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Anon
By gencic | AA Member | 1 Post | 19 March 2012 at 10:27pm

Hi,

I had a accident where I rear ended a guy on a dirt road (out of Shannon towards the power house).

He was driving in front of me and stopped on a bend suddenly to avoid killing a hedgehog.

Is there any chance that this accident can be deemed as his fault?

Kind regards,

MIke

ABayliss
By ABayliss | AA Expert | 2169 Posts | 20 March 2012 at 9:48am

Not really, given the facts as you have presented them.
It is your responsibility to follow at a safe speed and distance as to be able to stop short of another stationary vehicle. You should always be able to stop within clear visible road in front of you, so on a blind bend this may mean that your speed should be reduced significantly.
Unfortunately, this seems that you are at fault.

mountcookairline
By mountcookairline | AA Member | 2 Posts | 25 March 2012 at 9:34pm

Seems outrageous to stop for a Hedgechog! - the law works in strange ways.

ABayliss
By ABayliss | AA Expert | 2169 Posts | 26 March 2012 at 8:09am

Hedgehog, fallen tree branch, road slip, breakdown, small child - whatever the reason the front car stops really, the following car should be able to stop short of rear ending it.