That's the NCB out the window!

[Dashik]

Usual story. Not paying attention to whats happening in front. OP's fault, end of.

Its got nothing to do with the car at the roundabout. They are perfectly entitled to stop at the line or short of it if they see something you cant. Its does not matter why or where they stop. Just because you don't think it was reasonable that they should have stopped has nothing to do with it. You need to keep more space in front and keep asking yourself 'what if'.

Still and all lucky nobody was seriously hurt.

As somebody else has already posted you are now MORE likely to have an accident in the future rather then lass. Insurance industry research btw.

So be careful.

 

[Ben M]

Oldest way of crashing in the book: expecting other drivers to be any good, and not being good enough yourself to make allowances for that.

 

[Scania]

What's annoying is the SOLE reason I went to Chelmsford was to go to a competitor to pick up a firewire cable. This £7.99 cable has turned out to be what seems a slightly bigger bill!

I feel for you mate, I wrote off my old Escort TD on a trip to buy Gran Turismo 3 for my old PS2 ages back, turned out the car was a poorly re-built write off and my insurance refused to pay anything over 50% of its book value.

Great game GT3, but it turned out very very expensive.

 

[sigma]

Jeez, why is everyone saying O/P's fault O/P's fault O/P's fault , he's already said it was his fault...

He's not the first person to crash like this, and certainly won't be the last.

Luckily nobody was hurt and I'm pretty sure he'll learn from his mistake.

 

[Mark A]

My instructors car was hit twice like this on the same roundabout, with different pupils in the car. The pupil set off but then stalled the car and the guy behind bumped into them. This is why i always slow right down and wait to see what the car in front does before deciding what to do myself. Ive still got loads to learn so I assume the person in front could make the same mistakes as i do (Stalling etc ).

Unlucky dude, its good that you could be calm about it. I think i would have been a bit shaken up tbh.

 

[Stellios]

Nearly done it myself, but now i have a quick glance right to see whats coming as I approach, then do not look again and keep my eyes solid on whats in front of me.

I cant afford for my insurance to go up, its already £1k as it is (only been driving a year)

 

[Phate]

Heres a pic.

Had a quick look today, going to need a new headlight which is £174 ex VAT from Saab so I'm going to go down a scrappy on the weekend and take a proper look.

Not sure when the paint will be done though

 

[Matt82]

i nearly did this to a girl i went out with at the weekend.

lukily i have the reactions of a cat

my money is on a big injury claim. it is BS that the company has to go through the insurers

 

[Phate]

my money is on a big injury claim. it is BS that the company has to go through the insurers

Same

Ah well, my insurance will cover it so meh. Just push it back up after coming down this year by about 500 quid

 

[Vertigo]

my money is on a big injury claim. it is BS that the company has to go through the insurers

The company doesn't necessarily have to go through the insurers but the driver will be required to report it to the company and let them deal with it. If the OP wants to try to avoid an insurance claim he needs to take it up with the third party's employers.

 

[Matt82]

yup, call them and ask to speak to the fleet/transport manager.

 

[teaboy5]

Aww unlucky.

Sure look on the bright side, you can get one of the company now. You being the IT Director and all

 

[insane200]

i did that 6 years ago now, lukly the car i hit was a old escort estate, but it didnt have any damage lol, my bumper which was newly fitted though was pushed back.

when i had someone go into the back of me, i was asked 3 or 4 times if i had any neck injurys which i didint even though i was hit quite hard. it seems like there trying to give you a payout for nothing.

 

[mrk]

I poked a focus once on a busy heavy traffic day, the focus in front randomly stopped for some reason and I braked (was moving no more than 5-10mph but needle doesn't shift below 10mph so...)

Anyway he parked up, looked at both cars and he said something like "lucky this time eh!" as there was no visible damage anywhere on either car. We then went on our way.

Lucky shave that one!

unlucky on yours though :/

 

[milgo]

Don't worry about it, very easily done. Other people here may be critical, but its an easy mistake to make. I think it's so dangerous when people stop at a roundabout when there are no cars coming. Same with people that go round roundabouts without indicating properly. Good drivers will keep the flow and look ahead in advance.

 

[Tesla]

Phate, just up the road from me is a massive wearhouse where the break all kind's of Saab.

http://www.simply-saab.com

I know your old man is in the trade but just another option.

 

[Neil777]

I don't think you can ever assume the car in front will go straight away at a roundabout, say for instance the driver suddenly had a sneezing fit, its more than likely that they're going to stop rather than carry on.

 

[Moorron]

sorry to hear this. ive had a few close ones like this too. I always look in the direction i am travellin before i make my mind up if im stopping or going now. My Bros wife has 2 or 3 rear enderes each year (not by me or my bro lol) because she stops all the time when it clear. She gets a nice new car and a few weeks off work too, she isnt doing it on purpose but i still blame her.

its a shame the law always dictates its the car behind thats at fault. but what can you do?

if they claim for injusries i would play them at their own game, claim that they were drunk and driving irratically.

 

[VBDub]

if they claim for injusries i would play them at their own game, claim that they were drunk and driving irratically.

I'm sorry but that is one of the most retarded things I have ever read.
They may actually have injuries, its a bit ridiculous to claim they are drunk and commit fraud yourself.

I hit another car in August and three people in the car are claiming whiplash, they also invented a witness. Should I claim that they were all drunk? No, because that hits my credibility, they can lie all they want, but It's up to an accident investigator to decide what happens, not a load of lies.

 

[Dave M]

I've never hit anyone like that but dozens of times I'll come close at a roundabout - tip is don't try to be too clever and anticipate the roundabout, because the guy in front is an idiot and will stop anywhere and anytime - just look for him, only when he's gone can you worry about the roundabout.