Knocked off bike this morning

[earth]

I was knocked off today while making a right run by a driver coming in the opposite direction who was also making a right turn.

CAR --->---|
V

X

^
|----<---ME

I hope the ASCII pic above looks correct in your browsers.

The road is a dual carriageway with a central reservation dividing the traffic going in opposite directions. There are gaps in the reservation for people to join the road going in the opposite direction.

I checked to my right to make sure there was no traffic before making a right turn. The driver was also making a right turn but from the opposite direction and I was going about 5mph. I did see the car but was not able to avoid colliding with the bumper area of the off-side wing.

I went down and was not injured. But before I got up the driver was already racing away. I jumped up and chased them for about 10 meters, shouting at the top of my lungs. Then I turned around picked up my bike and pursued but I could not catch up as the front wheel was out of true.

I got an accurate description of the car but could not remember the license plate properly.

I got to work and phoned the Police, and gave the above details.

The Police phoned back and said the women was on the other line and did I want to exchange phone number and address. They said there was no damage to the car. They also said the women did not see me and thought she had hit a pot hole.

I'm a bit worried because the Police mentioned her insurance. I am happy to talk to her because I would like an apology for being knocked off and also because she drove away immediately.

I am also not convinced by the story of the pot hole. Now I know that I made a mistake in that I didn't see her until moments before the collision but she claims she didn't see me at all. I think she was going a bit faster than me as well.

Any suggestions as to whether I should contact her? I'm particularly worried about this insurance thing.

 

[Crankarm]

I was knocked off today while making a right run by a driver coming in the opposite direction who was also making a right turn.

CAR --->---|
V

X

^
|----<---ME

I hope the ASCII pic above looks correct in your browsers.

The road is a dual carriageway with a central reservation dividing the traffic going in opposite directions. There are gaps in the reservation for people to join the road going in the opposite direction.

I checked to my right to make sure there was no traffic before making a right turn. The driver was also making a right turn but from the opposite direction and I was going about 5mph. I did see the car but was not able to avoid colliding with the bumper area of the off-side wing.

I went down and was not injured. But before I got up the driver was already racing away. I jumped up and chased them for about 10 meters, shouting at the top of my lungs. Then I turned around picked up my bike and pursued but I could not catch up as the front wheel was out of true.

I got an accurate description of the car but could not remember the license plate properly.

I got to work and phoned the Police, and gave the above details.

The Police phoned back and said the women was on the other line and did I want to exchange phone number and address. They said there was no damage to the car. They also said the women did not see me and thought she had hit a pot hole.

I'm a bit worried because the Police mentioned her insurance. I am happy to talk to her because I would like an apology for being knocked off and also because she drove away immediately.

I am also not convinced by the story of the pot hole. Now I know that I made a mistake in that I didn't see her until moments before the collision but she claims she didn't see me at all. I think she was going a bit faster than me as well.

Any suggestions as to whether I should contact her? I'm particularly worried about this insurance thing.

WTF! The police should be pursuing her for driving without due care and attention and be giving her a b0ll0cking for not stopping to see if you were alright and exchange details. How the hell can a motorist collide with a cyclist, knocking them down believing instead they have hit a pot hole and drive off!!!! What a crock of s**t. She knew she'd hit you and decided to drive off so hit and run. Even though she has called the police I would make a complaint against the driver. She has a lot more to lose than you.

Why would you be worried about insurance if there is no damage to her car? She has admitted there is none to the police. Do you not have 3rd party insurance for yourself through BC, CTC or LCC membership? If anything the driver should be worried about an insurance claim for damage to your bike or a PI claim from you, even if you were both to blame for failing to keep an adequate look out. If you are not injured and your bike only has a wheel out of true I would just draw a line under it, put it down to experience and move on. Maybe you want re-imbursement for repair to your wheel in which case you will have to contact her. But getting money out of her may be easier said than done, unless there is the possibility of the police prosecuting her ..............

 

[BentMikey]

I'd want to claim for the front wheel and a thorough check-over of the bike at your LBS.

 

[hackbike 666]

Terrible.Hope you and the bike are ok mate.

 

[earth]

I'm just off to a close by bike shop now to check the damage and get the wheel trued.

@ Crankarm, I think you are right that the story is a crock. I saw her, even if it was shortly before I bounced off the bumper! If she did not see me at all then she was not looking where she was going at all.

 

[hackbike 666]

Mobile phone or something else?

 

[Crankarm]

I'm just off to a close by bike shop now to check the damage and get the wheel trued.

@ Crankarm, I think you are right that the story is a crock. I saw her, even if it was shortly before I bounced off the bumper! If she did not see me at all then she was not looking where she was going at all.

Your knee and hand could have developed nasty cuts and you are now in agony from your elbow, hip and shoulder having hit the road after bumping off her bumper. Your clothing is all cut up, your bars bent and STI levers gashed your pedals and rear deraillieur scraped. Could be costly for her.

Well at least she is insured ........... otherwise she wouldn't have called the police and further incriminated herself. Surely they would have advised you if she was not I would have thought.

Which police force is it?

 

[BigSid]

Glad you're OK but why would she call the police if she thought she'd hit a pothole?

 

[BentMikey]

*makes a hot cuppa for earth*
*proffers ginger crunch*

 

[Joe]

Glad you're ok!
I'd agree that her story is a total joke.
She thinks she hits a pothole, and carries on driving but then later, having left the scene, thinks "hmmmm actually that pothole felt more like a cyclist" and rings the police?....

 

[jeltz]

Glad you're OK but why would she call the police if she thought she'd hit a pothole?

+1 She knew she hit you, nobody would phone the police to tell them she'd hit a pot hole. Its obvious so why didn't the police pick up on that?

 

[fossyant]

Pothole...

Cyclist

Hmm, not exactly similar.......FFS

Glad you are OK - get yourself and bike checked out and follow the advice above.

 

[fossyant]

+1 She knew she hit you, nobody would phone the police to tell them she'd hit a pot hole. Its obvious so why didn't the police pick up on that?

Exactly...TBH folk lie through their teeth in accidents where they know they are in the wrong....

 

[Bugner]

Surely the Police should have nicked her for wasting Police time, if she rang up to tell them that she had hit a pothole!!

 

[Coco]

Glad you're OK but why would she call the police if she thought she'd hit a pothole?

Unless it was a hole in one of these pots:

Glad you're ok.