First Spill - any advice?

[Llama]

Had my first spill today, I was cycling along in the middle of a bus lane when a car emerged from a drive way, it stopped and I assumed it had seen me, then just as I cycled past it drove right into the side of me, it was low speed, I went skidding along the road. Luckily an ambulance was just driving along and stopped the traffic, I got up and was OK, bit bashed and scraped. The police arrived about 30 mins later and details were exchanged, I asked them what happens next and they implied nothing.

The bike just has a couple of scratched, brake lever, wheel bolts and pedal. There was no damage to the car. I was checked out by the ambulance crew and all was ok bit shaken though.

So my question is - is it worth pursuing anything? No injuries really other than a bit shaken up and have taken the day off work. (there was a witness, however in between going to the ambulance and being a bit shaken I was unable to get details, good of them to stop though to check I was ok -much appreciated.

 

[madm00se]

You've had a lucky escape. Unfortunately as a cyclist, you have to predict what everyone else is going to do!! Like with a car accident & whiplash, it can sometimes take a few days for any side effects to appear. Personally just for damage to the bike I'd pursue with the driver to see if they'd pay any costs to repairs, if at time of talking, it doesn't sound like they will, then perhaps a mention of sore neck etc.... may jolt them into paying!!

 

[MacB]

amazing how a drivers blind spot can be a full 360

 

[philr]

minor scratches / bumps = injury RTC, with a witness.

police should at least report the driver for careless driving, and let the CPS decide if it is in the public interest to proceed.

as the police have it on record ++1 for the suggestion to let them know should any further injury pains become more apparent in due time (days not weeks).

glad you ok could of been alot worse a few seconds earlier you could have been going over the bonnet.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

+1

amazing how a drivers blind spot can be a full 360

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I agree - You have great witnesses in the Ambulance crew and as it was clearly his fault I would pursue a claim. Otherwise if the police do proceed with any charges the driver is, in effect, being told what he/she did is OK.

minor scratches / bumps = injury RTC, with a witness.

police should at least report the driver for careless driving, and let the CPS decide if it is in the public interest to proceed.

as the police have it on record ++1 for the suggestion to let them know should any further injury pains become more apparent in due time (days not weeks).

glad you ok could of been alot worse a few seconds earlier you could have been going over the bonnet.

 

[fossyant]

Possibly go to A&E or at least the docs, then it's on record. Photo any damage to you and the bike.

Are you a CTC or BC member ? - if not join up now for legal assistance.

Give it a couple of days and see how you feel.

I was properly knocked off in December, bit battered and bruised....wasn't until 2 weeks later did I notice my shoulder wasn't right. Four months on I have constant discomfort and pain in shoulder and arm, over £1000 spent on physio and now waiting for scans and nerve tests on neck, shoulder and arm. Damage to bike was minimal and a new helmet - about £250. BC's solicitors are handling the case. So far have got the repairs paid for, but only a small amount of the physio costs.

Police won't do much TBH, you came off lightly fortunately, but do keep an eye on injuries...... I felt the same as you after my knock off.....good job I did report the incident, and go to the docs for a check up. Let's say my injury is spoiling riding and is 'hissing me off' big style.

Do get checked out. Even if OK you should have at least any damaged parts replaced, even if scratched - the third party's insurer didn't argue on that in my case.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

+1

Possibly go to A&E or at least the docs, then it's on record. Photo any damage to you and the bike.

Are you a CTC or BC member ? - if not join up now for legal assistance.

Give it a couple of days and see how you feel.

I was properly knocked off in December, bit battered and bruised....wasn't until 2 weeks later did I notice my shoulder wasn't right. Four months on I have constant discomfort and pain in shoulder and arm, over £1000 spent on physio and now waiting for scans and nerve tests on neck, shoulder and arm. Damage to bike was minimal and a new helmet - about £250. BC's solicitors are handling the case. So far have got the repairs paid for, but only a small amount of the physio costs.

Police won't do much TBH, you came off lightly fortunately, but do keep an eye on injuries...... I felt the same as you after my knock off.....good job I did report the incident, and go to the docs for a check up. Let's say my injury is spoiling riding and is 'hissing me off' big style.

Do get checked out. Even if OK you should have at least any damaged parts replaced, even if scratched - the third party's insurer didn't argue on that in my case.

 

[Llama]

Thanks all for your help, I will drop into the doctors tomorrow to get checked out again, a few aches appearing now!
Will BC or CTC offer any help as I am not a member? but will join one of them now!

edit: just got an e-mail from CTC - i would need to buy five year membership for £144 for them to offer any legal advice

regarding damage - thought I would go to a local bike shop and get them to price up for scratched parts (pedals, brake lever etc £50 ish i expect) and then send the bill to driver. Is this the best way to go about it?

 

[FOAD]

I would contact the driver and tell him that it is now clear that you have some slight injuries that may take a week or two to clear up and that your cycle insurer have advised you to report it officially to the Police as an injury RTC, and deal with compenstion claims etc through his insurer via yours.

Then say that you don't want to make a meal of it and follow the above, and if he is happy to do so you would more than happily accept that he pays for repairs to the bike, plus your clothing that got "scratched" etc. so that he doesn't have to tell his insurers or risk points and a fine for Careless Driving.

If he accepts then get the cash out of him ASAP. If he quibbles or gets arsey do everything you can to shaft him via the police and make sure you tell his insurers yourself as well.

Bike fixed and a new cycling outfit, including shoes for the sake of a quick tumble...good day out I reckon.

Of course if you do have an injury that you or your quack thinks will be with you for some time, then get down the cop shop ASAP!

 

[fossyant]

Don't settle anything unless you are sure about lack of injuries.... get the damage priced, be open with the 3rd party, but stress you'll let them know about injuries later.

Not exactly a 'good day out' FOAD.....

PS I'd still recommend joining CTC / BC, don't forget the 3rd party liability cover, so if ever you 'accidentally' knock off a car's wing mirror..... or run into the back of a car, you are covered.... wing mirrors aren't cheap - £200-£400....

Other option with legal advice if needed, contact on of the ambulance chasers advertised in the back of the cycling mags - they are usually specialists in these cases.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

I tried to get the CTC involved for my off in January 2008, but they weren't really interested (I think it's down to the scale of the incident) after the fact as I didn't have membership at the time of the incident... but their Solicitors (Russell, Jones and Walker) dealt with it on a no-win-no-fee basis as it was pretty clear cut (as yours sounds).

Just under 1 year later I finally got a payout (had bike repair costs during that time to get me back on the road again).

 

[CorsairC]

When I got knocked my very slight whiplash didn't really appear till the following week.... so expect aches and pains to appear. You've probably stretched things you didn't you had. Still your ok. Thats the main thing.