Knocked off - Hit & run

rebs

Well that was fun yesterday. On route yesterday morning to work down commercial road.

Saw a bus looking to pull out of a side road on the left. Wasn't 100% sure he saw me so started to move more to the middle of the lane. Turns out he did see me so kept going on as normal. 30 meters down the right a Black VW Passat he had stopped and appeared to be waiting for a gap in traffic to pass through. Seems clear that he had seen me.

Except just as I was passing him he seemed to accelerate very quickly and managed to hit me square on the side. This sent me flying... I remember hitting the pavement (not the road) which was some distance considering I was still riding primary on the road. As I hit the ground I saw the guy complete his turn into the road he wanted and simply drove off without stopping or saying a word!

I was feeling rough and totally winded. Ambulance was called followed by the police. Was eventually able to walk into the ambulance but shoulder felt to be a right mess. Was fortunatly that teh car behind me was able to get the full registration of the car and gave it to the police. gave details of what I saw, all I remember was a black VW passet.

Ambulance peopel were really cool. Soon as they were comfortable that I've not serious injuries (which condiering how much airtime I had I was supraised at) I was only 3 miles from my home so they offered to drop my bike home first before going to hospital as I had no locks for my bike! Really really appreciate that!

Once we got to hospital police had called to say that they have full CCTV of the incident and had managed to make an arrest as the guys number plate was flagged by Plate recognition cameras. Apperently he first tried to say he stopped and that I agreed it was ok for him to leave. This was a blatent lie and fortunatly the CCTV backs this up!

I had a witness who was also really helpful. Police have no said that that the guy is being charged with Dangerous driving and failure to stop at a traffic collision. Said it is very likely to be clear cut because of how damning the CCTV footage is which the officer saw as horific and was amazed that I did not have any serious injuries as I looked like a rag doll.

Little shaken but so greatful that everyone involved was amazing. People on the road, other drivers, ambulance crew and the police.

Now for the sad part... the bike
Was my pride and joy 2011 Felt AR5
Both wheelps are managled
right side crank is bent between the frame so it is no longer able to do a full revolution.. just gets jammed in the framce
front detailer is smashed also
I think the frame is slightly bent but it's hard to tell. Not been able to take to bike shop ye to get fully looked into.

I'm caked in bruises all on my left side and my shoulder is realy painful as it came out of the socket then right back in again (have done this before its not nice!). But feel realyl lucky it wasn't worse as it feels like it could have been.

Hell of a day!

roger_merriman

Glad your okay ( in a walking wounded way) shame about the bike, yes one hell of day!

jonginge

Oof. Glad you're mainly ok and the guy caught.

Sounds like game over for the bike

vermin

At least that might be another psychopath off the road for a while.

GWS.

zx6man

nasty, glad your ok and able to start looking for a new "pride and joy"....

cyclingprop

Thankful you're OK, that the guy is caught and that the machine took the brunt not you.

Sounds like whiplash will be nasty (if you get it). If it's that clear cut, some compensation/insurance will get you a new ride... Concentrate on getting better first though...

il_principe

Thank f*ck for the car behind you and the CCTV. Glad you are not too banged up. Annoying thing is that the driver will receive a pathetic punishment.

cookeeemonster

Glad you're (mostly) ok - definitely the most important thing.

And I'm so glad this isn't one of them posts where the bas*ard gets away with it - hope you and the police take him to the cleaners. Just think of the shiny new bike you'll get out of it

I ride down commercial road most days (until I turn off for cable st CS3), where was it? Anywhere near the fatality the other week? It's not the greatest road but I've always felt relatively safe in the bus lane...but saying that I've had enough examples of people pulling out on me from side roads in the days of me riding the full length on my vespa to know there are plenty of d*cks about round there.

Anyway, good luck with your recovery!

rjsterry

Sorry to hear you've had such a nasty incident and that the bike's a goner, but glad to hear that the case against the driver seems strong and you're relatively uninjured.

robertsims

Crap - thank heavens you're ok. This stuff really freaks me out - if I do something stupid (drive up inside of lorries, too fast down a hill etc.) then that's my fault, but these 'random' events through no fault of your own is what makes me question my commute...but I enjoy it so much!

Get well soon and start looking for new bike!

vermin

Il Principe wrote:

Thank f*ck for the car behind you and the CCTV. Glad you are not too banged up. Annoying thing is that the driver will receive a pathetic punishment.

Probably in criminal terms, but this should be an easy civil claim to pursue. The fool owes you a replacement bike and compensation for your injuries. Get some legal advice as soon as possible. Maybe he'll have to sell his lethal weapon to pay for your new bike.

mudcow007

remember dude, bikes can be replaced...your body cant

glad your not badly hurt an hopefully the fuzz prosecutes him

so what new bike you going to buy???!

rebs

Commercial Road I think is dangerous if you can't keep up with the slow traffic.

I was hit near the Blackwall Tunnel entrance. The guy who hit me tried to turn right into Newby Road. I was heading West whiel he was looking to turn right.

Wonder if it's possible to buy the footage from the council CCTV

veronese68

rjsterry wrote:

Sorry to hear you've had such a nasty incident and that the bike's a goner, but glad to hear that the case against the driver seems strong and you're relatively uninjured.

Couldn't have put it better so I'll +1 this.

meanredspider

So pleased you're mostly ok. So many idiots out there - great that it's so clear-cut too.

Given the number of times this week the motorways have been shut, there's going to be too many ruined xmases and lives.

Hope you make a swift recovery

London_Falcon

rebs wrote:

Wonder if it's possible to buy the footage from the council CCTV

Quick google search seems to suggest that they have to make it available, perhaps for a £10 fee?

http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public/topic_specific_guides/cctv.aspx

Has anyone tried this?

cookeeemonster

rebs wrote:

Commercial Road I think is dangerous if you can't keep up with the slow traffic.

I was hit near the Blackwall Tunnel entrance. The guy who hit me tried to turn right into Newby Road. I was heading West whiel he was looking to turn right.

Wonder if it's possible to buy the footage from the council CCTV

Well the accident happened around 200 foot from Tower Hamlets council headquarters so at least it's on your route

It was East India Dock road you got hit then. I don't find it so bad during the morning (though I'll be extra careful now) but at night in rush hour it can be very dodgy. The bus lane is mostly empty other than cabbies and speeding motorbikes but the car lane is often stationary with plenty of side roads for cars to pull into/out of without looking. I've got a very bright front light but I'll always slow down a bit when approaching side roads as you know what can happen...

Deegs

Don't know if we would regard the punishment as pathetic/not, but it is likely to involve a spell inside:

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/sent ... s_driving/

especially given the aggravating features (driving off and falsely claiming you had consented he did so and that he had stopped)

Plus he will be banned for some time. Good.

asprilla

vermin wrote:

At least that might be another psychopath off the road for a while.

GWS.

I assume you mean the driver?

GWS rebs.

kelsen

Glad you're ok, and there's so much damning evidence against the driver

Now the good news...

2013 Felt AR5

rebs

Thanks all. Goes to Magistrates in April. So guess I'll have to see how that goes because doing anything Civil.

Sad news is that I have limited funds to replace the bike myself so being without is going to be painful for quite some time.

vermin

rebs wrote:

Thanks all. Goes to Magistrates in April. So guess I'll have to see how that goes because doing anything Civil.

Sad news is that I have limited funds to replace the bike myself so being without is going to be painful for quite some time.

That's just the start - these things can take ages. In the mean time keep your PT receipts

sketchley

rebs wrote:

Thanks all. Goes to Magistrates in April. So guess I'll have to see how that goes because doing anything Civil.

Sad news is that I have limited funds to replace the bike myself so being without is going to be painful for quite some time.

Something is wrong here. The magistrates court is only for the criminal charge, nothing to do with if driver is liable for repairs / cost from the accident. You do not have to wait until this complete to make a claim for a new bike or your injurys. Sure if found guilty it's would be very hard for their insurers to not pay out, they could also be found not guilty of dangerous driving but still be responsible for the accident. In fact the fact it is going to court at all would make vey hard for his insurers to admit liability. I'd suggest speaking with solictors now and making a claim against his insures as soon as possible. Make sure this include costs you are incurring through not having the bike (travel, bike repiars or replacement etc), plus claims for any injury's sustained. Your solicitor should be able to put in for interim payment to get the new bike sorted quickly, most insurance companies are reasonable when the insured is clearly at fault as it cost them less to get it sorted quickly. Phone one today go via British Cycling or LCC or CTC website to find one.

mtb-idle

Get well soon rebs.

+ what Sketchley says

vermin

Are you sure, Sketchley? I've never done any criminal work, nor small civil claims, but I would have thought that letting the criminal case go first would make the civil claim much easier, quicker , cheaper and more productive (assuming that the accused is found guilty). I would also worry about the civil claim potentially prejudicing the criminal case. I think you are right in advising rebs to contact BC and/or a solicitor for specialist legal advice asap though.

This might help (a bit) http://www.stop-smidsy.org.uk/sites/www.stop-smidsy.org.uk/files/0909_Claims-and-Cases__0.pdf

alfablue

Don't wait, talk to Russell Jones and Walker who do CTC's legal work (but you don't need to be a member to use them). They're not going to let you do anything to jeopardise the criminal case, but I think it is important to get advice and start the ball rolling asap.

Kieran_Burns

Civil damages (which is what we're talking here) are a separate item to criminal liability.

Recompense for losses incurred would go ahead anyway. The OP should be on to the drivers Insurers immediately to get themselves back on a bike as soon as possible.

I would strongly recommend getting in touch with a specialist law firm in this case.

kelsen

Or these guys who do stuff for British Cycling...

http://www.leighday.co.uk/Our-expertise ... s-injuries

Headhuunter

I'm amazed that the police are taking criminal action! Not that I think they shouldn't but IME the police barely ever do anything other than give the driver a slap on the wrist in car on bike accidents. The most they do is make him/her go on a course of some kind without any requirement to admit liability....

daviesee

Headhuunter wrote:

I'm amazed that the police are taking criminal action! Not that I think they shouldn't but IME the police barely ever do anything other than give the driver a slap on the wrist in car on bike accidents. The most they do is make him/her go on a course of some kind without any requirement to admit liability....

The driver may have been arsey with the police.
Nothing will speed up prosecution/persecution than that.

Kieran_Burns

I think maybe the CCTV footage of the rag-doll cyclist bouncing off the pavement while said driver sped off may have had something to do with it.