Collision :(

[Debian]

Hi all, long time no speak.

I could do with some advice. I was knocked off the bike yesterday on the way home from work.

Driver stopped but tried to make light of it e.g. "I said I'm sorry, what else do you want me to do?" !

I called plod and waited with the car. Plod then called me back to say they were too busy to attend so I got OH to pick up me and the bike and went home. Plod want me to visit the station to make a statement.

Now, what is best for me to do? I'm not seriously injured, sore leg, arm and neck. Bike is damaged and unrideable. I'll be going to docs to report my injuries and I'll put the bike into LBS to be checked / repaired.

There were no available witnesses. Well, there must have been witnesses but no one stopped or came forward at the time.

Is there anything specific re: police that I should be doing?

Should I be contacting a solicitor?

Is there anything else I should be doing?

Thanks in advance.

 

[John the Monkey]

Driver stopped but tried to make light of it e.g. "I said I'm sorry, what else do you want me to do?" !

while it's clear in your mind, write down *EXACTLY* what happened and what was said.

I called plod and waited with the car. Plod then called me back to say they were too busy to attend so I got OH to pick up me and the bike and went home. Plod want me to visit the station to make a statement.

Do this as soon as you can, although the driver should have reported the collision, it sounds as though they may not have done.

Now, what is best for me to do? I'm not seriously injured, sore leg, arm and neck. Bike is damaged and unrideable. I'll be going to docs to report my injuries and I'll put the bike into LBS to be checked / repaired.

Very wise.

Photograph the damage to the bike and you now. Photograph the progression of any injuries (after my last serious off, my hand & forearm swelled up to about 2x normal size within a couple of days).

Be careful and methodical examining the bike - I didn't notice gouges on my gear shifters until the LBS pointed them out; neither of us spotted that my rear mudgaurd had been cracked either, so I ended up paying for that.

Keep a diary detailing the progression of your injuries, and how they restrict you (if they do) in doing "normal" things. Note any expenses you have due to not having a bike, or not being able to ride one. Keep receipts/train tickets.

There were no available witnesses. Well, there must have been witnesses but no one stopped or came forward at the time.

Is there anything specific re: police that I should be doing?

You could ask them whether there's CCTV covering the area that they can recover, or whether they'll ask for witnesses. Some people do put up handmade signs with contact details appealing for witnesses if necessary, although it sounds like your chap has admitted fault - you'll be ok as long as he doesn't change his story.

Should I be contacting a solicitor?

IMO, yes. This will mean that you have to pursue a personal injury claim though. Bikeline are good, as are the CTC people, Russell Jones & Walker.

 

[DrSquirrel]

Member of CTC? If not I think you can still join them after the accident and take advantage of their legal assistance.

Was there damage to the car? If so make sure you state this to the Police as that will prove a collision at least - unless the muppet decides quickly to get it repaired. Take photos of everything, if possible should have taken some of the car/damage to it, same for injuries/brusing etc. See your GP ASAP (as you say).

Did you get his details? And insurance company? If so call them direct to report it to them.

Make sure to check with the Police to see if the driver has reported the accident...
AC20 Failing to give particulars or to report an accident within 24 hours 5-10 (Points)


Should have just played up your injuries there and then to make sure the police attend. If the driver is admitting it still when the police talk to him then you have no worries, just need to hope he doesn't change his story.

 

[4F]

Sorry to hear that Debian, I think the advice Monkey boy gives is pretty much spot on

 

[Debian]

Thanks for the replies.

It was a she, for the record, not that it makes any difference.

I did take a few pictures, of the car, the bike, and of the junction where it occurred. It didn't look as though there was any damage to the car, not that I saw anyway.

I'm not a CTC member, I'd feel like a bit if a fraud if I joined now, just to use their legal service?

Going to docs at 4.30 today, then I need to arrange to give a statement.

Good point about keeping bikeless travel receipts, I'll do that.

I simply fail to understand how it happened. I was in the bus / cycle lane, I was in hi-vis, I had three rear lights showing and the bike is bright yellow, all in all, hard to miss! Driver just turned left and drove straight through me, I never even saw the car till it hit, it hit me in the rear axle area and sent me and bike flying. Could have been far worse I suppose.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[John the Monkey]

It was a she, for the record, not that it makes any difference.

I did take a few pictures, of the car, the bike, and of the junction where it occurred. It didn't look as though there was any damage to the car, not that I saw anyway.

Did you and the driver check it over?

I'm not a CTC member, I'd feel like a bit if a fraud if I joined now, just to use their legal service?

It happens.

You do get a good magazine, and decent third party insurance, as well as some nice member benefits if you tour &c.

I simply fail to understand how it happened. I was in the bus / cycle lane, I was in hi-vis, I had three rear lights showing and the bike is bright yellow, all in all, hard to miss! Driver just turned left and drove straight through me, I never even saw the car till it hit, it hit me in the rear axle area and sent me and bike flying. Could have been far worse I suppose.

Similar to me - three front lights, three rear, reflectives - she just tried to get on the roundabout I was on *through* me. Oddly, impact in a similar area too (thank god it wasn't mid bike, she'd probably have broken my leg).

Get the bike checked over *carefully* by an LBS that's good at what they do - describe the impact and impact area, ask them specifically to look at the frame alignment.

 

[g00se]

Glad you're not too badly hurt. Did you get the driver's insurance details?

 

[Alien8]

The Monkey has got it covered, so nothing more to add, but hope you get back out on the road soon.

 

[upsidedown]

West Midlands police in can't be arsed to attend shocker. I waited for over a week for them to visit me after somebody drove his Merc at me, in the end i rang them and told them not to bother.

Hope you're ok.

 

[e-rider]

could have been much much worse - at least you are still alive and have no serious injuuries.

wouldn't surprise me if she was on the phone or doing something and no looking at the road if you were that visible (anyone paying attention would clearly see you in this situation) - but we'll never know

This has made me realise that if I get hit by a car, I'll make out that I half-dead (if I'm not) just so that the police show up.

 

[davefb]

'what do you want me to do'

well look , would be a start..

seems to be enough ambulance chasers out there judging from googles lack of anything other than lawyer websites!


btw

http://www.merseysid...x?articleid=899

"The reality is if you contact the police and say someone has been injured they will come to the scene."

or not.. what was their excuse? Might it be worth going to gp/a&e/walk in center to give any injuries the once over? at least then they'd be documented [ and i should concentrate on either reading posts, or doing work, then i'd have noticed your going the gp ]

 

[Bollo]

+sorry to hear Deb. The advice so far has been spot on.

The only things I can add are....

...you don't have to join the CTC to get representation. I think RJ&W will take you as a no-win-no-fee if it turns into a claim and other solicitors are available (search on here). Just make sure you get a specialist in bike claims. Also be aware that, if you're claiming for bike damage only and the claim is below the small claims limit, then you'll be on your own. Solicitors don't get involved in small claims because they can't get costs. To get above the small claims limit, you really need to be claiming for injuries unless your bike is bling.

...on the injuries side, don't assume they're minor - get checked out by your GP. I had 'moderate soft-tissue damage' to my shoulder after my accident in 2007. This has reared its head again recently and left me with some long term problems. If it comes to a claim, you'll likely be sent off for a medical assessment by a specialist independent doctor.

 

[John the Monkey]

...on the injuries side, don't assume they're minor - get checked out by your GP. I had 'moderate soft-tissue damage' to my shoulder after my accident in 2007. This has reared its head again recently and left me with some long term problems. If it comes to a claim, you'll likely be sent off for a medical assessment by a specialist independent doctor.

...and Fossy's ongoing shoulder problems (which iirc needed physio, not cheap if you cover costs yourself).

This isn't being out to "get" the driver (although why you shouldn't feel agreived at someone who smashes you into the road at speed for no reason other than their own impatience and stupidity is beyond me) it's making sure that if something is wrong, you don't end up with a big bill to sort out as well.

On a point of principle, I personally feel that this financial lever is one of the few ways we have to do anything about this sort of driver - the police only give a toss in extremely rare cases (ime)[1]. My hope is that the increased insurance premium will make these people watch out for other road users more in future.

[1] Based on two experiences - one collision with a bus in which the Police left follow up late enough that the CCTV was "lost", and one in which they took no action (my collision with a car outlined above). One would think that someone so unobservant as to attempt to drive through a bike would be someone they wanted off the road.

 

[fossyant]

Can't add much to what JTM said - glad you are OK. GP move is good, Police statement is good.

Now the Police weren't that interested in my accident, but I went down and they 'recorded it' - just in case things got messy - fortunately the driver admitted it - couldn't not really. Physio is expensive, especially if you want to continue riding every day to work.

The GP advised 'go private' as NHS takes too long.... you also have to mitigate your loss - i.e. seek treatment asap. Problems then start when 3rd party insurer thinks you've spent too much on physio - that's when further medical evidence comes in - i.e. you have done absolutely everything to speed and ensure a complete recovery, but you end up with long term or permanent problems.

Keep a note of how you feel - I have had to refer back to those initial notes I made - sometimes a year or two later.....some things slip your mind.

Speedy recovery !

 

[fossyant]

One would think that someone so unobservant as to attempt to drive through a bike would be someone they wanted off the road.

I will add - same to me - roundabout, driver didn't look and entered roundabout without slowing and picked me up with her front wing...... police not bothered, no prosecution, although here is hoping her insurance takes a big hit.

Oh, and like Debian, no-one stopped as I was lying in the middle of the road.