First proper off since starting commuting

daviesee

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Not sure you'd even need to stop, surely going round the front of the car would be an option. That said, BJUK definitely had right of way.

I don't doubt that he had right of way.
All I am saying is that if you cycle in this manner, don't be surprised if you keep having incidents.
Being in the right is of no help when you hit the deck. From personal experience.

Edit:- I missed Ricks response. BJUK is basically overtaking the bus. There are rules on overtaking.
In this case Rule 167 applies.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTr ... /DG_070314

I've made my point and I'll drop it now

Pufftmw

Sketchley wrote:

I won't claim for stuff that isn't broken though as that's not me. I will be claiming for broken hand and inconvience it causes plus the increased travel expense i'm incuring.

I also need to keep fitness up over next few weeks which means either a turbo trainer or going to the gym.

Start a diary of all the pain/suffering/inconvenience that this causes you. Include all the receipts/additional costs incurred over the issue as they soon mount up.

When it comes to "valuing" the actual pain/suffering then you will need to get a medical/doctor's report and I recommend that you ask a specialist PI solictor (APIL Member) to come up with a letter as to value. It will cost for the medical report and also the solicitor but the other side will re-imburse at settlement. However, you are being reasonable in not just handing the whole thing over to solicitors and letting them run the show/incur large fees. But saying that, you should be able to put in for an amount for preparing the quantum and running around etc.

notsoblue

daviesee wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Not sure you'd even need to stop, surely going round the front of the car would be an option. That said, BJUK definitely had right of way.

I don't doubt that he had right of way.
All I am saying is that if you cycle in this manner, don't be surprised if you keep having incidents.
Being in the right is of no help when you hit the deck. From personal experience.

Edit:- I missed Ricks response. BJUK is basically overtaking the bus. There are rules on overtaking.
In this case Rule 167 applies.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTr ... /DG_070314

I've made my point and I'll drop it now

Its easy really, as a cyclist you just have to expect situations like this to arise and always look out for suspicious gaps near junctions like this. He might have slipped up a little in this respect, but it looks like BJUK was able to avoid a serious accident in this case because he's an experienced cyclist.

Wrath Rob

Just spotted this. Hope the hand heals swiftly.

Have you worked out what your FCN is with a cast yet?

Origamist

Sketchley wrote:

Well that was easy, phoned the bus company to find out who to write too for SAR and they have admitted liability. Driver submitted a report that evening and it won't be contested.

Good news. With the kind of collision/incident that you describe the driver has to report it almost immediately. Thankfully, it sounds like he was honest about what happened and the bus company will have to stump up some compo as letting people off at non-designated stops is a definite no-no.

If you need a turbo trainer, let me know as I have a spare.

Initialised

Sounds nasty, you going to be off the bike for a while of tough it out?

roger_merriman

daviesee wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Not sure you'd even need to stop, surely going round the front of the car would be an option. That said, BJUK definitely had right of way.

I don't doubt that he had right of way.
All I am saying is that if you cycle in this manner, don't be surprised if you keep having incidents.
Being in the right is of no help when you hit the deck. From personal experience.

Edit:- I missed Ricks response. BJUK is basically overtaking the bus. There are rules on overtaking.
In this case Rule 167 applies.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTr ... /DG_070314

I've made my point and I'll drop it now

it's a 4 lane road video cameras are difficult to gauge speed distance, this said it's not a overtake per say but riding down the carriage way, looks like the car was attempting to merge into the gap that was on the other side.

pushing the car to block the 2nd lane that quickly was a rash move, no way he could be sure the lane was clear, as indeed it was not.

jds_1981

roger merriman wrote:

it's a 4 lane road video cameras are difficult to gauge speed distance, this said it's not a overtake per say but riding down the carriage way, looks like the car was attempting to merge into the gap that was on the other side.

pushing the car to block the 2nd lane that quickly was a rash move, no way he could be sure the lane was clear, as indeed it was not.

& presumably breaking the last point of highway code 170

look all around before emerging. Do not cross or join a road until there is a gap large enough for you to do so safely

Road is fairly clear and wide on the side, I suspect most cyclists/motorcyclists would go down there at a similar speed. Problem is the driver just keeps on coming out.

sketchley

I would like to request the hive mind's opinion please.

Should I deal directly with the bus company's claim handlers, or use Levenes Solicitors who I've got onto via LCC membership?

Pros and cons please if you don't mind.

Pufftmw

See my post - keep (their) costs down and you will get benefit (as they will be more likely to accept your asking) but make sure you get proper advice. In doing so you will incur cost but will be minimal compared to a PI solicitor dealing with the whole claim.

If they ar$e about and you don't think they are taking your claim seriously, then you are still able to get solicitors (not claims companys) at that time.

meanredspider

Sketchley wrote:

I would like to request the hive mind's opinion please.

Should I deal directly with the bus company's claim handlers, or use Levenes Solicitors who I've got onto via LCC membership?

Pros and cons please if you don't mind.

Use the solicitors as you have nothing to lose in doing so and I'm guessing they will ensure you are dealt with correctly

veronese68

My initial reaction was to say use the solicitors to ensure you don't miss anything. But, having read Puff's post that does appear to make sense. So, I'm in two minds about it now.
Actually, I like the idea of dealing with it in a reasonable manner as Puff said. I'm sure you won't let them take advantage, at the first whiff of them dicking about get the solicitors involved.

cyclingprop

From experience, I would go with the solicitors...

nation

Sketchley wrote:

I would like to request the hive mind's opinion please.

Should I deal directly with the bus company's claim handlers, or use Levenes Solicitors who I've got onto via LCC membership?

Pros and cons please if you don't mind.

Bus company claims handlers will want to deal direct because that way they pay out less money overall; it's important to note that doesn't necessarily mean they are looking to screw you out of compensation, there is a fairly well-established process for "valuing" injuries and they'd probably look to make you an offer based on that (probably using something like ISO Claims Outcome Advisor). The saving would come from them not having to pay your solicitors costs (which are frequently more than any compensation you'd be awarded).

Having said that, without going through solicitors, or at least taking advice on any offer they make, you have no way of knowing if they're treating you fairly.

So, as others have said, you don't lose anything by going through solicitors.

Incidentally, if it's Transcare (Arriva), solicitors all the way. They're awful.

EKE_38BPM

If it was Arriva, let me know. I know people who know people...

sketchley

EKE_38BPM wrote:

If it was Arriva, let me know. I know people who know people...

No not Arriva. Not going to name them in public either.

mtb-idle

only just read this. Sorry to hear about the incident Sketchley. There's a few points like that on CS7 and around Tooting always seems to be the most dangerous.

sketchley

Had bike inspected for damage today, appears it didn't survive after all. Rear wheel is out and left hand shifter is jammed plus need new rear mudguard. Ho hum...

Wrath Rob

Well, with time off the bike you've got plenty of time to source some replacements. Rear wheel should be an easy fix, no?

clarkey cat

get the old hybrid out....?

sketchley

clarkey cat wrote:

get the old hybrid out....?

Hybrid has a snapped frame and is in bits...

sketchley

Wrath Rob wrote:

Well, with time off the bike you've got plenty of time to source some replacements. Rear wheel should be an easy fix, no?

None of it is a problem, bike man will fix it and bus company will pay...

sketchley

Wahoo first commute since the accident this morning. Nearly a PB! Might have something to do with 610 miles in 8 days cycling to Jog week before last....

mattcroad

Congrats, and welcome back to the "racetrack", look forward to seeing you out there.

veronese68

Well done.

Flyingbogey

Welcome back Chris. I'll be keeping an eye out for you. And rouge buses!

veronese68

Flyingbogey wrote:

Welcome back Chris. I'll be keeping an eye out for you. And rouge buses!

Aren't most London buses red?

Flyingbogey

Hangs head wearing pointy hat marked 'D'

sketchley

Veronese68 wrote:

Flyingbogey wrote:

Welcome back Chris. I'll be keeping an eye out for you. And rouge buses!

Aren't most London buses red?

I'd still recommend looking out for them....

warreng

I've only been commuting 4 weeks but the stretch between Tooting Bec and Colliers Woods scares the living daylights out of me. I've taken to going via Wandsworth Common and Blackshaw Road just to avoid it. I used to live where you had your off and used to see cycling debris on a regulasr basis. At least St George's is close...