Hit and run - what next?
Discussion
A few weeks ago I was the victim of a hit and run driver when cycling home - they pulled out a side road and knocked me to the ground but drove off.
Fortunately a witness got their numberplate, which i gave at the time, and I also have another witness.
I reported to the police via 999 but due to the fact I didn't need an ambulance they didn't sent anyone to the scene and instead told me i would be contacted.
nearly 4 weeks later and after very limited email contact with the police, including no response to raising a formal complaint, they have said they have written the crash report and that if i want to make any sort of claim for damages I need to contact my insurance. Fortunately no major injuries but I will have to have a few sessions of physio, and although the bike isn't a write off I have had to replace a few parts.
Any time I ask for information from them they don't give it and have at no point explained what the process is, they won't even tell me if they have been to interview or investigate the driver.
I don't understand what a crash report is or how they can have written the crash report without asking me for my full statement and they have also never requested the contact details for the witnesses either.
Is anyone else unlucky enough to have been through a RTA on their bike know what the process actually is, and if there is anything else I can do? I don't have bike specific insurance as they are all insured on our house insurance, and wouldn't want any claim to go down as my fault, just because i don't have the details for the driver at fault.
I am so frustrated at this process, I thought RTA were taken seriously by the police but it appears that because I haven't been seriously injured or worse that there is no interest from the police.
Fortunately a witness got their numberplate, which i gave at the time, and I also have another witness.
I reported to the police via 999 but due to the fact I didn't need an ambulance they didn't sent anyone to the scene and instead told me i would be contacted.
nearly 4 weeks later and after very limited email contact with the police, including no response to raising a formal complaint, they have said they have written the crash report and that if i want to make any sort of claim for damages I need to contact my insurance. Fortunately no major injuries but I will have to have a few sessions of physio, and although the bike isn't a write off I have had to replace a few parts.
Any time I ask for information from them they don't give it and have at no point explained what the process is, they won't even tell me if they have been to interview or investigate the driver.
I don't understand what a crash report is or how they can have written the crash report without asking me for my full statement and they have also never requested the contact details for the witnesses either.
Is anyone else unlucky enough to have been through a RTA on their bike know what the process actually is, and if there is anything else I can do? I don't have bike specific insurance as they are all insured on our house insurance, and wouldn't want any claim to go down as my fault, just because i don't have the details for the driver at fault.
I am so frustrated at this process, I thought RTA were taken seriously by the police but it appears that because I haven't been seriously injured or worse that there is no interest from the police.
If you think your claim is worth pursuing you can contact DVLA and get details of the Registered Keeper.
The only police interest is whether they feel inclined to issue a NIP but you wouldn't be involved in that at all. At least, not unless it ended up being defended in court and you were called to give evidence.
The only police interest is whether they feel inclined to issue a NIP but you wouldn't be involved in that at all. At least, not unless it ended up being defended in court and you were called to give evidence.
There's lots of firms out there like this
https://cyclingsolicitors.com/
(example. no experience of them!)
Get onto them. Might have to pay a bit up front, or might be no win no fee. But I'd be looking at that.
I know the Police are largely s
t these days (not all) but for them to have a hit n run and not be helpful to the victim is pretty fking poor! Which force is it?
https://cyclingsolicitors.com/
(example. no experience of them!)
Get onto them. Might have to pay a bit up front, or might be no win no fee. But I'd be looking at that.
I know the Police are largely s
t these days (not all) but for them to have a hit n run and not be helpful to the victim is pretty fking poor! Which force is it?designndrive62 said:
I thought RTA were taken seriously by the police but it appears that because I haven't been seriously injured or worse that there is no interest from the police.
Sorry to hear of your experience.As for the comment on Police response, sadly I'm not surprised.
I think you've summed it up.
beermtb said:
Try and get a statement from the witnesses asap as further down the road (and these claims can take years) they may be less inclined/bothered to make one if approached by solicitors etc. Also any cctv from local shops etc?
Absolutely this. I was witness to an accident and provided my details. 2 years later I was asked for a statement and I’d forgotten certain details and got the sequence of events wrong, making my statement pretty useless. I did feel rather guilty and if faced with the same circumstances again I’d write the statement immediately. I have come to the conclusion that when it comes to Police and roads, they are not interested in anything unless there is a fine involved.
If you drive commercial vehicles there are 3 different units including the Police Commercial vehicle unit, that have the power, and the funding to stop you at anytime and anywhere. The issuing of on the spot fines has got ridiculous.
For the rest it is down to fine by camera or radar gun , they ain't interested unless an ambulance is called.
If you drive commercial vehicles there are 3 different units including the Police Commercial vehicle unit, that have the power, and the funding to stop you at anytime and anywhere. The issuing of on the spot fines has got ridiculous.
For the rest it is down to fine by camera or radar gun , they ain't interested unless an ambulance is called.
BunkMoreland said:
I know the Police are largely st these days (not all) but for them to have a hit n run and not be helpful to the victim is pretty fking poor! Which force is it?
If they're not going to pursue a hit and run these day then that prooves the Police are no longer fit for purpose.t these days (not all) but for them to have a hit n run and not be helpful to the victim is pretty fking poor! Which force is it?Drivers leave the scenes of accidents for several reasons apart from the obvious one's.
No insurance.
Drink/drugs.
Already had numerous accidents and cant have another claim.
Poor eyesight, and dont want to lose licence.
Im sure there's many more, but Police really should be looking at hit & runs.
Police = joke if they're now not doing this.
It might be worth trying this as a starting point
https://www.gov.uk/compensation-victim-uninsured-d...
Unfortunately the police, along with most public services, are so underfunded these days you will need to do most of the legwork yourself.
https://www.gov.uk/compensation-victim-uninsured-d...
Unfortunately the police, along with most public services, are so underfunded these days you will need to do most of the legwork yourself.
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