Hi all,
So back in November 2014 I posted the below on the forum for some advice on how best to approach the authorities after a London Bus collided into me intentionally after failing to give me his details.
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/accident-with-london-bus-and-cyclist-advice-required.169058/
After 7 months of waiting, the CPS charged the bus driver with 'driving with undue care and attention' in which I'm not at all pleased with. I've raised a formal complaint to the Met Police based on the following:
- Lack of updates to the case
- A charge brought to the driver which is a 'slap on the wrist'
- Intentionally driving the bus into my bike and forcing me into another cyclist
- Dangerous driving while carrying a fully loaded bus during rush hour
- Causing injury to myself and another cyclist
- Injuries consisting of cuts, severe bruising, lacerations, stitches to deep wounds
- Injuries sustained which staff at A&E classed as assault
- Injuries which are now permanent or impeded day to day physical movement
- Crushing and writing off my pedal bike intentionally by driving the bus over it
- A witness giving valuable information and standing beside the bus drivers cab who stated that he was intentionally wanting to cause hurt
- Bus driver being provocative, aggressive and abusive post collision
One of the major issues I have is the Met Police/CPS failure in obtaining CCTV footage from the bus company in which they have responded to me saying that their onboard CCTV hard drive module was corrupted, thus not able to extract the footage. Coincidence eh?!
I have repeated myself many times to the case manager at the Met that I have mobile phone video footage of the driver being abusive and intentionally moving his bus towards me when I got off the bike to record his reg plate and bus ID. This was never requested by them until I decided to lodge a complaint.
So, next week is the court date and I have to attend as the victim/witness to give evidence. The news is that the bus driver pleaded not guilty at the original date in April and it's now a trial. The driver has been sacked from his job after my witness who was by the drivers cab provided details in a statement.
Has anyone had experience of facing the defendant in court in which they were involved in a collision with? I'd be keen to find out if anyone can share their stories.
Aside from the above, I employed a 'no win no fee' firm through Slater & Gordon to recover the costs for the expenses and loss in bike plus injuries sustained. The bus companies insurers have acknowledged the incident but have yet to confirm liability, so still no payment nor interim payment for the written off bike.
I do miss the cycle commute of 26 miles per day and was hoping for an interim payment but it seems the bus company isn't playing ball.
I'd appreciate any comments you may have on the above and thanks.
So back in November 2014 I posted the below on the forum for some advice on how best to approach the authorities after a London Bus collided into me intentionally after failing to give me his details.
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/accident-with-london-bus-and-cyclist-advice-required.169058/
After 7 months of waiting, the CPS charged the bus driver with 'driving with undue care and attention' in which I'm not at all pleased with. I've raised a formal complaint to the Met Police based on the following:
- Lack of updates to the case
- A charge brought to the driver which is a 'slap on the wrist'
- Intentionally driving the bus into my bike and forcing me into another cyclist
- Dangerous driving while carrying a fully loaded bus during rush hour
- Causing injury to myself and another cyclist
- Injuries consisting of cuts, severe bruising, lacerations, stitches to deep wounds
- Injuries sustained which staff at A&E classed as assault
- Injuries which are now permanent or impeded day to day physical movement
- Crushing and writing off my pedal bike intentionally by driving the bus over it
- A witness giving valuable information and standing beside the bus drivers cab who stated that he was intentionally wanting to cause hurt
- Bus driver being provocative, aggressive and abusive post collision
One of the major issues I have is the Met Police/CPS failure in obtaining CCTV footage from the bus company in which they have responded to me saying that their onboard CCTV hard drive module was corrupted, thus not able to extract the footage. Coincidence eh?!
I have repeated myself many times to the case manager at the Met that I have mobile phone video footage of the driver being abusive and intentionally moving his bus towards me when I got off the bike to record his reg plate and bus ID. This was never requested by them until I decided to lodge a complaint.
So, next week is the court date and I have to attend as the victim/witness to give evidence. The news is that the bus driver pleaded not guilty at the original date in April and it's now a trial. The driver has been sacked from his job after my witness who was by the drivers cab provided details in a statement.
Has anyone had experience of facing the defendant in court in which they were involved in a collision with? I'd be keen to find out if anyone can share their stories.
Aside from the above, I employed a 'no win no fee' firm through Slater & Gordon to recover the costs for the expenses and loss in bike plus injuries sustained. The bus companies insurers have acknowledged the incident but have yet to confirm liability, so still no payment nor interim payment for the written off bike.
I do miss the cycle commute of 26 miles per day and was hoping for an interim payment but it seems the bus company isn't playing ball.
I'd appreciate any comments you may have on the above and thanks.