Reversing into parking space accident

Vamp369

Earlier this morning I drove in to a carpark for a Centra store. It has spaces lining both sides with a main thoroughfare.
I had turned to the right with the intention to reverse in to a space on the left. As I reversed another car attempted to drive in to the space I was reversing in to. A collision occurred. The other driver argued I should have seen them but I said I was reversing and they pulled in behind me.
Only very minor damage was done. Who is at fault here? Thanks

Sebastian Dangerfield

Vamp369 wrote: »

Earlier this morning I drove in to a carpark for a Centra store. It has spaces lining both sides with a main thoroughfare.
I had turned to the right with the intention to reverse in to a space on the left. As I reversed another car attempted to drive in to the space I was reversing in to. A collision occurred. The other driver argued I should have seen them but I said I was reversing and they pulled in behind me.
Only very minor damage was done. Who is at fault here? Thanks

Did you indicate?

ct5amr2ig1nfhp

Did he hit you, or did you hit him?

razorblunt

This happened to my OH recently enough. We took the blame and paid for the damage done to their car, thankfully it was only £150.
Idiot behind drove right up but the OH never checked the reverse cam before going back either.

Vamp369

Sebastian Dangerfield wrote: »

Did you indicate?

No, but how do you indicate for that apart from left side?

I reversed in to the other car as itbdrove in front of (the rear) of my car.

Story Bud?

You should be indicating toward the spot. If the spot was on your left, then your left indicator should have been on.

Unfortunately, as you were the one reversing, you will be the one liable.

ted1

Vamp369 wrote: »

No, but how do you indicate for that?

I reversed in to the other car as itbdrove in front of (the rear) of my car.

Well you indicate left if reversing in to the left and right if going right.
Was the other driver being cheeky by robbing the spot, or was your intention to reverse clear , did you check your mirrors while reversing ?

whiskeyman

Vamp369 wrote: »

I reversed in to the other car as itbdrove in front of (the rear) of my car.

Both to blame IMO.

You should have reversed with due care and checking all around.
He should have kept his distance and observed you in front.

BGozIE

I was preforming a U-turn on a road where an accident had occured ahead, as a few cars had done infront of me. I was performing the reversing portion of the U-turn and as I did, the car that was behind me in traffic pulled up into the space my car left, we clipped just at the arch of my back wheel and the corner of his front bumper...hard to explain, but to cut a long story short - I contested this over insurance (which ended up costina lot more then the repair would have alone, as it was a small scratch to both cars). We both had the same insurance company (dont know if this helped me really) and they ruled against me as I was reversing.

Vamp369

ted1 wrote: »

Well you indicate left if reversing in to the left and right if going right.
Was the other driver being cheeky by robbing the spot, or was your intention to reverse clear , did you check your mirrors while reversing ?

I get the indication bit (hence the edit) but if I'm indicating left, and I've already turned to the right to straighten up for the reverse the other driver won't see my indicator as they approached from my offside/driver side. I had checked all mirrors, all clear, looking in rear view as I reversed.

I wouldn't say cheeky, didn't seem to realize I had choosen that space.

dev100

Vamp369 wrote:

I reversed in to the other car as itbdrove in front of (the rear) of my car.

If it's the case of you hitting the other car rather than other car hitting you I would say you are technically at fault . Is there much damage to their car??? .... if it were me I would argue I was reversing into the space and they were blind . So tell them they should look after their own costs and you will look after your own. It ll cost more money in long run disputing it

check_six

I think you have to give way to everything when you are reversing, although you are not supposed to ram the car in front of you either. I'd guess the reversing rule takes precedence even if the other driver was chancing his arm trying to swipe your space. Sorry, OP!

Alanstrainor

A reversing vehicle must give way at all times. If you reversed into them, then it's your fault unfortunately. Sounds like the other party was being very cheeky, but it doesn't take away from the above.

beauf

If someone stops just past a parking spot and their reversing light goes on. Its most likely they are going to reverse into that space. This diving into a spot behind some doing this is typical of the bullying aggressive driving that you see everywhere. I would ask and see is there CCTV covering the car park, either on the car park or near by shops.

That said you shouldn't reverse into anything regardless. Though you could argue you shouldn't drive into someone reversing either. It would depend the specific situation.

The problem is the insurance company don't care who is at fault. They will settle which ever is the least cost to them. Unless you have a clear cut case. Which you don't.

beauf

dev100 wrote: »

...So tell them they should look after their own costs and you will look after your own. It ll cost more money in long run disputing it

This is true.

People are rarely reasonable. I had one case where a guy refused this logic for 2yrs, costs more in increased premiums than the repair. In the end was settled each pay their own. and the increased premium while there was an outstanding claim.

biko

I think it is as Alan says - the reversing car is responsible to look out for anything (even an eejit trying to take your space).

But I don't know the legislation around this.
Will you let your insurer sort it out?

beauf

This is why people block the space until the cars behind go past them, then reverse into it.

seamus

As above there is a requirement to give way to everything when reversing. Circumstances may vary and it can be possible to argue that the other person did something outrageous. But in general if you're reversing and you hit another vehicle you will be found at fault unless you have a mountain of evidence that shows how the other person was in the wrong.

Vamp369

biko wrote: »

But I don't know the legislation around this.
Will you let your insurer sort it out?

Damage was very minor, paint scratches. Other driver said if the mechanic says it's ok as is that that will be the end of it.

I always try to reverse in because I find it's a lot safer when departing.

The YOPPA

I would take your side on this OP, especially as it happened in a supermarket carpark.

All drivers have to be aware of cars pulling into & out of spaces. It sounds like you were performing a perfectly legal manoeuvre and the other driver was either being cheeky or wasn't driving with due care & attention....how do you not notice reversing lights again on a car right in front of you??

Vamp369

The YOPPA wrote: »

do you not notice reversing lights again on a car right in front of you??

I drive a Ford Focus, reverse light is on nearside/left side. I had turned to the right to reverse straight back. That would make seeing the light hard. Never understood why reverse lights aren't on both sides.

bear1

If you are unsure which direction you should indicate when reversing into a space it would be best to stick the hazards on while reversing.
I sometimes do this if for e.g the spot is tight.

biko

Vamp369 wrote: »

I always try to reverse in because I find it's a lot safer when departing.

Agreed, it's much better to reverse into the space.
In all my time it has never happened that someone else tried to take my spot, thankfully.

Vamp369

So the other driver got back to me there. They had some someone look at the car. To get the paint repaired €300 all in. A lot cheaper than the insurance route so I'll go with it.

In future any cars coming behind I'll just wait until they have gone past before moving.

bear1

Vamp369 wrote: »

So the other driver got back to me there. They had some someone look at the car. To get the paint repaired €300 all in. A lot cheaper than the insurance route so I'll go with it.

In future any cars coming behind I'll just wait until they have gone past before moving.

Now, you get them to sign a document stating that all repairs have been carried out and no further costs will be received. Something along those lines.
Also would it be advisable to inform your insurance company in case they come back with sudden "pains"?

dr.fuzzenstein

Vamp369 wrote: »

Damage was very minor, paint scratches. Other driver said if the mechanic says it's ok as is that that will be the end of it.

I always try to reverse in because I find it's a lot safer when departing.

So now you know the fallacy of that approach. :P
If people see you reverse into a space they will say "quick, get in there before that cnut does!" bang!
If they see you reverse out of a space they will say "OK, I want that space, I'll block everyone else and let him reverse"

ikeano29

beauf wrote: »

This is why people block the space until the cars behind go past them, then reverse into it.

Always block the space because there are usually some chancers will just try bully there way in front ways knowing full what what they are.

Rubberchikken

I always reverse into parking spaces.
Have had a car cut behind me in an aldi carpark not because they wanted the space but because they didnt seem willing to wait the couple of seconds it takes for me to park.
Could have ended up with me hitting them but ive been reversing into spots for too long and never assume anything.

Check and recheck and assume the worse from other drivers would be a motto of mine:)

dr.fuzzenstein

Its funny how every single person here who says they always reverse in "because its safer" has a story where someone almost or actually hit them.
And I have seen it myself so many times. In some cases you have no choice, because the street is narrow in some cases you have to reverse in. 9 times out of 10 the baxtard behind you will see the reverse lights come on and they will actually floor it to prevent you from getting into that space. Not because they want the space, but because they want to block you from having it. A previous poster also pointed out how people will move in behind you when you're doing a three point turn. Incompetence, pigheadedness, stupidity, impatience and sometimes just sheer malice from other road users actually makes it more risky to reverse into a spot. So, safer? Rubbish. And this thread proves it.

VincePP

bear1 wrote: »

Also would it be advisable to inform your insurance company in case they come back with sudden "pains"?

Don't say anything to insurance company - it will be put on your records and it will be seen as a potential claim and they'll increase premium somehow.

VincePP

VincePP wrote: »

Don't say anything to insurance company - it will be put on your records and it will be seen as a potential claim and they'll increase premium somehow.

I'm sure there's no such thing as a 'potential' claim. There's either a claim, or there's not.