Urgent advice please - knocked off today

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OP
OP
beanzontoast
Sh4rkyBloke said:
I simply noted down everything that was damaged (clothing / computer / lights etc. with makes/model numbers, and had my LBS give a quote for repairing the bike back to its former glory (i.e before the accident). A payment was made for the bike pretty soon after it all happened (they try to reduce it due to wear/tear so ensure you make it clear thatit's serviced and cleaned regularly etc.), then the PI part took distinctly longer.

Thanks matey. I'll get a list made and have Mrs B and daughter ferry the bike down to the LBS in the next few days. I'm a little concerned that this is one of my two vintage Galaxies I've done up (lots of new parts: wheels, entire gearing system etc.). Assessing wear and tear on a vintage bike is going to be interesting.
 

Norm

Guest
If your LBS do put on a charge, you could add it to the cost you are claiming.

However, I'd suggest leaving it off and telling the LBS that they will be deducting it if they get the bike to repair.

I see nothing wrong in a charge for their time to draw up the estimate but they shouldn't profit from giving you a price if they get the work.
 

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
I'm confused. You say CTC have asked you to detail damage to your bike and property :biggrin:? Surely you mean their solicitor RJW, or not as the case may be. You need to be dealing with a solicitor, not an admin person at the CTC, who can give you their opinion on your case, what the main issues will be, how long it might take and most crucially how much you are likely to get.

WRT to the damage to your bike, get it down to your favoured bike shop and tell them you obviously would like the damage repaired, or if this is not economically viable, a replacement bike of the same spec. Also tell them what clothing was damaged and ask them to quote for replacement. If they charge for the quote so be it, pay it. Get a receipt and a grip and see the bigger picture. You are more than likely going to receive several thousand pounds of compensation. All these questions you are asking would have been covered in the information pack provided by the solicitors or in general discussion with them. Well these issues were when I signed up 10 years ago with CycleAid who advertise in the back of CW.

I would imagine, as liability is not in dispute, that you will get an interim payment from the insurers pretty quickly for the damage to your bike, other property and out of pocket expenses, and maybe any physio costs if you go private, if you have a good solicitor. The insurer shouldn't quibble about wear and tear if it's well maintained bike, you have a good solicitor and as I say there is no dispute in liability as it is simply not worth them doing so. They paid out in full no quibbling on the repairs to my road bike which came to over £2k, also paid for replacement clothing, out of pocket expenses and even a turbo trainer when the doc said I would benefit from one during my convalesence :tongue:. Condor did the repairs as it was one of their Barrachi road bikes. It was still in good nick at 4 years old but they still gave it a full respray, not that it needed it, well it had a few tiny chips in the enamel. But it did look smart after.

I would advise taking your bike to a "proper" bike shop as well, an outfit that can build/repair frames, basically they know what they are doing and they can do it well. You need to take it somewhere that can make sure the bike frame is true, ie not bent and also not cracked.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
I wouldn't worry about the vintage...... my MTB is early 90's and damage paid for new equivalents - the LBS did a quick quote on my say so (I had pics to evidence damage for insurance - LBS quoted what I said).

It's the 'soft stuff' that takes a long time to settle....
 

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
Injury claims can take a long time to resolve if recovery is not quick or there are residual symptoms or the prognosis is unclear. Generally after 3 or 4 years if an injury has residual syptoms then you will more than likely be stuck with them :biggrin:. Damages should reflect this, that is why they can take a long time to finally arrive.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Crankarm said:
Injury claims can take a long time to resolve if recovery is not quick or there are residual symptoms or the prognosis is unclear. Generally after 3 or 4 years if an injury has residual syptoms then you will more than likely be stuck with them :sad:. Damages should reflect this, that is why they can take a long time to finally arrive.

Don't tell me this..............................:sad:

I have a feeling this is where mine will end up...the GP says..'most likely arthritis long term........' :ohmy: ...sometimes I think a 'clean break' is better than the muscles/tendons taking the strain..... I see far more long term damage in a muscle/joint injury than a clean break. :ohmy:
 
OP
OP
beanzontoast
The solicitors rang yesterday afternoon and I've given them more details. I'm getting the bike down to my LBS as soon as is practical. Doc's signed me off work and given me a bunch of different tablets - no driving, no cycling, can't walk far but got to move around as much as possible.
 

Arch

Married to Night Train
Location
Salford, UK
beanzontoast said:
The solicitors rang yesterday afternoon and I've given them more details. I'm getting the bike down to my LBS as soon as is practical. Doc's signed me off work and given me a bunch of different tablets - no driving, no cycling, can't walk far but got to move around as much as possible.

That sounds like you're going to have to bung on some disco music and do a John Travolta for a few hours a day... (although seriously, my Mum was saying she found herself dancing a bit to something on Desert Island Discs the other day, and felt good afterwards - a bit of informal dance can be a nice way to loosen up)...

Anyway, all the best, to you, the family, and the Gal.
 
OP
OP
beanzontoast
Thanks Arch. I think The Shuffle is about my limit at present! xx(:biggrin:
 

Bollo

Failed Tech Bro
Location
Winch
beanzontoast said:
The solicitors rang yesterday afternoon and I've given them more details. I'm getting the bike down to my LBS as soon as is practical. Doc's signed me off work and given me a bunch of different tablets - no driving, no cycling, can't walk far but got to move around as much as possible.

Sounds nasty beanz. Has anybody said 'keep a diary' yet? Just the day to day limitations imposed by your injuries. Work and any loss of earnings is the obvious one, but also stuff like prescription costs, public transport costs if you can't drive and other less tangible stuff like knackered hobbies, planned events or holidays etc. Some of this can be 'monitised' in a claim, but its also useful to show his insurers that you mean business. They're more likely to settle if you show yourself to be resolute and organised.

For example, the other party's insurance tried a 'joint liability' bid against my claim, but I told them (through RJW) that I would not accept ANY settlement that contained an element of joint liability. They got the message and settled all the quicker.
 
OP
OP
beanzontoast
Update... (haven't felt like posting while I've been off the bike. But I have enjoyed reading everyone's accounts of their rides in the Spring weather!).

Today was my first commute by bike since I got knocked off in January. My back isn't right (yet) - the doc says the muscle damage is what's causing me discomfort still. It's only the last couple of weeks I've managed to get on my trail bike and ride round the block a few times. At the end of last week, the doc gave me the ok to try commuting by bike again - a couple of days a week to start with and build it up gradually. If the back thing gets worse, I have to stop again.

As for my lovely bike (written off) and kit - things are going pretty slowly with very little news. The solicitors are on the case, so I suppose it's just going to take the time it takes.

Main thing is - I'd been wondering how I would feel mentally being back on a bike in traffic, whether I'd be ok... and though I think I will always be jittery from now on, now I'm back home I can say I did enjoy the feeling of being back on a bike today. On the trail bike with knobblies and mudguards that won't stop much in the rain, so not ideal, but nevertheless a commute.
 

Sh4rkyBloke

Jaffa Cake monster
Location
Manchester, UK
Hey hey! Well done you.

Glad to hear you're on the mend. At least you have a nice shiny new bike to look forward to at the idiot's expense (well, his insurance company ;)).
 
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