Driveway removed, car in a hole - my fault?

deaston wrote: »

As I stepped out of the car to see why it wouldn't move, a voice from an upstairs window shouted "What the f*** are you doing?" to which I replied "I'm stuck." He shouted back "Better get someone to tow you out then" and shut the window.

His immediate hostility didn't really make me want to knock on his door to converse further. When he appeared and said he had my reg and "would come after me" and said "don't you have any common sense?" I decided it was probably best to deal with him as little as possible.

I haven't come here looking for confirmation as to who is at fault but more how could this have been avoided?

I guess I could have parked, got out of my car and surveyed the area with a torch to ensure someone hadn't dug a hole.

Or I could've carried on driving and turned at a roundabout (?) but I had been looking for somewhere to turn for half a mile or so and didn't know where the road was leading nor how long I'd have to drive to find somewhere.

Or he could have had some forethought and ensured the trench was visible.

I guess the homeowner never, ever turns his car in other people's driveways. Or makes mistakes.

Last year a lorry driver reversed the wrong way up a one way street and hit my parked car. I was polite and understanding that mistakes happen and his actions weren't malicious. No-one died, no-one was hurt. But it seems I should actually have shouted at him, called him names, sworn and made the situation as difficult as possible. Well, you live and learn!

Lorian wrote: »

Your car isn't actually on his property, just overhanging it - given your car hasn't touched his property in my opinion he would be hard pushed to have any sort of claim against you. Keep the photo safe :-)

To me it also looks like moat has been there for an extended period of time, perhaps he enjoys seeing people fall in it too much to complete the job. I doubt he has planning permission for a moat...