Hit by a cage driver! Where do I go now?

Shutty

Hi, I was wondering if anyone out there can help advice me.
Last month I was cycling home on my daily commute when a rep mobile pulled out of a side road without stopping to look and went straight into the side of me. Aside from the expected cuts and bruises at first glance both me and bike were o.k.
Contacted the police and my home insurance company who also provide legal assistance.

Everything seems to be going fine as the other driver has accepted total liability until his insurers have refused to replace the bike without a damage report and quotations for repair, the bike definately does not ride true and I am reluctant to use it again, it is a Alu/Carbon Bianchi Via Nirone with carbon forks and seat stays, there are scratches to the paintwork particularly on the Downtube but no real marks to the carbon components - does this mean they survived intact?

What I am after is if anyone knows any stores around Birmingham where I can get an expert opinion on what damage has been done or if anyone has been through a similar experience and any advice they may have.

Many thanks,

Lee

Feltup

It is very hard to say if the carbon is intact. To be sure you need to x-ray it. I hope someone pops up soon to give you the name of a decent shop near Brum. Good luck on getting it sorted.

Aidy

Ask a friendly bike shop to provide a letter stating that, in their opinion, it's damaged beyond feasible repair? That's normally sufficient for insurance companies.

Bring cake

Coriander

Aidy wrote:

Ask a friendly bike shop to provide a letter stating that, in their opinion, it's damaged beyond feasible repair? That's normally sufficient for insurance companies.

Bring cake

That's what I did when the police knocked me off my bike - I took it to a good bike shop and asked them to assess it for hidden damage as I'd been knocked off and needed to know what to make on the insurance claim.

They might err on the side of caution, but that's because they will undoubtedly agree that you shouldn't risk riding a bike that threatens your safety further?

dirk_van_gently

All of the above

have you contacted a solicitor? Google Mal Kirwan, he specialises in bike related cases.

cougie

Definitely go for a cycling friendly solicitor or you'll end up getting fobbed off by the cars insurer.

Are you claiming for the cuts and bruises too ? Damaged clothes ?

redvee

Alison France/Bikeline for the legal mumbo jumbo. They done me good when I came off second best to a car and hope never to need their services again, touch wood.

benno68

cougie wrote:

Definitely go for a cycling friendly solicitor or you'll end up getting fobbed off by the cars insurer.

Are you claiming for the cuts and bruises too ? Damaged clothes ?

Also the loss of use of your bike and cost of now getting to work etc.