Hit and run accident - Advice?

jjstenso

Hello all, it's been ages since I've posted here but I thought I'd come and ask for some advice and to see if anyone else has had a similar experience.

I was knocked off my bike this morning and left for dead by an incredibly stupid, impatient and seemingly criminal driver which resulted in this -> http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/jjstenson/IMG_5613.jpg and a great deal of road rash. Bearing in mind this was slap bang in Leeds City centre, I had a lot of witnesses and most of the motions detailed in the "what to do in case of an accident?" thread were gone through. I was alright but shaken up, this being my first serious accident.

The complexity of this is that the driver then carried on after leaving me spreadeagled in the middle of an crossroads and parked their car about 500 yards away, paying for a ticket to do so. This resulted in me being able to get their reg and assess the damage I'd caused to their vehicle (extensive denting to the rear passenger wing) however after nipping to my office to grab a digital camera to take snaps I was advised to go to Hospital and a workmate went to take the photos instead, finding the car gone. Having called the Police myself in the meantime to report the accident and the fact the driver had buggered off, they established that the vehicle is wanted for various offences including links to drug dealing (and now dangerous driving and leaving the scene of accident)

So in summary, what I really want to know is how I go about claiming for a new helmet and clothing with only a reg number to do so...?

Be careful out there folks, there are some real cretins who have no concern for cyclists.

unixnerd

Hope you recover quickly. Might it have been captured on cctv either at the accident site or where they parked?

When the car is traced the accident damage should verify your story. It's then up to the car's driver to own up or give the police the driver's details.

You also need to get pics of your injuries. As you've been injured and under the circumstances I'd have no hesitation in pursuing a personal injuries claim too.

jjstenso

Thanks for that, hadn't thought of taking photos of the injuries, have done so now.

Will look into PI, however I'm keen to claim everything from the car's insurer's / driver.

unixnerd

You can find out if the car was insured: http://ownvehicle.askmid.com/

If it's not you can claim here:
http://www.mib.org.uk/Customer+Services ... stions.htm

dilemna

It is sad and awful to read yet another cyclist has been knocked down and worse left for dead. What a pyscho wonker and one reason I have given up road riding to commute, to get around as I have been knocked down twice now by dangerous feckwits. It's not worth it. Life can be smudged out in an instant.

In your case report to police. Let them deal with the driver (or not as the case may be) for the time being. You should concentrate on your injuries ie hospital and visiting your GP, medical reports and pictures of injuries. Also take pics of damage to your bike and then get it to a half competent bike shop for estimate for repairs/replacement. Contact a solicitor that specialises in dealing with cyclists who have been injured knocked down etc. eg Russell Jones Walkers, Levenes, Alyson France, etc. They will find out who to sue on your behalf. In the meantime you get well and recover as well as you can.

If the car was driven by a known offender eg drug dealer, it is unlikely to be insured?

If this is the case then any claim should be made to the MIB who take the place of any insurer, but you will still need a solicitor.

GWS and HTH.

jjstenso

Thanks for your kind words and advice, it is certainly not going to stop me cycling to work... however I think I'll be rather more reserved and cautious from now on.

Bought myself a new helmet today (Giro Athlon... nice looking lid) and am going to hold off for a week or so to see if my shoulder gets better as it is rather painful at the moment.

RE: The car, it is insured and is owned by a Valeting company, however, determining who was the driver at the time will be a whole other kettle of fish as I expect the car has a whole raft of names who can legally drive it. It is currently in the Police's hands and hopefully they'll be able to trace them and bring them to justice to allow me to claim against them / their insurance.

For now, I'm going to approach one or more of the companies you mentioned (thanks for that) and see where we go from there.

Cheers,

J.

andrewlwood

I believe the company has a responsibility to give a name, and can't just say 'we don't know who it was'; and I can't believe anyone is going to take a bullet for a mate by saying they were driving when they weren't.

Good luck - I think you'll get them.

The Rookie

The police will issue a request under Section 172 of the road traffic act 1988 which requires the keeper to name the person driving, penalty for failing to do so is a fine not exceeding £5000 for a company (typically about £1000).

Simon

dilemna

Who was driving doesn't really matter for your civil claim for damages as you will still be able to claim on the policy that was in force irrepsective of who was driving as an injured third party or your appointed solicitor will be able to claim on your behalf. The police are the ones who SHOULD be interested with who was driving as they would hopefully want to prosecute them.

Have you been to your GP to have your injuries documented yet? I would hold off cycling again for a little while until you are fully recovered and at least until you have seen a GP and taken legal advice regarding a claim.

Best of luck

jjstenso

Thanks again guys for your replies.

As an update, I visited my GP today and was told that I had minor muscular damage in my right shoulder and may experience reduced strength on that side.

Nothing from the Police as yet but have opened a PI claim with a local firm of Solicitors based on the reg number, they are going to claim on my behalf through the Car owner's insurers.

Hopefully, with this accident once again highlighting this car's dodgy goings on it will spur the police on to catch the mofos.

J.