I had my first experience in a car accident, and I’m wondering who might be at fault. I was in a plaza parking lot, which has one-way lanes for both entry and exit. As I was pulling into a parking space at Wingstop, the car behind me tried to pass by, possibly thinking I was driving too slowly, and ended up side-swiping my vehicle. I hadn’t turned on my signal light, but I was clearly braking and turning. Given that the road is one way, I’m not sure why he attempted to overtake me, even if I was moving slowly. What do you all think? This is my first accident, and I’d appreciate any tips for filing an insurance claim. The officer who completed the report advised me to always use my turn signal when turning but also informed the other driver that he needed to wait for someone to finish their turn, especially in a parking lot. I’m not sure if that had any impact on determining fault.
First time being in a crash. Who might be at fault?
I’m sorry to hear about your accident; it can be really stressful, especially if it’s your first time. Based on what you described, it seems like there are a few factors at play. While you didn’t signal while making your turn, you were already in the process of turning into a parking space, which should signal your intent to the car behind you.
The car behind you attempting to pass you during your maneuver could be viewed as an aggressive move, especially since you were already slowing down and turning. Generally, in parking lots, the driver making a turn into a space has the right of way, and it’s the responsibility of other drivers to wait until they can proceed safely.
The officer’s comments might suggest that both drivers share some responsibility: you could be considered at fault for not signaling, while the other driver may be at fault for not yielding to your turn.
When it comes to the insurance claim, here are a few tips:
Document Everything: Take photos of the damage to both vehicles, the accident scene, and any relevant road signs or markings.
Get Statements: If there were any witnesses, ask for their contact information and statements about what they saw.
Contact Your Insurance: Report the accident to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Provide them with all the details and documentation you’ve gathered.
Follow Up: Keep copies of all correspondence with your insurance company and follow up regularly to check the status of your claim.
Stay Calm: Accidents can be very emotional, but try to stay calm and avoid discussing fault with the other driver at the scene.
Each accident is unique, and how insurance claims are processed can vary. Hopefully, everything gets resolved smoothly for you!