Hi all, first time but with a serious question. Hope you can help. I was involved in the following incident. Please bear with me as it's hard to explain without visuals, and I can't seem to upload a picture of the scene for some reason (if anyone can advise on that, would be great):
At the exit of a roundabout, I was on the right lane when the vehicles in front had started to queue at a traffic light just after right turn curve going towards the other exits. I signalled left, checked my left hand side mirror and when clear, I pulled out a little but the vehicle in front started doing exactly the same thing. In my rush to pull out before him, I didn't see a motorbike coming and when I pulled out, he hit into the front left passenger side of my car. Thankfully, as I was pulling out slowly, he wasn't seriously injured.
Now - I understand I should have made a few more glances on the left before I pulled out but what I don't know for sure is whether he: a) Did the same as me i.e. he was in the same lane behind me and pulled into the left to take the exit
b) or if he was in the left lane already.
If I ask him, I know the answer will be A. Does it make a difference in terms of liability? The problem is I have no idea as there is a sharp turn just before the site of the incident so he may have turned in fast and I didn't see or he may well have been directly behind me.
Secondly, if I was to avoid getting insurers involved and pay him for damages (he suggested this) - will it waive his right to make an insurance claim if I just write up a simple document for him to sign that he has been paid?
Also, although I know his bike is insured - is there a way to find out if HE is insured on it?
Thanks in advance for any advice
At the exit of a roundabout, I was on the right lane when the vehicles in front had started to queue at a traffic light just after right turn curve going towards the other exits. I signalled left, checked my left hand side mirror and when clear, I pulled out a little but the vehicle in front started doing exactly the same thing. In my rush to pull out before him, I didn't see a motorbike coming and when I pulled out, he hit into the front left passenger side of my car. Thankfully, as I was pulling out slowly, he wasn't seriously injured.
Now - I understand I should have made a few more glances on the left before I pulled out but what I don't know for sure is whether he: a) Did the same as me i.e. he was in the same lane behind me and pulled into the left to take the exit
b) or if he was in the left lane already.
If I ask him, I know the answer will be A. Does it make a difference in terms of liability? The problem is I have no idea as there is a sharp turn just before the site of the incident so he may have turned in fast and I didn't see or he may well have been directly behind me.
Secondly, if I was to avoid getting insurers involved and pay him for damages (he suggested this) - will it waive his right to make an insurance claim if I just write up a simple document for him to sign that he has been paid?
Also, although I know his bike is insured - is there a way to find out if HE is insured on it?
Thanks in advance for any advice