Crash

Jacomus-rides-Gen

To describe the lights - there are two sets at this T-junction, one controlling the downhill traffic approaching the T, joining in a straight line onto the one way system, with a very slight curve to the left. The other lights control traffic already on the one-way system, who go through their set and turn right to start going down the rest of the hill. Its usually a really easy junction because it is easy to do around 25mph and keep up with the well behaved traffic.

Tonight, I popped out to the shops and used this junction, coming from the top of the hill to go through the lights in a roughly straight line. The lights turned green just as I was about to start dragging the brakes, and so I went to go straight through. Just as I was about to get to the lights I checked for traffic shooting the red lights on the right just as a motorbike was coming through them.

I braked as hard as I could and the biker did the same, we both slightly turned and basically bumped shoulder to shoulder and I went down, the biker went down at the same time.

We are both ok, I would guess we both went down at about 15mph. I've got small grazes on my elbow, shoulderblade and hip, and she was fine inside her leathers. My bike is fine (because I kinda landed under it somehow) but her fairing is cracked where it fell.

We called the police and she was maintaining that her light was green, as naturally I maintained mine was. When the police arrived they took our statements and one of a nice lady who witnessed it from the footpath, and a driver behind me who also withnessed.

The problem is that whilst the ped remembers that the bikers light was green, my witness, the car driver, "can't be sure what colour what the light was, but thinks it was green". The police said that CCTV may be able to show both sets of lights and are looking at the tapes.

From what she said at the scene I don't think she will try and take me to court for the money to repair her bike, but if there are any lawyers here, or anyone who has some kind of experience in a case like this - any advice would be welcome. I am going to look into getting legal help, but its very confusing, and I'm not sure how to start.

BentMikey

Glad you're OK mate, and the bike, phew!!!!

It wouldn't be the first incident I've read of where the lights were green for both, so don't give up easily.

snooks

Sorry to hear about your incident

If the traffic lights weren't there, who would have right of way?

My mates sister crashed my car, at a junction with a green filter arrow turning right. She turned right with the filter arrow, but a car was still coming down the road, T boned the back end of my car.

His light should have been red, but he maintianed it was green. No witnesses. yet it came off my insurance because even though there was a filter arrow, it's up to the driver turning across the flow of traffic to ensure that it's safe to do so, as if the lights weren't there.
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adifiddler

Sounds like you were lucky. Sorry i cant help you with advise other than you have justified your actions and stated the lights were green for you. Stick to that dont give in. If you are telling the truth (i am not doubting you) my gut reaction is she jumped the amber/red change.

jedster

off topic

Snooks - is that fire mountain the lime green one (actually that might have been a '91)? I
had one of those - my first decent bike. I was mugged for it in Machester in '92

J

formerlyknownasbonj

never dismissthe possibility that someone's rewired the traffic lights.

Totalnewbie

Glad to hear you are not too hurt Jacomus.

About a year ago my dad (who drives a lorry) smashed into a taxi in this same situation. He ended up in a basement in Edgware road trying to swerve.

The police leant heavily on him to 'admit' that the light was red for him, used all kind of emotional stuff like 'the taxi driver is in a bad way', but he didn't jump a red/amber light and he stuck to his guns until they checked the CCTV, at which point it all went very quiet and he heard nothing more, he is still trying to find out the outcome even now, whether it was that the taxi driver jumped the lights or that both lights were green, we don't know.

SWC123

I would't start seeking legal advice until you hear what the police say about the lights. Litigating over this sort of thing will be a real nightmare for both of you and once she's calmed down she'll probably let it go. If you're sure the lights were green - stick to your guns.

skewer

Join the CTC now and you get free legal support. Ive heard elsewhere on this forum that it can be used retrospectively.
Skewer

Jacomus-rides-Gen

Thanks for all the support guys, its much appriciated.

I have been a CTC member for 2 years now, and called earlier to seek their advice, which was exactly the same as SWC123 - basically to wait and see.

I photographed my injuries, just in case, but I think most playground tumbles result in more skin loss!!

The biker was very reasonable at the scene, and we swapped details and phoned the police etc in a very clam and civilised manner. I should hear back from the police by the end of the week about the CCTV of the lights.

h i r 0

Is it worth revisiting the site at the same time of day with a friend and observing the lights from the two directions? If they were malfunctioning or mistimed, they might still be doing it?