First collision!

[aka0019]

Coming home from work on my usual commute, going round a roundabout and was just coming to my junction when a woman pulled out on me. I got a bit of a shock and just kept going knowing it was going to be close then whack! Luckily she just got my back wheel but I still went flying along the road. Could have been a broken leg if she hit me fully side on! Luckily i'm fine apart from some damaged clothing and a grazed hip but the bike's handlebars are bent and the rear wheel is buckled. That's all I know for now though, it's off to the shop tomorrow for a quote as i'll be claiming for it. I logged it with the police and they are coming round tomorrow. I also visited the hospital just so they could check my knee but all is well. Just wanted to put my mind at rest really.

I wasn't really shocked to be honest, the woman was more shook up that me. She said she just didn't see me. I had a yellow high viz jacket on, hump hi viz cover on as well as hi viz ankle straps and decent lights. Just shows how careful you have to be!

 

[aka0019]

Oh and does anyone have any advice/experiences on claiming etc?

Thanks
Andrew

 

[skudupnorth]

You've done everything right as for informing the Police and going to hospital.Hope you are OK but it just shows no matter what we do to make us visible they still do not see us do they ???

 

[Stephenite]

I'm glad you are ok. I hope the bike is ok too, apart from the listed damage. Have them at the bike shop check it thoroughly for distortion to the frame, etc.

There's a lot of great advice on here in the posts from other peoples crashes, collisions, etc. What to claim for, etc. including extra transport costs now you're off the bike.

The main thing is you're ok. Have a nice xmas!

 

[hackbike 666]

Hi Viz isn't really a guarantee unfortunately.Just an extra sort of precaution if that's the right word.(Probably not) Hope you are ok dude.

Yes I wear Hi-Viz.

 

[Bollo]

Oh and does anyone have any advice/experiences on claiming etc?

Thanks
Andrew

Oh <insert deity here> yes!

If you're claiming for the bike damage only, then its either a personal matter with the driver or.....
.....her insurance company!!!! Her insurance will accuse you of riding off the pavement while unlit, pissed and on crack, followed by banking fraud and genocide. If the total claim is for less than £1000<check this>, then the ultimate destination is the small claims court. It shouldn't come to that. Play hardball, make a nuisance of yourself and their risk/cost spreadsheet will flag it up and they'll pay.

If you're claiming for injury, then the total potential payout will rise above the small claims limit. This is when solicitors will take an interest because you're able to claim costs. If you're forced down this route, make sure you find a solicitor that specialises in cycle claims - the CTC contract Russell, Jones and Walker who were excellent for me, but there are others out there. Search on here for 'solicitor' and you'll find them. The key thing here is that they specialise.

Other stuff -
Witnesses?
Keep all records, even if the driver initially appears willing to settle privately.
Treat it as a business transaction - no-one here is your friend.

That's all for now, I need to go for a wee!

 

[Sheepy1209]

Glad it's not just me! OK I've not been knocked off but more by luck than judgement - on my 10 mile commute last night I had drivers pull across my path four times - yet it's NEVER happened before in the eight months I've been commuting. (And in five years as a motorcyclist it's only happened once, at walking pace, a kind of slow-motion SMIDSY)

Until last night I thought I was doing everything right - but I think I need to wear a fully-dressed Christmas tree on my head to give these myopic idiots a chance.

(Actually it's not their eyesight, it's their complete and utter failure to look for cyclists, failure to demist windows, failure to replace wipers regularly, impatience, and at this time of year probably a bit of booze as well)

Good luck with the claim - who knows who's next!

 

[JiMBR]

Good to hear that you're OK aka.

Hope everything works out as it should.

 

[hackbike 666]

Silly season now innit?
As I still have twelve commutes in 2009 it's going to be fun.

 

[arallsopp]

Glad to hear you're ok. One moment of idiocy on someone else's mind, and there can be terrible consequences for all.

 

[Norm]

I'm wondering whether we should be collating information about the makes and models of cars which people are using as lethal weapons.

After the discussion a while back about the size of A pillars, I'm wondering how often the SMIDSY driver genuinely couldn't see us because we were hidden in the blind spots created in the name of safety.

 

[I am Spartacus]

Do the CTC or BC actually mind you ringing them up after the event and wanting to avail yourself of their services without actually bothering your backside to get insurance cover previously?
It is only a small comfort, but knowing that I have the BC legal number in my wallet on the back of my membership card......... well I wouldn't leave home without it

 

[fossyant]

BC and CTC have cottoned on to this - you usually need to join up for a while.... although there is nothing stopping you calling CTC's or BC's solicitors directly.

The main thing about being a member of either is the third party cover - i.e. when the other party tries to counter claim etc.... you are covered.

Word of advice to the OP. Don't try and quickly settle privately...... injuries can take a week or two to show up......took 2 weeks for my AC joint to start causing problems...still here with it 12 months later.

With a private settlement, it can be tricky to claim should anything go wrong later, and they usually have a shock when they see a simple repair bill. A few scratches on my bike's components came to only £200, but £2k of physio is another story...

So...get legal advise - is it available through your home insurnace - check the policy.

 

[aka0019]

Thanks for all the replies guys

Feeling a bit sore today but managed to cycle in still without any hassle. I borrowed my dads old Joe Waugh bike.

I'm only going to claim for the cost of the bike and damage to clothing, that's all I want and i'll be happy. If she doesn't agree to pay though or is awkward with me then I will go through the small claims court.

Police called tonight and were calling at the womans house after mine so will hopefully hear soon what is going to happen. The ball is in her court now.

I'll let you all know the outcome. Roll on summer!

 

[hackbike 666]

Good luck,hope you recover ok.