What should my friend do?

[Kies]

My friend phoned me today to say he was knocked off his bike at 9am on Pall Mall today. He is okay, but a little shocked, and has a sore leg. His bike was checked by specialized and they say the frame is bent by 5mm and so a write off.
He only bought it 2 months ago at a cost of £750 (Specialized Allez). Details exchanged with driver, and lots of witnesses, including a police car.
How should he go about claiming against the driver for the bike and other damages?

 

[Ganymede]

Hi Kies

I'm lucky that this has never happened to me but if you hang around a fellow forum-member will be along with good advice. If you search "knocked off" you will find threads with useful tips. From reading this forum I would say he has done the right thing so far. He can claim against the driver's insurance, unless the driver wants to just pay up. But if the police know (has he actually reported it to the police?) then there might be a conviction against the driver too.

Good luck and get well soon to your friend.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Is your friend in the LCC or CTC as they have legal assistance.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Has the accident been reported to the police?

 

[jefmcg]

And has he seen a doctor?

 

[Kies]

Yes he has seen a doctor - thankfully only bruising
He isn't a member of ctc or lcc - i think he will be tommorow!
Police were called, so it has been reported!

He has the drivers details and is planning on ringing the drivers insurance company tommorow. I suggested he speak to the driver first and see what he plans do do in terms of bike replacement.

 

[CopperCyclist]

If his injuries are only bruising, and it's been reported to the police, I would suggest your friend make contact with the driver telling him what Specialised have said, and giving him the news of the price. He may request this in writing which is fair.

I'd then be asking the driver how he wanted to proceed, and if he just wants to cough up, tell him a reasonable deadline after which I'd he still hasn't, make a claim direct to his insurers. Your friend should already have those details as it was an injury RTC, and if he doesn't he should get them off the police.

If your friend has to go through the insurers it can really drag on, so make sure he tells them how much extra per day it is costing him without his bike, be that petrol, taxi, train or bus fare, and that you would be adding this to the claim and keeping all the relevant receipts.

 

[classic33]

My friend phoned me today to say he was knocked off his bike at 9am on Pall Mall today. He is okay, but a little shocked, and has a sore leg. His bike was checked by specialized and they say the frame is bent by 5mm and so a write off.
He only bought it 2 months ago at a cost of £750 (Specialized Allez). Details exchanged with driver, and lots of witnesses, including a police car.
How should he go about claiming against the driver for the bike and other damages?

Will shorten the link later today, but get him/her to get it down on paper. Recording all injuries, some take time to show. Single use camera is useful for recording only the injuries.
Get a copy of the write off made. Like all origional paperwork, don't risk damaging it.
See http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/car-doored.141181/#post-2696969

 

[classic33]

@Kies best of luck to your mate & hope they're not feeling too sore.

 

[Kies]

I did text him today, and he came back with a one word reply .... "Sore"

 

[classic33]

I did text him today, and he came back with a one word reply .... "Sore"

Text back telling them they'll become aware of parts being sore that they never thought about!