Crash in to back of car

[sprocket18]

Hi I was cycling about 20mph. The car in front slammed on brakes to pull around a left hand corner. No idicators I had to swerve and hit the back bumper, flew over back of car and landed on a main road (two lanes). I was lucky nothing was coming. Three stitches and grazes on my forehead, broken glasses, bent forks, dented top tube, buckled wheel, broken rear mudguard, gubbed brooks tape. The bike is a Flying Scot, re-painted at Mercian (collectors bike). The police were there, witnesses, ambulance and the woman was hysterical crying and repeating I could have killed you I could have killed you... hugging me whilst blood was pishing out my head. I basically had to comfort her as the police were trying to drag her off me! My bike was in the ambulance the police and ambulance guys were saying nice bike and taking photos of it whilst I had a massive bandage round my head. Do you think I have any claim opportunity against the driver?

 

[frank9755]

No.

In a collision like that the vehicle behind (ie you) is at fault for not leaving a sufficient stopping distance.

 

[tyred]

Assuming the car had working brake lights, it's hard to argue a case for the driver to be in the wrong in this situation.

Leave sufficient space to the vehicle in front, etc.

 

[HLaB]

Like said I'd seriously doubt it in fact I'd be more worried about them claiming off you. Sorry if that sounds harsh, I hope your injuries weren't too bad, safe riding.

 

[Dan B]

Sorry to hear of your crash, and get well soon, and all that, but the others are right: it's very very rare in a rear-ender for it to be classed as anything other than teh following vehicle's fault

 

[redjedi]

I also learnt the hard way to leave enough stopping space from the car in front.
Luckily mine was a just a broken hand and elbow, bike escaped with just cosmetic damage, but I couldn't ride for 8 weeks.

I left a large dent in the rear wing of the car I hit and although I gave the driver my contact details he didn't contact me to pay for the damage, which he would have been fully entitled to do.

Only yourself to blame I'm afraid.

 

[Camgreen]

Ouch sounds nasty, hope you recover soon.

Pretty much what everyone else says really; while the car should've indicated its intentions to make a left turn, the brake lights (which you did say you'd noticed?) gave you the warning that the vehicle was stopping/slowing down. The fact that it caught you unawares unfortunately just evidences the fact that you weren't leaving a big enough gap between you. I realise that she might have stopped in a hurry and caught you by surprise, but in other circumstances that might have been to make an emergency stop because someone had stepped out/pulled out on her.

Sorry to continue the bad tidings, but if the impact has damaged the car, and presumably it has, I'd expect a call from her; particularly once she's had time to calm down and think about things. Have you got insurance cover by the way?

 

[Alien8]

Hard luck mate - reckon you'll just have to take this one on the chin.

 

[zigzag]

just reminded me my incident couple of years ago. the bus was waiting for a green light and i was behind. as soon as the bus started moving i've tried accelerate and cling on to get a "free lift". but suddenly it braked sharp (not sure why, maybe someone jumped in front) and i planted my face into the back of the bus and then onto the pavement. nothing major, scrapes and bruises, but i dont chase buses anymore..

 

[mightyquin]

I'd agree with the comments so far - given that you ran into the car which was in front, unfortunately you would be held to blame (no matter that the car failed to signal, if it had stopped suddenly for another reason such as someone stepping out in front if it, the result would most likely have been the same?).

The main thing is that you are not (too) badly hurt. The bike and car are replaceable.

 

[boydj]

The only situation where you might have a claim is if the car had just overtaken you when the driver braked hard to take the corner. Otherwise you are liable for damage to the car if the driver wants to make a claim.

 

[Bikeabit]

Sorry. Basically the liability is all yours. You may even get billed for the ambulance.

 

[HLaB]

You may even get billed for the ambulance.

Completely OT but that reminded me of this poor chap.

 

[sprocket18]

Would a solicitor be able to access police witness statements (witnesses there!) and a statement made by the driver at the time in order to assess the case before making a claim? Would this be done confidentially? I wouldn't want the woman's insurance company to know that this was being done in case it gets their back up and initiates a claim aganist me.

I know that the general opinion on the forum is no to a claim but legal advice would be good too. I want to be wary about it.

 

[steve52]

i ride like every car bus lorry is out to kill me, allways looking for escape options am i paronoid? but ive been doing it for years and should continue to do do it for manymore