Hi, I was hit by a car pulling out without looking across the junction of Cecilia Road, Downs Park Road, Hackney E8 on Sunday 7 March, around 6.30/6.45. The driver stopped, admitted responsibility and gave me £40. However, while this has paid for the surface damage, I have just discovered that my front forks need replacing as they are bent, which is another £70-odd quid. A woman cyclist on a racing bike got the driver's details, but stupidly I didn't and am now trying to trace her.
Help - witness to crash Downs Pk Rd, 7/3/10, 6.35pm
- Thread starter coshgirl
- Start date
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Sheffield_Tiger
Legendary Member
Grrr...
Why do drivers think that its OK just to hit a cyclist and give them some loose change?
I know this isn't helping you, but it may help others, this is a shining example of why you should never accept a cash payout like that, however superficial the damage looks.
Why do drivers think that its OK just to hit a cyclist and give them some loose change?
I know this isn't helping you, but it may help others, this is a shining example of why you should never accept a cash payout like that, however superficial the damage looks.
thomas
the tank engine
- Location
- Woking/Norwich
I hope you can find someone to help, however, you may find that by accepting the £40 you may not be able to claim for any more. Also, some insurance policies are, technically, voided when a driver admits liability.
I'm not sure, I'm sure someone will correct me if wrong. I hope you can claim the rest of your costs, but it might not be the easiest thing!!
I'm not sure, I'm sure someone will correct me if wrong. I hope you can claim the rest of your costs, but it might not be the easiest thing!!
Landslide
Rare Migrant
- Location
- Called to the bar
Have you tried posting on London Fixed-gear and Single-speed? They're a committed bunch and have a "Rider Down" forum that's pretty hot on stuff like this.
addictfreak
Guru
- Location
- Boldon, Tyne and Wear
Glad your ok, and sorry to hear about the damage to your bike.
Its always easy to be wise when your sitting at home reading these threads.
But I would say never accept money. Exchange details, and I would take a photo of the car and driver if possible (incase of any subsequent denial).
Report accident to the police asap, if you have suffered an injury I would request police attend straight away and get medical treatment if required.
Take your bike to LBS and have it assesed properly then make your claim
Its always easy to be wise when your sitting at home reading these threads.
But I would say never accept money. Exchange details, and I would take a photo of the car and driver if possible (incase of any subsequent denial).
Report accident to the police asap, if you have suffered an injury I would request police attend straight away and get medical treatment if required.
Take your bike to LBS and have it assesed properly then make your claim
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
Shame coshgirl, poor you! Sadly, once you've accepted payment, I think that's it, you won't be able to claim more legally. IANAL though.
People, always remember to get vehicle and driver details, and to record and photograph everything you can.
People, always remember to get vehicle and driver details, and to record and photograph everything you can.
gaz
Cycle Camera TV
- Location
- South Croydon
Best of luck with getting to a resolution, But as others have said you may not get as far as we all hope.
+1 may be the only way to find them, and if they commute regularly they should be passing at a very similar time of day.tightwad said:
But as BM says, once you've accepted payment there may not be much you can do. This may have to go down as a lessoned learnt.
But good luck.
Crankarm
Guru
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
You poor thing. Accepting a cash payment at the scene does not end your legal right to claim more from the driver. If and that is the question, if, you catch up with him or her you could deny all knowledge of previously receiving £40 from them, if there is no receipt or documentation reflecting the transaction then it is your word against their's if the witness didn't see anything. Not good to lie but you could ........ But I fear your problem here is obtaining the details of the driver. If you manage to do that then I would contact their insurance company. If not insured the police and the MIB.
It's easy being wise after the event but as many have said take a lot of photographs of the vehicle any damage, the driver, any witnesses, if they agree so you don't forget them, get their details and the scene itself. A lot to remember presuming you are in a fit enough state to do all this and not lying unconscious in the road fighting for your life.
Next time you will know what to do.
It's easy being wise after the event but as many have said take a lot of photographs of the vehicle any damage, the driver, any witnesses, if they agree so you don't forget them, get their details and the scene itself. A lot to remember presuming you are in a fit enough state to do all this and not lying unconscious in the road fighting for your life.
Next time you will know what to do.
hackbike 666
Guest
So why did she pay £40?
Did she have something to hide?
Hope you are ok btw.
Did she have something to hide?
Hope you are ok btw.
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
I would strongly suggest going the official route via the driver's insurance and reporting it to the police every time. Why go through all that pain? Because then you have a slightly better chance of claiming the right money back for what you lost, and more importantly you can bring a little bit of financial penalty back to the driver via increased insurance claims. That will help to remind them to be more careful around cyclists in the future, and it's more likely to be effective than almost anything else.
