Knocked off bike by car! :(

[Mm87]

If it's not damaged why does it need replacing?

That's the problem though, there's no guarantee its not, visibly there is no obvious signs of damage, but months down the line theres no knowing if any undetected structural damage/weakness in the frame might show and there being safety issues while riding it. I'm surprised there's no obvious signs of damage because I instantly thought the bike had been written off by the force of the impact from the car.

It's said that with insurance you should be left in a situation you were in before the smash, even with the wheel, seat etc replaced I'm left with a frame that's taken a smack by a car.

 

[vickster]

That's the problem though, there's no guarantee its not, visibly there is no obvious signs of damage, but months down the line theres no knowing if any undetected structural damage/weakness in the frame might show and there being safety issues while riding it. I'm surprised there's no obvious signs of damage because I instantly thought the bike had been written off by the force of the impact from the car.

It's said that with insurance you should be left in a situation you were in before the smash, even with the wheel, seat etc replaced I'm left with a frame that's taken a smack by a car.

With a metal frame if there is no damage to the metal like a dent or the paint then I can't see what damage could be lurking. Carbon is a different animal but I don't think your bike is carbon?

I've come off bikes with no damage to it as I'm sure have many others. I've also had bikes fall over etc

But it's up to you and the other party and independent assessors. Get a report from a metallurgist if you think it's needed

Ask the solicitor if you should just ask for a new bike, that's your prerogative, without proof you may not get anywhere though

You can always buy a new frame or bike with the compensation

 

[Black Sheep]

I know mountain bike frames are more robust but if I replaced my frame each time it took a hit due to me coming off then I'd have a cellar full of old frames. This includes a lot of stupidity.

Yes, it's wise to have the frame checked by someone who knows what they're doing and it is possible for damage to be there that isn't obvious to someone who doesn't know what they're looking for such as cracks in a weld or the head tube being stretched by a frontal force (see next para) but a side force on the entire frame shouldn't put too much stress on it, it will drag the wheels sideways putting a stress on them that they're not designed for.

A head on would put a sudden force through the forks which would introduce a rotational force into the head tube putting stress on where it joins the frame, from the description given by the OP I don't think this has happened.

Frames are more resiliant than you might think - the exception being carbon, which while being very strong, requires the entire structure to be sound, alu or steel can cope with a dent or two being present.

Yes, it plays on your mind, I had someone go over my motorbike with a fine tooth comb after I got rear ended at some traffic lights and knocked off, the AA came out and checked it before I rode it carefully home and then a trusted mechanic before I repaired it.

 

[Mm87]

I suppose if undetected damage applies more to carbon frames then I might be worrying needlessly (bike is full aluminium). I was all ready to email photos of the bike and repair quote to the solicitor but I was wondering if I should be trying for a new bike instead, phoned Halfords up but the guy I needed to speak to wasn't in, told to bring the bike in tomorrow instead but I might as well go ahead with the repairs instead (less hassle). Like you say I can always buy a new bike with the compensation, the bike is nothing special anyway!

 

[vickster]

Call the solicitor and ask their advice. You said they are cycling accident experts. They'll have encountered this before. Also has the other party accepted liability? Ask the solicitor if you should be proceeding with repairs so soon. You could be out of pocket for some while if there's any dispute

Yes carbon frames are more of a worry. I had a clipless on mine and it was fine

 

[Mm87]

Call the solicitor and ask their advice. You said they are cycling accident experts. They'll have encountered this before. Also has the other party accepted liability? Ask the solicitor if you should be proceeding with repairs so soon. You could be out of pocket for some while if there's any dispute

Yes carbon frames are more of a worry. I had a clipless on mine and it was fine

Will do, rather than paying for the repairs upfront I'm just quoting the price of the repairs just to get everything sorted my end really (going to wait until compensated to repair the bike). The solicitor has said the insurance company has a maximum of 15 working days to come to a decision, so I'll wait and see.

 

[vickster]

I think that's a decision on liability not any costs

 

[Mm87]

I think that's a decision on liability not any costs

Yes that's correct, 15 days to make a decision on liability, hopefully then not too much longer to get the cost for repairs etc, but I wouldn't know how long it takes.

 

[vickster]

Yes that's correct, 15 days to make a decision on liability, hopefully then not too much longer to get the cost for repairs etc, but I wouldn't know how long it takes.

It can be quite quick if injuries not too complex

Is everything healing ok?

@User33236 settled his claim in a month or two for example

 

[Mm87]

It can be quite quick if injuries not too complex

Is everything healing ok?

@User33236 settled his claim in a month or two for example

Yeah injuries are healing OK thanks, neck still sore from the whiplash but its slowly improving everyday, whole torso feels bruised but everything should be fine soon. A month or 2 to settle doesn't sound too unreasonable.

 

[User33236]

It can be quite quick if injuries not too complex

Is everything healing ok?

@User33236 settled his claim in a month or two for example

As vickster says mine was sorted very quickly.

This was partly due to the driver's insurance company wanting it settled quickly (and offering sensible figures straight off the bat) and also that it was quickly evident that my injuries had no complications that would delay healing.

My incident occurred on April 14th and the cheque cleared in my bank on May 24th.

 

[Mm87]

As vickster says mine was sorted very quickly.

This was partly due to the driver's insurance company wanting it settled quickly (and offering sensible figures straight off the bat) and also that it was quickly evident that my injuries had no complications that would delay healing.

My incident occurred on April 14th and the cheque cleared in my bank on May 24th.

Thanks for the info, glad everything was sorted for you quickly. I'm not expecting any complications in my injuries so hopefully the whole thing is sorted swiftly.

 

[cyberknight]

Missed this , i hope your not too bad and GWS

 

[kiriyama]

I also got taken out today, but far less dramatic. Some moron pulled out from a side road on the left. I have absolutely no clue how he didn't see me. Very slow collision, I didn't even come off. Me and the bike are fine. I absolutely obliterated his mirror though.

 

[Tim Hall]

I also got taken out today, but far less dramatic. Some moron pulled out from a side road on the left. I have absolutely no clue how he didn't see me. Very slow collision, I didn't even come off. Me and the bike are fine. I absolutely obliterated his mirror though.

Good. On three counts.