Accident with Semi Trailer in Roundabout

BarginGrabber on 19/02/2023 - 06:58
Last edited 19/02/2023 - 07:00

I want opinions on who you guys think is at fault because at the time I was a bit puzzled but afterwards asking multiple people, I feel that the semi-trailer was in the wrong and should be held responsible. However, these people clearly have a bias in the situation so wanted unbiased opinions.

So, it is a TWO lane roundabout. I had entered the roundabout and was doing a full U-turn as I'm like ¾ of the way onto the other side, the Semi-trailer (coming to my left) starts entering into the roundabout (remember two lane roundabout) so I assume ok that semi-trailer is turning left (furthest lane) into the same street as me because that makes the most logical sense + I was already in the roundabout so I have right of way + I can't just slam the brakes when there is possibly a car right behind me + he was leaning towards that side. So I stay on my lane (inside lane) turns out he is going straight actually and hits the the back left side of my car (Where my rear left light is).

That's the important information, the rest is extra.

He gets out maybe not aggressive but irritated for sure, called his boss and he seemed to be a pretty chill guy. Another guy who is driving a smaller truck stops and says I'm at fault because I was going "at least 80" (even though I literally U-turned staying in my lane, my car isn't a Ferrari or even Toyota 86 so the acceleration isn't that good) and if I'm being 100% honest, the guy (the 'witness') was honestly a massive jerk and kept egging the the Semi-trailer guy on pretty much. The Semi-Trailer guy says he didn't see me, I realised this after but I don't think he knew I was doing a U-turn and thought I came from the lane on his right. He kept saying he had "right of way". I was already in the roundabout before he even approached it.

The unfortunate part is that he had a dashcam and I didn't….so all you'll see is the hit which he can argue that he entered the roundabout first (which obviously isn't right at all). I'm thinking about going to the local businesses nearby and hopefully one of them has a camera that shows their parking lot, which hopefully shows a bit of the roundabout.

Obviously this is only one side of the story, so maybe the Semi-Trailer guy has another side that would make you change your mind.

However, based on the information, who's in the wrong?

Poll Options

  • 7
    You
  • 53
    The Semi-Trailer guy
Automotive

Comments

  • Gunnar on 19/02/2023 - 07:06
    +6

    Do you have insurance? Leave it with them to sort out who is at fault and not an online community whose opinion has zero impact on the outcome of the situation

    FWIW based on your info you were in the right because you were in the round about first

    • BarginGrabber on 19/02/2023 - 07:08

      I'm just curious to see what opinions of unbiased people are.

      So, my car that is insured + has dash cams all round it…is at the mechanic.

      I had to borrow a car from a family member which isn't insured, which makes the situation even worse.

      • md333 on 19/02/2023 - 17:29

        Have you checked your insurance policy carefully to see if you could be covered?
        I just noticed mine (RAC WA) includes cover for
        "You while driving a substitute car (excluding hire cars)
        because your car is being repaired, serviced or has
        broken down."

        • BarginGrabber on 19/02/2023 - 19:13

          I didn't know that's a thing, I'll check it out thanks

  • kerfuffle on 19/02/2023 - 07:08
    +5

    Obligatory Whirlpool thread

    • BarginGrabber on 19/02/2023 - 07:12
      -5

      I'll be honest, I didn't know how to delete a thread on there so I kept it up haha.

    • pegaxs on 19/02/2023 - 09:19
      +2

      Nothing like a nice cross shop to get the information you want

  • SBOB on 19/02/2023 - 07:34
    +2

    You seem to have left out some important info
    had to borrow a car from a family member which isn't insured

    From that brief, un mspaint described story of events, I would say truck driver possibly at fault. Good luck trying to chase them or the truck companies insurance up.

    Though considering they entered when you were
    as I'm like ¾ of the way onto the other side
    No idea how you continued around and drove across the path of the truck, enough to cut across the entire front of the truck and they only hit the rear corner of your car.
    Do you often send it around round abouts with your eyes closed?

    • BarginGrabber on 19/02/2023 - 07:38

      I was just curious about the accident itself.

      I understand without insurance involved it would be pretty damn difficult to do anything.

      If the truck driver does a claim (which I doubt), I'll have to see my options.

      If not, I'll just accept it I suppose.

      Damages gonna cost $600 so not end of the world.

      Let me explain the part about 3/4 part, it's hard to explain but hopefully the message gets across.

      When you exit the roundabout, at the very very end there is a slight curve so the left back side of my car is closer to his bumper than the rest of the car. He hit the left back side of the car and obviously braked.

      If it was straight, the whole side of my car would have been hit.

      This is an example someone gave in the other thread, NOT THE ROUNDABOUT I WAS AT.

      https://imgur.com/3AjK68Y

      • SBOB on 19/02/2023 - 08:39

        When you exit the roundabout, at the very very end there is a slight curve so the left back side of my car is closer to his bumper than the rest of the car.

        Your initial summary was two lane round about, you exiting from the inside lane, truck in left lane entering round about and g
        going across your path..

        This explanation you've given about 'slight curve' makes no sense to me.

        • BarginGrabber on 19/02/2023 - 08:56

          https://imgur.com/a/PRDpkc7

          The blue arrow is what I meant by "curve" maybe bend is better term.

          The red arrow is where the truck is entering the roundabout.

          Once again, this isn't the roundabout where the action occurred and it is a little bit different but comparable.

          Here is a bonus picture, where the damage on my car occurred.

          https://i.imgur.com/iDTlgmZ.png

          • SBOB on 19/02/2023 - 09:03

            @BarginGrabber: Yes, so for that accident to happen, you had to have driven fully across the front of the truck.

            They are still (most likely) at fault, but seriously.
            Some situational awareness and lifting/coasting when unsure about other cars/trucks movements is a long way from needing to slam your brakes on.

          • Muzeeb on 19/02/2023 - 09:04

            @BarginGrabber:

            Here is a bonus picture, where the damage on my car occurred.

            What sort of car were you driving?
            Rear quarter damage can be very very expensive. You quoted $600 on whirlpool. Was that an actual quote or just a guess?

          • SnoozeAndLose on 19/02/2023 - 10:19

            @BarginGrabber: what is the damage to your car and another car?

            if you are on the blue arrow and the semi is going straight on the red arrow lane, then he must be in the wrong to keep on going and across the lane

      • pegaxs on 19/02/2023 - 09:31
        +4

        NOT THE ROUNDABOUT I WAS AT.

        Then post the one it was at. What is the point of posting that random photo? Why do people do this? You think someone is going to track down where you live and rob your house based on a Google Maps link to the actual round about? Just post a link to the roundabout it happened at.

        Roundabouts can be different. Different signage, different line/lane markings, different entry/exit points, different visibility… So posting one that is "an example" is pointless.

        • BarginGrabber on 19/02/2023 - 10:01
          -4

          It isn't pointless at all, when it is 98% or so comparable.

          It is a normal roundabout, there's no special rules no special signage.

          I'm not going to post specific details about the location of the roundabout.

          For multiple reasons, that is a stupid thing for me to do. I have no idea where this situation is going to lead, maybe his insurance company never calls me and I don't have to go down any route, maybe they do call me and now I have to look at all my options.

          It isn't a good idea for me to post specific information including the location on a forum online.

          That's why people don't do that, it should be obvious.

          I understand it's a low chance, but it's still a chance so not worth it.

          If you believe it isn't enough for you to give your opinion, fine just leave the thread.

          • bomberswarm2 on 19/02/2023 - 13:11
            +2

            @BarginGrabber: OP refusing to give out basic details, obviously trying to hide something and is in the wrong.

            • pegaxs on 19/02/2023 - 14:16
              +1

              @bomberswarm2: Absolutely hiding something.

              And the harder someone goes to protect this information, the more suspicious I am that their version of events is bullshit.

            • BarginGrabber on 19/02/2023 - 19:08
              -3

              @bomberswarm2: Lol you guys are insane

  • kamelataturd on 19/02/2023 - 07:43
    +6

    If you are doing a u-turn (ie entering at 6:00 and exiting at 6:00) you should be in the right lane as you enter and as you exit according to NSW road rules (which you were).

    The truck has an obligation to give way to traffic already in the roundabout - so in my personal opinion as long as your vehicle was in front of his - which by the sounds of the point of contact you were - he is at fault.

    He was entitled to be in the left lane (entering from 3:00) as long as he was exiting at 6:00 or 9:00 - but as you were already in the roundabout he has to yield to you.

    At the end of the day you shouldn't require dashcams. A photograph of the roundabout layout, and photographs of where the damage is on your car and on the truck should make it pretty straightforward.

    Disclaimer I am basing this on NSW road rules.
    https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-s…

  • Muzeeb on 19/02/2023 - 08:25

    Describe the truck in more detail please.

    My guess is the truckdriver either didn't see you or was trying to roll through the give way to avoid stopping and misjudged it. Big trucks hate stopping and depending on their design can have blind spots ahead of them.

    • BarginGrabber on 19/02/2023 - 08:26

      You want to know what it physically looked like? or did you mean something else

      • Muzeeb on 19/02/2023 - 08:27

        Yes. Did it have a long bonnet for example.

        • BarginGrabber on 19/02/2023 - 08:30

          I didn't pay too much attention to the bonnet to be honest with you.

          From memory, it wasn't long or short. It was just the standard

          • SBOB on 19/02/2023 - 08:35
            +2

            @BarginGrabber:

            From memory, it wasn't long or short. It was just the standard

            From memory? One would assume you'd have plenty of pics of the front of the truck and the rear of your car, which you would have taken post accident while exchanging details :/

            • BarginGrabber on 19/02/2023 - 08:38

              @SBOB: I only took photo of the damage and plate.

              Yes, I know stupid af of me. A lot was going on, I had like 2-3 people calling me just after the accident, the semi trailer guy, the other guy that was there etc..so a lot was on my mind.

          • Muzeeb on 19/02/2023 - 08:38
            +1

            @BarginGrabber: That doesn't make sense. Cheers.

            • BarginGrabber on 19/02/2023 - 08:40

              @Muzeeb: The length of the bonnet wasn't on my mind at the time, sorry.

              • Muzeeb on 19/02/2023 - 08:41

                @BarginGrabber: That's ok. It's probably irrelevant info anyway. I was just curious.

                • BarginGrabber on 19/02/2023 - 08:42

                  @Muzeeb: Yeah I get you, it was just overwhelming at the time but those kinds of details are definitely important.

    • pegaxs on 19/02/2023 - 09:37
      +5

      Describe the truck in more detail please.

      On OP's current trajectory of posting examples… I'll go ahead and post a photo of it for them…

      https://imgur.com/a/PVuou22
      NOT THE ACTUAL TRUCK

  • Euphemistic on 19/02/2023 - 10:28
    1. You didn’t have right of way, no one does. It’s not a concept in traffic law.
    2. The semi should have given way because you were on the roundabout already. Seems he probably didn’t expect you to u-turn.
    3. Taking the option of braking and potentially getting a hit from behind is normally a better option than getting squashed under a truck.
    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/02/2023 - 10:45
      +2

      You didn’t have right of way, no one does

      Wut

      The semi should have given way
      nek minnit
      You didn’t have right of way, no one does

      Wut wut

      • Muzeeb on 19/02/2023 - 10:53
        +1

        'Give way' vs 'right of way'

        • Ughhh on 19/02/2023 - 11:05
          +2

          It's just semantics. I think most people say "right of way" as a short version of "the person who should be given way to" ie. the opposite of 'give way'.

        • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/02/2023 - 11:11

          Why would anyone have to give way to someone else if nobody has right of way? They can avoid hitting me instead.

          • Euphemistic on 19/02/2023 - 11:51
            +3

            @Typical16-bitEnjoyer: Yes, it’s just semantics, but it’s the way the law is written. ALL instances one party has a responsibility to give way. The law is written such that in most circumstances, it is definitive who should give way.

            “Right of way” has connotations of driving along and everyone else has to get out of your way. This is why the law does not reflect it. At some point ALL drivers must do what they can to avoid a crash.

            Losing the term “right of way” out of vernacular helps to create a defensive driver mindset.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/02/2023 - 10:44

    Lesson for the future, it takes mere minutes to get insurance online and then you have 21 days to cancel it and pay nothing.

    • Euphemistic on 19/02/2023 - 11:53

      Think you’ll find that you’d need to pay for the premium in the event of a claim.

      • md333 on 19/02/2023 - 14:57
        +1

        I think you'll find most people are very happy to pay the premium in event of a claim.

        • Euphemistic on 19/02/2023 - 16:37

          That’s true. I think you’ll also find that many insurers won’t actually cover you without payment these days.

          • Muzeeb on 19/02/2023 - 16:54

            @Euphemistic: Typically full payment upfront or 2 months upfront payment if on a month by month plan.

          • md333 on 19/02/2023 - 17:11

            @Euphemistic: If you are just borrowing a car for a few days it's worth finding one that does still does cover notes. I've done it recently.
            Even if you do have to pay up front, in my experience every time I've cancelled an insurance policy I've got a refund for the remaining period of cover.

          • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 20/02/2023 - 11:27
            +1

            @Euphemistic: At least in Victoria, some take payment immediately, some take payment at day 22.

            Those that take payment immediately are required to refund in full if you cancel within 21 days.

  • Ughhh on 19/02/2023 - 11:07
    +2

    says I'm at fault because I was going "at least 80"

    Don't think that really matters, if thats even possible without flying into a tree. Cars outside of roundabout must give way to cars already inside.

    • Muzeeb on 19/02/2023 - 11:38

      80 in a Navara through a roundabout - I don't think so

      80 in an STI WRX - maybe

      • Euphemistic on 19/02/2023 - 11:54

        80 in a Navara through a roundabout - I don't think so

        Can confirm. Especially doing a u-turn. Enter a roundabout at 80, and unless you’re going straight out the other side you going to end up upside down

  • xuqi on 19/02/2023 - 11:15

    If you were already in the roundabout and the other party entered the roundabout causing the collision, then it's their fault for not giving way, taking care, etc.

    What you were doing in the roundabout (specifically direction of travel exiting, etc.) isn't of much importance. The driver entering a roundabout must give way to those already there.

    He or she can say whatever they want -re speed. Don't ever agree or accept any fault (specially when you are insured) if involved in an accident. Leave that to the insurer / others to decide.

  • DoctorCalculon on 20/02/2023 - 01:16

    For a moment I thought you were @BargainsGrabber without the avatar (until I put my glasses back on). :)

  • kiitos on 20/02/2023 - 11:42

    Any update?

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