Bike hit by car today

[Copster]

Hi Guys,

I was clipped by a car today on my way into work. The driver failed to stop but I managed to catch him and exchange details at some traffic lights. (I've missed out the ranting and raving I did ) I have reported the incident to the Police as he failed to stop and drove into me on a roundabout where I had right of way....

I have phoned him tonight to request his insurance details and to ask him if he wishes to pay for my bike repairs (new back wheel, possible rear derailler and other cosmetics) he has denied hitting my bike!!

Fortunately I do have an independent witness and took lots of photos at the scene of both him, the car and my damaged bike.

My question is what do I do now? I need my bike fixed for work....

Help

[SplatSpeed]

Copster said:

Hi Guys,

I was clipped by a car today on my way into work. The driver failed to stop but I managed to catch him and exchange details at some traffic lights. (I've missed out the ranting and raving I did ) I have reported the incident to the Police as he failed to stop and drove into me on a roundabout where I had right of way....

I have phoned him tonight to request his insurance details and to ask him if he wishes to pay for my bike repairs (new back wheel, possible rear derailler and other cosmetics) he has denied hitting my bike!!

Fortunately I do have an independent witness and took lots of photos at the scene of both him, the car and my damaged bike.

My question is what do I do now? I need my bike fixed for work....

Help

you're one of thoose thoose cyclists arn't you!

no seriously sorry to hear that, glad you caught him. but you are probably screwed pay for repairs and try to claim back through small claims. but pretty sure you are screwed without independent witnesses.

[robpearson]

There's bound to me someone around shortly with some good legal advice, but i'd start by taking loads of pictures of the damage and listing the kit you believe to be broken, then I'd suggest getting in to a reputable bike shop and asking them to give it a thorough looking at with a view to getting a quote for repairs. also, if you came off, or were hit i'd be sure to get to the doctors for checking over - if you dont, and something starts to hurt later you will struggle to prove it was associated.
The fact you have the guys phone number surely demonstrates that at the time of the accident he agreed he had hit you otherwise why would he have exchanged details with you? I'd also get down to the police station and start the paperwork off. if you have insurance on the bike and cant get any satisfaction out of the car driver, you will probably need to have reported it to get anything out of them.

Now I've covered what I think is the practical side, I hope you are all right, and they get the scumbag and throw the book at him for driving off from the scene of an accident.

[Copster]

robpearson said:

There's bound to me someone around shortly with some good legal advice, but i'd start by taking loads of pictures of the damage and listing the kit you believe to be broken, then I'd suggest getting in to a reputable bike shop and asking them to give it a thorough looking at with a view to getting a quote for repairs. also, if you came off, or were hit i'd be sure to get to the doctors for checking over - if you dont, and something starts to hurt later you will struggle to prove it was associated.
The fact you have the guys phone number surely demonstrates that at the time of the accident he agreed he had hit you otherwise why would he have exchanged details with you? I'd also get down to the police station and start the paperwork off. if you have insurance on the bike and cant get any satisfaction out of the car driver, you will probably need to have reported it to get anything out of them.

Now I've covered what I think is the practical side, I hope you are all right, and they get the scumbag and throw the book at him for driving off from the scene of an accident.

Loads of pictures done, bike is already at bike shop being sorted - although I'm not sure I should be doing that but I need it for work.

No injuries to myself thankfully - I was slowing and managed to come to a controlled halt.

I've been to the Police, got a incident number provided a detailed account of what happened now just waiting....

I'm just chortling with rage that he just denied it happened on the phone

[Sortie 10]

Are you a member of the CTC? (If not, why not?) Included in their subs is a free legal advice line, using proper briefs - if you convince them of your case, they will set about the offender and probably tell you to get your bike repaired at a proper bike shop and then recover your costs. If it goes against you, and the driver claims damage from you, free third party insurance is included.
I know this is too late for your accident, but the membership (circa £30 IIRC) is a sound investment in case you need support in future.

BTW I am currently using the CTC legal team to obtain recompense for an accident I was involved in, but was not my fault. Cannot reveal details as case is currently sub-judice, but it gives me peace of mind that I have experienced cycle-friendly lawyers fighting my cause.

[mybrainhurts]

How did you catch him with all that damage to your flying machine..?

[DrMekon]

The CTC legal stuff is just Russell Jones & Walker. Just go to them direct.

http://www.rjw.co.uk/legal-services/accidents-inju...

Let them sort it.

LFGSS has the definitive guide as to what you should have done:

http://www.lfgss.com/thread4213.html

[Copster]

Guys,

Thanks very much for all the helpful responses. Especially the link to LFGSS that is a list of how to deal with a bike accident.

I am not a member of CTC as I hadn't heard of it! Will be signing up shortly!

I managed to catch up with the guy by running the 100 metres like Usain Bolt wind assisted - he was held up by some traffic lights otherwise I wouldn't have caught him.

[Chicane-UK]

It always amazes me at just how selfish and uninterested in others some people can be, that they can hit you, injure you and damage your bike and then have the barefaced cheek to deny even doing it.

Unbelievable.

[fixedwheelnut]

Follow the links Dr Mekon has listed, RJ&W are fighting my claim at the moment from when I was knocked off last year, they are brilliant and CTC membership is worth every penny for the insurance alone.