Who is to blame?

sciencegeek

cazziej wrote: »

This is in particular for Jamesd::mad:


I am assuming you are not a mother! (the name gives me a clue) so please do not lecture me on how to care for my children and when I should allow them to travel together.

Carol

Of course he could be a father..... you appear to imply that only a mother could possibly understand about caring for a child.

cazziej

jamesd wrote: »

Everyone except: Alfrescodave, brazillianwax, aj3001, dunstonh, sazzacat and jamesd, all of whom indicated that he treated the lights in the wrong way.

If you'd like to reduce the chance of him being involved in another collision, please give him a defensive driving course for his next birthday or Christmas gift. Doesn't matter who you think was responsible, it'll teach him to be aware of other people making mistakes as well as any of his own.

Telling you a truth you don't want to listen to is not patronising you. You have my sympathy for the concern the collision has caused you but I'm more interested in reducing the chance of a repeat occurrence than making you happy. As for why those you asked in person told you what you wanted to hear, you need only look at your reaction to those here who didn't.

When I said everyone I spoke to, I meant in person also, not just on this forum. And no, they did not tell me what I wanted to hear, they are adult professional people and have an opinion of their own. I don't know what circles you mix in Jamesd, but maybe your friends and colleagues only tell you what you want to hear, but mine most certainly don't.

And also, my son was conscientious enough to successfully complete the PassPlus Course when he passed his test.

Thank you for your sympathy regarding the concern the collision caused - a bit of humanity after all!!:T

Carol

cazziej

sciencegeek wrote: »

Of course he could be a father..... you appear to imply that only a mother could possibly understand about caring for a child.

Posted a reply to you too but it disappeared into the ether!!

Sciencegeek, I was being sarcastic!!!. I am well aware that there are fathers who care for their children too, my own 3 children have a father of their own who cares for them as much as I do, more depending on what it is they want:rotfl: .

Carol

MidgeUK

Have the insurance company spoke any word as to who's fault it is?

mountainofdebt

I must admit I have flashed my lights at other drivers to 'tell' them that they can make their move and have moved when other drivers have flashed me but having said that I was once told that saying the other driver flashed me (if involved in an accident) was no defence - whether this is an urban myth I don't know.

I was wondering if this could possibly be a 'staged accident' where the 'accident' was caused on purpose for monetary gain?

steveeeee

jamesd wrote: »

The prudent rule is quite simple: you assume that the other driver is out to kill you

I won't comment on the rest of your post, but this is great advice!

scope

courtjester wrote: »

In a multi-cultural society, with different mannerisms being imported all the time, who is to say what is the universally accepted gesture or signal - how are you to know what nationality or conventions the driver of another vehicle abides by?

This is very true.. Where I originally come from flashing your lights means "stay out of my way, im coming".. I soon realiased the "normal" thing here in UK is to flash to indicate that you allow them to go/change lane, etc, but only after nearly being hit by a bus on the motorway, who thought I had told him to change lane.. Needless to say I have now changed the way I flash the headlights while driving.

llh189

Not read alll the posts but I would say on paper and the strict letter of the law that your son would be at fault however morally the other driver has aleardy accepted partial blame - could both of you get quote for the damage to each of your cars and divide the cost 50, 50 down the middle therefore not involving either insurance company, I realise that this means that you will have to pay but you might end up paying anyway, both your excess, for your damage and for increased insurance payments.

I would tactfully approach the other driver with this solution.

HTH

Little_John

The light flashing was the reason I failed my first driveing test.

I was waiting to turn right and I had been told flashing of the lights is to be treated as look Im here and coming through and shouldnt be taken as make your move. A guy flashed to let me turn so I waited as the gap wasnt big enough anyway, he moved and the next guy also flashed so I moved and the examiner jumped on the break as the other driver was still moving slowly and he considered my move dagerous. I knew at tthat poin I had fialed so I went all out to get as many faults and failures as I could

I got him to jump on the break another time and managed to get another 2 major faults by getting 3 minors errors on the same bit I also managed to get at least 1 minor fault in every section most I had 2.

the examiner was shakeing when he got out of the car. I was actually a very good driver when learning the L plates are a shield and protect you, people move out of the way and do what they can to make things easy for you. I was so aware of my space in the road and how to handle the car it was easy to break the rules in the exam. I took a 2nd test a month later and passed with 2 minor faults.

Anyway
Yes your son is at fault as everyone else said. The plus point is the other driver admiting to flashing creates the 50:50 case. but him apologiseing on the scene is him admitting fault. Insurance companies don't like that with a bit of luuck the police will have put that in their reports and I belive you may have a chance of getting the claim settle in your favour based on him admiting liability. hey what do you have to loose?

mancitychick

As must others say alot of countries in Europe and I know for sure they do in Thailand use flashing of their lights to say "stay out of my way, im coming"..