Mr Bike meet Mr Coach

mantaray

Hi,

I was rear ended by a coach on the way home last night. Driver's fault, and I have a witness to that effect. I'm not sure of the full extent of damage to the bike yet.I have the company's details for starting a claim. However I'm not sure of the order of things. Obviously, pursuing a claim is going to take time, and in the meantime I am off the road. Can I repair/replace the bike now, then reclaim the cost, or do I have to wait for assessors to see it or the claim to complete before doing this?

Any advice or experience would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Tonymufc

Have you been to the hospital yet? If not, get yourself down there and get checked out. Some injuries take time to come out, so a few weeks down the line you may start to develop problems. Then contact a specialist solicitor. (I think there should be some threads on here about cycling related solicitors). Then worry about the bike. A coach hit you and you're still here to tell the tale. LUCKY BOY! Someone was watching over you last night me thinks.

The Running Man

Lordy - TonyMUFC is right. Someone was watching over you.

Advice is right. Get to the hospital or the docs and get checked out. Then ring the insurance company(assuming you're insured), get the claim form sent (unless you can do it online) and you may be able to discuss replacement with them then and there.

Hope you are really ok.

mantaray

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.

Yes - I was very lucky and realise it. If I sound less than panicked about it, it's because I'm really trying to not think about what could have happened.

Will get myself to the docs pronto.

Thanks again

Christophe3967

Glad to hear you're OK after that. Sounds scary.

You're likely to need legal help as well - if you belong to one of the cycling organisations, get on to their people, or else have a look in the cycling press for details of those firms that specialise in this work.

FWIW British Cycling use Leigh Day & Co, who are dealing with my claim for a similar accident - they're excellent.

TomS

Glad to hear you're OK.

To add to the above recommendation, the CTC use Russell Jones and Walker to provide their legal advice. Never had to use them myself (touch wood) but might be worth a call

http://www.rjw.co.uk/

Bear77

other than making sure you are ok there is a a lot if useful information on a different forum here:

http://www.lfgss.com/thread4213.html

good you are ok!

mantaray

Again, thanks for the replies and info.

Once I've managed to stop running the scenario through my head again, I'll contact one of the legal firms posted.

Cheers guys.

benno68

mantaray wrote:

Again, thanks for the replies and info.

Once I've managed to stop running the scenario through my head again, I'll contact one of the legal firms posted.

Cheers guys.

Glad you're relatively ok - I'd get it over and done with and instruct a firm of solicitors as soon as possible, they are they best placed to advise you based on the facts of the case and they can get on with the job of claiming.

You could get the LBS to check the bike out and see what needs doing to get it back to how it was, but I wouldn't go spending any money at this stage, until the other side give you the nod.

Claim for any related "reasonable" expenses caused by losing the use of your bike, public transport costs, fuel costs etc. Keep a list and the receipts.

Hope you can put this to the back of your mind sometime soon, I know "that feeling".