Urgent advice please - knocked off today

[beanzontoast]

On my commute this morning, I was hit by a driver of a big motorised milk float (the big ones) who came out of a driveway/jitty to my left. I was knocked flying onto the road surface and landed with a bang. Bike unrideable, me to casualty in a taxi for precautionary X-ray of hips. Home now with painkillers, deep tissue bruising and lacerations, otherwise ok. Have been to report it to the police. Have also phoned the dairy whose vehicle it was to check that the driver had told them. The boss at the dairy has said they will pay for repairs to my bike if it wasn't too much, otherwise the insurance would pay. He's asked me to ring him back when I had been to casualty etc.

Driver has admitted complete responsibility in writing at the scene. Says he wasn't watching the road properly (I had lights / hi-vis etc - the witness who saw it happen says they saw me no problem). Police say the admission of guilt is very useful if the dairy/ their insurers get funny. No police or ambulance called to scene - made my own way to casualty. Milk driver didn't even offer me a lift home.

I could really do with advice about how to proceed. I'm in CTC, so could report it to them, but if the dairy wants to settle without involving insurers, should I let them? Need help from those of you with experience please?

 

[ttcycle]

Let CTC legal dept know- take photos of any developing injuries that may come up a week or two later- do the police or you have the details of the witness?

The driver written statement is very, very useful.

Sorry to hear about this - sounds like a nasty off - shame your bike is totalled - hope it gets sorted soon and take it easy.

 

[fossyant]

Bugger............

Go to the CTC straight away - even if you don't pursue, but for bruising etc. if you wanted you could claim for PI. Take photo's of injuries, bike damage etc.

Injuries can take a bit of time to appear, so don't settle anything.

PS heal quick.

PPS How's the bike !

 

[classic33]

Go through the CTC, report it to them.

Would also say get what the driver wrote down copied. You keep the origional & work from the copy.

 

[gavintc]

You must inform the insurers. An agreement at the scene will quickly evaporate when they realise your bike did not cost £80 from Argos and that a new front wheel will cost - "WHAT, you can buy a complete bike for less than that!!!". Get the insurers involved.

 

[ianrauk]

Sorry about the crash and glad you are not too badly hurt.
If the Dairy want to settle without the insurers then get a quote for repair and offer to them. If they refuse the amount you want then go down the insurer's route.
The driver is probably not allowed passengers into his cab for insurance purposes.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Yikes - sorry to hear that, Beanz.

Take copious photos, make a notebook of phone calls (times/contacts/outcomes etc.) and write down all prevailing conditions of the accident (i.e. time / daylight / streetlights / surface condition / speed etc.) while they are fresh in your mid, then contact CTC immediately.

Paying for the bike is one thing (assuming they don't baulk at the cost) but the Personal Injury side of things is another entirely which will have to be dealt with by Solicitors/Insurers.

Hope you're feeling better soon!!

 

[beanzontoast]

Bike looks bad from what I saw - light smashed, handlebars pushed in, left crank bent about an inch towards the frame wheels not rolling properly as I pushed it home - I can't walk much at mo, hips have seized up. Got daughter to put it in shed for me. She's been a gem today - haven't plucked up courage to tell Mrs B at work yet, thinking might wait until she gets home. She worries so much about me.

 

[mr Mag00]

i can only offer 'get well soon'

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Nasty - hope you feel better soon BonT.

I'd be inclined to let the CTC know and let them take care of it as it's one of the benefits we enjoy as members.

 

[beanzontoast]

Thanks all for the good wishes in your messages above, by the way. I may feel like s**t right now, but you guys are amazing with the advice and support!

 

[BentMikey]

Shame dude, hope you recover soon and well. Pity about the bike, but at least the dairy seem responsible and you will hopefully get a repair/replacement.

 

[ttcycle]

Take it easy Beanz and rest up- you don't sound great and sorry re the bike, sounds like you're both in a bad way. I don't even know what the driver must have done to warrant knocking you off like that with such damage

 

[fossyant]

I can recommend Ibuprofen and a good red wine for later.....

Deffo go for PI if you feel that bad. Bike sounds 'costly' - new chainset, wheels bars and lights at a minimum, plus damage to any part - e.g. scratches and any damage to clothing/helmet.

When feeling up to it, photograph the bike and clothing. I was able to claim for scratched parts when I was knocked off.

 

[beanzontoast]

I can recommend Ibuprofen and a good red wine for later.....

Deffo go for PI if you feel that bad. Bike sounds 'costly' - new chainset, wheels bars and lights at a minimum, plus damage to any part - e.g. scratches and any damage to clothing/helmet.

When feeling up to it, photograph the bike and clothing. I was able to claim for scratched parts when I was knocked off.

Daughter says nurse was shaking when she gave me the painkillers - I thought "Jeez, do I look that bad?!"