Yesterday evening I was on my dinner break from work and decided to drive around to the nearest shop for some food. The road has 3 lanes, 2 heading north and 1 heading south. I was in the southbound lane. I spied a spot in the parking bay, indicated my intention and slowed to a stop. I then put my car into reverse, checked my mirrors and over my shoulder and saw the car that had been behind me was now gone.
So I started my maneuver, and as my nose swung out, the top of my driverside front wheel arch glanced against the front passenger wheel arch of the car that had been behind. Seemingly as I was in the process, the car that had been behind me had decided to go out around me. The cars barely touched, but did leave scratches on both. We got out, had a look at the cars and exchanged details.
Now today the driver of the other car has contacted me, looking for me to either pay for the repair (£90) or take it through the insurance companies. Personally, I would rather leave the insurance companies out of this, but the other driver seems to be under the impression that I was at fault for the accident. I was always taught that if someone is making a move like that, you either hold back until they are finished, or go around them leaving enough room that something like that won't happen.
Now in fairness to the other driver, I checked all three mirrors, but only looked over my left shoulder. I hadn't seen them, so for that I take responsibility. My question though is should they have been there in the first place?
If it is my fault I will pay for the repair and hopefully that will be the last of it, but I can't find anywhere the law when it comes to that sort of thing. If it is possible though that it's a 50/50 or the other drivers fault then I would like to know before I agree to anything.
So I started my maneuver, and as my nose swung out, the top of my driverside front wheel arch glanced against the front passenger wheel arch of the car that had been behind. Seemingly as I was in the process, the car that had been behind me had decided to go out around me. The cars barely touched, but did leave scratches on both. We got out, had a look at the cars and exchanged details.
Now today the driver of the other car has contacted me, looking for me to either pay for the repair (£90) or take it through the insurance companies. Personally, I would rather leave the insurance companies out of this, but the other driver seems to be under the impression that I was at fault for the accident. I was always taught that if someone is making a move like that, you either hold back until they are finished, or go around them leaving enough room that something like that won't happen.
Now in fairness to the other driver, I checked all three mirrors, but only looked over my left shoulder. I hadn't seen them, so for that I take responsibility. My question though is should they have been there in the first place?
If it is my fault I will pay for the repair and hopefully that will be the last of it, but I can't find anywhere the law when it comes to that sort of thing. If it is possible though that it's a 50/50 or the other drivers fault then I would like to know before I agree to anything.