earth said:
I just phoned the persons number and spoke to their husband. He said the women had the kids in the back, she got to work and was distraught that she thought she had hit a cyclist, but she had not seen me. He told her to phone the Police. Ironically her front number plate fell off when she hit me because it was cello-taped on. At the time I did not see that and I never returned to where it happened.
I'm clear now that I'm upset that they were not driving properly. They did see me and did not stop. I'm angry that the Police have not taken it seriously when it's clear that it was her fault and she didn't stop. I also recall when I cycled on the pavement last year and got fined - no one was hurt then either but I still got fined.
Anyway, just spoken to the Police about it again. The Policeman said he was a cyclist and a racer and a driver. You know what - couldn't care less. 'You will always have accidents with cars'. 'If no one is injured then there is nothing to report'. But that's not the point, she knew she had hit me, it wouldn't have happened if she was driving on the correct side of the road and she drove away.
Likely story, he's probably a lardy 25 stone g1t who hasn't been near a bike since he was a nipper. I used to get that response when I reported incidents to the Met police back in the 1990s or the time I was stopped in Bell Green Sydenham by a cop car who thought I was cycling too fast. The fat WPC and her equally lardy male partner who got out the panda car waddling back to me where a very terse conversation ensued. I just couldn't stop laughing when she told me that she was a cyclist and they never cycled as fast as I did. Yeah right, you'd probably have a coronary more like it. No wonder any decent crim can out run or out cycle them.
Anyway earth, you need to contact plod again insisting on speaking to an inspector or making a formal complaint as offences have been committed 1)driving without due care and attention and 2)failing to stop and 3)the driver has made admissions, you are not happy that they the police are currently not taking this matter seriously.
If the value of damage to your bike is not that high then a solicitor won't take it on as it wouldn't be economically viable to do so as costs for representation cannot be recovered in the Small Claims Court which is where your case would be heard. SCC thresh holds are £5000 max for damage to property and £1,000 personal injury. If you had some PI and loss of earnings exceeding £1k then a solicitor may well take your case on as it could be heard in the County Court fast track where costs for representation can be recovered. Solicitor will take you on a conditional fee agreement.
I would advise get the details of her insurer, a full quote for repairs to your bike, then send it to her insurers with the police crime reference number, full account of what happened, map and pics. Request that payment be made within 14 days or however many you deam reasonable (28?). If payment is not forthcoming within this time you will bring proceedings to recover the amount you are claiming which may mean the insurer incurs further costs such as court fees and loss of use element and an amount for distress, pain and suffering caused you by being knocked off by their insured say £250.
Do you have legal expenses cover for instance with your bank account or mortgage as you could take advantage of this? Make sure their costs can be recovered from the other side which will be the case if she IS insured otherwise it could count against you as a fault claim.
Good luck.
