got hit by a car from behind.

[Bicycle]

now i just need advice please what to do. i want to claim from drivers insurance regarding my damaged bike. i got an old peugeot mtb that i converted into a road bike. steel frame.handle bar bent, rear wheel probably will need replaceing. probably cost me 150-200. is it worth claiming for a new bike or just repair it?

I've only ever made one claim after an accident and was surprised at how easy it was.

Damage to bike:

Steel frame bent (old fixie).
Rear wheel slightly buckled.
Pedals scratched (eggbeaters).
Bar tape torn.
One lever gouged and unsightly.

Other damage:

Jeans torn.
Nice watch strap broken.
Sunglasses broken.
Heavy impact to right shoulder and quite a few grazes in various places.

All I had was a receipt for the new watch strap and an estimate for repair to the bike. An ambulance came, but I was able to walk and didn't fancy a visit to A&E.

The repair estimate was about £350, the watch strap £30 and the glasses £100. I made no claim for pain and misery, because I don't really put sa cost on that.

I had a phone call from the insurance company and settled for (I think) £500. the guy couldn't put the cheque in the post fast enough, because there was a clear injury and I was happy to overlook it.

He didn't see the bike, the glasses, the watch, the jeans or my injuries. I made sure the copper, the witnesses and the ambulance crew saw all the damage to everything and told the insurance guy that.

Everyone I know (including lawyers) tells me I was a fool not to screw them for the shoulder, but I didn't want to turn an RTC into a circus.

So... to answer your question, once you've been hit and the other party held liable, you are usually talking about more than the simple repair cost.

It is not unlikely that a sum will be agreed between you and the insurer and a cheque sent. It's not like a car claim, where a repairer takes the bent car and brings back a shiny one.

You can spend it all on Crystal meth and an Oyster Card if you want.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

now i just need advice please what to do. i want to claim from drivers insurance regarding my damaged bike. i got an old peugeot mtb that i converted into a road bike. steel frame.handle bar bent, rear wheel probably will need replaceing. probably cost me 150-200. is it worth claiming for a new bike or just repair it?

You could reasonably claim for the cost of a new replacement bike. How do you know the rear triangle isn't now in a weakened condition?

 

[Deleted member 1258]

You could reasonably claim for the cost of a new replacement bike. How do you know the rear triangle isn't now in a weakened condition?

It would be a good idea to get the LBS to check the bike over and do a damage report. I would imagine theres a good chance the rear triangle is out of shape now and that the damage may not be obvious.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

would be inclined to put in the claim based on your own judgement and if the insurers want the bike inspected it is down to them to arrange surely? the OP is the innocent party, why do they have to go and sort things out?

 

[Deleted member 1258]

would be inclined to put in the claim based on your own judgement and if the insurers want the bike inspected it is down to them to arrange surely? the OP is the innocent party, why do they have to go and sort things out?

The OP needs to know what the damage is before they put in the claim, accident damage isn't always obvious, a professional inspection is likely to bring to light things the OP might miss.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The OP needs to know what the damage is before they put in the claim, accident damage isn't always obvious, a professional inspection is likely to bring to light things the OP might miss.

I'm suggesting the OP starts from "My bike is damaged beyond economic repair" i.e. it is a write-off, and lets the insurance company prove that is not the case or cough up.

 

[Tynan]

use lawyers, it's what they're for and you'll get most of what you're entitled to, including a proper medical asseessment in a few months time, only then can you be sure there's no lingering complications

and get a decent, friendly LBS to check the bike properly, they might make it beyond economic repair and quote you a replacement bike that's a nice upgrade

RSJ are the laywers for the CTC and should take it on no fee, some say they're not interested in low value claims mind

the main advantage is it's all handled correctly with little ag to you, insurance companies are idiots who will try hard to buy you off cheap

 

[gambatte]

Personally, I'd probably say it was 'custom built', even if the custom builder was yourself. They can't compare like for like. There is no 'like' and I guess they'd then get into a position where looking at building a new bike out of components, or paying for a professional rebuild, with new parts guarantee/warranties on work and labour etc... It'd be more worthwhile to just pay for a new bike.
BTW I used to work in a claims assessors office. Generally I found that those that shouted the loudest were more likely to get paid out, especially on borderline or low value claims. End of the day, if your bike replacement costs £300, the drivers XS may be £250, it's only costing them £50

 

[Bicycle]

On the basis of what you've said so far, I wouldn't involve a lawyer. You can if you want, but it sounds quite straightforward to me.

I'm with whoever said get a quote from your LBS. They will be able to ispect the frame and components in a way that you would find difficult.

For an LBS, it's a simple list: frame straight, forks bent, bar tape torn, front rim buckled etc...

They have all the price parts and labour costs at their fingertips. They've done this a thousand times.

My claim (just the parts & labour element) was for much more than the old nail had cost to build, but I was clear about wanting to keep it. They paid and were happy to get out for so little. I was happy to have a bike I've become fond of.

This doesn't sound like a case for lawyers to me, but I really would get a trusted LBS to quote for the damage.

You'll get lots of conflicting advice; the final decision will come down to you. There is moe than one right answer.

 

[tongskie01]

hi everyone. just want some advice. my friend said that i have to contact a personal injury adviser and channel my claims through them. personally i just want to call the insurers and see what they think about my claim. i have inspected my bike and it seems there are some distortion to the paint at the joints connecting bottom bracket and the chain stays. there is as well distortion of the paint at the headtube. my bike frame looks like it braze welded , as it is very cleanly joined together.

 

[fossyant]

That sounds a write off. You can contact their insurance, you'll need a replacement quote form a bike shop (or two).

Hopefully you aren't injured.

 

[BentMikey]

hi everyone. just want some advice. my friend said that i have to contact a personal injury adviser and channel my claims through them. personally i just want to call the insurers and see what they think about my claim. i have inspected my bike and it seems there are some distortion to the paint at the joints connecting bottom bracket and the chain stays. there is as well distortion of the paint at the headtube. my bike frame looks like it braze welded , as it is very cleanly joined together.

Personally, I'd go through a solicitor, even if just for a chat. Insurers have the job of trying to pay out as little as possible, and are really good at shafting people through pressure and delaying tactics.

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

I feel for you OP. The same thing happened to me. I was really shook up by it too. I think the worst thing is that you don't see it coming and it is really confusing! My bike got pushed forward in front of me and I just went straight to the ground - I really really hurt my arse! The bruise was incredible!!

I used to be against the whole "where there's a blame there's a claim" culture but you know what - that's what drivers pay their insurance for. You should make a claim and then you bike damage will come under "special damages".

Hope you are okay - it took me ages and ages to stop looking over my shoulder constantly to make sure nobody was going to do it again - imagine how bad it would be if he had pushed you into the traffic or something.

 

[kishan]

sorry to hear this mate