car accident.. am i liable?

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gogokr431

77 posts

Master Geek

# 108923 8-Sep-2012 18:06

so i was going through a lane where it was right turn only.. (far left lane)
and a bus was on my left, his lane was straight or right turn lane.

i was in front of the bus, didnt know i could go right only and i went straight.

bus didnt see me for some reason and turned right and crashed into my passenger's side.

my passenger side's door is f***d up.

the problem is i have no insurance......

the bus driver gave me a form to fill out i have the copy of the sheet, and he gave me a number, bus company's insurance number and i rang them up as soon as i got home.

the insurnace dude said they will call me on monday..

what would be my best move to make??

thanks in advance guys.. this is my first accident ever and im kind of .... blank.

didnt see how the bus was, but it judging by the dent on my door, i think it only had bits of paint taken off...

BAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

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19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

# 683165 8-Sep-2012 18:08

You have no insurance not even 3rd party?

KevinL

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

# 683166 8-Sep-2012 18:16

Yes, it sounds like you were at fault and are liable for damages to the bus.

gogokr431

77 posts

Master Geek

# 683167 8-Sep-2012 18:16

johnr: You have no insurance not even 3rd party?

unfortunately no.. with all seriousness, i was actually going to sign up on monday. and this happened.

mattwnz

15283 posts

Uber Geek

# 683168 8-Sep-2012 18:16

gogokr431:

It is difficult to judge especially if they hit you from the side. But it sounds like from what you have described, that the bus was in the right, and they probably didn't see you, and they knew you were in a right turning lane, so also turning right.
If you were in the wrong lane and didn't follow the rules for the lane, then I presume you were in the wrong so broke the road rules. But without seeing what happened can't really judge.

But if you think that the bus weren't watching where they were going or they hit you from behind then you should look into the laws regarding that.

gogokr431

77 posts

Master Geek

# 683171 8-Sep-2012 18:21

mattwnz:
gogokr431:

probably didn't see you, and they knew you were in a right turning lane, so also turning right.

but i was in front of the bus, i was past the intersection..

the bus wasn't really damaged, only a bit of paint off, the weight of the pushd the door of my car in :(

but if it's all my fault and i have to pay for everything...

FML

FML

FML FMLF MLF MLFMLF MLLASDDASDQWDAS

KevinL

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

# 683172 8-Sep-2012 18:28

gogokr431:
mattwnz:
gogokr431:

probably didn't see you, and they knew you were in a right turning lane, so also turning right.

but i was in front of the bus, i was past the intersection..

the bus wasn't really damaged, only a bit of paint off, the weight of the pushd the door of my car in :(

but if it's all my fault and i have to pay for everything...

FML

FML

FML FMLF MLF MLFMLF MLLASDDASDQWDAS

It doesn't really matter whether you were ahead or behind the bus, the point is you were executing an illegal manoeuvre (going straight from a right-turn only lane) so the accident is your fault - someone correct me if I'm wrong.

mattwnz

15283 posts

Uber Geek

# 683173 8-Sep-2012 18:30

gogokr431:
mattwnz:
gogokr431:

probably didn't see you, and they knew you were in a right turning lane, so also turning right.

but i was in front of the bus, i was past the intersection..

the bus wasn't really damaged, only a bit of paint off, the weight of the pushd the door of my car in :(

but if it's all my fault and i have to pay for everything...

FML

FML

FML FMLF MLF MLFMLF MLLASDDASDQWDAS

If you were in front then it could be seen as them hitting you from behind, where they may liable. But if you broke a road rule, that could change things. It could have been both of your fault? Maybe go to the Citizens Advice Bureau and ask for their advice.

This is exactly why I think at least third party insurance should be compulsory.

mjb

923 posts

Ultimate Geek

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# 683175 8-Sep-2012 18:48

gogokr431: the bus wasn't really damaged, only a bit of paint off, the weight of the pushd the door of my car in :(

but if it's all my fault and i have to pay for everything...

This is probably your saving grace - if you have to pay for everything, and everything is a bit of paint off, then the bill is likely to be small.

Just don't let them bully you into paying an inflated price - I don't really know what you can do, but I guess that since you don't have an insurance company to fend for you, then you'll have to do it yourself. demand to see the repair quotations I guess?

edit: yes, your door is also part of 'everything', but no-one is going to chase you to sort that out.... let this be a lesson for not having insurance when driving a car. it's just not worth the risk.

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cldlr76

284 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 683179 8-Sep-2012 18:57

mjb: edit: yes, your door is also part of 'everything', but no-one is going to chase you to sort that out.... let this be a lesson for not having insurance when driving a car. it's just not worth the risk.

Although im pretty sure that to get a wof you have to be able to open and close doors, so if you can't open the door you'll need to get it fixed before your next wof

scuwp

3231 posts

Uber Geek

# 683180 8-Sep-2012 18:59

Without seeing the damage or knowing the actual scene, yes I would say it is your fault. You were using the incorrect lane at the intersection. Heavy vehicles including buses do have large blind-spots, so you have to be careful when travelling just behind or just in front of the bus/truck drivers seat.

As it was a commercial vehicle it's likely the company will just leave it to their insurance company to contact and seek compensation from you.

Edit: Just spotted the door comment. The doors have to open and close to be up to WOF standard. Apart from not being able to get a WOF with the damage (if the door doesn't work) the Police can pull you up at anytime and give you a ticket for operating a car that is not up to WOF standard...so yes on top of everything you will have to get this fixed.

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, then always be the Batman

simon14

1864 posts

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# 683181 8-Sep-2012 19:00

Call up and get third party insurance before you drive again... it's just too risky without it.

mattwnz

15283 posts

Uber Geek

# 683184 8-Sep-2012 19:03

mjb: if you have to pay for everything, and everything is a bit of paint off, then the bill is likely to be small.

Just don't let them bully you into paying an inflated price - I don't really know what you can do, but I guess that since you don't have an insurance company to fend for you, then you'll have to do it yourself. demand to see the repair quotations I guess?

That is a good point. Some panel beaters I have used do appear to charge a lot more if it is an insurance job, over if it is just a personal job. I presume this is mainly because there is more paperwork, and payment delays from the insurer.
If they bus company does try to get you to pay for damage I would get a few quotes from panel beaters for repairing it . A bit difficult to do, but I would take a photo of the damage to the bus. Even small damages can be expensive. Especially if it is on a advertising panel, or multiple coloured panel.

But the first thing you may want to do is report the incident to the police so there is a record. Insurers would require this anyway, and they would ask you for a incident number.

corksta

2186 posts

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# 683192 8-Sep-2012 19:42

Here's your definitive answer: you are liable.

You failed to comply with directional arrows (I'm assuming the arrows were painted on the ground, maybe there were signs too) so it's your fault.

The position of vehicles on the road or you being in front is irrelevant I'm afraid.

As others have said though make sure you see quotes to repair the bus in writing. And get insurance too! Even third party insurance would cover the damage to the bus, but you'd have to sort repairs to your vehicle at your expense.

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KevinL

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

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# 683193 8-Sep-2012 19:43

mattwnz: But the first thing you may want to do is report the incident to the police so there is a record. Insurers would require this anyway, and they would ask you for a incident number.

You don't need to report accidents unless there is someone hurt (preferably as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours after the crash). In all other situations you are only obliged to exchange details with the other driver - if you are unable to obtain those details then you should file a report with the police no later than 60 hours after the crash.

Insurance companies will only require a police incident number if it's relevant (as above).

mjb

923 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

# 683197 8-Sep-2012 20:05

gogokr431: ok, due to some confusion, i will explain this situation better with google maps.

this was where we were. me on the right, bus on the left.
it was my first time going this road and as i looked at the arrow on the road, i thought i could go straight after going round the corner (i missed the green sign on the right)

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=kilmore+st+christchurch&hl=ko....

and this is where the accident happend...

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=kilmore+st+christchurch&hl=ko&ie=UTF8&ll.....

no difference? lol

Fixed that for you.

edit: hmm, not a very nice intersection. for sure.

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