In an Accident While Completing a 3 Point Turn

NoBucks on 08/11/2023 - 11:15
Last edited 08/11/2023 - 14:38 by 1 other user

Update: Reading all comments I am convinced it was my fault. Maybe I am wrong giving way and waiting for people to complete their turns :)

Here is the video
https://www.veed.io/view/c0bc6425-b7e3-4700-8016-abe3c44819b…

Hi all, just need opinion regarding an accident I was involved in.

I was coming out of a parking bay and taking a 3 point turn. When I started to pull out from the bay there were no vehicles on the road. When I was doing the last 3rd turn of the 3 point, that is moving into the lane after having pulled out, backed up and making the final turn forward, then a car came from behind me and hit me on the left of the vehicle. The driver initially tried to run away but when I followed him he stopped. We exchanged details (his licence had a condition "B" which I discovered meant that he had been previously convicted of drink driving). But no police were involved in the incident so not sure if he was or not under influence.

We are with the same insurer, and now the insurance tells me that I was my fault. I have dash cam footage which clearly shows that there are no vehicles on the road when I started my turn but he showed up from behind when I was completing my turn, did not give way and tried to pass me while I was making my final turn. The insurer says as the other driver was already "established" in the lane I should given way. Is this right?

I checked NSW road handbook it does not mention about right of way or who should be giving way. Appreciate if I can get some opinion here.

Thanks for reading.

Automotive

Comments

  • GregRust on 10/11/2023 - 09:04
    +2

    An avoidable accident from both parties. You could've waited for the road to be clear/conducted the turn somewhere else. The Prado driver also should've had some patience and let you complete the turn rather than steaming through a marginal gap.

  • ripesashimi on 10/11/2023 - 09:58
    +4

    I dont see how the footage helps you OP.

    • ozfool on 11/11/2023 - 11:25

      I am pretty impressed by how the prado appeared out of nowhere in like 1 second to put itself in OPs way. I have a little bit of sympathy. But it reveals OP is a bit of a fibber in terms of who hit who.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 10/11/2023 - 10:27
    +3

    Your fault, but they were impatient f's driving without reasonable car and consideration. Unfortunately the norm these days….no intention to avoid an accident if they can blame someone else

  • Hangryuman on 10/11/2023 - 10:44
    +4

    right from the start of the video I saw you were doing the wrong thing - starting a 3-point turn on a narrow street with a car parked opposite

    this is something I see all the time these days - in line with today's standard pedestrian walking on a busy street - feel phone bzzzt - 'oh a message !' - stops dead in the middle of a busy footpath to stare down at their small screen, causing a person walking close behind to almost collide with them, and chaos for a few seconds while everyone else suddenly has to navigate a new path around this new obstacle standing dead in the middle of the busy footpath - WTF !!!

    this shows me the selfishness of modern society - not a thought for others - as in this driver obviously did not look both ways as required for a single U-turn but TOTALLY necessary for this kind of 3-point turn in the wrong place.

    when I learned to drive I was taught to look for a driveway to do a 3-point turn and BLOODY HELL at the very start of the video you can see TWO DRIVEWAYS directly in front where you could have turned in fully leaving the road clear before looking in both directions and reversing out into one lane only without ever stopping blocking both directions like you did at the start

    but no - D'Oh! - this far kin ee jet chose instead to attempt their stupid 3-point turn in the worst possible place and then totally failed to look in all directions and give way to the other vehicle AS THE LAW REQUIRES

    and then asks AITA ? Wow - wake up and smell the roses - stop staring at your far kin fone already and look around baby - you might see the other car coming - far kmee !

    [googled]

    'When making a u-turn, you must have a clear view of any approaching traffic, and be able to make the turn without unreasonably obstructing the free movement of traffic. You must also give way to all vehicles and pedestrians.' - https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-s…

    'Whenever you complete a 3 Point Turn, you must ensure it is clear of other vehicles, pedestrians and other potential hazards by looking left and right as well as checking all of your blind spots. To safely do this, you must check for traffic before each movement.' - https://learndrivesurvive.com.au/how-to-do-a-3-point-turn

    'How to pass your NSW Driving Test - 3-point turn' - https://youtu.be/drBvShnm2Lk?t=171

    my tip for prospective motorcycle riders is "assume everyone else is trying to kill you - your job is to avoid them"

    idiot drivers crash like this as "I assumed they would let me go first" - naaah !!!

    • kiitos on 13/11/2023 - 13:03

      when I learned to drive I was taught to look for a driveway to do a 3-point turn

      When I learnt to drive the instructor told me not to use driveways in these cases.

  • bobbified on 10/11/2023 - 10:52
    +1

    The insurer says as the other driver was already "established" in the lane I should given way. Is this right?

    Based on the video, you are definitely in the wrong.
    If you hadn't moved forward that little bit just before the collision and the other driver hit you, then you could argue that they hit you.

  • Sxio on 10/11/2023 - 11:08
    +6

    Dude you totally hit that car. You really need to work on your awareness of your surroundings. How did you not see them?

    No idea why you describe them as hitting you as well. That's so not right. Yes they were a douche not to wait. But if you were paying attention to them this would not have happened.

    Not sure what the legal outcome will be, but for real life? You could've completed avoided this by paying attention.

  • MrFunSocks on 10/11/2023 - 11:26
    +8

    You literally just drove into the side of the other car, yes you're at fault lol. What a stupid place to do a 3 point turn too btw. How on earth did you think that was a good idea?

  • CheapAddict on 10/11/2023 - 11:28
    +3

    After watching, I'd say you were both at fault but i'd be more inclined to say the other driver was more at fault. That's just stupidity for trying to drive past you when you were in the middle of your 3 pt turn but there's also fault on your side for not looking.

    It's is one of my peeves when doing a 3 point turn. Yes you must give way to all traffic and pedestrians before performing a 3 point turn but when you are in the middle of this move and traffic happens to approach, common sense they should be giving way as you have already begun the turn. That's just a recipe for disaster waiting to happen trying to go around a someone who's in the middle of the turn. It's happened on many occasions and usually it's an inexperienced and impatient driver trying to go around you.

    Whenever I do a 3point turn, i never allow enough space for traffic to go around so it forces them to wait for you to complete and avoid any stupidity of them trying to sneak past you.

  • MrMoo on 10/11/2023 - 11:31
    +2

    Here is your problem

    "then a car came from behind me and hit me on the left of the vehicle"

    It is impossible for a car from behind to hit the front of your vehicle without it being your fault. Well unless he overtook you then backed into you.

  • Flying owl on 10/11/2023 - 11:44
    +11

    The other driver was a jerk to push his way. But you are definitely at fault as you are the one hitting his car.

    My rules of thumb is to always treat everyone on the street as an idiot who will hit/kill you.

    Works when I ride my bike, definitely works when I drive my car.

  • feathers9 on 10/11/2023 - 12:52
    +1

    In the same position as the other driver I would have stopped and waited for you to finish your move, regardless of the road rules this was a shit act by them and you’re unlucky.

  • jerjergege on 10/11/2023 - 13:03
    -5

    The other car is at fault, no (profanity) way you are at fault, all people on the road should only continue forward if it is safe to do so.

    If you were coming to a car that was in the middle of the road, you would naturally stop.

  • reykavik on 10/11/2023 - 13:09
    +7

    A literal round about 30m up the road where you could do a u-turn easily yet you choose to do it with cars on coming and behind. Selfish and inconsiderate driving. Pay up!

  • [Deactivated] on 10/11/2023 - 13:31
    +4
    1. You should of double checked.
    2. That person should of stopped as you're in the middle of a 3 point turn

    Both lack basic driving skills, and common sense.

    Sorry, hope the damage isn't too bad :)

  • foxmulder on 10/11/2023 - 13:34

    I wonder if there is no policemen or women in Ozb that can give opinion?

    • Blokeinhisundies on 10/11/2023 - 19:47

      General duties police have no idea what they are talking about and I wouldn't base anything on what one tells me.

  • ankor on 10/11/2023 - 13:39

    Yeah they probably have nothing else to do! /s

  • lonewolf on 10/11/2023 - 14:01
    -3

    I find this an interesting one, Once the person had started doing the turn and was in part of the lane / road, surely the other car shouldnt have tried to squeeze through and "hasnt given way to a car in front"?

    • UFO on 10/11/2023 - 21:15
      +2

      No mate.

      Prado is established in his lane and direction. You don't give way to traffic coming into your lane… they give way to you. Very impatient by the Prado, yes. But legally they most certainly have right of way.

      • lonewolf on 11/11/2023 - 00:32

        That's if they are coming into your lane, he was already in the lane and then reversed up to finish off his turn , at this point he has been in the lane for a couple of seconds at least?

        I don't know I have seen insurance companies and cops blame the impatient person over the person who.may have initially done the wrong thing if the case is that the other person hadn't been impatient then there wouldn't have been any incident.

        Not that I would ever condone doing a 3 point turn in that place. I follow the rule that if you have to make people behind you wait then generally you are better off just putting yourself out by driving further along or onto a side street and then come back to try again . I don't even reverse into my own driveway if there is a car close behind me. Instead I pull over if I can to let him pass or just go into a side street further up, do a U turn and then come back to my house and my house isn't on a busy street.

  • ribze1 on 10/11/2023 - 14:10
    +3

    OP at fault. Yeah the "victim" could have waited for you, but that looks like a terrible place for a three point turn (right near a pedestrian crossing).

  • Ughhh on 10/11/2023 - 14:16
    +1

    Prado is a dick, but op should have looked left and right before moving forward. Both silly.

  • ReaperX22 on 10/11/2023 - 14:40
    +5

    Think both at fault really, I think this is another case of just being completely aware of your surroundings.

    Assume everyone else is an idiot. Preventable from both parties really, Prado should've given way, but you also had the time to double check left before moving forward again and stopping.

    That being said, Prado def the more 'malicious' party here (or ignorant)

  • Poor Ass on 10/11/2023 - 14:51

    NSW drivers

    • CocaKoala on 11/11/2023 - 09:53

      There are a few of these everywhere.

      • Poor Ass on 11/11/2023 - 16:05

        Drivers in Melbourne in the CBD if ya not drive right up to the give way pedestrian line you get honked

  • howcan on 10/11/2023 - 15:40
    +1

    I have dash cam footage which clearly shows that there are no vehicles on the road when I started my turn

    Huh? You can see the Prado approaching in the first second of the video, but you're so entitled and arrogant you swing your car across the street anyway to execute a slow multi point turn in front them, expecting them to slow down so you can complete your U-turn whenever and wherever you please.

  • Pudina Chutney on 10/11/2023 - 16:03
    +1

    Trial by combat is the only way to settle this.

  • splicer on 10/11/2023 - 16:58
    +1

    What on earth was the other driving thinking you were doing, when approaching you and seeing you perpendicular in the middle of the street?
    I would have slowed down as you would have seem them turning around on my approach, not just barging on through. Sigh, most people just barge through anyway.

    Yesterday there was a bus in front, 2 cars, then me, and an irate lady behind me, swearing her head off when the cars wouldn't overtake the bus. It was a 2 lane road, with people around on the sidepaths. She finally had enough, went into the right oncoming lane, and floored it down passed all of us, overtaking the bus, just in time before oncoming cars came. What is the rush people??

    • WhyAmICommenting on 10/11/2023 - 21:52

      What a shame karma wasn’t waiting for her.

  • Aerith-Waifu on 10/11/2023 - 17:45

    Does it really matter whose fault it is apart from who pays excess here if both drivers are insured? Renew is another I can think off?

  • Terra Australis on 10/11/2023 - 19:27
    +3

    You clearly hit the Prado

  • mctubster on 10/11/2023 - 20:06
    +6

    Impatient driver meets unobservant driver.

    Unfortunately I think it is the unobservant driver on the hook

  • digitalbath on 10/11/2023 - 21:10
    +3

    You’re both terrible drivers, but this accident is on you haha.

  • UFO on 10/11/2023 - 21:12
    +4

    a) Absolutely horrible place to do a 3-point turn, and even if Prado did stop you'd be 'obstructing traffic' (you're effectively conducting a road block).
    b) In doing your 3 point turn, you were established travelling in the original direction, not the new one (that doesn't occur until after you've safely completed the u-turn).
    c) The Prado (whilst being very impatient and could have avoided the accident), IS established in his lane/direction and they most certainly have right of way to that lane/direction.
    d) You've crossed into the path of oncoming traffic without giving way. Whether that's to do a u-turn or enter a driveway or turn into a street is irrelevant. You turned into the path of an oncoming car plain and simple.

    My thinking is you've seen an available car spot on the opposite side, and instead of risking losing it to the Prado you've tried to jump in front of him. That Prado didn't just miraculously appear… you've either seen him and hoped he would stop, or been in such a horrible low visibility position that you should never have done the u-turn in the first place.

    Lesson learned, pay the excess. And thank you for posting the video. Hopefully people have learned from this- as going by some of the comments here, they are wrong to be supporting your u-turn.

  • infinite on 10/11/2023 - 22:03
    +1

    OP is definitely at fault.

    Hope you've got insurance.

  • Hydralyte on 11/11/2023 - 08:09

    I disagree with the terrible drivers in this thread except for the fact it was a terrible place to do a 3-point turn and you didn't get confirmation from the Prado to proceed, a simple look left would suffice. Road is too narrow. The Prado saw a car in the middle of the road and tried to play dodgem cars. There was no right of way because a hazard means you stop. He proceeded to plough his way through as is the attitude of most massive SUV drivers.
    I would fight it with the insurance companies and take it to court to embarrass the Prado meathead.

    ANOTHER PSA:

    PLEASE ROLL YOUR WINDOWS DOWN WHEN YOU DO STUPID STUFF LIKE THIS SO THE OTHER PERSON CAN SEE YOU SIGNALLING INSTEAD OF LOOKING THROUGH YOUR 90% Carbon Film tinted windows.

  • CocaKoala on 11/11/2023 - 09:38
    +2

    You could have driven for what, another two minutes to a roundabout, but no. You had to do it right even if one lane on each side of the road has to stop for your circus. Hope that's worth the insurance premium increase for years to come.

    Given the need to give way while performing an U turn is pretty basic and clearly laid out, I would suggest reading and understanding the road rules.

    Most importantly be glad nobody was hurt due to your ignorance.

    • Hangryuman on 11/11/2023 - 13:48

      or 20 feet to the driveway where they could have driven in and reversed out without blocking both side of the road as they did - AITA ? - Deffo baby !

  • HarryBolt68 on 11/11/2023 - 12:48
    +2

    Just checked back to find the video and wow - that is damning. Ok, the other driver ideally should've waited for you to complete the manoeuvre but you've literally just driven straight into him. And I can't imagine where you could have been looking to avoid noticing this large car right in front of you? Why didn't you stop?

    I feel quite deceived by the original description, now. Sorry but this is awful. Totally on you.

  • pauly85 on 11/11/2023 - 17:01
    +1

    It will go down as your fault unfortunately OP, but I hate the sort of driver that's in that Prado. Can see exactly what's going on and can't be inconvenienced by waiting an extra 3 seconds for you to complete your turn.

  • zorrt on 12/11/2023 - 08:01

    In response to the sarcasm in your edit - so you feel so entitled that you rudely do a 3 point turn in an area not safe to do and block traffic, yet you feel people are rude for not giving you way?

    The video just proves you didn't even bother to check for oncoming cars. There was not even a moment of pause from when to reversed to when you moved forward.

  • pennypacker42069 on 12/11/2023 - 11:34
    +2

    You just drove directly into another car and thought it wasn't your fault?

  • jrowls on 12/11/2023 - 12:12

    racing incident, both drivers could have done more to avoid the accident.

    *OP's mistake is more negligent and doesn't reflect well on their observational skills, and it's probably more legally wrong (ie not checking left before proceeding with the final part of the three point turn)

    • prado's mistake is more aggressive and certainly stupider, regardless of whether they had 'right of way'. also it looks to me like they were driving too fast for the conditions.

    • when OP starts the manoeuvre, it's all clear to the left. totally fine to proceed as far as i'm concerned. once that's happening, other drivers should give way. i don't care if that's what the rule of law says or doesn't say.

    unfortunately, lots of people in real life and apparently in this thread seem to think that the letter of the law grants them the right to do whatever they want regardless of conditions.

    • stopped traffic in the right lane? yeah, definitely do the speed limit down the left lane, nothing could ever go wrong. besides, any car that pulls in front of me or pedestrian crossing in a gap would be wrong anyway.

    • wet road, brake lights ahead? just keep doing the speed limit, it's fine.

    • person reverse parking in front of you? just fly around them, they shouldn't have impeded you, knowing how important you are.

    • pedestrian still crossing after the green light? you have right of way, simply run them over.

    selfish and black and white thinking is real easy and it's a bit of a pandemic on our roads. legality doesn't always mean something is right or wrong, and a bit of courtesy and understanding of your surroundings is unlikely to make your day significantly worse.

  • Ramrunner on 13/11/2023 - 10:19
    +1

    "Update: Reading all comments I am convinced it was my fault. Maybe I am wrong giving way and waiting for people to complete their turns :)"

    No, if that's what you think you're being told you haven't learned a thing.

    You absolutely would show courtesy and alert driving by waiting for someone to complete their 3 point turn. I think you should wait.

    Where people think (know) you are at fault is because of where you performed the turn when you had bettter options and that you did not check (a quick look to your left was all that's needed) to the left before blindly driving into a car coming past.

    It's all about awareness of what's going on around you. You seemed to have none. This would include waiting for someone to complete a three point turn.

  • meumax on 04/12/2023 - 11:50
    +1

    Looking at the camera footage, the other driver didn't run into you, YOU ran into them. You should have done an over shoulder check before pulling out from the final three point turn to make sure the coast was clear.

    Having said that, the other driver was an idiot. They should have noticed you obviously trying to make a three point and waited for you to complete. I would have waited and I would expect cars approaching to wait. But you can never be sure, so you must always check.

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