[Hamx]

Hi All,

I have a question regarding a collision I had at the roundabout. The roundabout approach road has 2 lanes. Roundabout has 4 exits, first exit (9 o'clock) has 2 exit lanes, second exit (straight ahead) has 1 exit lane and third exit (3 o'clock) has 1 exit lane. the roundabout has no road marking to tell which lane to use for which exit. I was in the left lane at the roundabout approach road and was going to take first exit and be in right hand lane. Third party car was in right hand lane at the roundabout approach and swerved in front of my car to take the first exit and hit my car at the front right. They are blaming me for the accident that why I was in the right lane at the exit but I believe I was correct to take the lane while in left lane at the roundabout approach and they should have gone right or round the roundabout. Also they didn't indicate when taking exit and were in quite more speed then me which is why I could not avoid that accident.
Was I in the wrong lane to take first exit and be on the right lane?

[Nick]

Hi @Hamx - welcome to the RAC Community, and thanks for making your first post!

So I've always operated under the proviso that the left lane approaching a roundabout is go left and likely straight ahead. The right hand lane on approach should be used for turning right at a roundabout - definitely not a left turn. Obviously this gets complicated the more exits exist but for a simple four exit roundabout I'm pretty sure this would still stand today.

In your case, that sounds like you were essentially fine and the other vehicle exited after approaching in the incorrect lane - according to the Highway Code.

The Highway Code is a big marker when dealing with insurance claims so worth making sure you understand it and how it applies to your situation - but it sounds like it's probably favourable to you. The next job is proving that the other driver was in the wrong lane - that's often a trickier task.

Here's a link to the Highway Code online page about roundabouts.

Also, please bear in mind this post is based on my opinion and is should by no means be taken as fact - I've been out of the insurance game for quite some time and am not guaranteed to be right here.

[Beelzebub]

OP, you were in the right lane for the first exit.

But it doesn't really matter which lane you were in, the TP entered or crossed your lane without due care, and was at fault. The problem you will have is proving it, unless you have dashcam footage. If the TP's story differs from yours, it will probably end up as 50/50.

BTW why were you aiming for the RH lane on exit?

[olduser]

You have presented a very good example of the dangers of doing two things at once, and not thinking about other road users.

Looking at the, two things at once.
You enter the roundabout (R/A) in the left hand lane, and aim to leave into the right hand lane.
No 1, you enter R/A in left lane, indicating left.
No 2, you change lanes somewhere on the R/A without any indication, to leave in the right hand lane.
I cannot think of any combination of indicators, flashing headlights, horn or waving hands that would let other motorists have any idea of what you intended to do.
The highway code doe's not make any provision for your manoeuvre.

No 1 was fine - exiting into the left hand lane, then once established in that lane signal to change into the right hand lane.

Not thinking about other road users.
If you put yourself in a car following you, how can it work out where you were going?

The other car was making the same sort of error but perhaps a little more aggressively.
So overall a settlement of around 50/50 would look to be about right to me.

[Hamx]

Hi, I wanted to be in the right lane after exit as the left lane after exit was to join a carriage which was separating after 5-10 meters after the roundabout exit. And I was going to go straightso that is why I was going for the right lane at the exit. I also have the dashcam footage showing TP car cutting across in speed and hitting me. @olduser as I said above the reason for me aiming for the right lane. I wasn't inconsiderate road user i was looking around to make sure that i am not putting anyone in danger but the TP driver sped up to take the exit and without indicating which meant I could not judge their intentions.

[Nick]

@olduser and @Hamx , I think it depends on the road layout to some extent - it's hard to comment without seeing the layout of the lanes. There are variables in here that could push this to a split settlement and others that put one or the other at fault.

[olduser]

Originally Posted by Nick

@olduser and @Hamx , I think it depends on the road layout to some extent - it's hard to comment without seeing the layout of the lanes. There are variables in here that could push this to a split settlement and others that put one or the other at fault.

Agreed a map reference would help.

The only R/A that I can remember anything like the one described, had clear markings on the road directing traffic into separate lanes, such that signalling left at the entrance, in the left hand lane, was clear that vehicle was taking the first left off the R/A.
Logically, without markings on the way in, the left lane of the exit would have a dotted line (separating lanes), whilst on the R/A the OP is turning left, once off the R/A the op now wishes to change lanes (so signals) and turns when space is available, like joining a road from a slip road.

Of course the TP (if the R/A did not have markings) was trying to do two things at once, negotiate the R/A, and overtake the op, or was sitting in the driving seat but not driving.

I was trying to make the point - trying to combine two manoeuvres into one, especially on a R/A is bound to lead to confusion - confusion, and traffic just do not make good bedfellows, the result will be, at the best a near miss, at the worst a crash.

I don't claim any of this is in the Highway Code but I was taught this, after I past my test.