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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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?

OP posts:

Original poster

Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 16:32

Ok, I will take it on the chin, my fault and pay up.

OP posts:

user1495832265 · 17/05/2019 16:39

People on this thread are misquoting or misunderstanding the Highway Code....

UnderTheSeaWithMe · 17/05/2019 16:41

It was your fault. You shouldn't reverse onto a road especially if you are entering onto the wrong side of the road against oncoming traffic (even) to complete the manouvre. When reversing, you need to give right of way to oncoming traffic. You should proceed with care when pulling across the road into the lane of oncoming traffic. She might have got confused because you put your flashers on. If you're parking at this spot again, reverse in and drive out.
She kept saying we can sort this out privately.
Beware of crash for cash scams.

redspider1 · 17/05/2019 16:46

I was always told that 'letting people go" is not part of the highway code. You have to wait until it is clear to move off.

redspider1 · 17/05/2019 16:47

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

Does it? I drive onto mine every day, so do most people in my road.

RaptorWhiskers · 17/05/2019 16:50

You hit her car on her side of the road when she had right of way. Therefore it’s your fault. You should only have proceeded when it was safe to do so. Clearly it wasn’t safe to do so as you hit her. Never assume another driver has seen you or take any notice of them flashing or pausing - if they have right of way you should give way.

Unusualllly · 17/05/2019 16:51

Reverse into drive ways, parking spaces etc. I never understand why folk drive into quiet driveways then do their reverse into traffic? Anyone suggest why this happens?

Propertywoes · 17/05/2019 16:55

It may well be found your fault in the end because you moved off however she indicated to you that you could go and then she changed her mind. technically she was overtaking a vehicle so she should have been sure of what that vehicle was going to do before she overtook it. I have seen judgements in these kinds of cases before where it's found that if she is going to change her mind she should alert you in some way ie sound her horn. she could be found partly responsible but it would help if the other driver that stopped for you had given her details as a witness. If she denies having stopped to allow you to go then it will be one person's word against another and I doubt your insurance company would want to fight it unless she puts in expensive claims for injury and damage.

JoeMaplin · 17/05/2019 16:57

Your fault. You should always reverse onto a drove and never off plus you reversed into her.

MoreSlidingDoors · 17/05/2019 16:58

Does it? I drive onto mine every day, so do most people in my road.

It does.

redspider1 · 17/05/2019 16:58

Unusually I always drive into my driveway. I live on a quiet road though. I do this because it doesn't occur to me to reverse in and probably because I am better at driving forwards lol

redspider1 · 17/05/2019 17:00

I don't live on a main road. I'll have to try to remember to reverse in.

MoreSlidingDoors · 17/05/2019 17:01

Majority do it where I live too. I refer to them as “lazy twats”

RaptorWhiskers · 17/05/2019 17:03

I never understand why folk drive into quiet driveways then do their reverse into traffic? Anyone suggest why this happens?

Drive is small. Road is big. It’s easier to reverse into a big space than a small one.

redspider1 · 17/05/2019 17:05

What a sweetie you are More!

user1494055864 · 17/05/2019 17:10

I drive forward onto my drive because usually I've got some wanker up my arse, and it's easier to indicate left and pull straight in, than to indicate left, stop along the kerb, try and reverse, while said wanker tries to overtake me on our narrow road, and risk scraping the side of my car, or is still too close to me, leaving me unable to reverse.

optimisticpessimist01 · 17/05/2019 17:18

Its your fault. Even if she gave you right of way, if it went to insurance it'll be deemed your fault as you was the one reversing into oncoming traffic

Hard luck OP, can happen to anyone

ittakes2 · 17/05/2019 17:21

Yes sorry your fault. You reversed into her lane - her intentions or what you think are her intentions are unfortunately irrelevant. I ran into the back of a L plater coming off the dual carriage way - I figured since they were on a dual traffic way they were a confident L plater. They accelerated off at the stop sign - I could see there was no traffic coming so I also started - they then slammed on their brakes for no reason. The instructor admitted the L plater was a nervous driver...so just why she thought it a great idea to have him go on a dual carriage way I have not idea! But it was considered my fault and I had to pay up.

badlydrawnperson · 17/05/2019 17:34

@ittakes2 Yours is a classic - often at roundabouts. I was taught to watch the car ahead as soon as it sets off as plenty of people slam on after setting off because they panic something is coming after all or for another reason. It's a very common type of accident, but you really should expect the unexpected from anyone - more so from a learner.

Original poster

Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 17:36

ittakes2 I didn’t reverse into her lane. I drove forward into her lane, after she had stopped, to let me go.

Anyhow, I’ve accepted it was my fault. I will be more careful in future.

How do we go about settling it privately, please anyone?

If we agree how much, do I need something in writing to say we have settled privately? Otherwise there is nothing stopping her from taking my money, then claiming on insurance?

OP posts:

PeevedNiamh · 17/05/2019 17:36

It's my understanding that you are technically at fault regardless as she had right of way. I've been in a similar situation and it is hard but it's the way it is. Best to just accept it and leave it to insurance to deal with.

PeevedNiamh · 17/05/2019 17:37

Just saw you're thinking of settling it privately. Honestly I wouldn't because there is nothing to stop her doing exactly what you said.

NicoAndTheNiners · 17/05/2019 17:40

She should get a quote, ask to see a written copy. If you think it's too much you can ask for a couple more quotes. She may then decide she doesn't have time to waste doing quotes and go through insurance.

Someone who hit me wanted to pay me cash, didn't like my quote and told me to get more. I rsng up the insurance then and let them sort it.

badlydrawnperson · 17/05/2019 17:41

Most insurers won't agree to you settling privately. There's a bit of legality called subrogation rights which effectively means in return for insuring you, you give them the right to deal with any legal action on your behalf.

I know realistically some people do come to an agreement.

A lot of insurers expect you to tell them about any crash you're involved in, even if you aren't claiming, too.

You compliance or otherwise with insurers rules depends on your attitude to risk :)

NauseousMum · 17/05/2019 17:41

Settle through insurance. She gave way to you then went. It could just be poor driving but wanting to go private rings scam bells for me. What's to stop her insurancing after?

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