RTA Advice please!!

[fossyant]

Is there anyone out there who hasn't been knocked off..?

Ha..ha...you are having a girraffe !!!

I work on one big off every 3 years...seems to run true with me

 

[shippers]

I was thinking of signing up for the GYBR- now I definatly am if there might be a potential CC'er to bump into
Have you booked a place?

Yes- I'm a teacher and there were about 12 of us signing up together. One or two might be backing off at the moment though!

See you there then!

 

[ttcycle]

Shippers - can't add any more to what's been posted but look after yourselfand GWS- sorry to hear about the off -sounds awful. Hope you get a bike sorted soon!

 

[gaz]

Much obliged to all for the advice. I filled in the form on the cyclist solicitor website, so they'll ring back soon. Is there anyone out there who hasn't been knocked off..?

Can anyone give me a clue about timescales? I guess I'm missing the ride a week on sunday, but the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride in June..?

took me 4 months to get my money, the insurance company hadn't even looked at the case at that time. But after speaking to one of their employees on the phone, and i said i will take them to court if you don't start the process now! i got the cheque the next day.

 

[shippers]

I'm going to be going down the solicitor route I think then. If they're getting paid for it then it's up to someone else to chase it all, rather than not having a bike until June!!

 

[Crankarm]

Make sure it is reported to the police. If they didn't attend the accident then they must be informed by the driver within 24 hours.

If the police attended, then chase them up. Make sure that the accident book was completed correctly and the names of the witnesses were recorded. The police can be sloppy about filling out and this is one reason why there are so few prosecutions.

As the others have said, keep a diary of injuries - get photos where possible.

You don't say which solicitors you are using. If you are a CTC member then call their accident line. If you're not, contact the CTC's solicitors (Russell Jones & Walker) directly. They'll probably take you on "no win, no fee".

Depending on the severity of the injuries, you could be looking at up to several years before you get a pay out for personal injury. If they accept liability, the drivers insurers will most likely make an interim payment to cover bike replacement, etc.

Listen to your solicitors - if it's Russell, Jones & Walker you'll get good advice.

Maybe ......... although I didn't go further with RJW other than an initial chat and appraisal of what my case entailed and was worth as I felt other assessments and advice I had been given was better. I was a CTC member at the time as well.

So my point is shop around talk to a few cycling PI solicitors and go with the one you feel most comfortable with. You only get one chance.

Btw PI work is not techically funded by no win no fee, but by Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs), as a no win no fee is not strictly correct. You do pay if you lose just not your solicitors costs. You pay for the other sides costs and any disbursements. You should read the Conditional Fee Agreement fully and understand eveything within it before you sign it. It is a binding contract and being with a solicitor they WILL enforce it.

 

[fossyant]

Timescales - I got a cheque within 6 weeks to pay for bike repairs (already shelled it out anyway) but that was via BC's solicitors. The process varies by 'insurer' and if the other party admits liability......then OK (ish).......I'm still owed medical costs from 8 months ago, and the PI will take a long time.

You are best off getting a damage quote from a bike shop, then getting it fixed yourself, then claim back, especially if you want to keep riding.

 

[jamesxyz]

Don;t speak to their insurance company - they may try to ring you asking to help / offer you cost of bike, have you been out on your bike again, give you all the sympathy etc - don't say anything just direct them to yur solicitor. they're trying to con you / avoid payment. have heard numerous stories about this practice.

Defo sign up for GYBR - great day out - have heard they're thinking of changing the date this year so it doesn't conflict with World Cup dates!!

 

[gaz]

You are best off getting a damage quote from a bike shop, then getting it fixed yourself, then claim back, especially if you want to keep riding.

Exactly what i did, off the bike for a week and that was it.

I didn't even bother going to a solicitor, just dealt with the insurance company direct and only claimed for costs... could have got a lot more if i went solicitor route but i wasn't greedy.

And after watching the documentary about claims on C4, some kid got over 2k cos he stubbed his toe in the playground and couldn't play football for 6 weeks, he was 10 years old. what BS.

 

[andyfromotley]

bummer mate, whereabouts in headingly shippers?

 

[Crankarm]

Exactly what i did, off the bike for a week and that was it.

I didn't even bother going to a solicitor, just dealt with the insurance company direct and only claimed for costs... could have got a lot more if i went solicitor route but i wasn't greedy.

And after watching the documentary about claims on C4, some kid got over 2k cos he stubbed his toe in the playground and couldn't play football for 6 weeks, he was 10 years old. what BS.

And by your statement those who do claim for personal injury are? Whilst there are undoubtedly cases which make one raise one's eyebrows, pursuing a genuine PI claim is not greedy. You are entitled in law to compensation to try to put you back in a position that you were prior to the collision that caused your injuries as far as is practically possible. If you are off work for 2 months with a broken leg and need surgery for a smashed arm pursuing the other side for compensation is not greedy. If you get back on your bike and do a 120 mile ride then claim for injuries you have not suffered then that is not greedy, it's fraudulent.

 

[gaz]

And by your statement those who do claim for personal injury are? Whilst there are undoubtedly cases which make one raise one's eyebrows, pursuing a genuine PI claim is not greedy. You are entitled in law to compensation to try to put you back in a position that you were prior to the collision that caused your injuries as far as is practically possible. If you are off work for 2 months with a broken leg and need surgery for a smashed arm pursuing the other side for compensation is not greedy. If you get back on your bike and do a 120 mile ride then claim for injuries you have not suffered then that is not greedy, it's fraudulent.

I didn't mean it like that, but some people that claim are taking the piss. for example, stubbing your toe on a pot hole... and getting 2k?

 

[bauldbairn]

Sorry to hear about the accident - hope you have a speedy full recovery.

 

[shippers]

bummer mate, whereabouts in headingly shippers?

I was heading down Otley Road and she turned to go up the side of the New Inn.

Got some rather good piccies of my hand- looks quite dramatic. The worst of it was the corner of my stem in the "pelvic region".
Ouch!

 

[al78]

And after watching the documentary about claims on C4, some kid got over 2k cos he stubbed his toe in the playground and couldn't play football for 6 weeks, he was 10 years old. what BS.

And some people wonder why we occasionally have excessive health and safety regulations in this country .