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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:
GalaDinner · Today 12:29

Wetcoatsandmudagain · Today 10:59

This could be a scam, sometimes they cause an accident then flee the scene. Next they make a fraudulent claim. The fact you say he was unflustered and grinning makes me suspicious. I would report to police and insurance company immediately

This, I came on to say it sounds like a scam. Make a careful note of his appearance at the time, sign and date it, as well as reporting to the police and insurance company. It's not unheard of for whiplash claims etc to ensue.

JacquesHarlow · Today 12:30

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:21

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.

I'm not the fucking thread police . I'm just sick of people spouting stuff that isn't based in law or insurance procedure.

JacquesHarlow · Today 12:30

HelpMeGetThrough · Today 12:27

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

Ah, reminds my of those heady days of Covid.

Why wouldn't someone report this incident, @HelpMeGetThrough ..?!

rrrrrreatt · Today 12:33

Zaina89 · Today 10:40

Whether it was left on is the question. I wasn’t aware of it being “left on” I said this is what he is saying but I said I am not sure of it being on as I didn’t hear the indicator after I turned around the roundabout so I assume it had switched off, I put my indicator on at the roundabout exit 1/2 minutes before he came out and hit into me. Even looking back at the dash cam footage you cannot hear the indicator and when I got out to check the damage of my car the indicator wasn’t on and when I got back in my car the indicator signal wasn’t on either.

regardless yes I was driving the speed limit on a 40mph road, he could see I wasn’t slowing down and he shouldn’t have came out when I was already past the road that he thought I was turning into as I clearly wasn’t making a turn and wouldn’t be trying to turn at that speed.

Whether it’s left on isn’t the question, there’s no evidence it was other than a comment from a witness with a vested interest in blaming you. Please don’t torture yourself trying to work out if you’re partially to blame.

Sorry this happened to you - it sounds like a very scary and stressful start to your day.

pickalillyspooon · Today 12:34

viques · Today 10:15

He was silly to pull out in front of someone he says was indicating left until they actually start to turn! Especially if they were going at a fair whack because someone intending to turn would have slowed down from 40.

I never believe anyones indicating until I see them start their manoeuvre.

Not only silly, but in the wrong, even if your indicator was on.

he hit you. He’s at fault, regardless of indicator.

and what a strange reaction.

Hope you’re ok.

anothernewname6789998212 · Today 12:34

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:16

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.

Yes just read your other comments and that is proper shit. When there is clear cut evidence available it absolutely should be pursued.

My mum had her car stolen a few years ago. Police seemed very keen, even sending two officers round to sit in our living room and take a report. The next day she got an email saying they’d closed the case due to lack of evidence. She didn’t care much as the car was on its last legs and it did her a favour to be rid and get a pay out towards a replacement, but it was obvious that zero investigation had been done given it was parked on a busy main road in view of about 10 houses many of whom appear to have cameras 🤷‍♀️

ConverselyAttired · Today 12:35

I only mentioned the tax and MOT because it may be the reason he wouldn't give his details and pointed the OP to the reg. It's probably been nicked.

Bananananna · Today 12:39

I think the whole thing about the indicator is irrelevant anyway, but I just wanted to highlight that you state after turning onto the road from the roundabout, you continued at 40mph for 1-2 minutes. 1-2 minutes at 40mph is a significant distance - over half a mile at least. Your indicator may have still been signalling, but it's doubtful it wouldn't have either self cancelled by then, or you would (should) have noticed either the sound or the dashboard light.

I just say this more to make sure you really carefully think about the facts as you recall them when you give your statement to the insurance company. Don't elaborate anything to defend yourself.

Zaina89 · Today 12:39

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.

No I don’t have any dash cam footage of him. I have the picture of his car with him sat in it but you can’t see him. And can’t see him on the dash cam because he is at the left hand side of me, Which is strange because he claims I had my indicator on and he has it on camera yet you can’t see sideways on forwards!

OP posts:
WhatsAWeekend · Today 12:42

Wait to see what info his insurance company provide
If your indicator was on as he says it was it will show on his dash cam

If your indicator was on then he pulled out based on that
If not then it’s on him

People don’t need to give you their phone numbers btw
They should provide name, address ( in this case his company ) and vehicle registration
but technically in my experience a the vehicular reg gives insurance companies enough info.
Ive had people drive off before but luckily took photos

Wetcoatsandmudagain · Today 12:45

Zaina89 · Today 12:39

No I don’t have any dash cam footage of him. I have the picture of his car with him sat in it but you can’t see him. And can’t see him on the dash cam because he is at the left hand side of me, Which is strange because he claims I had my indicator on and he has it on camera yet you can’t see sideways on forwards!

It sounds very much like an insurance scammer. They deliberately cause an accident and flee the scene. If he was saying take a photo of his plates then they are probably cloned plates. Not being flustered or bothered about checking his car and the grinning all seems suspicious. They often hang around junctions and roundabout etc

anothernewname6789998212 · Today 12:46

Zaina89 · Today 12:39

No I don’t have any dash cam footage of him. I have the picture of his car with him sat in it but you can’t see him. And can’t see him on the dash cam because he is at the left hand side of me, Which is strange because he claims I had my indicator on and he has it on camera yet you can’t see sideways on forwards!

360 dash cams are a thing - not that I think it’ll absolve him of liability however.

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:46

JacquesHarlow · Today 12:30

I'm not the fucking thread police . I'm just sick of people spouting stuff that isn't based in law or insurance procedure.

But that’s what happens everywhere in life 🤷‍♀️

SandyHappy · Today 12:49

Zaina89 · Today 12:39

No I don’t have any dash cam footage of him. I have the picture of his car with him sat in it but you can’t see him. And can’t see him on the dash cam because he is at the left hand side of me, Which is strange because he claims I had my indicator on and he has it on camera yet you can’t see sideways on forwards!

But you passed in front of his car for him to hit your side so if you DID have your indicator still on, it will show on his forward camera as you came to a stop/passed in front of him. I wonder if he was checking the footage which is why he didn't get out straight away?

Also, do your hazard lights automatically start flashing when you brake sharply.. that may be what was picked up on his camera if anything.. so be wary of that being used as a defence.

Either way, he failed to stop at a give way, the liability is his.

WhatsAWeekend · Today 12:50

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:46

But that’s what happens everywhere in life 🤷‍♀️

Agree
thus is mumsnet it will be discussed and analysed to death

before long we’ll all be talking about rewinding the countryside and deers being killed on the A303 🤷‍♀️

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:50

anothernewname6789998212 · Today 12:34

Yes just read your other comments and that is proper shit. When there is clear cut evidence available it absolutely should be pursued.

My mum had her car stolen a few years ago. Police seemed very keen, even sending two officers round to sit in our living room and take a report. The next day she got an email saying they’d closed the case due to lack of evidence. She didn’t care much as the car was on its last legs and it did her a favour to be rid and get a pay out towards a replacement, but it was obvious that zero investigation had been done given it was parked on a busy main road in view of about 10 houses many of whom appear to have cameras 🤷‍♀️

Honestly it’s so infuriating. It feels like they’re just being let off for their careless/dangerous driving! I’m sorry your mum when through that. It seems we’re in a state of only high grade crime is looked into .. it’s neither wonder thieves/criminals carry on as they are - they know nothing is going to happen to them 🤷‍♀️

anothernewname6789998212 · Today 12:50

Wetcoatsandmudagain · Today 12:45

It sounds very much like an insurance scammer. They deliberately cause an accident and flee the scene. If he was saying take a photo of his plates then they are probably cloned plates. Not being flustered or bothered about checking his car and the grinning all seems suspicious. They often hang around junctions and roundabout etc

What would the scam be if he was on cloned plates? He wouldn’t get a pay out as he wouldn’t be connected to the car in any way.

Insurance scammers deliberately cause accidents, don’t flee the scene, and ask for details so they can milk the extent of the damage and/or injury and get paid.

Solaitt · Today 12:52

Even if your indicator was on, the other party is still liable for the accident.

As per the Highway Code, using indicators is only a signal of intent, not guarantee. You had right of way on the road you were travelling on. The other party pulled out of a junction. His fault.

I am glad you and dc are physically okay. I’ve been in similar accidents before and they do really shake you up.

Your insurance will definitely sort this. Thank god you have dashcam footage. The guy has no leg to stand on.

WhatsAWeekend · Today 12:52

Solaitt · Today 12:52

Even if your indicator was on, the other party is still liable for the accident.

As per the Highway Code, using indicators is only a signal of intent, not guarantee. You had right of way on the road you were travelling on. The other party pulled out of a junction. His fault.

I am glad you and dc are physically okay. I’ve been in similar accidents before and they do really shake you up.

Your insurance will definitely sort this. Thank god you have dashcam footage. The guy has no leg to stand on.

She doesn’t have dash cam footage

aster10 · Today 12:53

It’s the law I believe that you have to wait until the person indicating starts to turn. Exactly for cases when the person indicating has not turned off the indicator yet ( from the previous maneuver, for example). Was drummed into me for the test. Obviously in real life people don’t always do it, especially at roundabouts.

SandyHappy · Today 12:54

Wetcoatsandmudagain · Today 12:45

It sounds very much like an insurance scammer. They deliberately cause an accident and flee the scene. If he was saying take a photo of his plates then they are probably cloned plates. Not being flustered or bothered about checking his car and the grinning all seems suspicious. They often hang around junctions and roundabout etc

What is the possible scam though? He is liability for failing to give way.

This sort of scam only works if there are other vehicles involved that can claim off each other once the original instigator has left the scene.

SandyHappy · Today 12:54

WhatsAWeekend · Today 12:52

She doesn’t have dash cam footage

Yes she does.

anothernewname6789998212 · Today 12:54

Whattodo1610 · Today 12:50

Honestly it’s so infuriating. It feels like they’re just being let off for their careless/dangerous driving! I’m sorry your mum when through that. It seems we’re in a state of only high grade crime is looked into .. it’s neither wonder thieves/criminals carry on as they are - they know nothing is going to happen to them 🤷‍♀️

Yes it’s very unfortunate. When I was younger I remember 2 coppers coming out after my dad had his trainers stolen from our porch which seems comical now but a sign of the times - fat chance of that happening these days!

Zaina89 · Today 12:55

WhatsAWeekend · Today 12:52

She doesn’t have dash cam footage

I do, I have it all on camera and the dash cam even shows my speed and the speed doesn’t drop to show I was slowing down, my speed is the exact same up until he pulls out on me and I hard brake.

OP posts:
Solaitt · Today 12:56

WhatsAWeekend · Today 12:52

She doesn’t have dash cam footage

Yes she does! She’s stated several times on this thread re: the footage.

Have you commented on the wrong thread?

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