Roundabout accident, who's fault ?

zlinman

Late afternoon, good visibility. I was taking a friend home and entered an unfamiliar large 2 lane multiple exit roundabout. I was not sure which exit I needed so I stayed in the left lane of the roundabout so I wouldn't be cutting across anyone when I found my exit. I realised I didn't want the first exit but the next one. So I put my right hand indicator on to inform anyone behind me I was carrying on to the next exit, then a driver behind me accelerated past me on my drivers side to take the first exit and he cut across me denting my driver's side front wing, and scraping all down his passenger side from his front wing, both doors and his rear wing. No witnesses, other drivers just wanted to get on with their journey. So who's fault was this ? Other driver says my fault as I was in the wrong lane for the next exit. I told him I indicated clearly I was bypassing that exit and taking the next one. If he wanted the first exit he should have been behind me in the left hand lane ready to take the first exit. Insurance says most likely will be 50/50 claim as I didn't have a dash cam. If so, I find this very unfair ..... and yes now looking for a dash cam !

lister

Need to know the actual layout of the roundabout and where the exits are relative to where you entered.

So my first take is that the third party definitely has fault here. The crossed into a lane to exit without ensuring their way was clear.

But, was the exit you were heading to actually one you are supposed to take from the left lane. If it was, then you have no fault (but it doesn't require a right indicator). If it wasn't (and this is where we need to know the layout), then you also have some fault as you are using the roundabout incorrectly.

Of course either way, you are at the mercies of insurance companies, and they may see it differently again.

neilmcl

If you're unsure which exit you require, and unable to read the road signs before your get there, then always approach in the right-hand lane. That way even if you find that you need the first exit you would still have the option of going round the roundabout and taking that exit, as well has having the option to take any other exit.

Mercdriver

As above. Trying to change direction part way round a roundabout is rarely going to end well. I've been in this situation and took the first exit and found somewhere to make a u turn and come back to the roundabout again.

debtdebt

At best it'll end 50/50 for you.

ChrisK....._3

Your are clearly at fault
If you're turning left you should be in the left lane
Straight on you should be in either left or right lane
If you're turning right you should be in the right hand lane
You can't navigate round the whole roundabout in the left turn lane

zlinman wrote: »

5.30pm, good visibility. I was taking a friend home and entered an unfamiliar large 2 lane multiple exit roundabout. I was not sure which exit I needed so I stayed in the left lane of the roundabout so I wouldn't be cutting across anyone when I found my exit. I realised I didn't want the first exit but the next one. So I put my right hand indicator on to inform anyone behind me I was carrying on to the next exit, then a driver behind me accelerated past me on my drivers side to take the first exit and he cut across me denting my driver's side front wing, and scraping all down his passenger side from his front wing, both doors and his rear wing. No witnesses, other drivers just wanted to get on with their journey. So who's fault was this ? Other driver says my fault as I was in the wrong lane for the next exit. I told him I indicated clearly I was bypassing that exit and taking the next one. If he wanted the first exit he should have been behind me in the left hand lane ready to take the first exit. Insurance says most likely will be 50/50 claim as I didn't have a dash cam. If so, I find this very unfair ..... and yes now looking for a dash cam !

RichardD1970

ChrisK..... wrote: »

Your are clearly at fault
If you're turning left you should be in the left lane
Straight on you should be in either left or right lane
If you're turning right you should be in the right hand lane
You can't navigate round the whole roundabout in the left turn lane

As stated above, it depends on the layout and number of exits. If the second exit is straight on then by your own reckoning he was in the correct lane.

Tiexen

ChrisK..... wrote: »

Your are clearly at fault
If you're turning left you should be in the left lane
Straight on you should be in either left or right lane
If you're turning right you should be in the right hand lane
You can't navigate round the whole roundabout in the left turn lane

Isn't that what the OP was doing?
and other driver was in the "wrong" lane

sevenhills

Tiexen wrote: »

Isn't that what the OP was doing?
and other driver was in the "wrong" lane

The OP needs a dashcam showing the other driver crossing a lane, he does not even mention a lane being crossed.

prowla

Were there road marking and maybe two lanes into the exit?


I've had something happen twice in the past week where there are 3 lanes on the entry to the roundabout: the left lane is marked left turn and the 2nd one is marked left + straight; I've been in the middle land to take the 2nd exit and people have gone into the left one and gone straight across in front of me.


https://www.google.com/maps/@51.4918369,-0.540818,3a,75y,261.75h,71.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDhqlIpozLOgi1-b-9tUWSA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656


As far as the OP goes, they were in the wrong for performing a manoevure without checking it was safe to do so - indicating does not give you the right to swap lanes in front of someone.


As for the other driver, it's difficult to say - in a circumstance like mine above, they would have been entirely in the right.


So, at best I would say it's a 50/50.

Sea_Shell

It'll depend entirely on the markings/ layout on the roundabout.

We've a local one where both lanes from a dual carriageway are for left (continuing on DC) with the right hand being straight on or right too. So you'd expect that cars on your right maybe turning left.