Hit by a cage driver! Where do I go now?

Shutty
Shutty Posts: 5
edited August 2009 in Commuting chat
Hi, I was wondering if anyone out there can help advice me.
Last month I was cycling home on my daily commute when a rep mobile pulled out of a side road without stopping to look and went straight into the side of me. Aside from the expected cuts and bruises at first glance both me and bike were o.k.
Contacted the police and my home insurance company who also provide legal assistance.

Everything seems to be going fine as the other driver has accepted total liability until his insurers have refused to replace the bike without a damage report and quotations for repair, the bike definately does not ride true and I am reluctant to use it again, it is a Alu/Carbon Bianchi Via Nirone with carbon forks and seat stays, there are scratches to the paintwork particularly on the Downtube but no real marks to the carbon components - does this mean they survived intact?

What I am after is if anyone knows any stores around Birmingham where I can get an expert opinion on what damage has been done or if anyone has been through a similar experience and any advice they may have.

Many thanks,

Lee

Comments

  • Feltup
    Feltup Posts: 1,340
    It is very hard to say if the carbon is intact. To be sure you need to x-ray it. I hope someone pops up soon to give you the name of a decent shop near Brum. Good luck on getting it sorted.
    Short hairy legged roadie FCN 4 or 5 in my baggies.

    Felt F55 - 2007
    Specialized Singlecross - 2008
    Marin Rift Zone - 1998
    Peugeot Tourmalet - 1983 - taken more hits than Mohammed Ali
  • Aidy
    Aidy Posts: 2,015
    Ask a friendly bike shop to provide a letter stating that, in their opinion, it's damaged beyond feasible repair? That's normally sufficient for insurance companies.

    Bring cake :)
  • Coriander
    Coriander Posts: 1,326
    Aidy wrote:
    Ask a friendly bike shop to provide a letter stating that, in their opinion, it's damaged beyond feasible repair? That's normally sufficient for insurance companies.

    Bring cake :)

    That's what I did when the police knocked me off my bike - I took it to a good bike shop and asked them to assess it for hidden damage as I'd been knocked off and needed to know what to make on the insurance claim.

    They might err on the side of caution, but that's because they will undoubtedly agree that you shouldn't risk riding a bike that threatens your safety further?
  • dirk_van_gently
    dirk_van_gently Posts: 826
    All of the above

    have you contacted a solicitor? Google Mal Kirwan, he specialises in bike related cases.
    If you see the candle as flame, the meal is already cooked.
    Photography, Google Earth, Route 30
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Definitely go for a cycling friendly solicitor or you'll end up getting fobbed off by the cars insurer.

    Are you claiming for the cuts and bruises too ? Damaged clothes ?
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Alison France/Bikeline for the legal mumbo jumbo. They done me good when I came off second best to a car and hope never to need their services again, touch wood.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • benno68
    benno68 Posts: 1,689
    cougie wrote:
    Definitely go for a cycling friendly solicitor or you'll end up getting fobbed off by the cars insurer.

    Are you claiming for the cuts and bruises too ? Damaged clothes ?

    Also the loss of use of your bike and cost of now getting to work etc.
    _________________________________________________

    Pinarello Dogma 2 (ex Team SKY) 2012
    Cube Agree GTC Ultegra 2012
    Giant Defy 105 2009

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