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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

321 replies

LimeLeaf · 25/04/2016 16:52

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
LimeLeaf · 25/04/2016 17:22

Yes, the lorry gave me enough room to move out into the road plus space for the other car to turn right. I was looking forward at the car turning right and just took my foot off the brake to begin rolling out onto the flat surface of the main road before setting the gas. He must have thought he could get across before I set off but I think I'd already started to release my foot from the brake when he started crossing. It would have been about two to three strides between the pavement and the front of my car as its so narrow and he was walking very quickly.

OP posts:
GiddyOnZackHunt · 25/04/2016 17:24

As pp have said you should've looked both ways before starting to move so technically you were wrong. However the man was a fool to cross there and was lucky you only bumped him.
I think I'd need to fess up to the police just in case it comes back.

Original poster
LimeLeaf · 25/04/2016 17:25

I use that junction several times a day, especially at rush hour when there are kids about. Nothing like this has ever happened. There is a very tall wall on one side so I always edge out. I've had o emergency stop at that junction a few times, just nobody has ever crossed that close to my car.

OP posts:
DustyBustle · 25/04/2016 17:26

You were at fault for not doing that final look in the direction you were going. However he also misread the road to attempt crossing when all that was going on. But I don't know how much pedestrians can be held accountable for that?
I would write it all down now while it's fresh in your mind, road positions of you, him and the other vehicles turning etc, do a sketch then put it away and put it down to experience.

Atenco · 25/04/2016 17:26

"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"

Interesting, I am 62 years of age and had never heard that. I would assume that if a car was stopped on a side road and I was on the main road, I would have right of way.

KitKat1985 · 25/04/2016 17:27

Yes technically I'm afraid it was your fault. You should have checked all around you before you pulled out. However, I'm sure we've all made errors of judgement like this when driving and it sounds like he was unhurt. I also agree it was a silly place for him to cross.

Hippee · 25/04/2016 17:27

Saw something like this happen at the weekend - lady coming out of her drive and a bunch of teenagers riding their bikes down the pavement from the opposite direction. Who would be more to blame - lady for not looking, or boys for riding on the pavement?

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 25/04/2016 17:28

The main thing is. No one was hurt, but yes. I think it the eyes of the law. You would be deemed to be at fault for not looking where you were going. What were you thinking of. With the greatest respect. You can't take your eye off the ball when you're driving. A car is like a lethal weapon if not used properly. However he's not completely blamless, as yorkie says
What kind of Muppet would try to cross a junction, but you have to be aware of these Muppets.

smokeybandit · 25/04/2016 17:29

Wow. So basically the car version of someone stopping to let a pedestrian go and the pedestrian doesn't look to see the other side is clear and just walks out. If it were possible I would like to think I would jump straight out and apologise, whether the pedestrian was shouting or not.

Arfarfanarf · 25/04/2016 17:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DrE678 · 25/04/2016 17:30

Yes you were at fault but you're probably worked that out now. You really shouldn't have driven off though. You left the scene of an accident without giving the victim your details. Whether another car is involved is inconsequential.

Princesspeach1980 · 25/04/2016 17:31

Definitely report to police, just in case he decides to report and there turns out to be some cctv somewhere that got your reg. Strictly speaking, any accident where you can't/don't exchange details has to be reported in person at a police station within 24 hours. You have to take your license, insurance and mot. They will just fill in an accident report and nothing will happen unless he makes a report.

If he reports and you haven't, it looks much worse.

whomovedmychocolate · 25/04/2016 17:34

This happened to me WITH A CHILD! I was driving along and a kid just suddenly darted in front of me. I stopped and his mum grabbed him, picked him up and then walloped him (WTF) I was in bits for ages. I went to the police station and reported it but they didn't complain to the police.

HOWEVER the policeman I spoke to said if I DIDN'T report it and they did I would be charged because the driver is responsible for reporting accidents where pedestrians are hit even if there is no obvious injury in case it comes back as a later report of harm.

(and because they like to check you aren't drunk or anything promptly!)

OP you MUST report it. Within 24 hours of the incident.

OurBlanche · 25/04/2016 17:34

If it were me I'd ring 101 and ask their advice.

  1. You will be the one deemed to be at fault
  2. You should have Googleplex checked the road was clear
  3. Pedestrians really should pass behind cars... repeat that to any kids you know

But it will be down to you having moved off, into him.

Don't worry too much. Such stuff happens and, chances are he is feeling as shaken and guilty as you are!

purplevase · 25/04/2016 17:35

Drivers do have a tendency to ignore pedestrians or assume they don't have right of way when they do. I always walk behind a car when it's trying to get out of an opening. However, he didn't, and he didn't have to. It's an easy mistake for you to make and fortunately no harm done. I get in similar situations at a roundabout near me, I am obviously looking right to see if it's clear to go and I get cyclists under- and overtaking me at the same time. I always wonder why they think I can see in both rear view mirrors and watch the traffic on the roundabout at the same time! This is very similar.

I echo the advice to tell the police (maybe not insurance at this point because it will affect your premium) and have a large cup of sweet hot tea. Nobody is a perfect driver, but near misses and very low speed accidents are a better way of learning to be better than the alternative.

Spandexpants007 · 25/04/2016 17:35

Your fault. You should have looked both ways.

The Highway Code states that motorists should give priority to pedestrians crossing the mouth of a junction.

What's more you are a hit and run driver. You should have pulled over ASAP

Original poster
LimeLeaf · 25/04/2016 17:35

I was looking where I was going, I was rolling forward towards the junction, going maybe 2 or 3mph and looking forward whilst I did that. I was very shocked and I waited for him to say something but he just glanced back angrily, shouted something and then carried on. At the time I wasn't sure who was at fault because I'd already made the decision to set off seconds before he appeared which is why I think I was already moving when he started to cross. He must also have started to move whilst the other car was turning right into his path. I'd already passed the pavement on my left, I was very close to being in the main road when it happened.

OP posts:
feathermucker · 25/04/2016 17:36

A shock, I'm sure, but definitely your fault. Hopefully a lesson learned.

feathermucker · 25/04/2016 17:36

A shock, I'm sure, but definitely your fault. Hopefully a lesson learned.

Spandexpants007 · 25/04/2016 17:37

But how do you know he's not hurt?! You're just assuming that because he wobbled away, he's ok. But you didn't talk to him to establish injuries either way.

Oysterbabe · 25/04/2016 17:37

Who would be more to blame - lady for not looking, or boys for riding on the pavement?

The lady for not looking. Just because someone is doing something illegal it doesn't mean you can run them over.

Mandzi34 · 25/04/2016 17:39

I agree with the other posters, you should report it. My DH brushed a lady's elbow as he was passing in his car (she was getting out of her car). He checked to see if she was fine and she assured him she was but he still went to the police station to file a report and contacted his insurance company. He was told that she could still make a claim up to two years later!

Oysterbabe · 25/04/2016 17:39

Limeleaf 100% of responders think you were at fault to some extent. It's time to hold your hands up.

That1950sMum · 25/04/2016 17:39

Of course it was your fault. Luckily no real damage done by the sound of it.

blankmind · 25/04/2016 17:40

Please stop posting on here and report it to the Police and your insurance. You need to, before the pedestrian does.