Especially if they were going at a fair whack because someone intending to turn would have slowed down from 40.

I never believe anyones indicating until I see them start their manoeuvre.

This. I wait until I actually see them start turning as I’ve had a couple of vehicles not turn in the past just as I’m about to make a move.

Zaina89 · 09/06/2026 11:05

SandyHappy · 09/06/2026 11:00

It sounds like he will be held liable as he failed to 'give way', the indicator would explain why he did it, but won't save him from liability.

You saying he should have moved back out of your way is just daft though, if your left indicator WAS on, at 40mph he would have a second at most to realise that you weren't actually making the turn, at which point he was already committed (and presumably also checking his left side to make sure it was clear to proceed), then turned back to realise you were in his path.

Incidentally, I hate it when people start shouting and yawping at an accident site, there is no need to keep going on at someone, distressing your kids by shouting and carrying on. It's happened, it was an accident, that is what insurance is for.

When I said I shouted, I literally just meant I raised my voice a bit and asked “ what have you done” “ why did you do that”.
I understand I could have handled it better but I wasn’t being violent or rude in any way or shouting in his face. I literally just was upset, in shock and shaking and asked him with a slightly raised panicked voice “ what have you done and why did you do that” My son was in that side of the front of the car that was hit as well and how he came out at me and the speed he could have been really hurt. I was in a lot of shock and worried about the children as well.

OP posts:
Squeeky112 · 09/06/2026 11:00

Report to your insurance company and the police (you have to report the accident as he wouldn't give details). insurance will find him at fault regardless of any dashcam footage proving his point.

SandyHappy · 09/06/2026 11:00

It sounds like he will be held liable as he failed to 'give way', the indicator would explain why he did it, but won't save him from liability.

You saying he should have moved back out of your way is just daft though, if your left indicator WAS on, at 40mph he would have a second at most to realise that you weren't actually making the turn, at which point he was already committed (and presumably also checking his left side to make sure it was clear to proceed), then turned back to realise you were in his path.

Incidentally, I hate it when people start shouting and yawping at an accident site, there is no need to keep going on at someone, distressing your kids by shouting and carrying on. It's happened, it was an accident, that is what insurance is for.

RetiredFromExplaining · 09/06/2026 10:59

Zaina89 · 09/06/2026 10:52

Bad quality as I just recorded this from the dash cam to show my husband, will be downloading the video in a bit and sending over to insurance company.
but as you can see when he came out and hit me I was already past the line/road he was “expecting” me to turn into. So I clearly wasn’t going to turn.

It is clear that he is in the wrong. I wonder if he was driving without a licence or insurance because he refused to give his name. Thank goodness you have a dashcam.

Don’t worry about the indicator.

Also it’s horrible to be in a collision, even when it’s not your fault. Take care of yourself.

Wetcoatsandmudagain · 09/06/2026 10:59

This could be a scam, sometimes they cause an accident then flee the scene. Next they make a fraudulent claim. The fact you say he was unflustered and grinning makes me suspicious. I would report to police and insurance company immediately

Leftleg · 09/06/2026 10:58

If you watch the dash cam footage whilst you were on the roundabout can you hear the indicator cancel as you exit?

Blarn · 09/06/2026 10:58

The insurance will find him at fault for pulling out. Years ago dh turned right across the road as there was a car a good distance away, he didn't appreciate how fast it was going though. The fire service and paramedics on the scene estimated the other car was doing about 70 in a 30 but still dh at fault as he pulled out in front of the car regardless of what it was doing.

Mum2Fergus · 09/06/2026 10:56

Zaina89 · 09/06/2026 10:42

It wasn’t on a roundabout, sorry if it wasn’t clear.
i meant I put my indicator on at the roundabout exit..
i assumed the indicator had turned off ( I am still not even sure it was on as he says) I couldn’t hear the indicator going off after I made the turn and exited the roundabout.

the collision happened 1 to 2 minutes further up the road, he was turning onto the road that I was already driving on, says my indicator wasn’t on so he made the turn and came out in front of me and hit me, quite a while after I exited the roundabout with the indicator on.

Ah-understood. I know it’s been a shock but try not to overthink it…report the incident and the other driver and try to move on.

Zaina89 · 09/06/2026 10:52

Bad quality as I just recorded this from the dash cam to show my husband, will be downloading the video in a bit and sending over to insurance company.
but as you can see when he came out and hit me I was already past the line/road he was “expecting” me to turn into. So I clearly wasn’t going to turn.

Had a car accident on the way to school
OP posts:
SJM1988 · 09/06/2026 10:50

So I'd report him to the police. You legally have to stop and exchange details at an accident. He does have 24 hours to report to the police but you won't know if he has or not. Cover yourself and report to the police.

Also pretty sure he will still be found at fault. You can't solely rely on an indicator to enter moving traffic. Its something that has always stuck with me when learning to drive so I never do it.

Rosecoffeecup · 09/06/2026 10:49

He will be at fault, even if you were indicating to turn he shouldn't have pulled out. Send everything to your insurer and let them deal with it.

Pippa12 · 09/06/2026 10:49

Have you contacted your insurance company?

TY78910 · 09/06/2026 10:47

Zaina89 · 09/06/2026 10:42

It wasn’t on a roundabout, sorry if it wasn’t clear.
i meant I put my indicator on at the roundabout exit..
i assumed the indicator had turned off ( I am still not even sure it was on as he says) I couldn’t hear the indicator going off after I made the turn and exited the roundabout.

the collision happened 1 to 2 minutes further up the road, he was turning onto the road that I was already driving on, says my indicator wasn’t on so he made the turn and came out in front of me and hit me, quite a while after I exited the roundabout with the indicator on.

Ohhhhh that makes a lot more sense.
I do think that’s his fault then. You should never trust an indicator 100%, especially as you were driving so fast. If you were slowing down then it would have been more apparent you were turning in instead of going straight. That’s what his apparent dashcam is going to show.

Iheartmysmart · 09/06/2026 10:46

One of the basics my driving instructor taught me was to always make sure of the other drivers intentions before making a manoeuvre. For the very reason they may not always do what you expect them to do!

SilenceInside · 09/06/2026 10:45

@Zaina89 whether or not your indicator was on, and from what you describe it seems very unlikely it was still on, he still should not have pulled out and crashed into you.

AllotmentTime · 09/06/2026 10:45

Can you hear the indicator if you go back on your footage to the roundabout?
Not that it matters, he still should not have pulled out, but for your peace of mind!

Watchoutfortheslowaraf · 09/06/2026 10:43

ijustwanttoworkout · 09/06/2026 10:33

You left your indicator on, 40mph is a limit not a target and you should’ve been paying better attention. A scary lesson to have learned.

she didn’t leave it on.

even is she did, you never pull out when someone is indicating if they haven’t slowed right down. He would still be at fault. She has right of way.

Zaina89 · 09/06/2026 10:42

Mum2Fergus · 09/06/2026 10:39

Can’t tell entirely from your post but if on roundabout insurers tend to settle in 50/50 liability split unless there is definitive proof otherwise. Report to Police and insurance and let them get on with it.

It wasn’t on a roundabout, sorry if it wasn’t clear.
i meant I put my indicator on at the roundabout exit..
i assumed the indicator had turned off ( I am still not even sure it was on as he says) I couldn’t hear the indicator going off after I made the turn and exited the roundabout.

the collision happened 1 to 2 minutes further up the road, he was turning onto the road that I was already driving on, says my indicator wasn’t on so he made the turn and came out in front of me and hit me, quite a while after I exited the roundabout with the indicator on.

OP posts:
champagnePicnic · 09/06/2026 10:41

ijustwanttoworkout · 09/06/2026 10:33

You left your indicator on, 40mph is a limit not a target and you should’ve been paying better attention. A scary lesson to have learned.

Clearly you can’t read

Zaina89 · 09/06/2026 10:40

ijustwanttoworkout · 09/06/2026 10:33

You left your indicator on, 40mph is a limit not a target and you should’ve been paying better attention. A scary lesson to have learned.

Whether it was left on is the question. I wasn’t aware of it being “left on” I said this is what he is saying but I said I am not sure of it being on as I didn’t hear the indicator after I turned around the roundabout so I assume it had switched off, I put my indicator on at the roundabout exit 1/2 minutes before he came out and hit into me. Even looking back at the dash cam footage you cannot hear the indicator and when I got out to check the damage of my car the indicator wasn’t on and when I got back in my car the indicator signal wasn’t on either.

regardless yes I was driving the speed limit on a 40mph road, he could see I wasn’t slowing down and he shouldn’t have came out when I was already past the road that he thought I was turning into as I clearly wasn’t making a turn and wouldn’t be trying to turn at that speed.

OP posts: