NSW NSW Roundabout accident

[Nieco]

Hi Everyone

I had my first accident yesterday.

I have been driving for over 5 years on the same route.
Yesterday, lunchtime. I was going straight on the roundabout, and suddenly as I was finishing the roundabout, a car suddenly appear on my vision (meaning I have the right way/ already in the roundabout). It was such a split-second moment, that I am sure I tried to stop/ or accelerate causing a collision. All I remember is that I was exiting and suddenly a car appeared in front of me.

I was so shocked that I was crying at the scene and did not know what to do( I had never been into an accident I didn't even know who to call). I've never had a ticket for speeding or breaking red lights
The catch is that the car that entered the roundabout was an undercover cop (no sirens on tho).

After the incident some cops came and asked for a statement, I was such in shock that I don't even remember what I said from yesterday, I was just too petrified and upset because of the incident. This scares me as I hope I didn't say anything as I was bawling as I was talking/ they made me some statement, I was just at a confused/petrified/shocked state. (or blame the speed I believe I was going 20 as I approach the roundabout and slowly speed up as I exit, and maybe during the last second I tried to break/or accidentally accelerate (this part is blur for me as it happened within seconds).
After 12 hours and resting, and a sleepless night I am confident that I'm not at fault as I was on the roundabout first/ already on the roundabout and suddenly their car appeared in front of me which I had no time to react. Even the way the other car was damage I believe shows this

I am just afraid that the story will be twisted as they are cops. I was told that I'll receive a call, I'm itching to give the cops a call as I cannot get any replacement car until the fault is determined. It is giving me stress and also I do not the car for work

Does anyone have advice, should I call legal aid for free advice/ call the cops for an update or wait?
I've never been in an accident before so I am not sure the best course of action.

Thank you in advance & sorry for asking

The roundabout

https://prnt.sc/1zu4iyx

The damage the other sustained ( the car at fault I believe) example photo

https://prnt.sc/1zu4xha

 

[Atticus]

It would appear from your description that the other driver is at fault.

Was the driver of the other vehicle on his own?
Did anybody else witness the accident & stop?
Did the diver of the other vehicle provide his details to you, that is, license number, address & contact phone number/s?
Have you attended a police station to report the accident yourself?

I was bawling as I was talking/ they made me some statement

Do you mean they took a statement from you? Police shouldn't be taking a statement from someone in obvious distress.

 

[Ponala]

Sounds as though other party at fault. Did you sign a statement or they just ask you questions about what happened. If you are insured lodge an insurance claim, if not send the Police quotes to get your car fixed.

 

[Nieco]

They made me sign a statement. I was just being bombarded with question udnerstress and in hindsight I shouldn't have sign anything as I was in clear confusion and distress

 

[Atticus]

They made me sign a statement.

Not appropriate if you were clearly distressed.
If the driver failed to give you his details,ie, license number address etc, that is a breach of the road rules as well.

If you haven't already attended a police station to report the accident (assuming that is required in NSW as other states) you should do that immediately. Inform your insurance company.

 

[Nieco]

I was told that the officer who took the statement is not on duty till Sunday and I have to wait. Even tho I was only told to wait a few days.

I do need a car and the insurance company would need the details to be able to help me with a replacement car till I have their details.

I'm experiencing a lot of stress right now/ loss of appetite. This is very upsetting.

There is also already a report as the incident /the driver at fault is a cop

 

[Atticus]

There is also already a report as the incident /the driver at fault is a cop

Are you assuming or know that the other driver has reported the accident? ... either way, you should attend a police station to report it. It's mandatory that BOTH drivers attend a police station to report it so that both drivers get to give their version of what occurred.

I do need a car and the insurance company would need the details to be able to help me with a replacement car till I have their details.

Another reason YOU need to report it & get a collision report number to give your insurance company .... You shouldn't have to wait for the officer who took a statement to be at work... That's not good enough

 

[sammy01]

Were you given any paperwork by the police officer?
I'd go to the the local cop shop and explain you need details for your insurance company.

 

[Nieco]

This is the current situation
- Had a car accident on a roundabout ( I believe it is not my fault as I had the right away and based on my recollection there was no car on the roundabout as I entered (no speeding either)).- The car that got hit was an undercover cop car (no siren)

- My first accident so didn't know to do what at great distress & breakdown (regardless, a second cop car came and took my statement and made me sign despite being in great distress (crying), and Im not sure what I said).

- On the incident, I didn't manage to take the detail of the driver I believe at fault. The officer that took my statement gave me a business card with her name and the name of the driver. ( They all work at the same station)

- Told me I'll get a call in a couple of days. No call I started chasing

-Officer gave me only the name of the driver | Police station address | station phone number = insurance needed the direct address of the driver. I thought it is legal responsibility for them to provide full details or they have exception?

- I asked about the progress of the investigation. I was told that she hasnt taken a statement from the driver as he is currently away (on leave?). So it will take a couple of weeks and leave it to her? (Why dont they just check the dashcam to see who's at fault).

I am wondering if I should seek legal advice or what they are doing is normal I should just move on? It does fill me with great distress and anxiety, even tho I believe I'm not at fault. The idea that things may get twisted and they took my statement when im distress concerns me. And the fact that they couldnt chase for statement from the officer involve because the officer is away after that incident makes me so disappointed.

p.s. no one was seriously injured/ injured. Their airbag went off, my one didn't. However, the cars had to be towed



Additional Details

What I have
Drivers Name
Car Rego
Case Number
The officer that took our statement only provided the address of the police station they work at and the police station phone number. Not the police officers direct address

 

[sammy01]

ok so give the police station as the address. After all that is the address you've been given. That should get you a hire car through the insurer.