Off'ed...... by a boat !

[Globalti]

My elder sister was knocked off her bike in exactly the same circumstances by a caravan many years ago in her twenties, she was quite badly hurt but didn't get the registration. About a year later she developed MS and she died three days before her 50th birthday. Sometimes I blame the stress of the bike accident for her MS, it's irrational I know, but that's human nature for you.

Anyway if the bloke drove away from the scene of the accident I'd have thought the Police could do him for driving away, due care and attention and probably a couple of other things too.

 

[jayonabike]

Hope you feel better soon & get back on the bike as soon as possible.

 

[Bollo]

Sorry to hear about this one Pete, sounds like a horror. Are you going to be alright for the Bimble?

On the topic of compensation and solicitors, definitely to to a specialist and follow the recommendations on here. I went through the CTC's RJ&W who were very good, but I've also heard many good things about the other briefs listed here. You'll get proper, realistic pragmatic advice from them.

 

[APK]

Anyway if the bloke drove away from the scene of the accident I'd have thought the Police could do him for driving away, due care and attention and probably a couple of other things too.

It should certainly be reported to the Police, but assuming he was not aware of the accident, then they would be unlikely to prosecute him, again with regards careless driving etc, I doubt if they will be too bothered as it would require witnesses etc to argue against him.

Just re-reading your original post, not even sure you would get anywhere with his insurance, as it sounds like you took the avoiding action , they could argue your action was excessive as the boat "would not have hit you"?

 

[snorri]

I would definitely be reporting that experience to the police, claiming for damages would be a secondary thought, the driver needs "a word" from a police officer urgently.

 

[Arch]

It should certainly be reported to the Police, but assuming he was not aware of the accident, then they would be unlikely to prosecute him, again with regards careless driving etc, I doubt if they will be too bothered as it would require witnesses etc to argue against him.

Just re-reading your original post, not even sure you would get anywhere with his insurance, as it sounds like you took the avoiding action , they could argue your action was excessive as the boat "would not have hit you"?

That's just the sort of lousy trick they'll try. Hence the need for competent solicitors. I seem to recall a precedent for a cyclist being judged (by a judge) to require enough room for a wobble when overtaken. If a cyclist needs to dive for the verge, that implies they are pretty expectant of being hit.

I dunno how the law stands, but not being aware of the incident seems fairly careless to me. However I don't hold out much hope of police action. Reporting it at least gets into the stats, and hopefully gives the daft driver a bit of a scare.

 

[Jezston]

It should certainly be reported to the Police, but assuming he was not aware of the accident, then they would be unlikely to prosecute him, again with regards careless driving etc, I doubt if they will be too bothered as it would require witnesses etc to argue against him.

Just re-reading your original post, not even sure you would get anywhere with his insurance, as it sounds like you took the avoiding action , they could argue your action was excessive as the boat "would not have hit you"?

Guys, please don't go down the "police probably won't do anything" route. The last thing we should be doing is dis-encouraging people to report such incidents to the police.

 

[Rouge Penguin]

Pull his trousers down and trackpump him for every penny. Needs to be taught to drive properly.

 

[APK]

Guys, please don't go down the "police probably won't do anything" route. The last thing we should be doing is dis-encouraging people to report such incidents to the police.

Agree, the incident should be reported to the Police, but don't expect a traffic car going to arrest the guy on blues and twos. Before christmas my 13 y/o got knocked off his bike on the way home from school, and I had a hell of a fight just to get the police to take a report!

 

[Crackle]

Jeez Pete, hope you're not too badly off, give us an update.

I'm fairly wary of people towing as they often seem to forget what they're towing. I've seen caravans mount kerbs too often. I had a very similiar incident last year where a car came past and I thought, blimey he's close and then the caravan came past after him. I wouldn't have had to do any more than stick my elbow out to touch it. Not much surprises me or makes me jump but that did. Luckily the whole outfit was going slowly and as he cleared me I gesticulated wildly and obviously that I needed more room. Gawd knows if the old duffer saw me but the next three cars behind passed me wide and slow

Really hope you're not incapacitated for any length of time by this and I would seriously contact the solicitor Dodgy recomended. I'm not one for litigation but sometimes it's the only way in an incident like this to get justice done. I trust you got the witnesses details too.

 

[400bhp]

The SS Bellend.

One of the funniest things i've read on here.

 

[exbfb]

I'm not one for litigation but sometimes it's the only way in an incident like this to get justice done. I trust you got the witnesses details too.

I'm totally with you here.
It's not always necessary to resort to legal redress but in this case, it's time to put the big boots on and get stuck right in with the full force of whatever form of redress can be brought to bear.

My little event yesterday was a non event, but there are similarities.
Pompous cock in Jaguar meandering throughout his life not taking responsibility for his own actions.
These people must not ever be allowed to believe that they are exempt from responsibility and can somehow prance around operating to a different, dare I say "superior" set of rules.

I think you need to attract his attention in somewhat definitive fashion.
Report it to the police, get an incident number.
Consult legal advice.
In with the rottweilers.

 

[Jezston]

Here's a question for those in the know:

Someone's misbehaviour leaves you unable to work for a period of time. What's to stop your employer taking legal action against those responsible to reclaim the losses caused by your absence?

 

[ohnovino]

Two possibilities:

• He knew he'd caused an accident, but he drove off anyway. Easy prosecution for leaving the scene of an accident.
• He was so unaware of his surroundings that he didn't even know he'd forced you off. Easy prosecution for careless driving.

I wonder which "defence" he'll pick.

Oh, nearly forgot ... Get Well Soon!

 

[Aperitif]

Yes, speedy recovery Pete - not pleasant.