Hit by a car this morning - advice?

[fossyant]

Just use CTC's solicitors direct, or go via British Cycling's solicitors Leigh Day, again direct.

You'll have to sign an agreement, but should still get it no win no fee once they have assessed the accident circumstances. For members it protects you even if you are at fault.

 

[BentMikey]

+1 to joining the CTC and going their solicitor route.


Otherwise, nothing to add but sympathies and a virtual hot cuppa.

 

[karlos_the_jackal]

I do partially come from the other side as a risk and insurance manager, and we have a fleet of about 250 odd vehicles plus loads of hire cars at any one time.

I would say do what makes you feel happy. Don't necessarily get in touch with solicitors straight away. Any solicitors worth their while will sometimes delay actions against the third party. When we have somebody looking to claim against us as an individual, we have off the record conversations stating they should see solicitors if it is a serious injury. They should also wait for full evaluation of the injury to come out. Luckily for you it doesnt seem any permanent damage but that could be adrenaline changing it. (most of the claims against us were made worse by NHS treatment)

What i would say is write a statement about the event yourself tonight and also if your ok to go and take photos of the area at around about the same time. Also take a photo of your bike as it is. Evidence helps things go through so much quicker. Lawyers make money by no information and sending letters back and forth, thats what also delays. You've got three years to claim for personal injury also.

Their shouldnt really be a liability issue on this though.

 

[Twenty Inch]

I'd only add to keep the ibuprofen beside the bed for the next couple of nights. You'll stiffen up overnight and will be in agony in the morning - take a couple of pills and wait until they get going before getting up.

And you are quite entitled to take a couple of days of work. A) you'll physically need them, you've been through a really nasty accident and will be emotionally wobbly for a day or two, C) daytime TV - what more needs to be said?

Glad you're ok.

 

[Tubbs]

you've been through a really nasty accident and will be emotionally wobbly for a day or two, C) daytime TV - what more needs to be said?

Glad you're ok.

Yes I'm definitely emotionally wobbly and teary at the moment, I'll see how I feel tomorrow and might just take another day off.

I'm only glad this didn't happen in my first month or so of cycling when I was nervous and shaky anyway - I don't think I'd have got back on. Now, though I may well be a bit nervous at first but I don't feel I have a choice - I have to get back on. I can't go back to getting the bus - no chance.

 

[Twenty Inch]

Yes I'm definitely emotionally wobbly and teary at the moment, I'll see how I feel tomorrow and might just take another day off.

I'm only glad this didn't happen in my first month or so of cycling when I was nervous and shaky anyway - I don't think I'd have got back on. Now, though I may well be a bit nervous at first but I don't feel I have a choice - I have to get back on. I can't go back to getting the bus - no chance.

You'll be ok.

 

[Will1985]

Textbook side road crash - sounds like you were T-boned, while I hit a car which was trying to cross a DC. You shouldn't worry about a thing - middle of the lane and on the dual carriageway with right of way. Solicitors will sort it out.

Glad to hear you are relatively unscathed. Immediately afterward the adrenaline kicks in and you don't notice any injuries. I'd wait for the police to get a full statement off you - they'll also ask if you wish for them to prosecute her for driving without due care and attention or similar...then talk to the solicitors. The legal process is so drawn out that 24 hours delay won't make much difference.

I wasn't aware you could contact solicitors directly. I was already in contact with them for a previous case when my T-bone accident happened in January. They told me to contact BC so it was logged and then the same people at Leigh Day could call me up.

 

[classic33]

If your able get a map (copy) & mark down on it where you were when you first noticed the vehicle & where you were when the collision took place. This is your position on the road at the time and that of the other vehicle in relation to you.
Make a written record, give you something to do whilst your getting over it, of the above & also weather & road conditions at the time. Also who said what, don't be afraid to put down what you said or the other person said at the time. Make sure you print a copy of.
If possible get photographic evidence of the scene & your bike. This will serve two purposes, one as evidence, you can tie it in with map. Also it will aid you in remembering later what the area looks like. Describing a junction is one thing, it can look very different in a picture.

Done by me after being hit by a drink driver coming out of a junction. His version of events changed a number of times whilst waiting for the case to be settled. I had the one version of events & stuck with that.

 

[Tubbs]

Good advice - thanks. I can get a picture from Google maps of the exact road, so I'll print that off and mark it up. I'm writing everything out now while it is still fresh in my mind. Some of my words were not very ladylike...

 

[DLB]

i had a similar experience last september. i got hit from behind at about 20-25 mph while i was going slowly uphill. the driver did stop, apologised and even took me back home (my bike was unrideable). i got checked out at the local hospiital and phoned a 'no win, no fee' solictor from the yellow pages. took about 9 months but i did get a nice sum of money.

As advised you could use ctc (i have since joined them)

 

[fossyant]

Ah, thought you were a fella...sorry, crying is allowed then...sorry..

You've done everything right so far.

Don't get put off, you will be nervous for a while, I was, felt myself jump sideways 2 feet each time a car pulled out.....

 

[Tubbs]

Ah, thought you were a fella...sorry, crying is allowed then...sorry..

You've done everything right so far.

Don't get put off, you will be nervous for a while, I was, felt myself jump sideways 2 feet each time a car pulled out.....

Nah I still probably acted a little hysterically, even for a girl - as soon as I saw a kid leaning out of the window I calmed down a bit and apologised for swearing. First time I've come off - I've not even had a puncture yet so was feeling pretty smug until today.

I won't be put off - getting a bike is one of the best things I've ever done. I'm already looking at what to bike to buy next.

 

[classic33]

Good advice - thanks. I can get a picture from Google maps of the exact road, so I'll print that off and mark it up. I'm writing everything out now while it is still fresh in my mind. Some of my words were not very ladylike...

Why does that matter? If you put down what was said by you, at least your being honest & at a later date you can look back over what you said instead of saying I think you said this. Can be seen as possibly altering what you said.
If this all seems a bit too much, I'm only going on what happenned with myself. My first copy made very little sense to anyone who read it. I knew what it meant & made certain that the printed version made sense to anyone who read it.
speed up/slow down L/R him/me?

 

[fossyant]

Why does that matter?

Might seem too much...but folk change their minds.....

Driver's eye view......

Me....

Both taken after the event....in different weather conditions..... "driver didn't look"............DO NOT WORRY - ASK ON HERE............

 

[fossyant]

Tubbs....you reacted fine..... don't get upset....

I'm sanctioned....... (erm nuts.....) - been doing this stuff from, 15 - got into a club, got my ass kicked.....etc...... Raced, fell off and stuff..etc..and have been run over a few times...never mind....eh...... .....fair few on here have got better 'trophies' than me..........

Hence, ask on here.................