I chinned him

[Paul J]

Not sure this is a good or bad but just got home and want to get it out....

Driver pulls out on me into a box junction and I hit him square in the drivers door and up I go in the air. First thing I get as I come crashing down is a mouthful of abuse. I ignore him and check my bike quickly over ie is it rideable and it was. Damage to his car a good scuff mark and the door has dented inwards. At this point he is still hurling abuse and wanting details so I reply Dial 118 F*£$K O$F! and ride off down the road to a place to pull in, this is where it gets worse!

As I am looking at my bike he gets out the car with real attitude (fat git in an England Shirt mid to late twenties walks straight upto me and with his blubbery weight gives me a good shove. As he comes at me again I give him a good left jab giving him broken sun glasses and a bloody nose. At this point he didn't come back for more and a good deal of abuse exchanged. In the end he buggered off with the mouthy female who got out with him.

I was left a bit shocked and a gentleman got out of his car from the line of traffic that wasn't moving in the opposite direction and says I have it all on my phone mate, here's my number etc I'll send you the video if you need it..

My front wheel is a little buckled but I think he came off worse. Should I bother reporting it or just take it as one of those things that happen? Wife reckons I should leave it but being 43 I feel a bit guilty in giving him a slap.

 

[Matthew_T]

Your hit was a reaction to prevent him from hurting you more. Noone expects to get pushed and get away with it.
I cannot see this driver accepting the blame when the cops come knocking. But it is up to you.

 

[Dayvo]

He got what he deserved, possibly even got off lightly.

Contact the police: it might prevent him from bullying and assaulting other road-users.

 

[BSRU]

I think he got off lightly, as far as I can read, from your description, you used reasonable force to defend yourself.

 

[dawesome]

Put the footage up here so the dolts can blame you.

You probably did the right thing, the driver's guilty of a number of offences.

 

[rollinstok]

Love it !! .... good man

 

[Paul J]

Put the footage up here so the dolts can blame you.

Nice idea but I don't think it would change or improve what happened. I think I will get a copy though and save it for if the boys in blue if they come knocking.

 

[Silver Fox]

Your actions to defend yourself from a perceived further assault sound reasonable in the circumstances, plus you have a witness who I assume will support your account of the incident.

You may wish to report the incident to your local police station if only to cover your back should the driver decide to take it further.

 

[MrJamie]

Glad youre alright firstly and it sounds like youve got an independant witness who is on your side and video evidence.

I certainly wouldnt feel guilty about giving him a slap, sounds like he deserved it and threatened you with violence by shouting abuse and shoving you. It might be worth reporting to the police, mainly for the collision part, but also if this isnt the end of it as he might pass you on a regular basis if youre there same time of day etc and be looking for some revenge.

Dunno if you could get in trouble for failing to stop after an accident or failing to report it.

 

[slowmotion]

 

[dawesome]

After an accident where their car collides with a person, drivers who check their cars before their victim are scum, drivers who mouth off at someone they could have killed should be taken outside and shot.

 

[Paul J]

Dunno if you could get in trouble for failing to stop after an accident or failing to report it.

I stopped up the road moving out of the way of traffic. As far as I know you don't need to report an accident unless someone was injured. I didn't exchange details which I suppose is wrong in the eyes of the law. In these circumstances I think the police would take a dim view of his behaviour/ driving. For me to hit the drivers door he was a fair way out from the side road into the junction. I didn't have time to swerve and I wouldn't have anyhow as getting run over by the other traffic was a greater risk, so running into him was the only option.

 

[Paul J]

Anyhow thanks for your comments guys I feel much better after a forum post and a cuppa

 

[Boris Bajic]

After an accident where their car collides with a person, drivers who check their cars before their victim are scum, drivers who mouth off at someone they could have killed should be taken outside and shot.

He was already outside. If someone is outside, you cannot take them outside and shoot them.

I get the impression you have very little hands-on experience in the field of summary justice.

This may or may not be a good thing.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Report it. If he reports it first then you could find yourself being the one initially treated as the offender. With your witness and footage that should change, but it's still not a nice experience.

That said, if he did report being assaulted by a cyclist it's unlikely we'd trace you, so if you do just want to let it lie you probably can.