Side Swiped

fozzeh

Lavendyr wrote: »

It's exactly that kind of complacency that can lead to accidents.

Not really. I don't rest on laurels that easily.

Lavendyr wrote: »

The situation as you describe it puts you at fault, unfortunately. It was his right of way, not yours. You made a judgement as to whether you could get in front of him and you misjudged.

The gap wasn't misjudged. Sudden acceleration in poor conditions when you can see someone is trying to pull in to a space in slow traffic was not what I was expecting, hence trying to get out the way. I guess it's what you get when you expect better.

Lavendyr wrote: »

My suggestion would be to at least inform your insurers. Your policy will no doubt require you to inform them of any incident, whether or not you wish to make a claim. Mine states that I have to inform them within 48 hours of any incident - failure to do so could invalidate the policy.

If you want to leave the damage and not take things further, it's for you to decide in respect of your own vehicle (just make it VERY clear when you speak to your insurance company that you do not want to make a claim but are just reporting an incident - otherwise they will rattle on with the claim before you know it).

Done so as said.

Lavendyr wrote: »

However remember that the other driver could claim on your insurance for any damage done to his lorry and, given the circumstances, could do so successfully.

No damage to lorry (had a look). Cheers for your view though.

moneyuser

movilogo wrote: »

If you are trying to join in a motorway and could not find a gap, then you should continue driving on hard shoulder.

The hard shoulder is for emergencies only. If you run out of slip road then you have to stop and give way.

Rolandtheroadie

fozzeh wrote: »

The gap wasn't misjudged. Sudden acceleration in poor conditions when you can see someone is trying to pull in to a space in slow traffic was not what I was expecting, hence trying to get out the way. I guess it's what you get when you expect better.

The acceleration on an HGV is that good? That aside, a Mondeo's 15 ft long. What car have you got that would fit safely into a 20ft space in moving traffic?

Tiddlywinks

In merging from an on-slip onto a main carriageway you must exercise due care and only merge when safe - it is not your "right" to have someone move over to let you in - you must give way if there is no safe distance to move into.

I find it hard to believe that the lorry had sufficient chance to speed up in the short time it took for you to move lanes - I think you may just have misjudged his speed and moved into a space that you thought was safe only to then see the lorry looming close behind forcing you to have a rethink.