Overtaking Vehicle Side Collision

PasturesNew

The OP's relative wasn't driving "as we'd have done" - but it's not his fault the impatient driver took a chance on a blind bend. So don't victim blame just because the OP's relative drove in a manner we'd not do and wouldn't wish to see happening.

As for the query about the outcome at the speed, I was standing in broad daylight on a grassy bank by a river one sunny Sunday summer afternoon and a friend arrived, driving at about 10mph - he turned his wheel, one wheel hit a rut and the entire car tipped over in slow motion onto its roof.... forces cause things to occur.

In short: The overtaking driver was wrong. If he didn't like the way the guy in front was driving he should've stayed well back, or waited until it was safe to overtake.

spadoosh

Hermione_Granger wrote: »

Did you even read what you quoted in your reply?


Yet when the OP stated their stepfather did brake, your comment was:

The breaking was before the overtaking started.


I used to think that you were a troll.
This appears to prove it.

Im picturing something similar to adrianc and someone not liking being overtaken. The suggestion of tailgating, full beam etc means he was watching for a fair while. Probably thinking what is the donkey up to, o wait hes overtaking, not on here your not. Makes overtake more difficult to the extent the other driver needs to take avoiding action.

It might not have happened like that but its not uncommon for this type of accident to stem from such a situation.

Of course it could be a poorly judged overtake. But when you notice that happening i would expect someone to do everything in their power to ensure an accident doesnt happen. If you allow it to do on the basis your 'in the right', youre equally liable.

ComicGeek

More likely your stepfather aggressively applied his brakes to teach the 'idiot' behind a lesson - not just touching them but slowing significantly. When the van behind decided to overtake to make a point, your stepfather then sped up to prevent them overtaking. Once they both reached more than 30mph it was just an accident waiting to happen....

If I had a pound for every time I've seen that same battle between 2 drivers...

spadoosh

PasturesNew wrote: »

The OP's relative wasn't driving "as we'd have done" - but it's not his fault the impatient driver took a chance on a blind bend. So don't victim blame just because the OP's relative drove in a manner we'd not do and wouldn't wish to see happening.

As for the query about the outcome at the speed, I was standing in broad daylight on a grassy bank by a river one sunny Sunday summer afternoon and a friend arrived, driving at about 10mph - he turned his wheel, one wheel hit a rut and the entire car tipped over in slow motion onto its roof.... forces cause things to occur.

In short: The overtaking driver was wrong. If he didn't like the way the guy in front was driving he should've stayed well back, or waited until it was safe to overtake.

You cant possibly know that.

How do you know the op driver didnt put his foot down when he noticed he was being overtaken? Id say this happens on at least 50% of the overtakes i carry out so i think theres a good chance of it.

It couldve been a perfectly reasonable overtake until the op driver made it impossible. Theres suggestion of annoyance between the drivers that could facilitate this.

The overtaking driver could be in the wrong. So could ops relative.

AdrianC

PasturesNew wrote: »

The OP's relative wasn't driving "as we'd have done" - but it's not his fault the impatient driver took a chance on a blind bend.

Nobody said otherwise.

In short: The overtaking driver was wrong. If he didn't like the way the guy in front was driving he should've stayed well back, or waited until it was safe to overtake.

Nobody said otherwise.

The question is whether the OP's stepfather could very easily have avoided the impact in the first place, simply by taking basic precautions and avoiding action. Yes, he could.

There's a secondary question that then arises from that - which is whether he did as so many people do, and actually exacerbate the situation from his own actions.

Norman_Castle

AdrianC wrote: »

He didn't think to just dip his mirror?

Its a van. Most don't have interior mirrors.

Norman_Castle

bex88 wrote: »

His van has scratches, scrapes and dents the entire right hand side now and is pulling to the right now.
He phone the insurance when he got in but apparently they didn't seem too helpful or wanting to deal with it, saying it will be 50/50.

I think this will likely be the case but is there anything else he can/should do or just sit and wait for a phone call at some point?

If the other driver overtook when they shouldn't its their fault. Witnesses will be important. Did you give their details to your insurers?

Norman_Castle

AdrianC wrote: »

This whole scenario makes no sense as described. Add in some "I'll teach this idiot a lesson", which then gets omitted from the Chinese Whispers retelling, and it starts to fall together perfectly.

If you cannot see ahead because you are being dazzled its not unreasonable to brake if you think its safer to be driving slower due to the restricted view. Its presumptuous to think it was done aggressively and to "teach this idiot a lesson". Its also possible the following driver misinterpreted the braking and decided he was going to force the overtake, "teaching the other driver a lesson".

AdrianC

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Its a van. Most don't have interior mirrors.

Those with windows in the rear - rather than full panel doors - do, although you're right that we don't know if that includes the OP's stepfather's.

Dazzle from door mirrors is much less likely to be an issue, especially if the vehicle behind is very close.

tho_2

Norman_Castle wrote: »

If the other driver overtook when they shouldn't its their fault.

The majority of the time yes. But if the ops car added some of the possibilities that adrianC is suggesting are possible then he's also to blame. Highway code Rule 168. Being overtaken. If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass.