Upset over car crash

[Bumble2468]

I was on a 40mph road in the outside lane, the inside lane was start/stop traffic as cars were queuing to come off a slip road. A car from the inside lane started to pull out in front of me and I braked sharply to a stop to avoid a collision. A few seconds later, or at least that's what it felt like I was hit from behind by an empty taxi. The car in front that I was avoiding just carried on.
My car not badly damaged but the taxi is. No-one stopped so no witnesses.

No-one was injured although could be too soon to know if whiplash as can take some time to develop.

I feel terrible for the taxi driver as it's his livelihood, he won't be able work. I don't know what I could have done differently but I feel awful about it to the point I just don't want to drive any more.

It's not your fault, he was too close or not paying attention or possibly both.

It's the shock 💐

what was his reaction post accident?

Didn't really say much or seem particularly emotional, think he was in shock too. We exchanged details but I'm not sure whether he wants to go through insurance. I'm not bothered to claim for damage to my car, but his car was much worse. I don't know if insurance would say it's my fault as I stopped suddenly, albeit to avoid hitting another car.

It's 99% of the time the driver behinds fault as they will say he should have left stopping distance.

did you actually get his insurance details?

As I understand it, if someone drives into the back of you, it is always their fault. The onus is on the driver behind to leave enough space, even though in this situation it was clearly down to the driver who pulled in front of you.

Take care of yourself. You will get over this and be able to drive again, for sure.

Yes, got the insurance details.

He was driving too close to yoy to allow him self time to stop.

not your fault in any way.

if you hit the back of another car in these circumstances- would you hold the car in front at fault in any way?

he will be claiming on his policy for the damage to his car - you claiming too on his policy isn’t going to make a significant difference.

You need to report accident to your insurance, even if you don't claim

It would be his fault, for not leaving enough braking distance

you did nothing wrong

may be good to go through insurance though, or at least mention it in case he tries to sue you for whiplash (big fat fetched but that happened to me)

Be careful on the liability, normally this would be his fault, as he went in to you.

Yes it is his livelihood and that is unfortunate, but you should not admit to anything to do with braking, apart from to your own insurance co.

OP be careful too on any calls you get, ‘someone’ probably from one of the insurance company’s will sell on your details to credit hire firms, who offer hire cars to both you and the taxi driver, do not speak to them, put the phone down.

I am sorry. It is a horrible experience.
Everyone should have a front and rear recording dash cam. This is the stage we have got to. It is expensive, but IMO, essential. I used to have to drive a lot for work and I encountered so much aggression, carelessness, incompetence that I fitted a camera. Within a few days my camera had captured a cyclist being knocked off his bike by a lorry. He was very grateful for the evidence. Money well spent.

Also, you def need to report it. If he does and you haven't that will cause more grief.

Take Ibuprofen as an anti inflammatory

if you have any pain and suspect whiplash get physio or other treatment like osteopathy immediately

even if not going to claim, you must notify your insurer because you say he sustained serious damage so if he does contact his insurer, they will contact your insurer

any witnesses and if so- details?

Sorry but it is the taxi drivers fault.
You braked hard and avoided a collision. If he had left sufficient braking distance he would not have hit your car.

If you were hit from behind, it is ALWAYS the other driver's fault.

Because they were either driving too fast, too close or weren't paying attention.

If he won't be able to work because of the accident, then don't feel bad, as he only has himself to blame.

Don't make any decisions about your car until you've had it checked out, there can be significant problems that aren't obvious.

Pay attention to your neck and back - a family member with a physical job had their career ended by being rear ended because of damage to their back.

You weren't at fault.

You do need to get your to a garage and give your insurance company his details. You have no idea of how much damage could have been done to the chassis or suspension as it's not immediately visible. Crumple zones on the car bonnets are designed for this so always look more serious. It's his fault for not leaving enough distance to stop, especially if there was slow moving traffic in the other lane since at least one driver will chance it and pull into the nice safe distance you'd created

All the best and positivity on your recovery. did you have front and rear dash cameras as then it could show how close the driver was too your car ?

You might benefit from some defensive driving lessons. I would never drive at 40mph past queuing traffic for this very reason. Anything you can do to reduce the likelihood/severity of an impact is worth it.

As other poster said - tell your insurance asap. I had a similar incident recently where I was waiting to join a road and had to stop as a car came flying down the road so I had to stop suddenly and the car behind went straight into me - my car ok, his a big dented . I took photos etc and told my insurance the same day. 3 weeks later he tried to claim against me for major damage to his car and other stuff like cost of courtesy car which my insurance company disputed as I had provided images at the time of the incident (was just a dented bumper and he claimed whole front of car was smashed?) insurance said as I had told them as soon as I could on same day it helped my case

No, they won't say it is your fault for stopping too suddenly. He should have been far enough behind and paying enough attention to avoid hitting you regardless of how suddenly you stopped.

First, it was not your fault, it's always the fault of the person behind in a rear end colission. Your other option was ram the car in front off the road, presumably?!

Second, you need to call your ins co and report the accident.

Third, you need to get your car checked out at a garage. There can be serious structural damage even if the car looks fine from the outside.

Fourth, cut yourself some slack, you've had a shock.

Fifth, don't worry about the taxi driver. He should have been looking where he was going, and I'd expect him to have an insurance policy that gives him a courtesy car.