Page 15 | Crash! Boom! Bang! - Car accident, who's at fault?

NothingOnButTheRadio · 2020-10-26T16:36:57+00:00

Had a car accident earlier. Wondering what your thoughts are. Car A had slowed down to turn into the first road on the right and was indicating. Car B was turning left . Not unusual to have a steady stream of traffic (lights further up the road. Car A began turning. Car B ploughed into the side of Car A. Both drivers accusing the other. Both vehicles I'd think are write-offs. Obligatory drawing - yes, I'm shit at drawing! Car A

purplebunny2012 · 27/10/2020 18:29

Also, I can well believe the van was going that fast. I've seen them fly out of side roads like a bat out of hell, they don't give way to cars coming down the road

cherish123 · 27/10/2020 18:33

A has right of way by law. B is turning into a main road so should give way to other users.

willieversleep · 27/10/2020 18:39

Yes giving way to oncoming traffic - but Car A should be stopped prior to making their manoeuvre (which they weren't). Car B would not give way to a vehicle on the main road that is not oncoming traffic on the stretch of road they are joining.
For the injuries sustained it would appear the op made their manoeuvre after he had become established on the main road as it would be unlikely that he could cause this damage by driving into the passenger side of the car having joined a main road 3m prior.

Ddot · 27/10/2020 18:40

Right of way turning left because your staying in lane turning right you are crossing lanes.

SewingBeeAddict · 27/10/2020 18:40

I just dont get how A has priority when crossing a road?
If that was the case then all the cars on the main road would stop to let the crossers pass across.
Which doesnt happen

A should wait until the main road is clear.
Saying that B wasnt indicating so A crossed it anyway is a bit daft.
50/50 chance B is turning left...

FatCatThinCat · 27/10/2020 18:42

I wish to withdraw my earlier assertion that B was totally at fault. I now realise that my initial reading of what the OP wrote bears no resemblance to what she actually wrote.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 27/10/2020 18:44

I thought of this thread earlier today. I was waiting to turn into a side road as someone turned left out of a side road just ahead. I waited. I would expect it would be my fault if I had turned in their path.

Elsie1966 · 27/10/2020 18:48

Car A had priority so car B at fault.

goldenharvest · 27/10/2020 18:48

I think its going to be both drivers at fault. B would have been fully on the carriageway and not pulling out of the side road so it would have had right of way over an oncoming car. (car A).

However Car A could not have seen car B pull out before it made the turn so couldn't have anticipated the car pulling out and hitting it in the side.

Either very old cars or ridiculous speeds to cause this much damage at what must have been, very slow speeds

I bet all the locals know this tricky junction and avoid.

NoWordForFluffy · 27/10/2020 18:53

@Elsie1966

Car A had priority so car B at fault.

In what world does a car turning right across a lane have priority?

I'm still not convinced the Transit came round the corner, given the damage.

I'm pretty sure you could screenshot Streetview with the road name chopped off so we could see the actual junction. But I don't think OP will be back as she didn't get the answers she was expecting!

Sendintheclown · 27/10/2020 18:55

Car A in the right and had right of way

sallyfox · 27/10/2020 18:55

Car B

Thewordgame · 27/10/2020 18:55

Car B is at fault

goldenharvest · 27/10/2020 18:59

@ClarenceBoddicker

No you don't only look and give way to the right when you emerge from a side road and want to go left! For crying out loud, you look both ways. Someone could be overtaking and be on the carriage way you want to join. They would be on your left. There could also be parked cars, or OP making a right turn into a side road. Give me strength

EngiNerd · 27/10/2020 19:01

I'm going to go with the unpopular opinion here and say Car A was at fault although it is very difficult to say because I believe it depends on who entered/crossed the lane first. This intersection is EXACTLY like the one going into my neighborhood. I am often Car A in this scenario and always have my eyes on the second side street because if there is a gap in traffic and Car B enters the road I know I will not have enough time to cross the lane so I wait to make my turn. It's a horribly designed intersection but it is what it is. I wish there was more space between the two side streets but unfortunately that's just how it is.

winniestone37 · 27/10/2020 19:06

Yeah car b

cleothepuss · 27/10/2020 19:07

Car B is at fault they have to give way to anything on the major road

Roseshavethorns · 27/10/2020 19:11

I can't picture two roads on the same side feeding in to a main road only 3 m apart. I think the op must have underestimated the distance. Car A was stationary waiting to turn right further down the road so B did not have to give way. They only had to ensure the lane they were turning left in to was clear. To hit car A side on, car B must already have been on the main road. From the description car A turned in front of car B and so was at fault.

Hillary4 · 27/10/2020 19:22

Further and better particulars required

Your sketch seems to show two minor roads joining the major one, where Car A was travelling. Was Car A entering into the same road as Car B, or the one before?
What were the speed limits in both roads?

IF There distance between these was sufficient, Car B would safely emerge into the major road and take priority over Car A prior to it turning right in front of them.
Car B may have left sufficient room for Car A travelling at the correct speed, another potential contributing factor

IF that is a mis-reading from the sketch, it appears that both cars could and should have exercised more due care and attention with regard to each other, as again it appears both were trying to beat the other into a dominant position to establish in their mind a "right of way".

Moral of the story -
Pay full attention and always be prepared to stop on the distance you have available (you dictate that distance)

Drive to survive

If all else fails, HAVE A DASHCAM FITTED, drive sensibly and you'll have all the proof you need

PS From what l see most days, he car at fault would be the one with a child seat in, discuss!!!!!

Former DOTADI driving instructor and Fire and Rescue Officer - so seen it too many times before.

vanillandhoney · 27/10/2020 19:23

@Roseshavethorns

I can't picture two roads on the same side feeding in to a main road only 3 m apart. I think the op must have underestimated the distance. Car A was stationary waiting to turn right further down the road so B did not have to give way. They only had to ensure the lane they were turning left in to was clear. To hit car A side on, car B must already have been on the main road. From the description car A turned in front of car B and so was at fault.

There are definitely plenty of streets like that around here. Generally one side road will be an actual road, then the other is a back street of some sort which is only used by residents of the street.

I can think of 4 or 5 off the top of my head. And yes, they're a right royal pain when it's busy!

Doje · 27/10/2020 19:23

I have a similar set up coming onto my street. It's even less than 3m, they're basically join the main road at the bottom of a 'V' shape.

When I'm Car A, I presume that car B has priority. However it does make it more difficult if Car B isn't indicating, I have to hesitate and / or guess which way they're going based on their position.

However, if I was Car B I would have Car A on my radar, and certainly wouldn't be pulling out with such speed that it would do the amount of damage that has been done to you, and there was certainly no need to be rude and aggressive.

Hope you're on the mend soon OP.

steff13 · 27/10/2020 19:31

I think the crux of the issue is whether Car B had already begun to turn when Car A began to turn. Which several people have pointed out, but the OP has failed to clarify.

I am confused about the "trickling forward" idea. I'm in the US, and here Car A would stop and wait for the road to be clear before making that turn. What happens if one "trickles forward" and doesn't get the all clear before they reach the point that they either have to turn or miss the turn? Do you stop, or do you just start the turn and hope for the best?

NoWordForFluffy · 27/10/2020 19:34

I am confused about the "trickling forward" idea. I'm in the US, and here Car A would stop and wait for the road to be clear before making that turn. What happens if one "trickles forward" and doesn't get the all clear before they reach the point that they either have to turn or miss the turn? Do you stop, or do you just start the turn and hope for the best?

You're not the only one confused by the trickling! I have no idea what it entails. The OP should've stopped and then turned when safe. Prioritising saving pennies worth of fuel by 'trickling' above personal safety is slightly bonkers!

vanillandhoney · 27/10/2020 19:47

I am confused about the "trickling forward" idea. I'm in the US, and here Car A would stop and wait for the road to be clear before making that turn. What happens if one "trickles forward" and doesn't get the all clear before they reach the point that they either have to turn or miss the turn? Do you stop, or do you just start the turn and hope for the best?

You should do the same thing here! Indicate, slow, and, if necessary, stop until it's safe to turn off. Sometimes the carriageway may be totally clear when you indicate so you can just slow down and turn off.

TabbyStar · 27/10/2020 19:59

Does trickling forward mean staying on your side of the road but just having slowed down a lot (I think I do this sometimes at some right turning lights near me), or trying to edge into the other side of the road?