Car Accident - Backing out of Driveway...

HI There,

I was recently involved in a minor car accident while backing out of a driveway and I would like to know what percentage of the costs I am liable for and how much responsibility is mine?

I was picking up a friend of mine from his house and pulled into his (down-sloped) driveway. I got out of the car, rang his doorbell and got back into the car. He then got into my car and we talked for a couple of minutes before I started the car. I checked behind me before pulling out and asked him to also look back to see if it was clear to pull out. The coast looked clear so I pulled out.

However, in that couple of minutes that we were talking in the car, his neighbor drove up, parked her car across the driveway behind me and ran into her house to get something. When I pulled out, I did not see her car (the driveway was sloped and her car was not visible through the back windshield) and I hit her car.

When she came out of the house she admitted she had a feeling that her car might get hit due to the way she had parked it, but was in a rush and on her way to work.

I stronlgy feel that it was her carelessness that contributed to the accident since she parked across the driveway and didn't look carefully to see that someone was in the car when she ran past it, up the stairs to her apartment.

I'd like to know if I am solely liable for this accident since I was in the car that was moving, or can she also be held accountable?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks for you help.
p.s. The accident occured in California.

You dont have a case. When you are operating your vehicle in reverse or driving forward its the same. Just be thankfull it wasent a small child walking behind your car.
Next time I would suggest that your friend stay outside of the car and watch behind you as you back up.
Learn to use your mirrors also when backing.
To say that you could not see a car a few feet behind you because of a downward sloping driveway sounds hard to believe.
I wonder how much driving experience you have.
And how fast did you go?
You may need to have some experienced driver show you how to properly back up in this driveway. Seriously!
Hope you find this advice helpfull !!