Unlucky or what?!?

pilot_pete

Bought one of these http://www.foska.com/images/product_images/test-dummy-winter-jersey.png as I wanted something more visible than my current black jacket. Went out for a blast up to the Cat & Fiddle to try it out and on the way home......you guessed it, I crashed! Some woman in a Landrover turned right across my path, I avoided her by veering behind her whilst clamping the Campags on hard and just caught the front corner of a small van, which had stopped and pulled into the hedge as he saw me coming. One slow motion summersault with an un-graceful landing later I laid in the road fearing the worst for my pretty new Pinarello.

Handlebars had twisted, which corrected easily with my little multi-tool, one carbon brake lever had broken top coat and the front tyre beads had almost jumped the rim over a 4" area where I had impacted the car. Small lump taken out of the saddle and scraped pedal. Front wheel is ever so slightly out of true.

As for me, I landed on my hip/ arse and one elbow. Big lump on my left arse cheek, which is seizing up. All in all, it could have been so much worse. I count myself VERY lucky. Now I am not a superstitious person, but first time out wearing that jersey!!! :shock:

furrag

So if you had bought the baked beans Foska jersey, do you think that Tubgirl would have sprayed you?

pilot_pete

Or maybe just get saucy with me?

CarbonCopy

Its all good and well joking about it,but did she stop and admit liability?
I was once knocked off my bike by a lady who actually broke down in tears to try to shurk out of her responsibilities.I calmly reminded her it was i that should be crying, as it was me who met metal at 30 mph resulting in some unorthodox sumasalts (without pike) bouncing off the tarmac removing large areas of skin from my arse cheeks and elbows.

The joys of cycling eh :shock:

pilot_pete

She did stop and has passed me her phone number (ooh errr!), I have yet to decide if I should do anything about it. She claimed I was going 'very fast' (I wish!!) and I do admit it is a bit of a tricky junction, but, my arse and elbow are sore (yes I can tell the difference between them!) and my bike has minor damage as stated, but should I do something out of principle, as I am still thanking my lucky stars that it was not worse.

Rich Hcp

I would try and claim at least for the damage to the bike.

If you're injured, then it gets more complicated

chuckcork

Pilot Pete wrote:

She claimed I was going 'very fast'

"Very Fast" compared to what? A car? A motorcycle? Does she think that you were breaking the speed limit?

Or was it that she saw a bicycle, stupidly and automatically decided you were "slow" and so ignored you?

pilot_pete

"Very Fast" compared to what? A car? A motorcycle? Does she think that you were breaking the speed limit?

Exactly. I did state to her at the time that I was doing between 15-20 miles per hour in my judgement. The speed limit there is 30, so I don't think she has any legal basis for making that claim.

My injuries are minor (nothing broken), just sore from the landing. I had almost stopped before hitting the bumper of the following car and doing my flip. I think it was because I was braking so hard that as soon as the front wheel stopped my momentum just flipped me over the bars. Maybe I shall give her a call today and see what she has to say. I did say to her how expensive the wheels are, and that the front one seemed buckled, just to set the tone. I would guess that most non-cyclists would be aghast if they saw the prices of bits for bicycles.

beaders

Surely the fact that she was involved in the accident - by causing it and you were injured then her insurance company should be made aware and also the local Police. She is duty bound to report it.
Why should it cost you for repairs etc if she was at fault

rake

furrag

You're right about cycle parts; every single one of us on these forums are 'bike snobs' are the thoughts of many. I've seen it in conversation and reading it online their mantra is; why buy £380 wheels when you can buy a whole bike from Asda for £30?

If she kicks off, play the trauma/shock card. 8)

ALaPlage

I thought that if a person was injured in a road accident then it was duty bound for the Police and Insurance companies to be informed. I am not a lawyer/solicitor so maybe thats wrong but I would be reluctant to leave the scene without getting Police involved - clearly if I was the injured party.

From the details of your story it sounds like the Lady was driving without due care and attention and as such should be prosecuted for that never mind pay any costs to your good self. She gets off with this is it going to make her more considerate and diligent on the roads in future? I doubt it.

beaders

That is completely right. If an accident occurs where there is an injury to any person other than the driver of the vehicle involved then it becomes reportable to the Police. this means that the driver of the car must stop and if required by the injured party give name/address of the driver and also name/addressof the owner of the vehicle and the registration mark of the vehicle involved. The driver must also produce a valid insurance certificate ets. If unable to do so at the scene the accident must be reported to the Police as soon as practicable and within 24 hours.
Assuming this driver did report it as required there will be a record held with the local Police Force.

speshy

Pilot Pete wrote:

Went out for a blast up to the Cat & Fiddle :

oohh bad luck....
is that the cat and fiddle just outside christchurch?

cougie

Glad the damage isnt too bad - but what about the van you clipped ? What if he was to try and claim against you ? I think you have to cover your arse here and go through the proper channels. Go talk to Bikeline or the CTC or someone with experience.

If it wasnt your fault then she should pay up. You must have ripped kit in the spill ?

skyd0g

Personally, I'd tot up all of the damaged items - clothing and bike bits and look at the cost of replacing all with new. As it was her fault, see if she is willing to re-imburse you for this cost. It may help to print-out an itemised list detailling all items damaged and their replacement cost. Also pics of your injuries.

You should not be out of pocket (or left worse-off) as a result of her lack of attention. If she is unwilling to cough-up then suggest that the police should be informed, together with her insurers.

Stewie Griffin

ALaPlage wrote:

I thought that if a person was injured in a road accident then it was duty bound for the Police and Insurance companies to be informed. I am not a lawyer/solicitor so maybe thats wrong but I would be reluctant to leave the scene without getting Police involved - clearly if I was the injured party.

From the details of your story it sounds like the Lady was driving without due care and attention and as such should be prosecuted for that never mind pay any costs to your good self. She gets off with this is it going to make her more considerate and diligent on the roads in future? I doubt it.

Agreed, if the error of her ways isnt pointed out to her by the Police (perhaps) or her insurance going up next year she wont learn.

beaders

Or maybe just ring her as she gave you her number and ask her which Police station she reported the accident to so that you can give them your details. See what her reaction is.

Rich Hcp

Good idea :shock:

nicktheluddite

are you well qualified enough/experienced to judge what might have serious non-visible damage? How much of the bike is carbon fibre? Might be worth getting LBS to look over the bike (the one who sold you the new bike?) to get their opinion of damage. If expensive damage has been caused and it is drivers fault then probably should get cops involved. How do you know if driver actually has license/insurance etc?

woodywmb

You could phone her, take her out for dinner, get to know her better and marry her. Something good might just come out of this yet.

pilot_pete

You could phone her, take her out for dinner, get to know her better and marry her. Something good might just come out of this yet.

Hate to think what my current wife and kids would think of that........ :?

ubiquitous

Beaders is spot on, she should have provided you with name, address and produced her insurance at the time, if not then the collision has to be reported at a police station or in person to a PC ASAP.

Assuming she is insured then her insurance will cover any damage (no matter how minor/expensive). If not then you can always drag her to court to get compensation. From what you say, you were riding well within the law/highway code, so her negligence caused injury to you and damage to your property. You'd claim if she had caused similar value of damage to your car.

Some car drivers really don't realise just how fast bikes can go and their arrogance (ignorance) puts our lives in serious danger. It's amazing how cyclists are treated at times.

The main thing is, you're not badly injured, the bike can get repaired. Well done for not ploughing directly into her car.