hit by a bus whilst overtaking parked cars

angandjim

Hi,
I was driving home today along a residential, but fairly wide road. There was (as is usual) 6 cars parked on my side, myself and the cars before and following me pulled out slightly to pass them (they always pull onto the kerb, so there is room to pass), I was possibly bridging the middle of the road, but not sure. I don't think I was further out from the parked vehicles than the other cars, but my car is quite wide, unfortunately a bus hit my wing mirror and has badly damaged it. I am not sure if the driver did stop or not as I had to continue driving 100 metres till I could turn around, I then had to follow him for about 10 minutes till I managed to get in front of him and talk to him at a bus stop (which was 5 stops after the scene of the accident).

The impact happened in line with the third car of the row (so I hadn't just pulled out) I was barely moving at time of impact. I feel that the bus driver was going a little too fast for the heavy traffic and wet weather conditions, but I doubt he was speeding.

Is it automatically my fault because I was potentially on his side of the road? He wasn't in my view when I began my overtaking manoeuvre

Also what do I do now? Do I just wait for the bus company's insurers to contact me? The driver said they would review the CCTV and make the decision from that whose fault it was then contact me. Will they be able to calculate from the CCTV that I was moving very slowly?

What should I do about the damage to my car? Should I take it straight to the garage and get it fixed and then (hopefully) claim that money back, or do I just sit tight till I have heard from them?


Thank you ever so much

rs65

From what you have said it sounds like your fault I’m afraid.

You were probably on his side of the road and it doesn’t sound like the bus driver did anything wrong. If you were the only car that was hit then I reckon you were in the wrong.

As far as repairs go, I assume you will be getting it fixed regardless of blame so why not go ahead. Take some photos and ask the garage for an estimate as well as their invoice in case you can pursue the bus company.

real1314

Both you were moving, neither of you judged the width/position correctly.

knock for knock. you pay for your repair, "he" pays for his.

If you had used better judgement on seeing the bus coming towards you, you would have stopped and pulled over more, either avoiding the incident or putting all of the liability onto the bus driver.
:cool:

angandjim

Thought that might be the reply. Thanks for taking the time to respond

Quentin

real1314 wrote: »

Both you were moving, neither of you judged the width/position correctly.

knock for knock. you pay for your repair, "he" pays for his......

Whatever the outcome of this, if insurers get involved it will not end up like this.

(Insurers no longer go down the "knock for knock" route).

If a split liability is agreed, then the OP's insurer will be paying out to the bus company based on his liability (eg of it's 50/50, they will be paying 50% of the bus company's costs).

(You do need to inform your insurer about the incident, even if you intend to pay for your own repairs.)