Hi all, I was hoping someone might be able to advise me on a complex situation.
I live in a cul-de-sac and was reversing out of my driveway, which requires me to back out at a 45-degree angle around a small hedge, a manoeuvre I've done countless times. There were no other cars around apart from a van parked just beyond the hedge. Having checked my mirrors and verified the coast was clear, I began the manoeuvre slowly, switching between checking mirrors to negotiate the hedge and over my shoulder for any cars behind.
Before I knew it, a car had appeared in my rear window and my bumper scraped his nearside/passenger door. He had been reversing straight, presumably at speed, into an adjacent parking space to mine (i.e. my neighbours driveway). There were no witnesses.
The damage was minor - a couple of scuffs for me and a couple of tiny dents for him. I saw it as shared fault, and tried to suggest we resolve amicably by paying for our own damage and not involving insurers.
The other driver is adamant I was at fault and was keen to send me a quote for the damage and involve insurers. He claimed he had a witness, the man driving the van, who a) he happens to work for and b) emerged from a house about 30 seconds after the accident had happened. He then claimed my neighbours were witnesses, which they've confirmed they weren't.
To add to the complexity, the car I was driving isn't mine. It belongs to a family member who had added me as a named driver.
Has anyone experienced a similar scenario and have any advice as to the best course of action?
Thanks.
I live in a cul-de-sac and was reversing out of my driveway, which requires me to back out at a 45-degree angle around a small hedge, a manoeuvre I've done countless times. There were no other cars around apart from a van parked just beyond the hedge. Having checked my mirrors and verified the coast was clear, I began the manoeuvre slowly, switching between checking mirrors to negotiate the hedge and over my shoulder for any cars behind.
Before I knew it, a car had appeared in my rear window and my bumper scraped his nearside/passenger door. He had been reversing straight, presumably at speed, into an adjacent parking space to mine (i.e. my neighbours driveway). There were no witnesses.
The damage was minor - a couple of scuffs for me and a couple of tiny dents for him. I saw it as shared fault, and tried to suggest we resolve amicably by paying for our own damage and not involving insurers.
The other driver is adamant I was at fault and was keen to send me a quote for the damage and involve insurers. He claimed he had a witness, the man driving the van, who a) he happens to work for and b) emerged from a house about 30 seconds after the accident had happened. He then claimed my neighbours were witnesses, which they've confirmed they weren't.
To add to the complexity, the car I was driving isn't mine. It belongs to a family member who had added me as a named driver.
Has anyone experienced a similar scenario and have any advice as to the best course of action?
Thanks.
