crash 26....

[guydewdney]

going round the roundabout under the M25 / A41 (jcn 20 / watford)

in outside of 3 lanes, go past watford turning, start to indicate left for M25 south.

old biddy in a powder blue rover (old one - 213?) pulls out on me - slam anchors on - skid (ok ABS) toa halt 6" from her door - she slows, looks ROUND me to check its clear, drives off - my horn is ONNNNN...

dozy f***wit in the RH lane 'from' watford doesnt spot the teeeny weeeny 17' long 2 tonne green car 3 feet in front of him - drives into the side of me.

damage = scuff on rear bumper / quater.

he asks - shall we call it quits??? (he has a broken bumper - another rover... )shall we F***K!!! exchanged details......


moral Q - should i get the body shop to factor some of the damage that already on that side in - and pay the difference... im pretty sure he is not getting the insurance company involved.

i feel a bit sorry for him - all he saw was me going round the roundabout - then me stopped in front of him (and said biddy driving off) - he wasnt expecting me to stop...

 

[LazyBob]

Get a quote from Mercedes, get his insurance co. involved (as no-one would be daft enough to pay for a Merc repair out of their own pocket) and get Merc to fix all the problems.

No moral dilemma - he should have stopped before hitting you, whatever damage was there before is irrelevant. Your rear quarter is a big a large family saloon (hope I'm not being too personal there), what decent bodyshop would only fix part of it???

Any photos?

 

[pluggers]

Bummer!Sorry to hear about this,I would try to get what you can from the body shop as sometimes it does work.When I had my little bump last year I asked the MB body shop and they said "what did I want to have done as well",Sadly I couldnt go with them as they were too expensive and my insurance company werent been helpfull and wanted me to go with their recomended repairer.But I still asked the assesor who kindly did a little to help my plight.Hope you sort it soon m8.

he asks - shall we call it quits??? (he has a broken bumper - another rover... )shall we F***K!!! exchanged details......

Shoot him

 

[R2D2]

Sorry to hear of another bash!

 

[glojo]

What a pity you did not get the 'old biddys' number, she was the primary cause of this 'collision'**. I do however totally undrstand the reasons why it was not possible.

Unfortunately we can all learn from this (but will we?) Without doubt you had the right of way, but as you were navigating the roundabout did you see this negligent driver? I really must emphasis here that I am not having a 'go' at you, I am simply saying that by good forward observation, anticipation, plus crafty use of the accelerator, a good number of these 'collisions' can be avoided. (Drivers that approach give way signs without looking either to the left or right, might pull straight out without giving way). A quick glance out of the corner of your eye just to check this might save an hour of inconvienance exchanging details and getting estimates.

It is okay when you are in a superbly built CL, but if you were a motorcyclist the consequences could have been far more severe, but you would still have been 'in the right'!

I hope I have politely put across a driving tip, that may, or may not be of use. I would go through the insurance company of the offending driver unless they go with you to a Mercedes Benz recommended repairer and satisfies them that he will pay in full the total cost of repair!

** I have used the word 'collision' after 'Plodds' mild reprimand for calling accidents, 'accidents'.

Take care and good luck with the repair.
John

 

[guydewdney]

but it wasnt my fault this time (the sprinter was entirely my fault...)

 

[Shude]

but it wasnt my fault this time (the sprinter was entirely my fault...)

I think what John is trying to say is that fault or not, knowing you were in the right is little help if you were killed.

 

[guydewdney]

i was actually referring to R2D2s post - johns wasnt there when i posted...

I have been riding bikes for 15 / 16 years (yes, im knackered now) and i know the consequences of hitting a car... theres no ABS on a bike, and you cant brake whilst turning...

the thing is - i stopped and didnt hit the car that pulled out on me - maybe i should have done (not braked quite as hard... - well - the grill / bonnet has a few stone chips that need doing.... )

so there i am - stationary - horn blaring - and the guy coming ONTO the roundabout pulls off (from staionary) and hits the side of me... what the hell could I have done to avoid that? If i had driven 'round' the car pulling out on me theres a good chance i would have side swiped anyone on the inside lane of the roundabout / she might have hit the whole of the side of the car / the ASR would have cut in (hard braking + hard turning = skid) or whatever. So i did the best I could - stopped - bonnet 6" from her drivers door (ok - mybe 2 feet, but you get the idea).

 

[glojo]

Over the years I find that you can call a person ugly, say there breath smells , even tell them they have B.O. and they will not perhaps take offence, mention their driving ability and be prepared. I am NOT in any shape blaming Guy for this collision. The blame lies farely? and squarely at the feet of the old biddy. The driver of the second vehicle 'might' have a defence if he were prosecuted though. I must emphasis the word might, because the road in front of him was clearly blocked by Guy's CL.

Now it does not matter how many years experience we have riding bikes or cars, it is the skills we develop. These skills can be learnt by taking driving\riding courses. Sadly though it is one thing taking a course but another thing to retain that acquired knowledge. Those members that have taken the full advanced institute driving course will have learnt excellent habits that they should retain forever. However it is always recommended to take refresher courses.

As my old instructor used to say, "The day you pass your driving test, is the day you start to learn bad habits!"

I am NOT criticising Guy, I am merely using his accident as an example. Roundabouts are where drivers meet to exchange names and addresses. By being aware of other road users a great number of collisions can be avoided.

By either very early gentle acceleration Guy MIGHT have got pass the old biddy before she reached the junction. By gently lifting the foot slightly off the throttle Guy might have slightly reduced his speed to let the old biddy out. (I do mean very lightly lifting off)

Why should Guy do this, he had the right of way?
Guy did have right of way and if he had hit her, then it would indeed be her fault.

But why have a collision when you are a better driver than the offender and have better observational skills.

Guy now will be thinking about this accident, thinking about the cost, thinking about what garage to use, thinking about whether to go through the insurance, thinking about how long his vehicle will be off the road, thinking about a hire car.

Life is too short anyway, why put all this extra stress into it. If this accident had been avoided Guy would perhaps think how well he had anticipated the other drivers ignorant driving, had a wry smile and carried on with his job.

What option would any reasonable person choose.

Am I being to contraversial by throwing these points into the pot?

I have the greatest of respect for everyone here and I could easily say nice things and not be outspoken, but surely if we can learn from other peoples misfortune then that is the better option?

I hope I have explained my posts and I will repeat, I am NOT blaming Guy.

Take care and remember....

Be careful out there!!!

John

 

[Mozzer]

John, agree with everything you have said and I'm sure we all drive with a weathered eye out for potential hazards, be it old biddies, young boy racers, people driving without having de-frosted, peopel who have forgotten to turn their lights on, people who don't indicate, etc.

I have got to say though, if you have just had a near miss, you are stationary at the mouth of an exit with your horn blaring, there's not a lot else you could be doing to tell people where you are and not to drive into you (external airbags - fenders maybe ? )

Guy, bad luck at least you are OK, you could have had the front end caved in and been side / rear ended for good measure and at least the guy seems to have accepted liability and given you his details.

It wasn't that bloody silly double roundabout at the new A41 junction was it ? I've seen some horrors on there and have to admit to still getting confused occasionally there myself

Stuart

 

[guydewdney]

no - it was the one under the M25...

in response to John - slight acceleration would not have got me in front of her. slight decelleration woudlnt either.. I was doing approx 35 / 40 mph, and she pulled out at that critical imnotgoingtostoparrrrgghhh point - the point of no return. nearly...

full kickdown nail it MIGHT have got me in front of her - if my gearbox was in a good mood - but would have been reckless imho.

hey ho - its only a scratch / slightly bent panel. but merc want 630 quid!!!!!!! seriously. and thats Purslows!

 

[mark.t]

old bids

should we not applaud the old bids for this extra careful driving,they do have all day and all day to do it in, we should forgive their little faults, and put it down to old age ...and all that comes with it ....bad sight ... slow reactions ... indecision..the ability to get lost in a paper bag....deafness I said DEAFNESS...confusion....bouts of dizziness...all this behind the wheel...and they say using a mobile can increase the risk of a collision