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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 17/05/2019 22:38

Just reverse ONTO the drive in future. I live right in a very busy junction but always reverse onto my drive. It often means I have to pull over an wait a while for a big enough gap and then I indicate, pull out across the road and reverse onto my drive. Reverse parking IS easier as steering in reverse is actually more sensitive think about it... you reverse into a parallel park (kerbside) for accuracy.....

Veryangryvicuna · 17/05/2019 22:54

Ok, let me get this straight. You reversed off the drive into the wrong side of the road (due to bend to right), no collision occurs, you are no facing desired direction of travel, albeit in wrong lane? Cars from both directions have stopped? Then, as you go to drive forward into the correct lane for your direction of travel, the car in that lane which stopped, sets off again and a collision occurs?

Not at all convinced this one is your fault. Depends entirely on what you both have to say about what you saw, mirrors checked, where on the vehicles you came into contact. Don’t admit anything, call your insurer, give them the full facts. Let them decide. But if I had to litigate those accident circumstances in court, I wouldn’t be at all confident (on the information here) that you’d be found to be at fault.

Original poster
Fedup29 · 17/05/2019 23:25

Yes Veryangryvicuna, that is exactly it.

Car I hit had right of way, however had stopped. I assume as she could see, I was blocking traffic, by being on the wrong side of the road. ‘Wrong side’ of road traffic (the car I didn’t hit) has a long, straight, run up, to where I was sitting, indicating to pull out.

OP posts:
UnderTheSeaWithMe · 18/05/2019 00:10

I'm sorry your friend is unwell. Flowers

Either reverse onto the drive

OR
Park nearer to the left side of the drive and when you are reversing out, into a parallel parking position in line with the other parked cars on the road iyswim. Then manouvre as if pulling out from a parallel parking space across the road.

fedup21 · 18/05/2019 00:13

Whereabouts on her and your car did you/she hit?

Original poster
Fedup29 · 18/05/2019 00:13

I have since spoken to a friend, who informed me it’s not ‘right’ to just exchange mobile phone numbers?

I did take pictures of damage to her car and mine.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fedup29 · 18/05/2019 00:25

fed damage was to the very front side on my car and side of her car, sliding to the rear.

she was maybe two car lengths behind me when she stopped to let me go?

OP posts:
nwybhs · 18/05/2019 00:25

Contact your insurance company and let them deal with it. That's what you pay them for. Don't trust an absolute stranger not to put in a personal injury claim against you somewhere down the line. It could end up costing you thousands.

The reversing out of a drive? Red herring. You didn't contact traffic because of this. You hit the woman because you were joining the lane opposite. You could have been parked on that side, i but doesn't matter that you came out of a drive, what matters is you drove into someone.

BlueCornishPixie · 18/05/2019 00:41

Sorry your friend is ill OP Flowers I think it was your fault, but she did behave confusingly. This is why I don't like people letting me out

ittakestwo surely though you need to leave enough space so if the driver in front slams on their brakes you can stop too? Irrelebent if the driver in front is nervous you should be able to stop in time if the car in front slams on their brakes. Someone could slam on their brakes for any reason. And you should especially not assume a learner driver is in anyway confident or competent. That one is 100% your fault sorry.

JaynePoole · 18/05/2019 06:18

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.

I agree with PP that you need to stop parallel to one of the parked cars and reverse, turning 90 degrees, on to the drive, similar to reversing around a corner. Alternatively, could you just parallel park and "block" the drive entrance?

UnderTheSeaWithMe · 18/05/2019 09:18

Alternatively, could you just parallel park and "block" the drive entrance?
I was going to suggest this but if the friend is in poor health, there may be other visitors needing the space.

Original poster
Fedup29 · 18/05/2019 10:00

Thanks, it’s a double drive, shared with her neighbour. I can’t park across the entrance. This also makes reversing on, more difficulty, along with the bend. I think I am just going to try and find a space in the road to park in future.

Anyhow, I get the feeling I am not going to hear from this woman. What do I do if she doesn’t contact me?

OP posts:
Darkstar4855 · 18/05/2019 10:27

I can see why she thought you were parking if you’d reversed onto the wrong side of the road - that’s a very odd way to manoeuvre!

If you can’t see well enough to reverse onto the correct side then go the other way and turn round when you can!

badlydrawnperson · 18/05/2019 10:29

What do I do if she doesn’t contact me?
Just give your insurance company all the details. Don't admit fault to anyone - let them sort it out. If she calls you, give her the contact details for your insurer and let them sort it all out.

badlydrawnperson · 18/05/2019 10:30

Be sure to make it clear if you don't wish to claim for your own damage.

No idea what your friend is on about but exchange of mobile numbers is pretty standard I think.

nwybhs · 18/05/2019 10:40

No idea what your friend is on about but exchange of mobile numbers is pretty standard I think

The friend said it is not right to JUST exchange mobile numbers. As in, you have to notify your insurer.

Original poster
Fedup29 · 18/05/2019 11:15

My friend said you usually exchange name, address, reg plate and numbers.

OP posts:
nwybhs · 18/05/2019 11:22

Ok, my mistake. I took your post about 'just phone numbers' to mean she was saying you don't just do that, you call your insurers.

Of course you take the details of the car and person. Then you call your insurance company. Have you done this yet OP?

nwybhs · 18/05/2019 11:23

Anyhow, I get the feeling I am not going to hear from this woman. What do I do if she doesn’t contact me?

Nothing. She doesn't have to contact you. Let your insurance company deal with it.

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