Is the stationary vehicle at fault in a side-swipe collision on a narrow road?
4 Answers
Determining whether a stationary vehicle is at fault in a side-swipe collision on a narrow road is as follows: No fault: If the vehicle had already stopped during the encounter and was still sideswiped, the other party bears full or primary responsibility when one party is not at fault. Illegal parking: If the vehicle was parked in the wrong direction (against traffic) and was sideswiped during the encounter, then the owner of the wrong-way vehicle is at fault. Information about oncoming traffic is as follows: Oncoming traffic: A traffic term referring to vehicles or trains traveling in opposite directions passing each other at a certain point. Note: Prepare in advance when encountering oncoming traffic to avoid psychological panic and operational confusion.
In a narrow road encounter where vehicles scrape each other, even if the other car is stationary, it may still bear some responsibility. This depends on the situation. If your car moves without leaving enough space and hits a parked car, the other party is often not at fault because they did not violate traffic rules by moving. However, if the car is parked too close to the middle of the road or occupies a turning area without promptly moving aside to yield, it creates an obstruction and may bear minor liability under traffic laws, such as compensating 10% to 20%. Having driven for twenty years, I’ve encountered a few similar incidents—parking in narrow roads also requires choosing the right spot, avoiding entrances or blind spots. Both parties should slow down, observe, and pull over to the right to yield. Afterward, it’s best to take photos for evidence, report to traffic police for liability determination, and avoid private disputes. Prevention relies on habits: yield to oncoming traffic in narrow roads, pull over early to reduce risks. In short, safety comes first—don’t act impulsively over minor scrapes, and check your vehicle insurance coverage.
I had a minor side-swipe accident in a narrow road not long after I started driving. That day I was slowly driving through when another car remained stationary, and my rearview mirror scratched its body. The insurance company said I was at fault, but the police officer who inspected the scene pointed out that the other car was parked too far to the left and occupying the lane, so it also bore partial responsibility. We ended up splitting the repair costs. New drivers should note that on narrow roads, both parties need to adjust slightly to avoid collisions—just stopping doesn't guarantee safety. In traffic regulations class, the teacher taught that the principle of oncoming traffic is mutual yielding, and whoever is improperly positioned bears the consequences. I've since learned my lesson: when encountering narrow roads, I slow down first, honk to signal, and ensure both vehicles make slight adjustments instead of staying rigidly in place. For practice, find a narrow alley to rehearse yielding techniques with an experienced driver guiding you. Don't panic over minor incidents—just contact your insurance company directly for claims.
In a narrow road collision where vehicles scrape each other, not moving the vehicle does not always mean no liability. It depends on whether the parking position is reasonable. For example, if a vehicle is parked in the middle of the road without yielding, according to Traffic Law Article XX, it may bear secondary liability for failing to fulfill the duty to yield. Actual cases show that the liability ratio depends on on-site evidence: who has the right of way and the position of obstacles. Ideally, both parties should adjust slightly to avoid a standstill that could lead to an accident. Gathering evidence is crucial, such as taking photos or reviewing surveillance footage. Stay calm during the process and resolve the issue through negotiation or legal channels. To reduce similar problems, adhere to road-sharing rules and ensure vehicles are parked reasonably by the roadside.
