Advice required re crash this morning

[whereistherent]

Hi,
After some advice please. I was cycling in Champion Hill in SE London this morning when a minicab driver turned into a road without looking, hitting me square on. I went up over the bonnet, smashing the windscreen with my back/shoulder and before rolling off and fortunately landing on my feet. I was helped by some passers by, one of whom called 999. I was taken to A and E as a precaution and let out later in the morning. I've not assessed the damage to my bike yet but as it was dragged a good five metres across the street it's likely to be quite severe! I have the drivers name, car registration number and the name of his insurance company and a CAD(?) number from the police who took statements from the driver, a couple of witnesses including the passenger in the car and from me. I assume I am able to make a claim for the damage to my bike but how do I go about doing so? Any help greatly appreciated. Cheers.

 

[classic33]

Accident Advice is one place to start as a thread for information. Are you a member of any cycling groups?

 

[whereistherent]

Thanks for the link, very helpful. I am not a member of any organisations, no.

 

[classic33]

Get a solicitor who deals with cycling related incidents, as opposed to one that deals with general accidents or motor accidents.

 

[Mrs M]

Hope you're ok.
GWS x

 

[alicat]

Ouch! Hope you aren't too sore tomorrow.

Join Cycling UK then you can use their no-win no fees solicitors Slater & Gordon for an existing claim. Or ring Alyson France & Co who are specialist personal injury solicitors.

 

[fossyant]

Or even Leigh Day (British Cycling's solicitors). Most will take you on with an no win no fee arrangement.

 

[Dec66]

Ouch... GWS.

There but for the grace of God and a left turn go I... I always turn down Court Lane and go through Dulwich Village (or up Denmark Hill and down Sunray Avenue).

Don't agree to anything his insurers come up with until you have some legal representation to guide you, and don't assume that you're in 100% nick for a few days, it's amazing how long things can take to manifest themselves.

 

[classic33]

Ouch... GWS.

There but for the grace of God and a left turn go I... I always turn down Court Lane and go through Dulwich Village (or up Denmark Hill and down Sunray Avenue).

Don't agree to anything his insurers come up with until you have some legal representation to guide you, and don't assume that you're in 100% nick for a few days, it's amazing how long things can take to manifest themselves.

Single use camera and use it for nothing else but photographing the injuries?

@whereistherent, note the edited post on the second page, of the link given. The DVLA page has changed.

 

[whereistherent]

Thanks for the replies all, I feel okay today thankfully.

Just a couple of follow up questions:

1: am I likely to hear from his insurers? I was pretty dazed and didn't give the driver my details, I guess perhaps the police could pass them on but assume that is unlikely?

2: Is it worth making contact with the insurers myself or should I go straight for the solicitor route?

 

[cyberknight]

I assume the police were called ? and gws !

 

[vickster]

Thanks for the replies all, I feel okay today thankfully.

Just a couple of follow up questions:

1: am I likely to hear from his insurers? I was pretty dazed and didn't give the driver my details, I guess perhaps the police could pass them on but assume that is unlikely?

2: Is it worth making contact with the insurers myself or should I go straight for the solicitor route?

Go the solicitor route, rather than direct contact immediately . Were you injured?

If not, and it's just the damage to the bike, a no win no fee solicitor may not wish to get involved (no big payday), but I would think they could advise on dealing with the other party insurers, getting quotes, paperwork etc

I can't imagine you'll hear without making contact. The driver may not even have reported it (yet) if not planning on claiming (although should report of course)

If injured and bruised, take photos as these progress and heal
Good luck

 

[bozmandb9]

Thanks for the replies all, I feel okay today thankfully.

Just a couple of follow up questions:

1: am I likely to hear from his insurers? I was pretty dazed and didn't give the driver my details, I guess perhaps the police could pass them on but assume that is unlikely?

2: Is it worth making contact with the insurers myself or should I go straight for the solicitor route?

No, you will not hear from his insurers (unless he tries to hold you responsible for the incident).

I would suggest that you get representation to deal with his insurers, though if he (they) are being reasonable, then this may not be strictly necessary.

In the event of any direct communication with them, be extremely careful. If they ask about damage to the bicycle, you should leave this to a LBS (take it in, and ask if it is suitable for repair, and if so, how much would it cost). If there is any doubt about the integrity of the frame post incident, it should be replaced. Any component which was affected by the incident should be replaced.

With regard to yourself, and any injury, I would suggest that you remain non-committal if you are not currently intending to claim for personal injury. It would be a good idea to see your GP in any event, and certainly take photographs of any visible injury.

If you don't want to claim for injury, fine, but just be aware that you can encounter complications after some time, especially given the nature of your incident.

But great news that you weren't hurt more seriously.

P.s. Join British Cycling, or similar, so you have insurance, and legal cover for this sort of thing!

 

[classic33]

Go the solicitor route, rather than direct contact immediately . Were you injured?

If not, and it's just the damage to the bike, a no win no fee solicitor may not wish to get involved (no big payday), but I would think they could advise on dealing with the other party insurers, getting quotes, paperwork etc

I can't imagine you'll hear without making contact. The driver may not even have reported it (yet) if not planning on claiming (although should report of course)

If injured and bruised, take photos as these progress and heal
Good luck

I'm with this. S/He'll be represented in all of this by a solicitor, you'll be best represented by one.

The only other thing I can think of, not mentioned, have you tried contacting the liceninsing authority involved to see if it's been caught on internal camera? They often own the actual cameras & recording system.

 

[whereistherent]

I'm with this. S/He'll be represented in all of this by a solicitor, you'll be best represented by one.

The only other thing I can think of, not mentioned, have you tried contacting the liceninsing authority involved to see if it's been caught on internal camera? They often own the actual cameras & recording system.

By licensing authority do you mean the taxi/minicab license?

Thanks again for the advice everyone, I guess my first step will be to get a quote for repairs and I'll take it from there.