Advice after crash please

[covmutley]

I went out for a ride yesterday evening and a van pulled out a junction into my path and I went into the side of it. I couldn't breathe for about 10 seconds which was scary. Very sore today and have a cut on my face, but nothing broken thankfully.

My front wheel is completely bent and handlebars don't look In great shape either

The van driver gave me his details and so did a witness to the incident.

Phoned my home insurer today but it turns out I don't have cycle insurance. I thought I did, stupid I know! Insurer say they can't help, even though it was clearly his fault and I have a witness.

Is there anything i can do? Grateful for any advice.

[Gizmoish]

Make sure you go and have a full check-up at the docs.

When I was knocked off three weeks ago I broke a couple of bones in my hand and it wasn't found immediately.

Are you a British Cycling member? They'll give legal support to chase the insurer.

Good stuff here: http://www.lfgss.com/thread4213.html

[gary71]

Glad you didn't get too badly hurt.

Wouldn't his van insurance would pay out? You are a third party and he drove into you?

[Mark83]

I spoke to a lawyer I knew and he pointed towards a claims company. The £500 damage to my bike plus my clothing and compensation for broken elbow came out of the driver's insurance company.

There are plenty of these companies in the back on bike magazines that will pursue your claim.

[Gizmoish]

Also: http://martinporterqc.blogspot.co.uk/

[covmutley]

Thanks chaps. I did have an x ray at hospital. Fast response paramedic got me to go to hospital because my breathing was a bit off and I was close to passing out.

I will Take my bike to lbs to get e repair quote and contact a lawyer. I was wondering if I speak to the guy direct and just ask him to pay for the repairs and avoid the insurance or is this not a good idea?

[Fastpedeller]

Report to plod as well!! Many years ago I was involved in similar (although not as badly hurt (ie no ambulance). After a couple of days plod called me asking "why have you not informed us?" can you come in and make a statement?. Was treated as a crim - had caused extensive damage to his car, you are a wrong person not reporting etc etc, it was not looking godd ofr me (the innocent) ...... Then the penny dropped. I told plod the number of the car other party was driving ....... not the same! Gave them a good description, their attitude changed completely - after all how could a pedal bike hitting the side of a car cause extensive damage to the rear?
Anyway, he must have been trying some sort of insurance scam or something, I never did find out. Tell plod just in case he tries similar.

[Gizmoish]

Absolutely! MUST report to plod. In fact I wouldn't have left the scene of my accident without plod having seen, breathalysed, taken details etc from the driver.

As for not getting insurance involved: he has caused an avoidable accident (as they say in F1). Your losses (time, injury, inconvenience, mental stress, damage to bike) - and the hospital costs - should come from his insurance.