I've just hit someone with my car. He's ok, but was I at fault?

[LimeLeaf]

Just to say first that I was going less than 5mph and he walked away relatively(?) unhurt but I'm very upset about it and wondering if I was at fault.

I was at the bottom of a road which is very steep, at the junction where it meets a very busy main road. I was turning left onto the main road and looking right for a gap in the traffic. I'd been waiting a minute or so.

A car appeared on the main road and stopped, waiting to turn right onto the road I was on. A lorry to my right then stopped on the main road and gave way to allow me to turn left in front of him and the car on the main road to turn right past him onto the road I was on.

I started to release my foot from the brake as its a very steep road so I could roll forward before putting my foot on the gas. The car started moving forward and the man was right in front of my car and it hit him. He must have been on the pavement to the left of me and had tried to cross in front of my car but I didn't see him because I was looking right. He must have been walking quickly because he was already half way across the front of my car and I was already looking forward when I began to take my foot off the brake. As soon as I saw him I put my foot back down on the brake hard. I had moved maybe 3-5 inches but as he was walking so close to my car, it hit him.

He stumbled but kept walking across and then looked back at me and started shouting whilst I sat there in complete shock. The lorry waited for me to set off again even though I was shocked and nervous to drive immediately. He then turned around and kept walking.

I'm so upset about this. I've never hit anyone with my car before and feel very bad about it. Was I at fault do you think or was the man? Is there anything I need to do now?

I think you need to report it I'm afraid. Someone drive into my parked car and drive off. It was two weeks old and I found them via CCTV.

It happens. I was pulling into the M25 looking right expecting the car in front of me to have gone. They was in the left lane but trying to turn right on the roundabout ( should have really been in one of the two right hand lanes) I excellerated into them with force while they was stationary. I was two foot away. Whoops! I still beat myself up for not looking

yes your fault. but an easy mistake to make.
you need to call police + insurance immediately.

You were at fault it seems but if he wasnt hurt no harm done.
Dont think about it hes ok

You have to assume the whole world are idiots when you are behind the wheel, and always make sure your path is clear before you start to move, just because you don't expect something to be there doesn't mean it cannot be there. I expect you're very shock up and hopefully it will cause you to be a bit more cautious next time (same goes for the pedestrian who was walking too close to your car instead of behide)

If he didn't take your reg I don't think you need to do anything. He obviously isn't too bothered.

Op you dont need to report it to your insurance or police. What idiotic advice.

Assuming you stopped and spoke with him?

If he didn't take your reg I don't think you need to do anything. He obviously isn't too bothered.

• he was probably in shock and might want to report this later
• there were many witnesses
• leaving the scene of an accident is a crime

I didn't see him because I was looking right.

Now I'm no driving instructor but you need to be looking where you are going too.

You were at fault.

Your fault entirely. Two points stand out tome.

1. You say you didn't look.
2. He was half way across your car. That means to had plenty of time to see you.

You do need to report. You may think he didn't take your number, however others may have, including the lorry, which may have a dashboard camera. I've taken numbers and reported myself as a witness before now when I've seen an accident where someone hasn't stopped. If you're reported and haven't done so yourself you are going to find it difficult.

Autocorrect. 2. You had plenty of time to see him.

I waited a good while to give him the opportunity but he sped off down the road. I'm not even sure I hadn't already started to move off before he tried to cross because I moved forward as the other car turned right into the road to make sure it had passed because it's a narrow road and people often cut across the middle and I was making certain the the lorry was going to wait. I always look at everything going on, not just the traffic but he just appears in front of me.

He had right of way, your fault. The traffic on the main road shouldn't have stopped to allow you to turn left, although we have a similar situation nearby so can understand why it occurred , and pedestrian would not have realised that they had given way to let you out.

Your fault. I'd be tempted to report it at the local police station too just to cover yourself.

"He came out of nowhere" is virtually an admission of liability where RTAs are concerned. But no harm done so learn from it and move on.

I once "glanced" a Harrow school boy with my car and fretted for ages. His home work was scattered all over the road but he was fine.

You were technically in the wrong but just treat this as a lucky escape and be more vigilant in future, I haven't been involved in an incident like it since and I image the boy is all grown up and probably a Barrister by now.

Your fault I'm afraid but it happens. Its obviously given you a shock. You do need to tell your insurers because if he has taken your reg number or gets it from another source eg lorry driver or witness via Facebook or them reporting to the police he may claim, soft tissue damage or bruising etc. If he does and you haven't reported it there is a risk your insurance won't indemnify you. In reality its a really minimal risk but better safe then sorry.

its horrible when that sort of thing happens, im sorry have a very sugary

yes technically it was your fault, however he was a total idiot for just crossing. people have a misconception that pedestrians have a right of way at all times but its simply when theyve started crossing before the car gets to the junction.

Hope youre not too shaken

Oh I think I know him Divacat! Lawrence "Limpy" Bassett-Smythe QC.

Sorry but it's your fault, crappy thing to happen though . Did the lorry give you space to manoeuvre even if it had right of way?

I'd call your insurance to be honest. That chap might reconsider this evening.

Just report it to a local police station. Then they have a report, most probably won't do anything about it, however, should a pissed off guy come over to report that he was hit by a car and give your reg, you are covered.
TBH, I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure that you've done all you were supposed to do legally and you will 99% never hear anything back from them again.

I'm just kidding before anyone gets upset.

Sorry - your fault and I would report it incase he reports you for leaving the scene of an accident which is far more serious.

People don't just appear of of nowhere I'm afraid. He may have been further down the road and moving fast but he was there, and as a driver it's your responsibility to check and re check and at times predict that someone could be very stupid and run across your path.