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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Had a car accident on the way to school

199 replies

Zaina89 · Today 10:08

Was on the way to take my kids to school this morning, exited a roundabout 2nd exit with my left indicator on. I assumed my indicator had turned of because I had turned and I have played back the dash cam footage and can’t hear any indicator. Neither when I was driving could I hear the indicator hadn’t switched off.
was driving 40 on a 40 road. This was 1/2 minutes approx after putting my indicator and exiting round about.
next thing I know driving down this 40mph road a car on a give way on my left with his indicator on turns out in front of me, immediately as I see him turning I slam my brakes on and beep my horn. Because of my high speed you can hear on the dash cam footage the noise my brakes are making because I slammed down. He didn’t even attempt to move back and he hit into the left side of my car. The man wasn’t even getting out of his car he just reversed back. I got out of my car shouting “ what have you done?” “ why did you just do that?”
only then he got out of his car and even then didn’t check his car or mine and just stayed at his drivers door. When I kept asking him “ why did you do that?” He just remained calm, smiled weirdly and said “ you had your indicator on to turn left, I’ve got it all on camera”
my indicator wasn’t on when I immediately got out to check my car, he didn’t even bother to check for any damage on his car and didn’t bother to see mine.
I asked him for his phone number and details and that I would be going to drop my kids off at school because we are now late and they are in shock and upset and he refused and said “ it’s a company car, just take a picture of my reg” and got back in his car. He didn’t even move away from his drivers door, didn’t check the damage, didn’t make any pictures or videos of our cars or the damage. Refused to give me his name and phone number and just said take a picture of my reg and got back in his car and drove away like nothing happened.

im just in complete shock, my son was sat in the passengers side and im just getting a panic attack thinking if I wouldn’t have slammed the brakes as soon as I saw him doing what he did it would have been a bad accident. No one is hurt, my car isn’t badly damaged mostly just bad scratches.
I genuinely did not know my indicator was on ( if it even was!) I can hear when my indicator is on and I couldn’t hear anything even looking back at the dash cam footage you can’t hear the indicator just me and my children casually talking and then you can hear me beeping and slamming down on the brakes and then the collision. If my indicator was on, I’m not sure why it hadn’t turned off or made noise because I exited the roundabout a minute or 2 before the collision.

surely by my speed going 40mph and not slowing down or intending to turn he should have known I was not turning and shouldn’t have pulled out! Trying to remain calm but it’s just so strange he refused to give me his name and number and also very strange he didn’t seem concerned to atleast check his own car and any damage, didn’t even take any pictures or videos!

OP posts:
babyproblems · Today 11:59

I’d probably go to the police station and ask what to do.
Glad you’re ok! D

Mumoftwoadults · Today 12:00

Whattodo1610 · Today 11:53

Rubbish. Your dh was absolutely not told to drive 50 in a 70 🙄
edit: oh not dh

Edited

Think you've misunderstood my comment. He was told to drive at or near the speed limit (no numbers were given!). Obviously that's subject to road, weather conditions etc.

Bromptotoo · Today 12:00

If you've got his reg number report him to the police.

In fact I think you're obliged to do that if details were not exchanged.

anothernewname6789998212 · Today 12:01

Sassylovesbooks · Today 11:21

I agree with others, you need to report the incident to the police, because he failed to provide you with his details. It's entirely possible he isn't insured, has no driving licence or MOT/Tax. Or the car could be stolen or cloned of course, which may be why he didn't seem bothered.

You can look up if anyone has MOT or tax online. However, even if he had neither of those things it wouldn’t invalidate insurance cover he may have.

I think it’s most likely he wasn’t bothered because 1) it’s a company car so not his issue to sort 2) he’s so sure he’s in the right that he has no concern of being found at fault

Someone with no licence or insurance would be far more likely to have just driven off, or tried to convince the OP to settle privately or just leave it altogether. He let her take pictures of his plate which is all that’s really needed to pursue a claim.

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:01

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · Today 11:54

Er...think you might have the wrong end of the stick here...

That’s how it reads to me 🤷‍♀️

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:02

Mumoftwoadults · Today 12:00

Think you've misunderstood my comment. He was told to drive at or near the speed limit (no numbers were given!). Obviously that's subject to road, weather conditions etc.

Thank you for the clarification. It doesn’t read straight forward that’s for sure.

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:04

Bromptotoo · Today 12:00

If you've got his reg number report him to the police.

In fact I think you're obliged to do that if details were not exchanged.

Unfortunately the police aren’t bothered unless there are injuries or severe vehicle damage. Absolutely bonkers 🤷‍♀️ I would still report it though, but nothing will be done or followed up by the police. 😞

Mumoftwoadults · Today 12:04

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:01

That’s how it reads to me 🤷‍♀️

No, I was agreeing with the poster who commented that driving at the speed limit should be the norm, subject to conditions. I think the confusion was that I was quoting and commenting on another quote!

anothernewname6789998212 · Today 12:05

Just call your insurance company, tell them the only detail he offered was a picture of the reg and they will tell you if you also need to make a police report or not.

They will be able to trace the insurer of the other vehicle by the reg. It’ll probably go in your favour as you had right of way, but if you’ve both got camera footage then they’ll look at both angles and decide.

Bromptotoo · Today 12:05

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:04

Unfortunately the police aren’t bothered unless there are injuries or severe vehicle damage. Absolutely bonkers 🤷‍♀️ I would still report it though, but nothing will be done or followed up by the police. 😞

It's reporting that needs to be done. Agree that unless the car is already flagged Police are unlikely to act.

PeanutsForever · Today 12:07

I also wonder if it's stolen. We had an amusing incident years ago where the fairly busy road outside our house flooded. It was crazy. We had a couple of teenagers grab a kayak and kayak on the road for entertainment value. One car got stuck and a few neighbours went out to see if they could help, only for the two young men in the car to open the doors and LEG it. Turned out they'd stolen the car for a joy ride.... only to get stuck int he flood.

We all felt desperately sorry for the owner who now had a car that was not only stolen, it was stuck in a flood with the doors open!

dangsilly · Today 12:08

ijustwanttoworkout · Today 10:33

You left your indicator on, 40mph is a limit not a target and you should’ve been paying better attention. A scary lesson to have learned.

Utter rubbish. I hope I don’t encounter you on any dual carriageways or A roads.

Thank god you have dashcam footage, OP. That will hopefully fully exonerate you. The indicator thing is irrelevant. He drove into the side of a car that was established on the main carriageway. Everything else is irrelevant.
Did you check his reg online to see if it’s taxed and MOT’d? I not be surprised if it’s not.
Even though the police may not do anything, you shoukd definitely report him for refusing to give his details.

BigJobber on Facebook/ Instagram is an ex claims handler who shows accident footage and explains liability. It’s a really fascinating watch. I’ve watched far too much (😂) and in every case like yours, the car driving out of the side road was found liable.

Oh and ignore the poster who had a go at you “shouting”. It’s a terrifying experience and your reaction was complete normal. FlowersBrew

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:11

Bromptotoo · Today 12:05

It's reporting that needs to be done. Agree that unless the car is already flagged Police are unlikely to act.

I agreed I would still report. But police will definitely do nothing. Which is frustrating. My dd was hit by another car, which literally drove into the back and side of her and carried on driving .. all caught on front and rear dashcam - but because she had no injuries and her car was only very scraped (not dented/warped etc) the police didn’t want to know or pursue it! My car was hit in a car park, caught on cctv, again, police didn’t follow it up due to it only causing minor damage.

So basically, the take away from this is drivers can drive like dicks, lightly damage cars and drive away, knowing nothing will happen to them! It’s lunacy!

dangsilly · Today 12:11

anothernewname6789998212 · Today 12:05

Just call your insurance company, tell them the only detail he offered was a picture of the reg and they will tell you if you also need to make a police report or not.

They will be able to trace the insurer of the other vehicle by the reg. It’ll probably go in your favour as you had right of way, but if you’ve both got camera footage then they’ll look at both angles and decide.

There is no way that the footage is going to point to the OP being to blame. He pulled out into her. It’s pretty much an open and shut case unless there are any huge details that the OP has not told us about.

anothernewname6789998212 · Today 12:12

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:04

Unfortunately the police aren’t bothered unless there are injuries or severe vehicle damage. Absolutely bonkers 🤷‍♀️ I would still report it though, but nothing will be done or followed up by the police. 😞

Maybe it varies dependent on police force but I know of someone who knocked a wing mirror off a parked car and drove off and they got 6 points and a fine.

Whether the other driver in OP’s situation would be subject to the same punishment though I’m not sure, as it wasn’t technically a hit and run and he allowed her to take the reg willingly so they would perhaps be less interested.

JulietteHasAGun · Today 12:12

ijustwanttoworkout · Today 10:33

You left your indicator on, 40mph is a limit not a target and you should’ve been paying better attention. A scary lesson to have learned.

Just interested - if you're on a 40mph limit road do you drop your speed as you approach every junction in case someone pulls out? If so what speed do you drop down to? 10mph? 20mph? OP sounds like she was paying attention, she braked as soon as he pulled out. She hasn't hit him, he's hit the left side of her car. She doesn't think the indicator was on but even if it was he's at fault as you shouldn't believe an indicator. It's quite clear in the highway code.

OP - it's his fault. Contact the insurance and also the police. He's committed an offence by not exchanging details. I think the police will be interested. I had similar once and the police went round their house the same day. I wasn't injured, just car damage.

JacquesHarlow · Today 12:15

Can people PLEASE stop giving out random and irrelevant advice that goes against the law.

The best thing for you to do, @Zaina89 is to go to the police.

IRRESPECTIVE of whether people on here think the police do anything or not.

NOTHING to do with whether his car is "taxed or MOT'd" (that has nothing to do with the accident and is just typical Mumsnet detectives at work).

You go to the police, because he failed to give his details at the scene of an accident and that in itself is an offence.

It's not up to the giant hivemind of Mumsnet to do probability calculations as to whether he will be prosecuted for it or not.

I don't tend to report offences based on whether they are likely to be convicted or not, as my name is not the CPS

Please report this to the police, and then report it to your insurers asap.

You're not going to get anything out of this guy the private or reasonable route, he's not going to pay for your repairs if he won't even provide his details.

POLICE please, then INSURANCE.

Any other recommendation on here is wrong.

anothernewname6789998212 · Today 12:15

dangsilly · Today 12:11

There is no way that the footage is going to point to the OP being to blame. He pulled out into her. It’s pretty much an open and shut case unless there are any huge details that the OP has not told us about.

I absolutely agree based off what OP has described. I’m just saying what the insurance company will do as it’s highly unlikely they will omit to look at dashcam footage to aid the decision making process when it is available.

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:16

anothernewname6789998212 · Today 12:12

Maybe it varies dependent on police force but I know of someone who knocked a wing mirror off a parked car and drove off and they got 6 points and a fine.

Whether the other driver in OP’s situation would be subject to the same punishment though I’m not sure, as it wasn’t technically a hit and run and he allowed her to take the reg willingly so they would perhaps be less interested.

Probably because they caused damage other than scuffs/scrapes. I’ve posted just upthread about my 2 recent personal experiences. It’s an absolute joke.

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:21

JacquesHarlow · Today 12:15

Can people PLEASE stop giving out random and irrelevant advice that goes against the law.

The best thing for you to do, @Zaina89 is to go to the police.

IRRESPECTIVE of whether people on here think the police do anything or not.

NOTHING to do with whether his car is "taxed or MOT'd" (that has nothing to do with the accident and is just typical Mumsnet detectives at work).

You go to the police, because he failed to give his details at the scene of an accident and that in itself is an offence.

It's not up to the giant hivemind of Mumsnet to do probability calculations as to whether he will be prosecuted for it or not.

I don't tend to report offences based on whether they are likely to be convicted or not, as my name is not the CPS

Please report this to the police, and then report it to your insurers asap.

You're not going to get anything out of this guy the private or reasonable route, he's not going to pay for your repairs if he won't even provide his details.

POLICE please, then INSURANCE.

Any other recommendation on here is wrong.

OP you best take note of this and do only this .. it seems the thread police are here. Anyone can say what they like here, please don’t try to police the advice others give, whether it is right or wrong, people can still voice their opinions.

JustFrustrated · Today 12:24

ijustwanttoworkout · Today 10:33

You left your indicator on, 40mph is a limit not a target and you should’ve been paying better attention. A scary lesson to have learned.

She clearly says she believes it wasn’t on
40 is the limit so she’s fine. Also even kf she was speeding, that doesn’t change liability (learnt that from Jobber)
aomwone pulling from one road into another is always at least 50% liable as it is THEIR responsibility to ensure it is safe to proceed.

shes learnt a lesson, but this, based on what she’s said here isn’t her fault so not sure why you’re trying to lay blame at her.

Zaina89 · Today 12:26

The car was a 2025 Range Rover. He said it was a company car but I have reported it to the police because he was so hesitant and refused to hand over his name and details,personally also if it was me especially if it was a company car and a brand new car at that I would have been even more panicked and in a rush to check the damage of my car and took pictures/videos so it is very strange and weird to me he didn’t check the damage, give his details or take pictures videos as surely dash cam footage only points straight and he couldn’t have got my registration or details as I was on his side view? Does dash cam record the side traffic? so it does make me think was he insured to be driving the company car but we’ll see, how he behaved and acted showed he was very calm and not overly bothered by the incident and in a hurry to get it over with. We’ll see what happens I guess.

reported it to the insurance company but I do want to make a claim as he drove in to me and he or his company should be liable to fix the damage to my car, but let’s see what is going to happen because it is all so strange.

OP posts:
PeanutsForever · Today 12:27

Yup, stolen i think.

HelpMeGetThrough · Today 12:27

Have we not had a REPORT, REPORT, REPORT post yet?

Ah, reminds my of those heady days of Covid.

Mama2many73 · Today 12:28

Do you have any evidence of who he was , caught on dash cam etc? My concern is is he on false/cloned plates because if so you have no way of identifying him at all.
I watch all the police programmes and it does happen!
Also BTW he pulled out infront of you so is at fault regardless.of indicator going or not.

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