Roundabout advice

Patrick05021989

Good afternoon all,

I am looking for a second opinion on a correct procedure when driving over a particular roundabout.
Based on the picture from the link below, would you say it was acceptable to use either lane for going straight over this roundabout ( Exit 1 )?

imgur.com/a/p8OfR


Thank you very much in advance.
Patrick

Oakdene

Yes I would, but if you enter the roundabout using the righ hand lane, you would exit the roundabout in the right hand lane of the exit...

http://imgur.com/a/p8OfR

neilmcl

Yes it is acceptable and perfectly normal.

Patrick05021989

Oakdene/Neilmcl - Thank you for such a quick reply.

My question comes as a result of an accident I have been involved in on Saturday (22/04/17)
.
I was travelling along A500 ( from Stoke ) and had an accident on the Weston Gate roundabout in Crewe


On the roundabout I intended to go straight on.
As i approached, directly in front of me in the left hand lane was a HGV and since there was no other traffic I decided to use the right hand lane.

Going around the roundabout I have followed my "path", indicated and attemted to exit the roundabout in the second lane of the intended exit ( No need to switch lanes on the roundabout ).
As it happened the driver of the HGV had a different idea and decided to cary on going round ( effectively turningh right from left hand lane ) and managed to clip the rear of my car ( passanger side ). All of this at relatively low speed - approx 25mph.

I have swerved 3-4 times acros both lanes of the roundabout, but managed to controll the car and bring it to a stop. Luckily no other cars were involved. Scary, considering the lorry hit my car a few inches away from the rear door where my 4 year old was sat!

imgur.com/a/Qgpwt - Different picture with direction & position of both vehicles

Police refused to attend since there was no injuries, but soon changed their mind since the situation got "heated" and other driver turned out to be a Polish national and unfortunately couldnt speak any english.
They have however assisted only with exchanging details and advised that they do not get involved with establishing "facts".

Am I correct in thinking that he was totally at fault for causing the incident?



Thank you all for reading and I am looking forward to your replies.


Patrick

neilmcl

I would say yes, 100% his fault in this instance. What has you insurer said?

Patrick05021989

Not a lot in all fairness.

I have provided them ( Aviva ) with a brief description, the detials of the third party and have been asked to get a quote for repairs in one of their approved garages ( which I have done ).
By the sounds of it, due to the low value of my car ( 57plate Vectra ) it looks like it might be a write off.

The garage told me that they were going to get in touch with Aviva and get back to me, but not heard anything yet.


Having never been in an accident before I am not sure what I should do next?


Many Thanks
Patrick

Retrogamer

Someone else had a similar accident to this. They apparantly got a full payout in thier favour in record time (i'm still very skeptical about it all)

My personal opinion is you are both are fault somewhat.
Truck for being in the wrong lane and you for pulling off the roundabout without checking it was clear to do so.

It's in your insurers hands now.

Patrick05021989

Retrogamer,

Thank you for your input.
I totally see your point - which is where my doubt is coming from.

However, wouldn't the same dilemma apply to any given accident?
Since we cannot control what other people are going to do the same could be said if someone pulled out in front of you on a junction.... The insurance could say that you didn't anticipate the mistake third party was just about to make.


Many Thanks
Patrick

victor2

The police were not interested, nobody was injured. Unless you have independent witnesses, or the HGV driver admits fault (assuming your insurers can contact him and/or his insurers in Poland), it will likely be considered as 50/50 blame.

Carrot007

The truck might have needed more space to turn round but they still should have been more in the right lane (unless signs indicate otherwise, as we can't see them).

And you should not assume someone is not being an idiot and drive into them.

If he was indicating I would say you are 100% in the wrong. If not 50/50.

Aylesbury_Duck

As Retrogamer says, there was a case much like yours on here last month:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5610202

In that case, the other party was determined to be at fault but as you'll read from that, many thought it would end up 50:50. If you don't have an independent witness or dashcam footage, then I would think you are likely to face a 50:50 situation, unless the HGV driver is honest in his account.