I backed into a car—am I liable for this?
https://imgur.com/a/1Jz79IV
I have a strong feeling that this is my fault, but I would feel more comfortable covering the repair costs if I could get some feedback from everyone here.
While backing down my driveway, a car on the cul-de-sac stopped right behind me. The driver mentioned she realized her clock was one hour off due to the time change and decided to fix it before continuing. She didn’t pull over to the side, but she also wasn’t straddling the center line.
Before I started backing up, I checked to ensure the coast was clear. Unfortunately, she moved into my blind spot just as I was looking for oncoming traffic. I didn’t see her in my mirrors until the moment I turned enough to make contact with her bumper. The video has some glitches that make it look like I suddenly teleported into her car, but I was moving at a steady speed, and the impact only caused minor paint damage and a few surface scuffs.
For a moment, I thought I must have been mistaken and missed a parked car, but after reviewing the doorbell footage, I realized just how unfortunate the timing was.
Despite all that, I guess this is still entirely my responsibility, right?
It’s understandable that you’re feeling responsible, especially since you made contact with the other car. However, the situation you described does have some nuances that could affect the determination of fault.
Backing out of a driveway generally requires the driver to ensure that the path is clear, which you did by checking your surroundings. The fact that the other driver stopped in a way that obstructed your view makes the situation a bit more complex. While you ultimately made contact, her sudden stop created an unexpected hazard.
That said, insurers often view backing accidents as the responsibility of the driver reversing. If you’re looking to avoid complications and prefer to pay for the repair out of pocket, that’s perfectly reasonable. However, it’s worthwhile to consider discussing the situation with your insurance agent for clarity on potential liability and coverage.
Ultimately, it might be helpful to think of this as a learning experience about the importance of being cautious, especially in situations involving blind spots and unexpected stops.