First Crash What to do Next

[Nightcyclist]

Hi,

I wanted to ask for some advice after being in an accident last night.

I was heading down a dual carriageway towards Rotherham and the road turns right and then snakes left turning into a single carriageway road (effectively the road swings right across the dual carriageway and the oncoming traffic is held back by a junction).

So I was heading down 12 mph and signalled right. At which point a waiting car shot straight in front of me headed right for me. I managed to miss it by an inch but was shot over the handlebars landing on my right elbow and then bumped my head. I slid along the road and hurt my knee aswell.

I managed to get up (in shock) and get out of the road before asking the driver how the heck he hadn't seen me. He admitted he hadn't looked and was completely at fault.

I then spent 4 hours in A&E where they said I had whiplash on my neck and cuts/bruises on my hand, knee and elbow. My elbow, knee and neck ache like hell.

My question is what should I do next? The driver was straight up about it and said it needed reporting to the Police and to be honest I agree. He scared the hell out of me, was a hair away from doing me big damage and various parts of me are aching like a bugger now.

I've not had an accident before so any thoughts would be a big help so thanks in advance.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Ok, was it reported to the police at the time?

If not, report it now and if you have legal protection on your home insurance, then contact the providing company straight after the police. If you need time off work, then you should at least be compenstated for loss of earnings.

 

[Matthew_T]

First things first, give a statement to the police when they request it (should be within 24 hours). If you cannot do this because you are in hospital, then as soon as possible afterwards.

After that then you can start thinking about your bike and any costs that have been caused. Make sure you get a reciept for everything and take detailed note of any journeys you have to travel (details=Why you had to go, on what method of transport, exactly what time, receipt of tickets, fuel receipts, damage to car caused from going to said place, parking fees, etc).

You didnt say, did the police attend the scene or did you just ring and report it? By the sounds of it, the guy was quick to know his mistake and knew what the correct procedure was.

 

[Nightcyclist]

Hi and thanks for your replies.

The accident happened at 10.20 last night and to be fair the guy bundled me and my bike into the car and took me straight to the hospital. Unfortunately I had to wait till 1.55am to see a doctor. So the Police were never at the scene as he took me straight to A&E.

The guy headed off to town to report the accident to the Police but came back to the hospital and said the Police station was closed and that he had had to speak to them by phone and they said he should report it today. He phoned me today to say he was going to do this after his work.

I'm wondering whether I should ring them myself.

EDIT- just to add I managed to miss the guy's car though Lord knows how.

 

[Matthew_T]

You are starting to make this guy sound like and angel! First he totally accepts blame and offers to call the police, then he takes you and your bike to A&E and then he goes to the policee station to report it, then he rings 999 to report it, and finally, he returns and keeps you updated on what he has done.
At 10.20pm I would have expected the person just to drive off. Clearly he is a genuine person and one of the few who actually has common sense imprinted on his mind.

Actually, he might just not have much on his mind at the moment so decided that his deed of the day will be to help you in a manner that noone has done before.

 

[Nightcyclist]

To be fair apart from giving me the scare of my life and a few sore body parts he was great lol.

Normally I'd expect people either to drive off or say it was my fault although being as he said "I was looking at the car in front and simply didn't look" he'd have a hard job saying it wasn't his fault. He's been pretty decent all round.

 

[cloggsy]

Any witnesses? You'll probably need 'em, even if the guy has coughed (which I wouldn't take on face value!)

 

[sabian92]

I'll be honest, if I had to get run over by somebody I'd like it to be him

Glad you're OK though. Sounds bad. He might be doing you a favour doing all this - means you don't have to do the hard work.

 

[Nightcyclist]

Thanks again for people helping.

No tbh there wasn't anyone about witness-wise. A car went past and asked if I was ok as I was bent over with my arm and neck hurting.

The guy has been very straight about it, said it was his fault he didn't look, wasn't watching the road and should learn a lesson. Even today he rang this morning and said he was going to the Police this evening after work.

He has been pretty decent about it. I had 5 lights, 9 reflectors and one of those luminous jackets but he just didn't look. I'm glad he didn't hit me.

 

[Matthew_T]

GWS and I hope nothing gets too complicated.

BTW have you seen any damage to the bike yet? By the sounds of it, you were doing quite low speed anyway so you are lucky it wasnt more serious.

 

[BSRU]

If I was you I would be reporting it myself. His excuses for not reporting it seem a little iffy, there is no reason for not reporting it via the local non-emergency number which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The driver has to report by law or face lots of points and a large fine, potentially.

 

[benb]

I would report it yourself, regardless of when the driver is planning to do it.

GWS.

 

[Nightcyclist]

Thanks Ben.

I have just got off the phone from the Police and they were great. He had reported it and they are going to give me a call later.

He scared the life out of me.

 

[benb]

Thanks Ben.

I have just got off the phone from the Police and they were great. He had reported it and they are going to give me a call later.

He scared the life out of me.

Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. © Wittgenstein

(apart from polio, © The Inbetweeners)

 

[Crankarm]

He might have already admitted fault to you but once his insurer's get involved this will all change.

GWS.