Car hit me from behind. He said it was my fault

paul2louise

I have just got home from visit to parents. As I left Motorway on slip road I was approaching traffic lights at roundabout. As I got up to the roundabout the lights changed from green and i braked on amber and stopped a bit quickly. Car behind hit me. We drove the cars out of the way. My car has minimal damage. His car has a bit of damage. I exchanged details. I said hopefully damage to both cars won't cost much and he said he would have to go thro insurance.  He said oh no it's your fault because you were going and you had crossed the line when you stopped. I explained that the lights had changed. He admitted he was looking to the right to see what traffic was coming. 
I just want to know if he has any truth in saying it's my fault. I know it's frustrating when people hesitate at roundabouts.
Thank you 

[Deleted User]

It's his fault.

It's considered very poor etiquette to rear end someone you've only just met.

Herzlos

Nah it's a pretty standard case of him being at fault - he should have been prepared to stop, especially as the lights were changing and he shouldn't have gone anyway.

sheslookinhot

I hope your whiplash gets better. Perhaps see a physio.

oldagetraveller1

"He admitted he was looking to the right to see what traffic was coming."

Which would indicate that he was intent on jumping the lights had you not quite correctly stopped.

paul2louise

Thank you. I just needed that reassurance. 😊

Stubod

100% his fault, failed to leave enough distance / not looking...

neilmcl

Even though you contributed to the accident by your own poor observation and late braking the driver should've been aware of the lights and also left enough room, therefore it's likely to be 100% his fault. Next time, if traffic lights changes from green as you're going through, don't suddenly try and stop.

AdrianC

neilmcl said:

Even though you contributed to the accident by your own poor observation and late braking

Eh?

Green - prepare to stop.
Amber - stop, unless it's not safe to do so.

The OP did exactly what they should have done - stopped when the lights went from green to amber.

It's not their fault the driver behind wasn't looking where they were going.

ritesh

I had a similar situation many years ago, except it was me who went into the back of the car. To make it worse it was a Vicar's car. There is a natural tendency to look right as you approach a roundabout to see if it is clear. As it happens there was an opening for the car in front to enter the roundabout, but they did not. I naturally assumed they had moved and rear ended the Vicar. My fault entirely, as I should have been paying attention to the car in front to ensure all was clear, which is what I always do now. 

In your case it is entirely his own fault and no doubt annoyed with you for not taking the opportunity to have exited and blaming you for causing the incident. Your insurance company will sort out the matter very quickly

greyteam1959

Rear ending a Vicar........
Good Lord whatever next.
😂😂😂