First Ever Accident - What will happen?

LTJ

Strange is it not. You learn something new everyday. I always thought if you ran into the back of someone, no question about it, it's your fault, however, if someone then runs into the back of you also, as with this situation, it's their fault and they take the cost for all three cars to be repaired.

But the main thing is, no one got hurt!!! Cars can be easily repaired.

LTJ

janninew wrote: »

Is it illegal to drive without brake lights? His were not working so if it is illegal I assume he has committed a crime? If its legal to drive without brake lights then he hasn't committed a crime!!

I'm confused?

It is illegal to drive without brake lights or defective lights. Try and get a MOT with defective lights you won't, it will fail the test. Your car should be in a road worthy condition at all times.

LTJ

Strange is it not. You learn something new everyday. I always thought if you ran into the back of someone, no question about it, it's your fault, however, if someone then runs into the back of you also, as with this situation, it's their fault and they take the cost for all three cars to be repaired.

But the main thing is, no one got hurt!!! Cars can be easily repaired.

vaio

LTJ wrote: »

Strange is it not. You learn something new everyday. I always thought if you ran into the back of someone, no question about it, it's your fault, however, if someone then runs into the back of you also, as with this situation, it's their fault and they take the cost for all three cars to be repaired.

But the main thing is, no one got hurt!!! Cars can be easily repaired.

I thought if car B runs into the back of A then it's B's fault and they pay for the damage to the back of A and the front of B. If C then runs into the back of B then C pays for the damage to the front of C and the back of B. IYSWIM

If B stops 6 inches behind A and then gets hit by C and pushed into A then C pays for everything.

Do agree with you about the main thing though. Everybody walked away although I do find the reported behaviour of the front car driver slightly strange.

sebdangerfield

It is an offence to have faulty lights but it is not a crime.

It's hardly fair complaining the Police wouldn't turn out when it's not even a reportable accident. The RTA is explicit about what needs to be repoted and the Police guidlines written by ACPO regarding when they'll attend covers the requirments by the RTA and then some. This accident, however awfull for the OP isn't one of those that needs to be reported and they have no need to attend.

Imagine how few Police would be available if they were to not only attend the injury accidents but all damage only collisions too. For example, there were 8571 injury accidents in the West Midlands area in 2008. Compare that to the damage only accidents reported to insurers of the same period in the same area of 58732. If you think you dont see enough coppers now, imagine if they were to attend minor bumps too.

McKneff

janninew wrote: »

Cheeky monkey!! My partner doesn't normally let me drive his car, but he reversed mine into our garage door on Monday night, so he didnt have much choice!!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

vaio

sebdangerfield wrote: »

It is an offence to have faulty lights but it is not a crime........

That’s an interesting distinction……..

Quentin

sebdangerfield wrote: »

It is an offence to have faulty lights but it is not a crime.

So what would you call it then?

Of course it is a criminal offence!

Mankysteve

janninew wrote: »

I wasn't too close in my opinion, it happened at 4.00pm so was getting dark, I had full lights on, he had no lights on, weather was very poor, heavy rain etc. If its my fault then obviously my insurance will have to pay, but surely his car isn't road legal with his brakelights not working?

The fact is you went into back him therefore its your fault no if or buts. If you drive into the back of someone its your fault iam afriad. What if the person in front was just useing engine brakeing so slow down.

sebdangerfield

So what would you call it then?

A lighting offence.

The discussion about what constitutes a crime has gone on for ever, it differs as to whether you view it from a legal or normative perspective. The home office crime recording guidlines which obviously apply to the legal side of this argument stipulate this is a mere lighting offence punishable by a low level fine or non endorsable fixed penalty notice and, as a result not a crime.