Accident !

scully91 · 5 February 2008 at 10:41AM

I am in a long 3.5 tonne van with a trailer at the rear, i am at a roundabout and am in the left lane going straight on. The roundabout is small so means i must use up both my outside and the inside lane. I leave the roundabout well ahead of the driver on the inside lane. The rear right corner of my trailer hits the front left corner of the driver attempting to "sneak up" the inside of me.
My question is..... Who is at fault? Clearly i was well ahead of the other driver when you consider my length compared to hers. Should i have had any notification on my trailer ie LONG VEHICLE...or is it just simply my fault or simply her fault?
Help greatly appreciated

Conor_3 · 5 February 2008 at 11:44AM

I drive an artic pulling a 45 foot trailer. People do that to me all the time yet I've managed to avoid hitting them.

From your description, it sounds like they ran into you.

BTW, the inside usually refers to the passenger side just to save confusion. I understand you mean the drivers side?

Lorian · 5 February 2008 at 11:53AM

scully91 wrote: »

I am in a long 3.5 tonne van with a trailer at the rear, i am at a roundabout and am in the left lane going straight on.

You really shouldn't type while driving

Zazen999 · 5 February 2008 at 11:57AM

My advanced driving instructor once told me 'don't be a lorry sandwich' - meaning it is common sense that large vehicles, esp when moving in anything other than a straight line - need room. And to let them go, hold back until it is safe.

I am a bit confused as to which lane you were in etc; but if the driver behind you went into you - on a roundabout - then what could you have done???

Hintza · 5 February 2008 at 12:12PM

My eldest passed her test last year (2nd attempt) but failed on the first occasion in a situation similar to this.

She shot up the outside of an artic at a roundabout and was deemed not to have given him enough room to complete his manouvre (sp). Think I would be tempted to argue your corner.

Markyt · 5 February 2008 at 1:14PM

Highway Code clearly states that trailers and long vehicles etc may need additional room on roundabouts, and that drivers need to be aware that they may straddle lanes . Looks like the other driver hadn't read it.

http://www.findleys.co.uk/highway_code/roundabouts.html

redux · 5 February 2008 at 1:14PM

When I'm towing a trailer, I just won't be alongside a lorry at a roundabout, and quite often hold back when I'm just in a car. It's easy enough to accelerate past them after the roundabout, so why hurry before that.

And some other drivers just don't appreciate the path that the trailer will take, and the difference between rear and centre-axles. So if yours is centre-axled, they'll probably say the back suddenly swung out.

You'll need to talk to your insurers about rebutting any claim against you, but it may affect your no-claims bonus anyway. My broker once said to me, most disputes at roundabouts, the insurers just reckon it averages out to 50-50 and probably won't contest it.

Mumstheword · 5 February 2008 at 1:23PM

I dont know what advice the highway code gives in this matter, but I'd be tempted to take up both lanes at the approach to the r-abt if I was you in future.

Obviously you cant always do that:)

Conor_3 · 5 February 2008 at 1:58PM

Mumstheword wrote: »

I dont know what advice the highway code gives in this matter, but I'd be tempted to take up both lanes at the approach to the r-abt if I was you in future.

Obviously you cant always do that:)

I've had to do that a lot. You wouldn't believe some car drivers. I've been carrying wide loads of steel plate which is low enough to turn their car into a convertable if they were to hit it yet they still try to pass me on a roundabout, even though it's obvious their car won't fit.

cyclonebri1 · 5 February 2008 at 6:23PM

Hi Scully,
Your just not going to get the definative answer here I'm afraid as the details you have given are a bit confusing I'm afraid. Its of little account anyway as it's obviously going to be on insurance issue and you must leave it up to them to fight out responsibility between the 2 of you. Golden rule is not to accept responsibility, the insurers have that job.

Just 2 observations, people have kind of made the assumption that you were driving an artic, not your problem as you made that bit clear, but in actual fact it was an average size van and a trailor.

2ndly at least the situation is simplyfied, and this is an assumption on my part,by the fact that the trailor remained attached to your vehicle. The insurance liability for your van will then cover that. Had it become detached it's a whole different game.

Anyway once the insurers have a sketch of the road and vehicles etc the correct judgement should be made. If I were you I would get back there and get some photographs if possible with your or a similar vehicle negotiating the roundabout, take some measurements also. Best of luck with it but dont worry it will be sorted:beer:

Conor_3 · 5 February 2008 at 7:23PM

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Just 2 observations, people have kind of made the assumption that you were driving an artic, not your problem as you made that bit clear, but in actual fact it was an average size van and a trailor.

So because I'm a lorry driver, you think I'm so thick I don't know he was driving a van? I've made no such assumption. I was merely saying that I drive an artic and have to deal with this daily.

Accident !

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