Had an accident in work car - Rear ended but was it my fault?

goldspanners

gaz_jones wrote: »

What happened is: I was just coming off a motorway, I was at the top of the slip road and had to brake to take a corner. I hit the breaks harder than I should have as I was not used to how sensitive they were. Looked in my rear view mirror and there was a van coming up fast behind me. Out of instinct I slammed my foot down on the clutch to drop a gear so I could pull away before the van hit me but stupid me its an auto :mad: My car came to a complete stop because I was already going quite slow (for the corner) and the van came into the back of me.

so you had already been braking, so your brake lights would have warned the driver behind you that you were already slowing then you stopped (all be it a bit quicker than you intended) but you still stopped and the driver behind should have been prepared for this by keep a safe distance.especially approaching a junction.

also as other said report his threatening behaviour to the police.

mrscb

The main point is the van was obviously too close...wether there was a need for an emergency stop/car cutting out, is IMO irrelevant.

Any

LinasPilibaitisisbatman wrote: »

The whole the driver behind is always to blame thing is a myth. Yes on most occasions it is the case and we should always drive with a gap to take account for sudden braking however the fact is should we expect someone in front to brake suddenlyfor no reason other than their own incompetence? No we shouldnt and for this reason if he gives the genuine account to the insurers its likely blame will be split.

If I was the OP though I would not mention about it and simply state you were slowing for a junction if you want to avoid any liability.

What???
What a rubbish.

Paradigm

mrscb wrote: »

The main point is the van was obviously too close...wether there was a need for an emergency stop/car cutting out, is IMO irrelevant.

Totally agree but some others seem to be having a problem with it

LittleMissAspie

LinasPilibaitisisbatman wrote: »

we should always drive with a gap to take account for sudden braking however the fact is should we expect someone in front to brake suddenlyfor no reason other than their own incompetence?

Yes, you should expect the driver in front to brake suddenly at all times!

Hintza

I am surprised to see me coming out in favour of Linas. But he has a point whether it is relevant here I do not know. But to say the guy behind is 100% at fault 100% of the time is not true.

So some of you need to get off your high horse.

Inactive

LinasPilibaitisisbatman wrote: »

Theres a difference between leaving a safe gap for the unexpected and some idiot slamming on the brakes when their actually accelerating because they cant drive their own car properly.

Maybe the person behind was a tad to close but the OP was as neglient in their driving manner and both should pick up some blame.

Why is it you think the OP shouldnt be to blame remotely for their own neglient driving which caused the accident every bit as much as the person behind.

You really do need some driving lessons if you honestly believe that, the OP did not " cause " the accident, it was solely down to the incompetence of the driver that hit him, he, the following driver, was driving without due care and attention to the vehicles in front.

Anyone that piles in to anything that is stationary is totally 100% at fault.

Get some IAM lessons if you need any further convincing.

Inactive

Hintza wrote: »

I am surprised to see me coming out in favour of Linas. But he has a point whether it is relevant here I do not know. But to say the guy behind is 100% at fault 100% of the time is not true.

So some of you need to get off your high horse.

You are also totally wrong.

mattymoo

Google staged motor accidents to see what Linas and Hintza are talking about.

Hintza

Inactive wrote: »

You are also totally wrong.

You are just making yourself look foolish now.