So.. was I right?

Kieran_Burns

Coming to a roundabout after just leaving work and a car cuts me up. Hey ho, here we go again- only this guy damn near took me off the road.

So, I lash out and please understand this - I did *not* have to lean over nor stretch in any way - and I punched his rear wing so hard I left one hell of a dent in it

The guy driving looked to see what the noise was - I expect he was checking to see if he had hit me... nope, still there and upright, only you now have one hell of dent...

So? Right or wrong?

alfablue

Legally wrong, morally right IMHO, I would!

dirk_van_gently

Way to go Dude.
Probably will get to where he was going notice the dent, and wonder where it came from?
Legally indefencible but SOooo right.

chuckcork

maybe you should have just taken out his mirrors.

redvee

In defence you can claim the dent occured when he came too close to you and 'you put your hand out for protection', not that a gloved hand would offer much protection against 2 tonnes of metal and tw@t. This is of course if he does chase up the matter.

If he wants to straighten the panel then a rear wing will be needed to be looked at by a panel beater and resprayed, teeth sucking and wallet emptying price tag

downfader

I can understand your anger. Have had cut ups at the last second on roundabouts a few times. Earlier this year I saw one of the local cyclists (who I would see all over town, all the time) remonstrating with a driver sat in her path on one of the local ones. I slowed down to check he wasnt being abusive to her but it seemed he was sorry so I left it. Strangely I havent seen said cyclist since and wonder if she's given up :?

And people wonder why some cyclists DO hit their cars... A point I make to the drivers at work, if you cut someone up its the cyclist that comes off worse - this fear of injury packs out with adrenalin from the cycling and someone gets a pocket-rocket jabbed through their back window. :roll:

The worse I've ever done is a little tap on their window and a telling off though I have been very tempted

redvee

With my Hope bar end bung thingies, I don't think it would take much to leave a reminder on a car that came too close :twisted:

downfader

redvee wrote:

With my Hope bar end bung thingies, I don't think it would take much to leave a reminder on a car that came too close :twisted:

Just put gladatorial spikes on the bike.

ndodd

you was right left a few dents around myself

Kieran_Burns

I feel better for hearing the stories - thanks folks I just want to point out that in no way am I bragging, but I really was scared / angry and just getting into a good cadence when he cut me up, so the adrenaline WAS pumping

When I looked at the wing where I hit it as he drove off, I could see the light reflecting off it in all sorts of weird directions, so I know I have caused some expensive damage as it was right on the top arc... gonna be a sod to get that straightened

downfader

I think the point to be made in these situations is dont put yourself in danger. Dont thump the car of a massive powerlifter Or break your hand

Mike Healey

M'lud, my client is a cyclist, a notoriously weedy bunch. I therefore put it to you that the claim that he punched a dent in the plaintiff's car is purely invention.

I therefore ask that you dismiss this absurd claim.

nwallace

In the effort to save weight, make vehicles more pedestrian impact friendly etc etc plastics are now being used for most non-strutural and impact reduction parts so front and rear wings and bonnets. A good example of this is the Vauxhall VXR which has a 100% plastic bodyshell. Any damage to the body shell is an automatic write off, getting a new bodyshell moulded costs more than the vehicle is worth. Jsut remember if the damage is your fault and you dont' have 3rd party insurance it's going to cost you.

downfader

nwallace wrote:

In the effort to save weight, make vehicles more pedestrian impact friendly etc etc plastics are now being used for most non-strutural and impact reduction parts so front and rear wings and bonnets. A good example of this is the Vauxhall VXR which has a 100% plastic bodyshell. Any damage to the body shell is an automatic write off, getting a new bodyshell moulded costs more than the vehicle is worth. Jsut remember if the damage is your fault and you dont' have 3rd party insurance it's going to cost you.

That, although true enough, does make me wonder how many cyclists that ended up losing it in the heat actually got caught and were forced to pay? :?

Dr_Death

You could just say it was where he hit you and then didn't stop.... Hit and run.

Downwardi

Yeah just say it was your knee or something ! At the end of the day if he was cutting you up and close enough for you to lash out then it's his fault.

I imagine when he see's it he will think "That's where I hit the cyclist" rather then thinking you gave his car a punch.

toshmund

Can I have a "heads-up" just in case it was anywhere to the west? My route is B6005, into Derby, Burton Rd - down to the A38. I treat Volvo's and BMW's as a potential threat at the best of times anyway :roll: Will look out for any mad glints...