Almost hit someone with my car??!!?

Question

Well I'm 17 and I just started driving more w/ my permit. I'm at a stop sign and I'm about to make a right. The thing is, I thought it was a two way street. So I turn and all I see is a guy behind me fall off his motorcycle and he wasn't hurt because he got right back up but I was in shock and I felt so bad. My mom who was w/ me didn't see the guy coming so she didn't think it was my fault. Well anyway I drove off and my mom took over after but I just felt so bad. What would so have done in the situation and could I face any legal trouble??? Thanks

I'm trying to say that I turned when I probably should have let him go first. SO he swerved and fell off his bike.

Answer 1

you pulled out in front of a motorcycle
the guy went down....and you drove off.....dont listen to your mom, what do you thinks wrong with this picture?

Answer 2

There was an accident ... you and the motorcycle. It may have been caused by you making an illegal turn (not waiting until the cross traffic cleared before you went). So who left the scene of the accident first ... you or the motorcycle driver? Did y"all leave without exchanging insurance information, or checking to see the other guy Ok?

If I understand this correctly.
* You came to a stop sign.
* You should have looked to see what the other streets coming into the intersection had, to see if some did NOT have a stop sign, if they had some other kind of sign, or none at all ... this is one of the reasons they test you for the shape of the sign in the driver written test ... you can be in an intersection where you are not seeing the front of the sign, but from its shape you should know what kind of sign it is.
* So because you saw stop sign and ASSUMED what other people had, without looking, you made an illegal maneuver and caused an accident, in which the other guy did not demand that you give your insurance info to him, as is the normal thing that ought to happen.
* Not seeing the other guy coming is not an excuse in an accident. You can be at fault partly because you did not see the other person coming.
* Being in shock after such an incident is normal.
* It is also extremely important to figure out what went wrong, if you did anything wrong, if any of your driving habits need to be altered to try to avoid this happening again.
* It could be that the motorcycle driver went through a stop sign.
* When you are at an intersection, determining if it is safe to go ... there are several elements to consider
** What is the legal situation ... stop sign for you, what is it for other people ... do you stop even if there is no other traffic, etc.
** Are there other vehicles that are out there being careless, like a pedestrian trying to get across
** Are there other vehicles headed for the same lane as you headed for, or at risk of headed there (turn signals going)
** Are you signalling correctly your intentions (to turn right)

Had the other driver stopped, had there been a police report, the legal situation would have depended upon what the signage was at the intersection, and what the other driver did or did not do. It is not enough that you stop at a stop sign before continuing, or turning.

There is also the question of damage to the other vehicle, injury to the other driver.

Go back and park near that intersection & take a good look at the signage from all directions. Is it clearly obvious to you now what the sighage was, relative to what you thought when you went through there. Is any of it blocked, like a tree between stop sign and you knowing a stop sign was there. Do you think it is safe to go through such an intersection, where you can't see the signs.

If no one has explained it to you yet, ask your mom for help with blind spots between the rear view mirrors. Go to some place where there is a lot of space, like part of a parking lot with many vacancies & park ... then have someone walk slowly towards the car with you looking in the mirrors ... call out when they get so close that you cannot see them in rear view mirror. Them now stop and you get out and get an idea what that distance is, so you know to turn your head as well as use the mirrors.

Answer 3

Well, legally, there was no damage or injury, so there is no fault. But, it would probably have been a good idea to stop and check to see if the guy was OK.

Is the issue her that you didn't see the guy, because you didn't double check/weren't paying attention? Or is it that you *did* see him, but you thought it was an all-way stop?

If you *did* see him first, it's probably his fault because he was going too fast to stop safely. Still, since you had to yield right of way in this case, you would have been legally responsible, had there been an accident.

In either case, you need to be *much more alert* when you're driving. Never assume that you are safe to move into an intersection.

Driving is probably the most dangerous thing that people do on a regular basis.

As a new driver, until you learn correct driving behaviors as a *matter of habit*, you need to be super-focused on safety. Even after you get more experience, safety should still be your #1 concern. You can never be too careful when driving.

Good luck,
~W.O.M.B.A.T.

Answer 4

I almost got hit by a firetruck while walking to 7-11 with friends after school. We weren't paying attention. I've also been in two car accidents. I wasn't behind the wheel.

Answer 5

Always watch your mirrors before and check them while turning. You will have a bigger problem on the interstate. Motorcycles travel in between cars on the line to stay moving. Your mirrors become even more important there.
If the guy didn't say anything your ok. The most you could get is a lane change violation.

Answer 6

through traffic always has the right of way I think you
turned in front of him and he had to swerve to avoid hitting you
but in doing so fell off his bike
this happens a lot ; a lot of drivers don't see motorcycles
and accidents will happen
so remember to look both ways before you turn

Answer 7

you had a taste of 'fright'. did I, didn't I hit the person. did you feel a 'contact' with a motorcycle? your note indicates not. it indicates you were driving on a new, unfamiliar road. you also learned how QUICKLY events can and will happen when you're driving a car. Keep your eyes open : }

Answer 8

I don't understand what exactly happened but unless the guy got your plate number and is insistent on pressing charges you will be fine.

Answer 9

common courtesy and decency would have told you to stop and see if he was ok.
Just one human being showing some care about another. I could forgive you, you panicked. But your mother???????

Answer 10

OKAY IF I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION, YOU TURNED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THEN THIS WOULD BE YOUR FAULT.

IF THIS IS THE CASE THEN THE DRIVER OF THE MOTORCYCLE SHOULD COME AFTER YOU FOR ANY AND ALL DAMAGES.