Car Accident - What Now?

lister

arcon5 wrote: »

Sounds like he was changing lanes to left lane as per his exit. You used a lane designed to exit and went straight on. Making you at fault. The fact you was indicating doesn't mean you can just go anywhere you want.

Saying that I wouldn't be surprised if the insurer just took the view he struck you from behind and was therefore at fault, especially with no witnesses

To throw the contrary view in - very often this isn't the case, but ultimately in court you pays your money and takes your chance.

It doesn't matter if the OP was in the wrong lane for their chosen exit - if the third party had to cross a lane to leave it is his obligation to make sure that is safe to do. It is nothing more than a lange change and should be done with adequate observation, rather than presumption that because I am in the correct lane for my exit everything will be ok.

Equally given that the OP knows the roundabout is a difficult one by the sounds of it, why the heck weren't they paying more attention to the cars around them and their destinations. An accident like this requires poor observation and subsequent actions from both parties, even if one can be deemed at fault.

keith1950

It doesn't matter if the OP was in the wrong lane for their chosen exit - if the third party had to cross a lane to leave it is his obligation to make sure that is safe to do. It is nothing more than a lange change and should be done with adequate observation, rather than presumption that because I am in the correct lane for my exit everything will be ok.

This is one of my pet hates....people who stay on the inside lane ( left hand ) and then go all the way round the roundabout.

and I was clearly indicating right he would have clearly seen me and should have slowed down. Today 1:23 AM

Depending on the lighting conditions and angle he was at, he probably didn't "clearly" see you indicating.

Equally given that the OP knows the roundabout is a difficult one by the sounds of it, why the heck weren't they paying more attention to the cars around them

Whether he was legally right or wrong only a numpty stays in the far left hand lane to turn right !

Quentin

smj43 wrote: »

Just to clarify, my policy does have business use on it however I have 2 occupations and this is my side job (deliveries) which my insurers are not aware of.......

You need to check whether you were supposed to inform your insurer about part time jobs (most insurers do insist on it)

If so prepare for big trouble (cancelled policy) should your insurer discover the truth. (eg after the third party notifies his insurer)

In any case you have the problem to get round of having to inform your insurer about the incident now. (So see if you can do so truthfully without mentioning the job at this stage)

smj43

Sorry about the confusion around which is inside and outside. Yes, I realise the I was in the inside (left) lane to go right which I normally would never do however this particular roundabout it was impossible for me to get into the correct lane as I had entered from a side road. It is very difficult to explain without drawing a diagram.

With regards to my personal insurance, why do I need to declare the accident to them? I am covered under a totally different policy when I am working? It might be worth mentioning this was only my second day doing this part time job so I hadn't had a chance to inform my insurers.

harveybobbles

Post a link to google street view so we can all understand the roundabout.

Also, as for you not being fully insured for this - why not just say you were on way to visit family?

Quentin

smj43 wrote: »

...
...With regards to my personal insurance, why do I need to declare the accident to them? I am covered under a totally different policy when I am working? ....

Because that is what you have to do. You agree to inform your insurer of any incidents you are involved with irrespective of whether or not you intend making a claim. You tell them "for information only"

Failure to do so is a breach of your policy conditions and would allow them to (at worst) cancel the policy .

You must also tell all future insurers you approach for quotes about it as part of your claims/losses history

smj43

Ok I will try to explain a bit better.



I was entering roundabout from Hook Rise North (bottom left). If you can see there is a small side road on the left where I had just come from. As there are lights there, this area was full of traffic waiting to enter the roundabout and as such, I couldn't get into the far right lane and as such, ended up in the centre lane of the 3 entering the roundabout (he is in the far right lane).

As the lights changed we entered the roundabout where it becomes 5 lanes (2 on left for 1st exit). I was still in the middle lane (straight) which then becomes the inside lane. He is still in the lane on far right behind me.

As you can see there are 3 lanes now with me on far left and his on far right. My intention is to follow my lane around and exit on the 3rd exit (Kingston Road)

Just before the A3 exit (Tolworth Rise North) he cuts across from far right to exit, doesn't see me in the left lane (or assumes I will be exiting) and hits my rear drivers side.

ABN

I know that roundabout very well and really hate drivers that do what you did. Many many times I have been cut up by drivers in the wrong lane just cutting across me as you did. Fortunately I am aware of it and so apply appropriate caution there so not been hit yet.

I assume you are coming from the service road behind the shops. If you time it right with the traffic lights and are indicating right I have always found that the drivers coming off of the A3 will let you into the middle and or outside land of the slip road. Takes a little longer but does mean you don’t have to CUT UP other drivers because your in the wrong lane.

Personally I would say you 100% to blame.

robatwork

I'm afraid this one is your fault all day long.
And driving without proper insurance is going to make things complicated - being a delivery driver and not being covered specifically for that may mean you were driving without any insurance at all.

I think this could be an expensive lesson for you/

smj43

Sorry wait one minute. He was in the lane to go right, I was in the lane to go straight. We were both in the wrong lane. He was the one who turned into me and should have seen me. I didn't change lanes. How is this my fault? And ABN, when that road is busy, the drivers do not let you out of that service road into the right lane. Sometimes, I you're lucky you get let in, but most of the time no.