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Original poster

really scared - what's the worst that could happen

69 replies

imscaried · 10/10/2006 18:50

I was in a car accident today. Was waiting at a busy roundabout in the left lane and wanted to go in in the right lane. Some cars were approaching from the right so I stopped and was stationary. A bus came from behind and crashed into me. My car went flying into the middle of the roundabout.

When I got out one of the passengers got off the bus and told me I had been in the wrong lane.

I called the imsurance and had to tell them about a speeding fine in May that I had not told them about.

Am worried now about what could happen, could I go to jail?

OP posts:
TheBlonde · 10/10/2006 18:51

I don't think being in the wrong lane or even being in a bus lane gives the bus the right to drive into you

anniediv · 10/10/2006 18:52

No, but you will get asked why you didn't tell them about the speeding fine, and your insurance premium next year will be through the roof.

anniediv · 10/10/2006 18:53

Oh, just read that again...if the bus drove into you, you were not at fault?? They will still want to know why you didn't let them know about the fine. Try not to worry about itt.

Original poster
imscaried · 10/10/2006 19:04

thanks theblonde and anniediv not that worried about the insurance more about other consequences

OP posts:
lorina · 10/10/2006 19:08

Normally if anything hits you from behind they are considered to be at fault.

Poor you it must be terryfing seeing a bus coming towards you in the rearview mirror .

You wont go to jail for something that trivail dont worry

emmatom · 10/10/2006 19:09

If it's your first speeding fine and only 3 points, you'll probably find that won't affect your premiums.

Just ascertain that your company were still insuring you at the time of the accident.Because to be driving without insurance is not a pretty situation to be in.

Providing nobody was injured, it was an accident and that is why we have insurance - to deal with things like this. I wouldn't worry (as long as no one injured).

HELLisHeavenis · 10/10/2006 19:10

Insurance companies like to know when something like this has happened. As long as you haven't renewed after your speeding fine you should be ok.
3 points would not usually make that much difference to you insurance.(as long as it is only 3 you have.)

Original poster
imscaried · 10/10/2006 19:12

no emmatom I'm pretty sure no-one was injured, although as there were a lot of passengers on the bus I can't be certain. All of them walked off and left.

OP posts:
lorina · 10/10/2006 19:16

I'm still pretty sure that its the bus drivers fault ,not yours.

Doesnt matter what lane you are in he shouldn t run into the back of you. It will be his insurance that gets claimed from.

Are you ok? No whiplash or anything ?

southeastastralplain · 10/10/2006 19:18

blimey poor you! you must be a quaking wreck i would be

Original poster
imscaried · 10/10/2006 19:21

I totally am a wreck, was having visions of court cases and jail.

Neck doesn't feel quite right and right eye - will see doc tomorrow. Thanks so much would be helpless without MN.

OP posts:
pindy · 10/10/2006 19:24

make sure you document everything - if you were stationery the bus was in the wrong, get the doctor to confirm your injuries and also you right down how you are feeling now etc etc. I do not think you were in the wrong. Do not admit anything.

pindy · 10/10/2006 19:26

Are you based in England? You may need to make a claim so make sure you note any injuries or feelings that you have now.

Original poster
imscaried · 10/10/2006 19:33

thanks pindy yes I am in england, will do that

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emmatom · 10/10/2006 19:58

Re-read your popst again and from the circs you describe the bus is definitely the one at fault.

No-one is injured, apart from maybe you. Just inform your insurance company of the accident and give them details of the bus (insurance details but bus company name would do if you didn't get it) and , as someone else said, the bus insurance will pay out for your repairs and injuries (though hope you don't have any).

Really no need to worry.

Original poster
imscaried · 10/10/2006 20:14

thanks again emmatom, I really appreciate it

OP posts:
boomie · 10/10/2006 20:58

Hi, I had an accident a few weeks ago which wasn't my fault but because the other driver had no insurance I had to claim off mine. Anyway, I too hadn't told my insurance company about 3 speeding points I had. They re-calculated my premium and I had to pay an extra £25. Good luck

Original poster
imscaried · 11/10/2006 07:21

thanks boomie. what is worrying me though is that the other driver might give a different version and if they think it's my fault what happens then?

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bubbles4 · 11/10/2006 07:29

IF HE HIT YOU FROM BEHIND ITS HIS FAULT, I NEARLY REVERSED ITO A DRIVER PARKED ON ZIG ZAGS WHEN I TOLD DH WHO IS A KNOW IT ALL AND I SAID HE WAS BREAKING THE LAW BY PARKING THERE HE SAID IT WOULDNT HAVE MATTERED , IF YOU ARE STATIONARY AND HIT FROM BEHIND IT IS THE OTHER DRIVERS FAULT.

CastsSpellsWitchySpells · 11/10/2006 07:44

Agree with the other posters. Wouldn't matter if you were stationery in the outside lane of the M1 - if someone drives into you from behind then it's their fault as they should have been leaving sufficient braking distance from the car in front to stop if it stopped. Just ignore the miserable bus passenger - they were probably just annoyed that they'd have to wait for another bus!

Original poster
imscaried · 11/10/2006 07:54

thanks everyone, I was stationary, but the bus driver might say something different and it will be my word against his, so if someone is found at fault in an accident like this, does anyone know what happens - does it go to court?

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throckenholt · 11/10/2006 07:54

the bus driver must have been pretty unaware to hit you hard enough to knock you right onto the round about (how much damage was there to your car and the bus ?).

I agree with the others - I am pretty sure it is always deemed the person who goes in to the back of someone fault (even if you are shunted from behind and go into someone else I think there is an element of you were too close to the person on front).

Did you exchange insurance details ? It should just be a case of informing the insurance company, telling them the details as you know them, and then letting them deal with it. Don't see how you can claim any responsibility. Was it a bus lane ?

gigglinggoblin · 11/10/2006 08:13

my ex hit someone from behind and tried to say she reversed into him. insurance company said that unless he could produce a witness they would not defend him as going into the back of someone is pretty straightforward stuff. try not to worry

Original poster
imscaried · 11/10/2006 08:15

thanks throckenholt no it wasn't a bus lane. Yes the car is badly damaged at the back and the bus was also in a state. A woman stopped afterwards next to my car in her car and offered to call an ambulance. She offered to be a witness but I was too dazed to take down details.

Thinking about it now we are very lucky to be alive as when the bus pushed my car onto the roundabout oncoming cars could have crashed into us.

Yes we have exchanged details and I have informed insurance. I'm not sure how long these things take.

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Original poster
imscaried · 11/10/2006 08:16

what happened to your ex gggoblin?

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