Got Knocked Off :(

[vish22]

Hey,




So i cycle most days to St Pauls and been doing it since last summer. On Monday I was going and there was a line of traffic queuing. Anyway I was going along filtering on the outside of traffic and coming up to a black cab, the guy indicated then started turning straight away to do a U-Turn. There was no time for me to react and next thing I knew I was lying on the other side of the road (luckily no on-coming cars). The guy was not very apologetic. Anyway after arguing with him I got his name, licence plate and phone number. The HUGE mistake I made was not getting any witnesses. I know that's the first thing I should have looked for but I wasn't thinking straight and was very flustered at the time. I feel okay(ish). Got bruising on my backside, on the side of my knee and neck. Going to get it checked out now at a Hospital.

I have a boardman road comp. Obviously there was damage to my bike. So all this happened on Monday. I then called him up later on and he said it was my fault and is refusing to give me his insurance details. I did a self report to the police and am waiting to hear back. So I have a couple of questions:

1) How bad is it that I don't have a witness?

2) Has anyone used one of these no win no claim companies? They seem to be everywhere but can anyone recommend a good one?

3) How much help do you think the police will be? It is the City of London and not MET.

4) Is there anything else I did that would work against me?




Cheers for any help

 

[Simba]

1) How bad is it that I don't have a witness? I dont have witnesses to my accident and I am looking at upto 8 grand for my claim.

2) Has anyone used one of these no win no claim companies? They seem to be everywhere but can anyone recommend a good one? Alyson France/Bike Line I am using and the bikeline part is specialised for cyclists.

3) How much help do you think the police will be? It is the City of London and not MET. None at all, its only a cyclst.

4) Is there anything else I did that would work against me? Make sure you keep your story straight and wait for any possible injuries to manifest.


And for the record, cabbies are always doing U-turns without regarding anyone else's safety.

 

[Simon_m]

i found city of london police really helpfull when my bike was stolen. fingers crossed you mend quick and the b'stard is made to pay up

 

[chris-s]

Any nearby CCTV?

 

[skudupnorth]

+ 1 on Alyson France...cannot fault them for the professional service and they a very clued up on the why's and whats fors when it comes to cycling related incidents.They did me proud ! Even got a water bottle off them

Just checked who dealt with my claim,the chap is called Jonathan Lear 0151-348-4400,cracking team there.

 

[sheddy]

From the Highway code -


286 If you are involved in a collision which causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property, you MUST

• stop
• give your own and the vehicle owner’s name and address, and the registration number of the vehicle, to anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring them
• if you do not give your name and address at the time of the collision, report it to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours

287 If another person is injured and you do not produce your insurance certificate at the time of the crash to a police officer or to anyone having reasonable grounds to request it, you MUST

• report it to the police as soon as possible and in any case within 24 hours
• produce your insurance certificate for the police within seven days

 

[Simba]

+ 1 on Alyson France...cannot fault them for the professional service and they a very clued up on the why's and whats fors when it comes to cycling related incidents.They did me proud ! Even got a water bottle off them

Just checked who dealt with my claim,the chap is called Jonathan Lear 0151-348-4400,cracking team there.

Thats my solicitor as well, he is a nice chap and knows his stuff.

 

[DrSquirrel]

From the Highway code -


286 If you are involved in a collision which causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property, you MUST

• stop
• give your own and the vehicle owner’s name and address, and the registration number of the vehicle, to anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring them
• if you do not give your name and address at the time of the collision, report it to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours

287 If another person is injured and you do not produce your insurance certificate at the time of the crash to a police officer or to anyone having reasonable grounds to request it, you MUST

• report it to the police as soon as possible and in any case within 24 hours
• produce your insurance certificate for the police within seven days

+1

AC20 Failing to give particulars or to report an accident within 24 hours 5-10 Points

Realistically the police do not bother to apply these points.

 

[skudupnorth]

Thats my solicitor as well, he is a nice chap and knows his stuff.

Hopefully i won't need them again but if something did happen i would use him and the company without a second thought.

 

[Simba]

Hopefully i won't need them again but if something did happen i would use him and the company without a second thought.

How long did your claim take? Mine started in October.

 

[vish22]

Hey - thanks. I went back and had a look at lunchtime and couldn't see any CCTV unfortunately. I also went to a nearby building and had a word with the security who checked and said they don't have anything. I am going to stand on the side of the road with a sign appealing for witnesses until the end of the week and see where I get. I still can't believe I didn't get one, it was hammered into me to make sure you get one but I was obviously not thinking straight. Anyway cheers for all the help. I'm going to give the police a week then contact that company you mentioned.

I wasn't aware of the law in this case, which is why I didn't call the police. Although I really wish I had.

Thanks again for help/advice.

 

[skudupnorth]

How long did your claim take? Mine started in October.

Had the hit and run in Oct 09 and got the pay out by May 2010,they took no prisoners !

 

[Ste T.]

"I am going to stand on the side of the road with a sign appealing for witnesses until the end of the week and see where I get."

Good luck with that fella. My experience of other drivers is that you're more likely to get two or three come forward to say you deliberately swung into the cab. :¬)

Don't you realise, deep down inside they hate us....all of us.....it burns....IT BURNS! :¬)

 

[vish22]

"I am going to stand on the side of the road with a sign appealing for witnesses until the end of the week and see where I get."

Good luck with that fella. My experience of other drivers is that you're more likely to get two or three come forward to say you deliberately swung into the cab. :¬)

Don't you realise, deep down inside they hate us....all of us.....it burns....IT BURNS! :¬)

Mate - that's a very cynical view. I had no luck today but looked like a twat on the road. Had one cabbie laugh at me. I've put up a sign on the bus stop so am going to try my best to get a witness this week. If no-one comes forward then I will go ahead with the claim without. I've got to try though.

 

[skudupnorth]

Hopefully i won't need them again but if something did happen i would use him and the company without a second thought.

Tempted fate by saying that ! Had a few close calls this week,i don't like !