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AIBU?

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Original poster

Was accident my fault (diagram!)

94 replies

Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 15:56

Reversing off a friends drive, into oncoming traffic. No cars were in sight, as I started to reverse off.

Once off, I stopped and indicated to pull across. Approaching oncoming car could see I had reversed off and had stopped to let me go. Looked behind, approaching car coming on opposite side, had also stopped.

Pulled across and previously stopped car, had started to go again. I hit the side of the car.

No one was hurt. Minor damage. I asked driver why she had stopped, then changed her mind. She said she stopped, then changed her mind because she thought I was parking. Insisting it was my fault for pulling out on her.

I hit her car, does this make the accident 100% my fault?

Was accident my fault (diagram!)
OP posts:
badlydrawnperson · 17/05/2019 15:58

Your fault but unlucky.

LIZS · 17/05/2019 15:58

She had right of way , so you pulled into her. Whether you thought she was giving way or not.

badlydrawnperson · 17/05/2019 15:59

Unless you can get the driver of the other car to act as a witness and say it wasn't your fault.

Chancewouldbeafinethlng · 17/05/2019 15:59

I would say it’s her fault as she let you think she was letting you out.
Not sure technically how it works though!

Mummyoflittledragon · 17/05/2019 16:03

It was your fault unfortunately regardless of her dithering.

SleepWarrior · 17/05/2019 16:04

Her stoppy starty behaviour obviously contributed to the accident in the sense that she rather annoyingly gave you the impression that you were free to go.

However, blame in a liability sense doesn't work like that. You were pulling into a road and should only move when it is clear to go as the road traffic has priority.

Talk to you insurance and let them work it out (unless it's so minor you wouldn't bother - in that case I'd suggest splitting coats to her and if she refuses then unfortunately just suck it up).

keepingbees · 17/05/2019 16:08

It was an unlucky accident all round. I wouldn't say it was your 'fault' as it sounds like you were cautious enough and it was silly of her to move off....but in the eyes of the law and insurance it will be your fault as it was you that hit her.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 17/05/2019 16:10

Why did you reserve out on to the wrong side of the road? that seems such an odd thing to do.

TheQueef · 17/05/2019 16:11

Is that a main road you reversed on to?

Snakelight · 17/05/2019 16:12

Certainly your fault for Insurance purposes. Somewhat unlucky that her dithering lulled you into thinking it was okay to proceed, but if you went into the side of her you weren't paying sufficient attention to your surroundings.

BarrenFieldofFucks · 17/05/2019 16:14

Your fault entirely. Never reverse out! Especially through parked cars into oncoming traffic, incredibly dangerous. And never go on flashing of lights, pausing of other drivers etc.

Original poster
Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 16:14

There wasn’t much damage to her car at all. Marks on the paint work, which came off with a wet finger. A bit of my colour paint work on hers, which might polish off? A cracked plastic wheel hub (which may or may not have already been cracked)

She kept saying we can sort this out privately. Which I am happy to do, rather than losing my no claims. Unless she is thinking of asking me to pay thousands of course!

OP posts:
JaynePoole · 17/05/2019 16:15

You can’t reverse on to a “more major” road.

maddening · 17/05/2019 16:15

Always reverse in to a drive unless it has a turning point on the drive.

Birdsfoottrefoil · 17/05/2019 16:18

Alway good to take a photo

bluedoor4 · 17/05/2019 16:19

Yes your fault as far as the law/insurers are concerned.

I had something very similar a couple of weeks ago where I was waiting to pull out and a lady waved to indicate I could go. As I pulled out- very promptly I might add- she drove forward and we collided Shock I didn't get to the bottom of why although she was a nervous driver in a new car. But it doesn't really matter tbh, my fault and I/my insurers are liable.

leghairdontcare · 17/05/2019 16:19

Reversing off a friends drive, into oncoming traffic.

I'm sorry, you were doing what?

Foxmuffin · 17/05/2019 16:20

Strictly speaking your fault.

ichifanny · 17/05/2019 16:22

Yours you should have checked again before moving again even if it had been clear when you started manouvere

MyDcAreMarvel · 17/05/2019 16:22

Why did you reverse onto the opposite side of the road? You can’t do that , you should have stayed on the side of the road your drive is on and turned round when you got the chance.

concernedforthefuture · 17/05/2019 16:25

Unfortunately it's your fault. Accidents happen though.

Point 201 in The Highway Code says that you should always reverse in and drive out where possible.

www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/using-the-road-reversing.html

user1483387154 · 17/05/2019 16:25

Your fault. You should not be reversing onto a main road either

Original poster
Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 16:25

thequeef no not a main road. A pretty quiet street.

Georgie I reversed into oncoming traffic side, as road is straight and you can see cars coming a long way off.

Reversing onto other side, there is a bend in the road and you can’t see what is coming very well.

OP posts:
CatG85 · 17/05/2019 16:26

Sadly it will be considered your fault as you hit the car, not them you, who had right of way. It's not illegal to reverse off drives but a policeman once told me it's discouraged and any cars already on the road have right of way so insurance would definitely see this as your fault regardless of her dithering.

Hopefully you can settle privately cheaply. Good luck.

MoreSlidingDoors · 17/05/2019 16:31

Highway Code specifically says you shouldn’t drive forwards into drive ways. Your fault.

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