Been hit by a car whilst riding in a cycle lane...

[JimboIchi]

Hi, I'm new to site and was hoping to see if anyone has had this happen and what I can do about it. I was riding down a cycle lane in Bradford and the traffic was slow to stationary, so I was passing all the cars on the inside. I was going slowly enough to check if any cars were indicating left, especially as I approached junctions, but as I passed the cars, another car which was part of the oncoming traffic turned right into their drive way which I didn't see until I hit the side rear of the car and then somersaulted completely over it. I was out for about 20 seconds and an ambulance was passing so was lucky to be helped so quickly. I was too dazed to speak to the person driving the vehicle but the ambulance took their details for me. My bike is a complete write off, along with my helmet, trousers and left shoe. Then I was taken off to A & E where they gave me the all clear.

I've never been involved in this type of accident, so is it a simple thing of calling the drivers insurance company and claiming, or should I be taking any other action. The police didn't arrive at the scene and claimed they couldn't find me in A & E so have just spoke with them on the phone. They gave me an incident number and said that I should just speak with the driver but am concerned that I may blow a fuse as they nearly killed me. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks for reading.

 

[LocalLad]

Get your own legal advice. If you just go to their insurance company you probably won't get a full pay out.

And write down everything you remember right now...otherwise you will forget...every detail you can remember.

And when looking at a claim, tot up every loss...if you need a hospital appointment, will you pay to park? Claim it. Will you lose time at work?...

 

[Smurfy]

The police didn't arrive at the scene and claimed they couldn't find me in A & E so have just spoke with them on the phone. They gave me an incident number and said that I should just speak with the driver but am concerned that I may blow a fuse as they nearly killed me.

The highlighted bit doesn't sound right to me. You have been to A&E, so I'm assuming you have been injured. I'm pretty sure the police should be taking more interest when it is clear an injury has occurred. Surely when a collision occurs, the driver should be breathalysed, did that happen?

With respect to the circumstances, if the cycle lane was marked, the turning vehicle maybe ought to have expected non-stationary traffic on the other side of the queue. Was it a cycle lane, or a bus lane too? Do you have a google street view link? Was it one of those ghastly cycle lanes with give way markings for cyclists at side roads?

Others will be along soon with more experience and help. Get well soon!

 

[Incontinentia Buttocks]

Just reread the OP. Unless you're injuries were very slight there should be an accident book created.

 

[Incontinentia Buttocks]

Reg, just updated my post after reading it properly. It's still early!

 

[vickster]

@classic33 pulled together a what to do in an accident guide...I just can't remember where it is

Contact Slater & Gordon or another specialist 'cycle accident' solicitor e.g. http://www.bottonline.co.uk/compensation/bicycle-accident-claims?gclid=CIzN_4-xwcgCFWjmwgodvWQFwQ or http://www.cycle-sos.co.uk to deal with the 3rd party insurer. Don't do it yourself and don't contact the driver until you've sought legal advice. Do you have any sort of legal advice service through work or your home/car insurance, might be able to advise too

If you have any cuts and bruises, take photos before they heal. If you weren't injured, the solicitor can help you get your kit fixed. I wonder if the no win no fee injury big guys will want to take the case if no injuries beyond cuts and bruises but ask

Don't throw any of the damaged clothing away and take photos too

And write everything down as mentioned

Unfortunately, the process may be quite slow, although if the driver admits liability quickly and it's a relatively low amount to replace everything, it may be swifter. Get advice from the solicitor about replacing your bike (you'll need to get an LBS report stating its a write off)

Hope it all works out

 

[buggi]

If your injuries are not serious the police will do very little now I'm afraid. There is no point them breathalysing the driver as they will just say they had a drink after. As said, you need someone to fight your corner for compensation now so contact a solicitor. Slater and Gordon I believe are the place to go, they do work for a CTC members. In fact if you are CTC or British cycling member you will have free legal cover.

Then put a complaint in to the police. It is bollox they couldn't find you. Talk to the CTC for advise anyway... They are compiling a dossier on lack of police action.

 

[Mrs M]

Any witnesses come forward?
Hope you get things sorted.
Best wishes for a speedy, full recovery.

 

[Incontinentia Buttocks]

It's not a lack of police action, it's a lack of resources. When there aren't enough resources to attend 999 calls the odds of turning up to slight injury RTC'S are slim. It doesn't make it right but it's not actually the Cops fault.

 

[classic33]

@JimboIchi, search for Accident Advice for the piece mentioned by @vickster.
Been in a similar posistion as regards the police, so some numbers not normally given out available.

Which cycle lane?

This is the piece mentioned above
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/accident-advice.151618/

 

[classic33]

You'll have a three way fight on your hands, the most important of which is that you get yourself right first. The other two take a back seat.
BRI will have you on record as being treated there, which will aid in proving what you claim. Helpful for one of the other battles, against the drivers insurance.

Get what you know down on paper and keep all receipts, even bus tickets. Which for the day in question will serve two purposes. The obvious one that money was spent by you. The less obvious being they'll back up what you said about being at A&E (there's only six/seven services that actually pass the BRI) and when you were there.

 

[Globalti]

It's not a lack of police action, it's a lack of resources. When there aren't enough resources to attend 999 calls the odds of turning up to slight injury RTC'S are slim. It doesn't make it right but it's not actually the Cops fault.

Spot on. On a weekday night in east Lancashire there are 22 officers on duty. At start of the shift around half of those will go straight to relieve colleagues on some long-term job and can be considered out of action for the shift. If the general public actually knew how few Police there are on duty there would be a mass breakdown in law and order. Luckily the Police have technology like ANPR to help them create an impression of effectiveness, aided by numerous Police-Camera-Action TV shows in which the Bobbies get their man.

 

[Justinslow]

Sorry to hear about your crash, just out of interest what are your views of wearing your helmet as you say you were knocked out, not wanting to start a fire here, just genuinely interested?

 

[MarkF]

When did it happen and where? I don't believe the police saying that they "couldn't find you", there are only 19 cubicles, a computer system clearly showing your exact location and a fully functioning tannoy system, if that is their attitude, you'll need all the legal help you can get.

 

[Spinney]

Sorry to hear about your crash, just out of interest what are your views of wearing your helmet as you say you were knocked out, not wanting to start a fire here, just genuinely interested?

Moderator Message:
This will be a distraction from the main point of the thread, which is helping the OP make a claim for his bike. This is not the place for any discussion of helmet wearing.

Jimbolchi - if (and only if) you are interested in discussing whether or not you were wearing a helmet and/or whether or not it helped in your accident, you can reply to @Justinslow on this thread:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-cyclechat-helmet-debate-thread.187059/
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Jimbolchi - hope you get things sorted. There is some good advice above.