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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:

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 17/05/2019 17:44

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

You risk invalidating your insurance if you do this.

Original poster

Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 17:45

peeved she was keen not to go through insurance. She repeatedly told me, we can sort this out and that damage was minor, even licking her finger and rubbing her car to get scuff marks to come off!

OP posts:

MoreSlidingDoors · 17/05/2019 17:47

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

They do tend to like to know if you’re likely to do stupid things like ignore the Highway Code.

badlydrawnperson · 17/05/2019 17:48

Sounds as if she wasn't insured perhaps - or maybe doesn't have a licence - or both?

badlydrawnperson · 17/05/2019 17:49

They do tend to like to know if you’re likely to do stupid things like ignore the Highway Code.
Pointless and uncalled for - also total bollocks.

NauseousMum · 17/05/2019 17:54

Being keen to not go through insurance could mean she's worried about her premiums or she's uninsured, or she plans to scam you. Up to you if you take the risk.

KnitterOfSocks · 17/05/2019 18:01

I always reverse into my drive as we live on a main road and the driveway is really too narrow to drive into. It's a narrow road, and cars park right up to my drive on both sides so I need the full width of the road to pull alongside a parked car and then reverse around it into my drive, which obviously swings my nose into the opposite lane. The amount of abuse I've had from other drivers when I'm doing this is phenomenal. Beeping horns, driving right up to me so I don't have enough space to complete the manoeuvre, shouting at me, flashing lights. I cannot think of another way to get onto the drive, but reversing out would be way worse!

I think I would tell my insurer on this one and take the hit. She may be trying to get cash if she's not actually insured...

Original poster

Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 18:06

More the Highway Code you provide stated try not to reverse in a busy road, not you must not. It is not a busy road, it’s a quiet street.

Reverse in and out if you can again not you must

I’ve accepted it was my fault several times now.

OP posts:

BarrenFieldofFucks · 17/05/2019 18:10

Regardless if whether it is a busy street, is is deemed a more 'main road' than the one you were reversing out of,if you see what I mean.

Original poster

Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 18:30

Neighbours cars on driveways are never reversed parked when I visit. I think as there is a bend in the road and you would have to swing into that lane to reverse park.

Other driver said she will call me this evening. I will ask for her insurance details.

OP posts:

fedup21 · 17/05/2019 18:37

It can be virtually impossible to reverse into a driveway on a very busy day at certain times of day with people driving right up your backside!

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 17/05/2019 18:50

You should have reversed straight across on to the correct side of the road.

soulrider · 17/05/2019 19:01

We live on a b road that is reasonably busy at certain times. If i was to stop and try and reverse onto my driveway during these times, nine times out of ten the car following me would stop far too close to allow any sort of manoeuvre, 50% of the time they'd probably start beeping. If i was coming from the other direction I'd have to pull so i was facing oncoming traffic. If i reverse out of the driveway, I can wait for an appropriate gap in the traffic.

safariboot · 17/05/2019 19:02

Yeah, I think insurers would be likely to deem this your fault. Traffic on the road has priority. I'm not sure if at the time of the collision you were still reversing, or were driving and going towards the left hand side of the road, but in either case the car already in their lane has priority.

I know a lot of people do "settle it privately", but be wary. As mentioned, the other party could try and double dip. It's also almost surely in both your insurance terms that you have to notify the insurers anyway, meaning they may increase premiums, even if neither party claims any money. Again a lot of people will keep minor incidents hush-hush, but if there's damage to someone else's vehicle then it could easily come back to bite you.

Illberidingshotgun · 17/05/2019 19:02

Yes, it's technically your fault, but the fact that she wants to deal with privately is somewhat suspicious, particularly as the accident won't be seen as her fault. I would ask for details of her insurance company, and say that you are still considering how to proceed. Insist that if it is done privately that she obtain quotes, and then you will pay it directly to whoever does the work.

Omzlas · 17/05/2019 19:28

It doesn't matter what witnesses say, or even who accepts liability at the scene. The insurance company will decide who is at fault. Looks like you though. You were entering a main road that the other driver was already on

Original poster

Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 19:55

georgie I couldn’t reverse out onto the correct side of the road, there is a bend.

OP posts:

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 17/05/2019 19:58

Maybe another reason it’s your fault then, you reversed on a bend??! Fucking hell, some people really don’t deserve a driving license. No wonder you had a crash!

Original poster

Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 20:06

No Georgie, that’s the point, I didn’t reverse around a bend! That’s why I reversed into oncoming lane! Vision to my left, straight road, good vision. Vision to my right a bend!

OP posts:

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 17/05/2019 20:09

But you still needed to join the oncoming traffic from around the bend.

Look you obviously think you made the right decision, I disagree. But you had the crash...

Marmablade · 17/05/2019 20:37

OP if you both want to settle it privately do not call your insurer.

Ask her for at least 2 quotes for repair and settle the bill directly with the garage. That means there's a paper trail of you already paying for the repair.

Original poster

Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 21:02

georgie yes, however bend traffic, can see me, if I’m the opposite side of road and I can see bend oncoming traffic from opposite side of the road.

The accident happened because car gave the impression they had stopped to let me go and I assumed they had. I shouldn’t have assumed.

OP posts:

Original poster

Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 21:07

Thank you Marmablade. This is my first accident, very helpful advice.

She hasn’t called me yet or messaged, looking doubtful she will tonight.

OP posts:

Gth1234 · 17/05/2019 21:42

reversing into a main road, bound to be your problem. If you are unsighted, have a banksman - ie, a guide.

Original poster

Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 22:23

I accept that and will admit liability. My friend cannot guide me on/off. She is terminally ill and bed ridden.

I would really appreciate any advice? (constructive rather I’m an idiot please!) of how I can get on and off, more safely and not cause another accident. It’s a really tricky street and I need to visit often.

Another of my crap diagrams attached, I’ve tried to show the bend!

OP posts:

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