Collision with a car during my commute. Who is liable?

[wittimahat]

On the way home I had a minor collision with a car.

He was doing a three point turn and the front of his car was fully over my side of the road. I nipped through the gap but caught his bumper with my pedal. There are a couple of 8 inch scratches on the corner of his bumper now.

He should have seem me approaching and waited for me to pass instead of blocking my route. I could have stopped in time rather than going through the narrow gap.

I don't have insurance. He does. Who is in the wrong (probably difficult to answer without seeing)? And what happens next?

We exchanged numbers and went on our way.

 

[Mo1959]

Not sure about blame, but personally, if someone is in the middle of carrying out a manoeuvre I would always hold back until they have completed it. Not sure why you would want to risk squeezing through?

 

[glenn forger]

The front bumper? Rash move fella.

 

[glenn forger]

Or lass, sorry.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Is there such a thing as 'my side' and 'your side'?

I thought the road was defined as 'available space' irrespective of the markings?

Was he stationary at the point you nipped through and caught him, or did he move into the space you were in?

 

[vickster]

It sounds like you should have waited and are at fault. See if he gets in touch, hopefully it's not too costly a repair. I can't see him being willing to claim on his insurance, in fact if he tells them, they may come looking for you

Might be worth joining British Cycling / CTC / Wiggle assist (or whatever they are called) so you have third party indemnity cover for future (and legal cover for yourself if hurt or the bike damaged by a third party at fault)

 

[vickster]

Is there such a thing as 'my side' and 'your side'?

I thought the road was defined as 'available space' irrespective of the markings?

Was he stationary at the point you nipped through and caught him, or did he move into the space you were in?

It reads like he tried to squeeze past an already manoeuvring vehicle

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Less haste more speed
Glad you're ok, the damage seems to be minor, I think you will have to pay for the repair.

 

[midlife]

Did you run into a stationary car? Wherever it happened to be.

Shaun

 

[Hip Priest]

If his car was stopped when you squeezed through, it's your fault. If he closed the gap while you were passing, it's his fault.

All very minor stuff though. I'd offer to pay for a touch-up.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

On the way home I had a minor collision with a car.

He was doing a three point turn and the front of his car was fully over my side of the road. I nipped through the gap but caught his bumper with my pedal. There are a couple of 8 inch scratches on the corner of his bumper now.

He should have seem me approaching and waited for me to pass instead of blocking my route. I could have stopped in time rather than going through the narrow gap.

I don't have insurance. He does. Who is in the wrong (probably difficult to answer without seeing)? And what happens next?

We exchanged numbers and went on our way.

Are you certain you're not insured?

Many home contents policies provide cover for this sort of thing. Check the wording of your policy or contact your insurers to verify.

GC

 

[vickster]

If his car was stopped when you squeezed through, it's your fault. If he closed the gap while you were passing, it's his fault.

All very minor stuff though. I'd offer to pay for a touch-up.

8 inch scratch if need not so minor...
Pedals can do quite a lot of damage, mine left a clear dent in the side of the car that knocked me off!

 

[Smokin Joe]

If his car was stopped when you squeezed through, it's your fault. If he closed the gap while you were passing, it's his fault.

That's about it.

 

[Drago]

He was manoeuvring long before got to him, so you should have given way and allowed him to finish.

 

[Andrew_P]

Rules are rules, always the drivers fault.