Hit whilst changing lanes ..

[Andrew--Stevenson]

Evening all,

Wished I didn't have to sit here and write about this, but ...

This evening after a long drive home I was cut-up quite severely on a dual carriageway by a car. He asked to merge probably less than 100 meters from the off ramp with 'not enough space' between me and the car in front. Nevertheless, I pushed the brakes harder to make space and let him in. I did give the headlights a flash or two to show my disapproval (just being honest) .. but let him in.

As we came off the dual carriageway and approached a 4 lane roundabout, him in front of me, he brake checked me quite hard (remembering there wasn't a lot of space between us at this point anyway as he barged in earlier).

Due to the brake check and unnatural way he was driving, I moved lanes one left as he continued to slow. I then wanted back into the lane I was in previously but now I was passed him. I couldn't see where he went and assumed he had also changed lanes or slowed down. As I moved back over, I noticed him tight on my right quarter. Moments later we collided. It was not gentle which is odd as I was moving over very slowly (the lights ahead of me were red so I would have been slowing for these). I saw him giving all sorts of gestures (expected .. )

Both vehicles were mobile (paint damage only), so as we approached this large roundabout (me now in front) I continued on very slowly, hoping he would follow me to the next safe place to stop (there is a large grocery store car park after the junction). He didn't follow.

I'm not concerned of the damage to my car so won't pursue this further (though I am trying to raise it with my insurance and the police).

Where do I stand? Would me merging lanes and him swerving to hit me (rather than slowing down?) mean shared fault or full fault on me? Was I totally wrong not to stop in the middle of the main road to discuss?

Edited by Andrew--Stevenson on Wednesday 5th May 20:22

[CoreyDog]

When road rage ends badly... But not as bad as it could.

Given that situation, afraid you'd probably be found 100% at fault. Its on you to make sure that when you perform a maneuver (Change lanes) it's clear and safe for you to do so, if there is a vehicle in your blind spot, it's on you to check.

Report to the Police to cover your own back just in case they report it. Police won't be interested but if you don't report it and other party does, they may become interested. Up to you reporting to insurer, I'd wait personally and see what happens but it's your decision.

[gazza285]

A harsh lesson to not bother engaging with these people, there is nothing to be gained.

[Andrew--Stevenson]

Thank you both. Lesson learned. 13 years NCD down the drain possibly.

I have reported to Police and will see what comes of it.

[Cold]

So what you're saying is that after another driver deliberately cut you up and brake tested you, he then intentionally rammed you and drove off?

[Andrew--Stevenson]

Yes, other driver cut me up, brake checked me and then there was contact between cars (who's at fault I don't know), but I 'left' the scene aiming for a safer place to share details and he didn't follow.

Edited by Andrew--Stevenson on Wednesday 5th May 21:25

[Evoluzione]

You don't say or show the extent of the damage, but get a quote from a bodyshop to repair it, it might be worth it to avoid the hassle and expense of claiming on the insurance.

[reggie82]

Cold said:

So what you're saying is that after another driver deliberately cut you up and brake tested you, he then intentionally rammed you and drove off?

Sounds to me more like he was pissed off with the guy cutting in, tailgated him towards the roundabout, got brake tested, tried to overtake and cut back in front of him, the other guy tried to stop him getting in front and it ended up with a collision...

[Nickyboy]

So he stupidly tried to exit the dual carriageway at the last minute but you stopped him by closing the gap, after he forced his way in you tailgated him flashing your lights until you came up to a roundabout where he brake checked you and you nearly rear ended him because you were tailgating him, you then undertook him and moved back without checking your mirrors clipping said car and then tried to get away.

Did i understand that right?

[RSTurboPaul]

If he's got a dash cam he's probably furiously editing the footage now to send to the police and your insurance company.

[HustleRussell]

Evoluzione said:

You don't say or show the extent of the damage, but get a quote from a bodyshop to repair it, it might be worth it to avoid the hassle and expense of claiming on the insurance.

The TP will possibly be claiming on the OP’s insurance anyway. No point paying out of pocket and then later finding that the TP claimed and the NCD and clean record is gone anyway.

[RSTurboPaul]

HustleRussell said:

Evoluzione said:

You don't say or show the extent of the damage, but get a quote from a bodyshop to repair it, it might be worth it to avoid the hassle and expense of claiming on the insurance.

The TP will possibly be claiming on the OP’s insurance anyway. No point paying out of pocket and then later finding that the TP claimed and the NCD and clean record is gone anyway.

Might be worth reporting it as a hit and run - get a Police reference number and then ring the insurance company.

Your premium might go up or it might not - I think it would depend on their policies. It's likely you'll be paying a bit extra, they do like to charge more even when it's not your fault.

[ChevronB19]

Nickyboy said:

So he stupidly tried to exit the dual carriageway at the last minute but you stopped him by closing the gap, after he forced his way in you tailgated him flashing your lights until you came up to a roundabout where he brake checked you and you nearly rear ended him because you were tailgating him, you then undertook him and moved back without checking your mirrors clipping said car and then tried to get away.

Did i understand that right?

Nice bit of victim blaming there, plus supposition.

[Sebring440]

Andrew--Stevenson said:

he brake checked me quite hard (remembering there wasn't a lot of space between us at this point anyway as he barged in earlier).

Why was there "not a lot of space between you"? As you said, he "barged in" earlier. That was earlier, so some time later you would (surely) be leaving a safe distance?

[Evoluzione]

HustleRussell said:

Evoluzione said:

You don't say or show the extent of the damage, but get a quote from a bodyshop to repair it, it might be worth it to avoid the hassle and expense of claiming on the insurance.

The TP will possibly be claiming on the OP’s insurance anyway. No point paying out of pocket and then later finding that the TP claimed and the NCD and clean record is gone anyway.

Might do, might not. Report it to the Police then wait.
Without any other info from the OP it's pure supposition.

[babelfish]

Andrew--Stevenson said:

I pushed the brakes harder to make space and let him in. I did give the headlights a flash or two to show my disapproval (just being honest) .. but let him in.

As we came off the dual carriageway and approached a 4 lane roundabout, him in front of me, he brake checked me quite hard (remembering there wasn't a lot of space between us at this point anyway as he barged in earlier).

Just because he barged in earlier you didn't have to tailgate him.

Lifting the throttle a bit would have stopped all this but you wanted to show your annoyance and it wound him up even more.

[RSTurboPaul]

babelfish said:

Andrew--Stevenson said:

I pushed the brakes harder to make space and let him in. I did give the headlights a flash or two to show my disapproval (just being honest) .. but let him in.

As we came off the dual carriageway and approached a 4 lane roundabout, him in front of me, he brake checked me quite hard (remembering there wasn't a lot of space between us at this point anyway as he barged in earlier).

Just because he barged in earlier you didn't have to tailgate him.

Lifting the throttle a bit would have stopped all this but you wanted to show your annoyance and it wound him up even more.

I have always thought that if one has time to press the horn and/or flash the lights, it's not a real emergency or an unavoidable accident.

[Fluid]

Andrew--Stevenson said:

Evening all,

Wished I didn't have to sit here and write about this, but ...

This evening after a long drive home I was cut-up quite severely on a dual carriageway by a car. He asked to merge probably less than 100 meters from the off ramp with 'not enough space' between me and the car in front. Nevertheless, I pushed the brakes harder to make space and let him in. I did give the headlights a flash or two to show my disapproval (just being honest) .. but let him in.

As we came off the dual carriageway and approached a 4 lane roundabout, him in front of me, he brake checked me quite hard (remembering there wasn't a lot of space between us at this point anyway as he barged in earlier).

Due to the brake check and unnatural way he was driving, I moved lanes one left as he continued to slow. I then wanted back into the lane I was in previously but now I was passed him. I couldn't see where he went and assumed he had also changed lanes or slowed down. As I moved back over, I noticed him tight on my right quarter. Moments later we collided. It was not gentle which is odd as I was moving over very slowly (the lights ahead of me were red so I would have been slowing for these). I saw him giving all sorts of gestures (expected .. )

Both vehicles were mobile (paint damage only), so as we approached this large roundabout (me now in front) I continued on very slowly, hoping he would follow me to the next safe place to stop (there is a large grocery store car park after the junction). He didn't follow.

I'm not concerned of the damage to my car so won't pursue this further (though I am trying to raise it with my insurance and the police).

Where do I stand? Would me merging lanes and him swerving to hit me (rather than slowing down?) mean shared fault or full fault on me? Was I totally wrong not to stop in the middle of the main road to discuss?

Edited by Andrew--Stevenson on Wednesday 5th May 20:22

OP just in case.

[numtumfutunch]

ChevronB19 said:

Nickyboy said:

So he stupidly tried to exit the dual carriageway at the last minute but you stopped him by closing the gap, after he forced his way in you tailgated him flashing your lights until you came up to a roundabout where he brake checked you and you nearly rear ended him because you were tailgating him, you then undertook him and moved back without checking your mirrors clipping said car and then tried to get away.

Did i understand that right?

Nice bit of victim blaming there, plus supposition.

Well to be fair the OP did say he wasnt leaving any space between him and the car in front, gave the 'bandit car' what for with full beam and then tailgated it for a while

[98elise]

reggie82 said:

Cold said:

So what you're saying is that after another driver deliberately cut you up and brake tested you, he then intentionally rammed you and drove off?

Sounds to me more like he was pissed off with the guy cutting in, tailgated him towards the roundabout, got brake tested, tried to overtake and cut back in front of him, the other guy tried to stop him getting in front and it ended up with a collision...

It does sound like the OP is 50% to blame. If someone cuts in, then you need to make space to avoid an accident. It's frustrating, but retaliation is only going to end badly.