In an accident, what to do now?

PaulMcA

Hi guys, I came off my bike on Mon when the woman in front of me stopped dead. I went into her and ended up down the side of her by some parked cars. The police were called and I have a witness who says the driver stopped suddenly.
Weirdly I seem to have sustained all the damage, 7 stitches in right knee and 8 stitches in left thigh, as the bike just needs both wheeis truing.
Anyway I'm still waiting to hear from the police and was wondering what happens now if
a) the police decide she's in the wrong
b) they say I'm in the wrong
By the way I don't have insurance or CTC membership etc and I've been told I'm off work for at least 2 weeks.
Cheers Paul

southdownswolf

Sorry to be blunt, but if you are too close to the vehicle in front to be able to stop, then there is a good chance that the accident is going to be your fault.
If you do not have insurance, then I would imagine that the other person could go through the small claims court to claim back damages. Are you covered under house insurance at all?
If it goes through the small claims courts as it will be less than £10000 damage, so the other person will be liable for their own solicitor costs, although this may be covered by legal aid on their insurance.

Colinthecop

I would also say its down to you. People can stop suddenly for a variety of reasons you should be at a distance where you can stop safely.

The woman will report it to her insurance company and they may pursue you for the cost of any damage, likewise the parked vehicles.

But in all reality, it probably won't be worth it for them to pursue you.

marcusjb

In most circumstances like this, you are likely to be found to be at fault.

Did any other vehicles sustain damage?

If so, as above, talk to your household insurer and see what they say.

Highlights the importance of CTC and the like's insurance (and access to the CTC legal team).

Hope you recover quickly and you don't get stung for a big claim from any of the other vehicle owners.

cougie

Yeah - sounds like it's your fault.

Truing wheels takes seconds unless they're really damaged.

Your injuries will heal.

Hopefully you haven't damaged the vehicles too much ?

rickeverett

Sorry OP but sounds like they will take the drivers side.
If your going fast enough and close enough to collide with a car infront then your too fast too close.
Bike brakes are good enough to stop in an emergency like that.

gubber12345

yeah i'm afraid you are probably wrong....law states if you hit from behind you are to blame,you have to be at a distance so that you can stop safely,looks like you were too close.

hope your ok soon and nothing becomes of it.

good luck

thescouselander

I think the highway code can help you here:

126
Stopping Distances. Drive[ride] at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear. You should

leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops. The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance (see Typical Stopping Distances diagram, shown below)
allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on roads carrying faster-moving traffic and in tunnels where visibility is reduced. The gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and increased still further on icy roads
remember, large vehicles and motorcycles need a greater distance to stop. If driving a large vehicle in a tunnel, you should allow a four-second gap between you and the vehicle in front.
If you have to stop in a tunnel, leave at least a 5-metre gap between you and the vehicle in front.

What to do now - I'd buy a copy of the highway code here and study it while you're recovering:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Official-Hi ... ghway+code

gezebo

What to do now?

Probably hope that the owners of the cars you hit don't come after you for any damage you caused! Hope you get well soon.