Knocked off last night.... (Ely, Cambs)

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Comments

  • benno68
    benno68 Posts: 1,689
    Waddlie wrote:
    The Chief Constable will not be there, and even if he is, you won't see him - it's the equivalent of going into a bank and asking to speak to the CEO.

    You'd have more chance finding him on the local golf course :lol:
    _________________________________________________

    Pinarello Dogma 2 (ex Team SKY) 2012
    Cube Agree GTC Ultegra 2012
    Giant Defy 105 2009
  • fenboy369
    fenboy369 Posts: 425
    Cheers for all the info guys, I contacted the Police again this afternoon, made a bit of a fuss and they said they would get on it. Right-o I thought. But they called early this evening and gave me the insurance details and name of the driver (No address or contact info). And the details of Hero Nurse, the Paramedic who came and the Ambulance crew.
    Police say that the van driver has admitted he didnt see me and its his fault. They said they will be prosecuting him for driving without due care and attention.
    I called his insurance company and he hasnt reported it to them yet. But I did, hehe, they say they will be in touch with me after they have spoken to him.
    I have contacted my house hold insurance Legal Help Line (M+S) and they reccon I have a good case for Personal Injury and loses incurred due to the collision. ie bike/clothes etc... they seem ok, but would I be better going through his insurance or getting my house hold lot on the case or getting Russell, Jones and Walker or another on the case?
    '11 Cannondale Synapse 105CD - FCN 4
    '11 Schwinn Corvette - FCN 15?
    '09 Pitch Comp - FCN (why bother?) 11
    '07 DewDeluxe (Bent up after being run over) - FCN 8
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    fenboy369 wrote:
    but would I be better going through his insurance or getting my house hold lot on the case or getting Russell, Jones and Walker or another on the case?

    Depends who the insurers' solicitors are, but I'd get on to RJ&W.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • mikey_748
    mikey_748 Posts: 108
    Great news - your case can't fail

    Sounds like new bike plus at least £2k to me....

    Get a good lawyer!
  • benno68
    benno68 Posts: 1,689
    cjcp wrote:
    fenboy369 wrote:
    but would I be better going through his insurance or getting my house hold lot on the case or getting Russell, Jones and Walker or another on the case?

    Depends who the insurers' solicitors are, but I'd get on to RJ&W.

    +1 as RJW specialise in pursuing claims for cyclists, much better than using "AN Other Solicitors" who deal mostly with conveyancing or some other area of law.
    _________________________________________________

    Pinarello Dogma 2 (ex Team SKY) 2012
    Cube Agree GTC Ultegra 2012
    Giant Defy 105 2009
  • waddlie
    waddlie Posts: 542
    Benno68 wrote:
    Waddlie wrote:
    The Chief Constable will not be there, and even if he is, you won't see him - it's the equivalent of going into a bank and asking to speak to the CEO.

    You'd have more chance finding him on the local golf course :lol:

    ...or the local freemason's lodge...
    Rules are for fools.
  • benno68
    benno68 Posts: 1,689
    Waddlie wrote:
    Benno68 wrote:
    Waddlie wrote:
    The Chief Constable will not be there, and even if he is, you won't see him - it's the equivalent of going into a bank and asking to speak to the CEO.

    You'd have more chance finding him on the local golf course :lol:

    ...or the local freemason's lodge...

    If only they'd let me in :lol::lol::lol:
    _________________________________________________

    Pinarello Dogma 2 (ex Team SKY) 2012
    Cube Agree GTC Ultegra 2012
    Giant Defy 105 2009
  • The Running Man
    The Running Man Posts: 574
    Hope you're on the mend fella! Sounds a stinker of a bump.

    Make sure you claim for all consequential loss as well as the bike, clothing, etc, so include the cost of private rehab physio and stuff like that.
    Specialized Roubaix Pro SL : Litespeed Titanium Siena : Specialized Allez : Specialized Tri Cross :
    Specialized Rockhopper
  • fenboy369
    fenboy369 Posts: 425
    edited December 2009
    Russell, Jones and Walker are on the case for me. Sound like a nice enough lot for a bunch of blood sucking solicitors :wink: (I've even got one as a mother-in-law. Lucky me!)

    Cheers for all the advice guys, and keep you wheels on the tarmac... :wink:
    '11 Cannondale Synapse 105CD - FCN 4
    '11 Schwinn Corvette - FCN 15?
    '09 Pitch Comp - FCN (why bother?) 11
    '07 DewDeluxe (Bent up after being run over) - FCN 8
  • bradford
    bradford Posts: 195
    Waddlie wrote:
    Benno68 wrote:
    Waddlie wrote:
    The Chief Constable will not be there, and even if he is, you won't see him - it's the equivalent of going into a bank and asking to speak to the CEO.

    You'd have more chance finding him on the local golf course :lol:

    ...or the local freemason's lodge...

    For a third eye handshake! :shock:
  • dilemna
    dilemna Posts: 2,187
    fenboy369 wrote:
    Russell, Jones and Walker are on the case for me. Sound like a nice enough lot for a bunch of blood sucking solicitors :wink: (I've even got one as a mother-in-law. Lucky me!)

    Cheers for all the advice guys, and keep you wheels on the tarmac... :wink:

    Sorry to read you have been taken out. I don't even like driving along that road, let alone cycling along it.

    Just to add take lots of pics of everything - damage to you and your bike. Keep receipts for all costs you have incurred as a result of being knocked off. Visit your GP asap to have them record all your injuries. They may be able to set you up with treatment such as physio. If the driver is convicted of careless driving, liability will not be an issue in your case but quantum will. Keep a diary. Don't do too much too soon.
    Life is like a roll of toilet paper; long and useful, but always ends at the wrong moment. Anon.
    Think how stupid the average person is.......
    half of them are even more stupid than you first thought.
  • fenboy369
    fenboy369 Posts: 425
    Erm, whats quantum? Am I expecting a visit from Dr Sam Beckett?
    '11 Cannondale Synapse 105CD - FCN 4
    '11 Schwinn Corvette - FCN 15?
    '09 Pitch Comp - FCN (why bother?) 11
    '07 DewDeluxe (Bent up after being run over) - FCN 8
  • dilemna
    dilemna Posts: 2,187
    fenboy369 wrote:
    Erm, whats quantum? Am I expecting a visit from Dr Sam Beckett?

    Amount of compensation in cash for your injuries.
    Life is like a roll of toilet paper; long and useful, but always ends at the wrong moment. Anon.
    Think how stupid the average person is.......
    half of them are even more stupid than you first thought.
  • fenboy369
    fenboy369 Posts: 425
    Cheers, now I'm left wondering where I fit into you signature?... :wink:
    '11 Cannondale Synapse 105CD - FCN 4
    '11 Schwinn Corvette - FCN 15?
    '09 Pitch Comp - FCN (why bother?) 11
    '07 DewDeluxe (Bent up after being run over) - FCN 8
  • fenboy369
    fenboy369 Posts: 425
    ***UPDATE***

    Went to Magistrates Court yesterday, and the driver was found guilty and given £795 fine and 6 points for driving with out due care.
    Seems that using the defence of 'it was dark and wet' doesnt convince the Magistrates that it ok to run people over.... :wink:
    '11 Cannondale Synapse 105CD - FCN 4
    '11 Schwinn Corvette - FCN 15?
    '09 Pitch Comp - FCN (why bother?) 11
    '07 DewDeluxe (Bent up after being run over) - FCN 8
  • W1
    W1 Posts: 2,636
    fenboy369 wrote:
    ***UPDATE***

    Went to Magistrates Court yesterday, and the driver was found guilty and given £795 fine and 6 points for driving with out due care.
    Seems that using the defence of 'it was dark and wet' doesnt convince the Magistrates that it ok to run people over.... :wink:

    I would think that's a good resultfor you - do you feel justice has been done at all?
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Well, good stuff.

    Are you pursuing him for damages?
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • Norky
    Norky Posts: 276
    That is good news. The punishment could have been stiffer, but I'm glad to read that the fellow has been sanctioned for his arrant f*ckery.
    The above is a post in a forum on the Intertubes, and should be taken with the appropriate amount of seriousness.
  • Craggers
    Craggers Posts: 185
    £795 fine and 6 points for driving with out due care

    Actually not a bad result. I'll have to remember to have my next accident in Ely!

    Few years ago I was knocked off a motorbike...driver pulled out = T-bone. Open fracture of the femur and a fractured tib/fib and patella (5 weeks in hos and 18 months on crutches). That driver went to court and got a £100 fine and three points for DWDCaA.

    Glad things are coming on for you mate, hope you get what you deserve!
    Fixed / Fast(ish) / Frankenbike
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    Keep all those receipts! I got a reasonable wedge of dosh on top of all my out of pocket expenses for an accident that was no where near as bad as yours. My solicitors weren't cycling specific either.

    Hope you're back up and riding soon (if not already).
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!
  • dilemna
    dilemna Posts: 2,187
    Yes good result. The fine he's been given is quite high and 6 points quite severe. Usually drivers get off by claiming SMIDSY or if convicted of careless driving an £80-120 fine and 3 points. So the magistrates in Ely must be tough critters.

    Now you can sue the ass off him. No probs with liability as he's been found guilty of the careless driving offence. Still consult with the cycling solicitors if you haven't already. Ring round a few to get some idea of what they can do for you and what your claim is worth. Don't go with the first one you speak to thinking that's it, you can contact as many as you like and go with the one you feel most comfortable with. There are the BCF solicitors and LCC solicitors Levens, CycleAid and another Alyson France who has a very good reputation. But DON'T use a claims handling company use a proper PI solicitor. From your injuries it might be that you get quite a bit of compensation. It might take some time. But hope you are pretty much healed now. Good luck.
    Life is like a roll of toilet paper; long and useful, but always ends at the wrong moment. Anon.
    Think how stupid the average person is.......
    half of them are even more stupid than you first thought.
  • fenboy369
    fenboy369 Posts: 425
    RJW have been on the case since the first week, just waiting for the legal cogs to turn their slow turns...
    The fine was 'significantly reduced' by the magistrates as he is on incapacity benefits and self employed. (He fell off a ladder from 2 floors up and landed on a concrete driveway about 6 months after the rtc and was in an Intensive care unit on the day of the trial date).
    The Cambs Police/CPS line is that cyclists should be able to ride anywhere and at any time with fear of being knocked off. Because of the traffic chaos and the highish profile place that it happened (well, in sleepy old Ely anyway) I think they wanted to make a point. The 6 points in one hit will do that to his insurance premiums.
    As for justice being done, well, to be honest it made no difference either way to me. I have no malice towards the guy, he made a mistake. We all do. But his defence was rubbish and he said in court that cyclists that ride at night with dark clothes on (even though it was proved I was in bright coloured/reflective clothing) 'have it coming to them'. Says it all really....
    '11 Cannondale Synapse 105CD - FCN 4
    '11 Schwinn Corvette - FCN 15?
    '09 Pitch Comp - FCN (why bother?) 11
    '07 DewDeluxe (Bent up after being run over) - FCN 8

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