British Cycling Membership for legal assistance?

[Silver940]

Having been knocked of my bike last week and now finding the Police have no interest in even talking to the other party and can't pass on her details ( She gave me a wrong number at the scene ) due to the DPA I am wondering whether joining British Cycling is worthwhile. Not for this but in case anything were to happen in the future to have some legal assistance in making a claim.

Has anyone used them to good effect and think the £28/year is a worthwhile investment?

This time I am going to try a hand delivered letter ( She actually lives 100yds from where she knocked me off) asking for the £70 repair costs for the bike and leave it at that, see what she says.

[MadDad]

I have it for the legal assistance and for the public liability insurance. I have never needed to use either of them, but in the 'litigation' culture that we live in it is nice to know that if I do cause an accident I won't lose my house!

At seven pence a day it is a bit of a no brainer............

[neenaw]

Do you not have any legal assistance cover on your home or car insurance that you could use?

Surely if you've been knocked off by someone the police have a duty to speak to the other party and get insurance details of required?

[Silver940]

neenaw said:

Do you not have any legal assistance cover on your home or car insurance that you could use?

Surely if you've been knocked off by someone the police have a duty to speak to the other party and get insurance details of required?

Haven't checked the home insurance yet, going to see if she pays for the damage first.

I thought the same but as she had committed no paper offence ( tax/insurance etc ) they weren't interested, they classed the wrong number as probably an mistake. lesson if it ever happens again, however trivial, call them out.

[scubadude]

I was under the impression you have to give your (correct) details at the accident or in person to the police within 24hrs after a traffic accident to avoid committing a crime? You are also obliged to inform your insurer.

I assume you have the number plate, seems like an easy job for the rozzas to me?

Might not be relevant in this case but anyone qualified to say what can be done if you go to your solicitor with a registration number and say- This car knocked me off my bike, the Police don't care and I want my bike fixed.

Edit- I was curious and found this- http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/con...

Pretty much what I expected.

Edited by scubadude on Monday 2nd December 15:58

[Mr Will]

I haven't had reason to try it yet but apparently it's worth every penny to see the look on the face of the driver who knocked you off when you say "it's alright, let's swap details and let our insurance companies sort it out". The potential premium hikes and loss of no-claims tends to focus their minds rather suddenly.

[Silver940]

Joined up now, given the hassle this time it's got to be worth it.

[JQ]

Slater Gordon are the firm of Lawyers who provide the legal services to CTC - I have no doubt that if yours is a clear no fault claim against an insured car driver they'd take on the case on a no win no fee basis. With the reg number they'd no doubt be able to trace the driver's insurance.

http://www.slatergordon.co.uk/unions-federations-a...

[XG332]

I would also try taking it higher at your local constabulary. Pretty poor show

[Silver940]

I've hand delivered a letter asking her for £70 to cover the bike repairs, of she pays up I'll let it go and chalk it up to experience. of she doesn't I may go back to the police but don't hold out much hope of anything.
I would always call the police, tempted to get a helmet camera for evidence bit not sure at the moment.

riding the same roads today, last week's accident and the what ifs played on my mind a lot.

[Silver940]

well she had paid up without any problem so chalk this up to experience and move on.

on the plus side it's made me sort out the British Cycling membership so I now have legal cover and insurance.

[yellowjack]

Silver940 said:

well she had paid up without any problem so chalk this up to experience and move on.

on the plus side it's made me sort out the British Cycling membership so I now have legal cover and insurance.

Good-oh. Was the daft moo suitably apologetic too?

The worry might come if it were significantly more than £70. Then she might decide to wriggle out of paying up and you end up with a "one persons word against another's" situation and the Police reluctant to get involved. Still, nice to know you got it sorted in the end. Bruises healed OK now?

[Silver940]

Yeah pretty much ok now. She apologised for the damage to the bike that's all!

oh well, if there's a next time, hope there isn't, I've got more backup and I would definitely call the police to the scene.

[Simond S]

Send her a receipt for the money for repairs.

Also consider sending a copy to her insurance company.

[Clinton Baptiste]

Sorry to thread hijack,

Do you get a discount at halfords then if you're a member of British cycling?

[47p2]

10% discount voucher for Halfords and 12% discount for Wiggle online