Only an idiot hits the car infront

[ukracer]

Have you got legal cover with your insurance?

 

[bricol]

Unless you have dash cam evidence, it's going to be your word against his . . . I think you are probably going to be annoyed at the outcome of insurance companies working it out.

None of us know though - some views are going to make you feel better, some worse, but all that counts will be what the insurance lot decide.

 

[dobbslc]

Whatever you do DON'T use the word reversing at ANY time on the phone or in writing!
He hit you while stationary, simples.

 

[keithski122]

Years ago I was following a van while on my motorbike when suddenly it stopped and reversed into me wedging my bike under his rear bumper, he had decided to reverse into a driveway, I made a successful claim for damages against him.

 

[cocker]

Years ago I was following a van while on my motorbike when suddenly it stopped and reversed into me wedging my bike under his rear bumper, he had decided to reverse into a driveway, I made a successful claim for damages against him.

Same happened to a mate . Was a Tesco van , he did very well out of it !

 

[Dapph2]

I do not like the rhyming version of the phrase but that is what has happened to me today, hit by the van behind me, whilst reversing into a friends driveway. Its a main road and would be dangerous to reverse out of. I was going slow and indicating inplenty of time, with hazards on as I began the manouver. He wasnt looking.

Driver behind not paying attention, as I came to a slow stop, positioned for reversing, he was going too fast and has tried to squease down the nearside and smashed the front wing. He was in a transit van, appears to be a gardener, towing a trailer of woodchip.

Thats the damage. It was blocking the road so didnt get a photo in position tho I should have!
View attachment 532854

Insurance are telling me it will likely be disputed and I will be held at fault, with my car due to age, being considered unecpnomical to repair - dispite it being impossible to get the same for what I imagine, they would try to offer

I have never had to make a claim for damages from another driver before. Feels like they are trying to avoid paying out.

Does your house policy allow legal help in such incidences /disputes ?

 

[Dapph2]

Highway code also tells people to look out the windscreen occasionally...Incase there is someone reversing Infront of you...could have easily been a broken down car, emergency stop, small child etc

Wouldn't be a difficult argument to win. Did the van driver see the indicators, brake lights, hazards and stationary vehicle?

I was about to reverse into a driveway after indicating my intention. I had slowed in plenty of time and even put my hazards on to show other drivers I wasn't simply stopping at the roadside. I checked my mirrors and started my maneuver with plenty of space when I saw a van that had failed to slow/stop. I stopped when I realised my actions would make things worse if I continued as I didn't know if he had seen me. At the last second he swerved between myself and the kerb, causing a collision and significant damage to the vehicle I rely on daily.

Be difficult for the van driver to talk his way out of hitting a stationary vehicle with hazards on...as usual with these case sit depends whose insurance is best at telling the story, but personally I would invite a motoring solicitor to intervene. Might cost a few quid but they usually get a bigger pay out, quicker and have that magical way of selling water to the fish

I wonder did Krams rear light & turn light bulbs get trashed by the impact ..hot working bulb usually are ,bit if they are LED's I don't know how delicate or robust they are.

 

[Kram]

My lights all work, I have checked them. The left front indicator needs replacing but still flashes.

Just to add, last week my friend had a HGV delivery into the same driveway. Reversing in, is possible. Reversing out would be a severe danger.


Highway code 201 is the relevant rule.

Do not reverse from a side road into a main road. When using a driveway, reverse in and drive out if you can.

 

[Screwdriver]

Whatever you do DON'T use the word reversing at ANY time on the phone or in writing!
He hit you while stationary, simples.

In cases like this, the result can hinge on one simple error. If the OP is really going to contest this, then they really ought to seek professional advice because what @dobbslc is saying is absolutely spot on. I suspect however it is already too late.

 

[Kram]

Whatever you do DON'T use the word reversing at ANY time on the phone or in writing!
He hit you while stationary, simples.

With reference to rule 201 which states that you should reverse onto driveways?

 

[Kram]

Suggestions for professional advice please? I feel this is a clear easy win.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

With reference to rule 201

Gave me instant flash backs of red dwarf with Rimmer quoting regs

Space corps directive 201...

 

[minimutly]

There's no double yellows?

So you could have just been parking, without any intention of reversing?

And he would have hit you, a "stationary object".


If your car was not moving when it was hit, and there was no "no stopping" restrictions, id say it was fairly clear cut. But then im not the one making the decisions.

Sounds simple, but it's his word against yours. Good luck, insurance will go knock for knock and hope you both agree.

 

[Robotstar5]

Gave me instant flash backs of red dwarf with Rimmer quoting regs

Space corps directive 201...

Or Ferengi Rules of acquisition

 

[Memmeddu]

You would be found at fault because of the age of the vehicle ?
Oiy !

Fortunately here in Italy they approved a law ...
No matter what was the value of the vehicle, the age or what.
If you're right and you decide to fix it, they have to pay every single cent

 

[Farside]

Space corps directive 201...

"No officer will accept a bribe of fulminated brandy, unless on leave."

 

[Screwdriver]

Suggestions for professional advice please? I feel this is a clear easy win.

Devils advocate here.

I was driving down the main road at the posted speed limit when the car in front suddenly slammed on his brakes. I slowed to overtake but he then started reversing towards me, closing the distance between us and giving me no opportunity to stop in time. I had to swerve to avoid a direct collision but he reversed into my path giving me no opportunity to avoid him.

The defence: Our client was NOT reversing.

Prosecution: Oh really, then what exactly was he doing?

Screwdriver: I sincerely hope you have some evidence that the above is demonstrably not true. As has been said, your word against his otherwise.

 

[knighty]

I had an accident last year, not my fault, idiot tried to overtake me and then cut in front when there wasn't space

my 2010 range rover and his 2024 E class merc both written off (range rover wasn't bothered by it, I kept using it as is)

other side argued it was my fault and kept arguing that right up until we were about to go to court... then they backed down at te last min


mate at work, young lad in a brand new Tesla at a runabout, tried to go straight ahead in right turn only lane, crashed into my mate, same thing, they argued right up until they were about to go to court and then gave in at the last min


so if they threaten court etc. don't give in!


(p.s. as other people have said you were deffo not reversing at the time of the accident... if it's too later because you already said that, then you were lining up to reverse but not yet reversing ;-) )

 

[Porkypine]

Like @dobbslc said. tell em he just rammed into you whilst you were stationary.. ( with hazards on )

 

[gaz1]

Highway code 201 is the relevant rule. Do not reverse from a side road into a main road. When using a driveway, reverse in and drive out if you can.

but you can reverse into your drive from a main rd as its safer that way as long as its clear to do so

as i read it you had pulled up and was stopped at the time
you hadnt selected the reverse gear so therefore you was fully stopped
hazard lights as a warning to other drivers that you are a danger before reversing onto your drive even before selecting the reverse gear which clearly shows a white reversing light

van driver not paying attention avoided a rear end collition but after affects meant a front damage to your vehicle

van driver is at fault as had to take drastic action to avoid sever car damage to your vehicle at the rear