Hit by a minicab

[redjedi]

Well I'm back home after leaving for work but only got halfway there before being hit by a minicab.

The incedent happened on the roundabout outside Turnham green station (London, if you weren't sure)

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&h...5666,-0.255228&spn=0.001197,0.003465&t=h&z=19

I was coming from the south and turning right. The minicab was coming from the north and heading straight on.
I approached the roundabout and signalled right, waited for a break in the traffic, which was a big gap, and moved off at about 10MPH
I always stay in primary and was just preparing to slow down as people were using the crossing.
A car pulled out in front of me from the north entrance, but that was no problem, then the minibab (large black MPV style) kept on moving after him.
By this time I was right in front of him and I hoped he would stop......but didn't.
He wasn't travelling very fast (probably about the same 10mph as me) as he hit me on the left hand side. I didn't go very far, but it pushed the bottom of my bike out and I landed on my left, on the road. I guess he hit me hard enough to push me away from his bonnet.

I was able to get up straight away and turned to look at him. He was an older indian man and looked a little shaken up, we both pointed to the side of the road near the station.

** Thank you to the lady who came over and asked if I was alright**

It was then I noticed 2 policemen heading over. They were waiting to enter the rdbt from the east and had seen everything, which was fortunate.

They came and took the drivers and my details and checked I didn't need medical assisitance.

I asked for a copy of the details as I didn't have anything to write on, but they said they would call me later and give me them.
The driver accepted responsibility and has offered to pay for the damage.

I don't appear to have suffered any injuries, but my front wheel is a right off and the left crank is bent in. That was all I could see straight away before I dropped it off in Evans to get a quote done.

All in all not a very good start to the day, but it could have been a lot worse.

Any advice on what to look/ask for is appreciated, I've never been in an accident before

I'm hoping that I won't have any trouble getting compensated for the damage, as he's a "professional" driver, he won't want any insurance claims on his record.

p.s. when I was giving the policeman my phone numbers, I now realise I got my work number completely wrong (not that I'm there anyway) but pretty sure I got my mobile correct. Is there a way to call them and give them my correct details in case I don't hear anything later?

 

[Jake]

yikes! a lucky escape in many ways.

 

[Riding in Circles]

You need to go to the hospital and get checked over, adrenalin may be masking injuries.

 

[John the Monkey]

1) Get some legal advice - anecdotally, many drivers are ok about paying for damage, until you tell them that bike parts cost more than £25, at which point things can get awkward. Do things properly from the get go, and the chance of this happening is minimised (as is the hassle).

2) Your local force should have a website, go online, find the non emergency number and call, explaining what's happened. They should (hopefully) be able to give you an incident number, or the names of the officers dealing with it.

Glad you're mostly ok.

 

[domtyler]

Sounds pretty straightforward to me, glad you are okay.

Do you not carry a camera phone with you? I have always carried one as they are so useful for quickly recording any evidence, shots of the scene, any damage, reg plates and so on. I highly recomend that all cyclists carry one at all times. Even if it's not you who are involved you are likely to come across some kind of incident sooner or later in London or anywhere else for that matter.

 

[magnatom]

Glad your ok mate! Good luck with the police etc.

 

[Origamist]

I know that mini-RaB (I used to live in Chiswick) and it can get hectic during the rush-hour - lots of cars, buses, peds etc embarking/disembarking around Turnham Green tube.

Glad to hear that you're not badly hurt, but def get legal advice.

PS Is Turnham Clean laundrette still open!

 

[fossyant]

Get checked out as pain quite often hits 24-48 hours later. To bend a crank also suggests frame damage, so don't be too surprised if the bike is written off.

 

[HLaB]

Glad you were able to walk away m8. As people are saying it might be worthwhile getting checked out medically; adrenallin might be masking things at the moment, I hope not though.

 

[redjedi]

Thanks everyone.

I've just had a call from the police with the phone number of the guy. So I'll wait fot the quote from the bike shop and give him a chance to pay up, if I don't have any luck I'll seek advice.

It's been about 5 hours now, and I haven't noticed any injuries yet. I'll give it till the morning and see how I feel, but so far it looks as if I escaped un-harmed (touch wood).

Dom - I do have a rubbish camera phone, but no way to get the pictures off it, so I've never used it. I will probably start taking my camera with me from now on.

Origamist - It is a bit hectic around there so maybe a slightly different route is called for. And yes Turnham Clean is still there

Fossyant - That was my worry. I like my bike (even if it is a bit too small for me) and it may start getting tricky it I have to get him to pay for a new bike. Hopefully just some new components needed (although a new bike does sound good)

 

[tdr1nka]

Redjedi,

Glad you're in one piece!

 

[redjedi]

Back to work today...on the bus

My legs a little tender, but everything works ok.

I've just heard back from the bike shop with the damage report and the front wheel need replacing (I've asked them to quote for a set as I don't want mis-matching wheels), a new crank set and bottom bracket.
This is going to cost about £325 inc labour.
I'm also going to get a quote on a replacement helmet, as I think it took a bit of a knock.

I'll be giving the driver a call tonight with the exact cost and see if he wants to pay without his insurance getting involved.

As it's close to £400 I worry that he may not want to pay that much, he probably assumed it would only cost £100 to fix a bike.
If we need to go the insurance route, what details should I ask him for?
Full name, address, registration number? anything else?

 

[domtyler]

Ouch! Hope he pays up, going through insurance could see you waiting a year or more for a pay out!

 

[008]

You'll need name, address and policy number of his motor insurers... as well as his own personal details (registration number at the very least)

Circumstances seem pretty straight forward so I can't see how they can deny liability.

FYI, his insurers may ask for a second 'competitive' estimate for them to compare and ensure the costs are reasonable. Also, they may not agree to a second wheel if it's not damaged and may even try to make a deduction for 'wear and tear' on the damaged parts.

Good luck!

 

[jamesgibby]

FYI, his insurers may ask for a second 'competitive' estimate for them to compare and ensure the costs are reasonable. Also, they may not agree to a second wheel if it's not damaged and may even try to make a deduction for 'wear and tear' on the damaged parts.
!

I believe an insurance company is only allowed to deduct for wear and tear if you are claiming on your insurance, where it is their policy holders fault they have to provide a replacement for you, as it is not possible for them to get something with identical wear to the one damaged they have to replace with new