Cycle accident - advice needed

[dirtybackbeat]

Hi there, unfortunately on Thursday at around 4.30pm I was knocked of my bike. I was riding on a straight main road and approaching a junction I clocked one car waiting to cross right to left. As I approached she pulled out and I crashed in her side door and flipped over the roof. Landing flat on my back I was unable to move at first. The road was closed and I was strapped up on a spinal board and whisked away. Luckily x rays showed I hadn't broken anything, bruised and a cracked rib, whiplash and a bruised legs. Very painful but I feel pretty lucky! I m now off work (behaviour mentor - primary school) resting up.

Most importantly (!!) my bike is pretty smashed up, tyre can off, front wheel buckled, handle bars bent. Boo! Even worse it was a brand new bike (fuji feather) my cycling jacket is ripped and my helmet cracked.

I need to look into claiming for these things, I have two witnesses and all details of the incident. Does anyone have any experience of companies that are good to go through when claiming and how and when is best to claim? Any help would be gratefully received. Thanks.

 

[Lee_M]

try the CTC or British Cycling recommended solicitors

 

[dirtybackbeat]

Forgot to mention in previous post that over 2 years ago I was involved in another accident (car knocked me off on a roundabout) and I made a claim for this. Will that affect any claims I make now?

 

[compo]

Sorry to hear your tale, and I hope you can get it all sorted. I cannot recommend an insurance company but your accident demonstrates the need for insurance against third party claims, injury, damage and legal cover. CTC and British Cycling are often mentioned on the forums, as is the London Cycling Campaign, all of who offer relevant insurance as part of their membership.

 

[Globalti]

Commiserations to the OP on the accident but.... does one really need to involve a solicitor at this early stage?

I think I would write to the other party itemising my costs with estimates to back them up and add in a couple of grand for inconvenience, pain, time etc. then let them pass it on to their insurance company. The insurers might raise some kind of objection, at which point I might involve a solicitor but there again, surely a letter warning that you intended to pursue and would even go to court ought to be sufficient? What can a solicitor do that I can't? Or am I being incredibly naive?

 

[addictfreak]

I am assuming that you were not happy with the Solicitors that represented you after your last accident, otherwise why not just use them again.

If you were traveling to/from work and you are a trade union member their solicitors may represent with no charge.

If not, and want a solicitor with experience of cycling related incidents then I would follow Lee_M's advice.

 

[PK99]

Commiserations to the OP on the accident but.... does one really need to involve a solicitor at this early stage?

I think I would write to the other party itemising my costs with estimates to back them up and add in a couple of grand for inconvenience, pain, time etc. then let them pass it on to their insurance company. The insurers might raise some kind of objection, at which point I might involve a solicitor but there again, surely a letter warning that you intended to pursue and would even go to court ought to be sufficient? What can a solicitor do that I can't? Or am I being incredibly naive?

The insurance company, quite rightly, will try to minimise the payout and will not accept a calin "for a couple of grand....." without evidence to back up the claim.. A solicitor will know the going rate for all items.

total payout on my smidsy was around £10k for bike, medical/physio plus specaiulist medico-legal assessment plus pain and suffering plus some for the extra domestic load carried by Mrs PK as I am the home-maker and she works full time. Completely hassle free from my pint of view

 

[dirtybackbeat]

I'd use the same company (called the spector partnership) just wanted to see what others have done in simular situations.

 

[Chris S]

Try Levenes - they specialise in cycling accidents:
http://www.birminghamcyclist.com/page/had-an-accident

 

[dirtybackbeat]

Ive gone with the company i went with after my previous accident as they have everything on file so it'll be a bit more pain free (which is exactly what i need!) the only upside is the weather is so grim i dont feel hard done by because i wouldnt be riding anyway!

 

[Andy_G]

I hope your feeling better mate, i got hit up the arse on a roundabout and phoned Accident direct helpline and they put me in contact with a solicitors nearby, it took about 5 months but i got £2.500 and it cost me about £100 to sort out my bike.
Btw im not a salesman lol.

 

[Cycling Dan]

Forgot to mention in previous post that over 2 years ago I was involved in another accident (car knocked me off on a roundabout) and I made a claim for this. Will that affect any claims I make now?

no