Knocked off - some damage to the bike
Discussion
Got knocked off my bike this morning 
At sainsburys in Bracknell
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=51.393...
As i entered the roundabout coming from Birch Hill, a small van was slowing down at the turning on the left (opposite sainsburys). As i was almost over the roundabout he suddenly accelerated into the side of me, sending me tumbling.
Two blokes got out, all full of "sorry mate, i didnt see you" - i had 4 lights on, 2 of them flashing, a bright red jacket and a full compliment of reflective bits, and this morning at 6.45 when it happened it was already very light. Got his name, phone number and company name, so will give them a call at 9am to find out how to claim on their insurance. Called the rozzers, not because it was a crime, but assumed i needed an incident number in case there was a dispute, but apparently i have to go to the police station in person this morning.
Anyway, rear wheel is buckled and wouldnt turn (luckily my g/f was staying at mine and kindly got out of bed and rescued me - fanks!) and the rear brake was jammed on - had to release the cable tension, but i think the problem is coming from the lever at the front which took the impact as i went down. Rear derailleur also took a hit (hard to tell if the operation is affected, as the wheel wont turn anyway) and the saddle is torn up. Plus few other scratched (eg the pedals).
I suppose my worry is that the carbon frame could be damaged.
What should i do - take the whole bike to a specialist bike shop for a full damage assessment and quote to repair/replace like for like on parts?
Its a Boardman Team carbon (the outgoing £1300 model) which i absolutely love... though i dont really want to take it back to Halfords to assess the damage.
As for me, i was wrapped up for the cold so only the smallest of scratched on my elbow, though hurts to lift my arm to shoulder height so i think i have some bruising on the way.
Any other things i should be doing today, apart from feeling miserable?
At sainsburys in Bracknellhttps://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=51.393...
As i entered the roundabout coming from Birch Hill, a small van was slowing down at the turning on the left (opposite sainsburys). As i was almost over the roundabout he suddenly accelerated into the side of me, sending me tumbling.
Two blokes got out, all full of "sorry mate, i didnt see you" - i had 4 lights on, 2 of them flashing, a bright red jacket and a full compliment of reflective bits, and this morning at 6.45 when it happened it was already very light. Got his name, phone number and company name, so will give them a call at 9am to find out how to claim on their insurance. Called the rozzers, not because it was a crime, but assumed i needed an incident number in case there was a dispute, but apparently i have to go to the police station in person this morning.
Anyway, rear wheel is buckled and wouldnt turn (luckily my g/f was staying at mine and kindly got out of bed and rescued me - fanks!) and the rear brake was jammed on - had to release the cable tension, but i think the problem is coming from the lever at the front which took the impact as i went down. Rear derailleur also took a hit (hard to tell if the operation is affected, as the wheel wont turn anyway) and the saddle is torn up. Plus few other scratched (eg the pedals).
I suppose my worry is that the carbon frame could be damaged.
What should i do - take the whole bike to a specialist bike shop for a full damage assessment and quote to repair/replace like for like on parts?
Its a Boardman Team carbon (the outgoing £1300 model) which i absolutely love... though i dont really want to take it back to Halfords to assess the damage.
As for me, i was wrapped up for the cold so only the smallest of scratched on my elbow, though hurts to lift my arm to shoulder height so i think i have some bruising on the way.
Any other things i should be doing today, apart from feeling miserable?
henrycrun said:
Take the bike for a professional assessment. Take photos. You will need as much evidence as possible when VM declines to cough up. Be prepared to use a (cycle savvy) solicitor.
Witnesses, witnesses, witnesses.If you have none, you're f
ked.I was knocked off from behind as I started to turn right into a junction, motorist decided to overtake, clipped me from behind, bike appeared fine but when I got home top tube was cracked, a write off
I'm looking at 50/50 as there are no witnesses, it's my word against his, of course it could go to court but I'd be exposing myself (and solictors) to a pretty big risk of losing, all this despite the drivers account being very easily pulled apart.
So frustrating.
Ouch,I know that roundabout well and used to cycle and drive over it most days, I always found it a white knuckle ride and have seen countless near accidents and thats just between cars!
I would:
-Contact the number and company given, in case they are false details and get the ball rolling.
-Wait until the adrenaline wears off and don't be surprised if you have more injuries as time goes on
-Visit the police and report it properly
-Get the bike properly assessed and quoted on repairs
Hope you make a speedy recovery OP
I would:
-Contact the number and company given, in case they are false details and get the ball rolling.
-Wait until the adrenaline wears off and don't be surprised if you have more injuries as time goes on
-Visit the police and report it properly
-Get the bike properly assessed and quoted on repairs
Hope you make a speedy recovery OP
Cheers guys. Well just got back from the cop shop, was told i shouldnt have been told to come down, as because i have his details its not a police matter. i insisted though, and they have filled a form out, and said in 7 days i will have a reference number.
Re witnesses, actually i dont think anyone else was on the roundabout at the point of impact, though as i got up i did see someone watching from a car. Anyway no-one came over. On the plus side, i got him to write his name and details down on a company invoice, so i would say it would be hard for him to claim he knows nothing about it. Also, got his mate to tell me his name while the driver ran over to sainsburys to get a pen, and it matched when he came back a minute later.
Oh well, time to call the company now, i'll update y'all later.
Re witnesses, actually i dont think anyone else was on the roundabout at the point of impact, though as i got up i did see someone watching from a car. Anyway no-one came over. On the plus side, i got him to write his name and details down on a company invoice, so i would say it would be hard for him to claim he knows nothing about it. Also, got his mate to tell me his name while the driver ran over to sainsburys to get a pen, and it matched when he came back a minute later.
Oh well, time to call the company now, i'll update y'all later.
Disco You said:
Are you a member of British cycling, or the ctc?
British Cycling, yes. I had a look on there earlier, and the insurance seemed to be just in case i hit someone else and caused damage (i think im only the most basic membership package in case that makes a difference). I see there is an advice line so i will call that later if required.Well, the company owner just called me back, apologised profusely and said the driver had worked for him for years etc and was a good bloke etc. Said he'd rather avoid the insurance getting involved and will give me the cash instead.
I said the bike costs £1300 (which it does, for a replacement) - he said fine - will write a cheque for that amount if thats what i want, and to call him back later to let him know what i think.
Arm is stiff but i think it will just be bruised rather than anything serious.
1) take the money and buy the new £1300 Boardman (- the BC 10% discount, so a small cashback for the pain)
2) take the money and use it against the gorgeous Boardman pro version which is £1800 i think (again, the 10% discount on top)
3) insist on going through the insurance which could be drawn out, and possibly only a 50/50 result, maybe some of the repairs paid for.
Im thinking 1 or 2...
I said the bike costs £1300 (which it does, for a replacement) - he said fine - will write a cheque for that amount if thats what i want, and to call him back later to let him know what i think.
Arm is stiff but i think it will just be bruised rather than anything serious.
1) take the money and buy the new £1300 Boardman (- the BC 10% discount, so a small cashback for the pain)
2) take the money and use it against the gorgeous Boardman pro version which is £1800 i think (again, the 10% discount on top)
3) insist on going through the insurance which could be drawn out, and possibly only a 50/50 result, maybe some of the repairs paid for.
Im thinking 1 or 2...
Not sure of the legalities but woud taking the money be considered as mutual acceptance that the matter is resolved? just a thought if there are injury issues downstream?
As for spending his cheque, by all means get a new shiny Boardman but also think about a leaving a bit for a s/h commuter hack, take the usable bits off the damaged bike - sounds like most of it will be ok - and build up something to ride to work on leaving the new shiny Boardman for the weekend.
As for spending his cheque, by all means get a new shiny Boardman but also think about a leaving a bit for a s/h commuter hack, take the usable bits off the damaged bike - sounds like most of it will be ok - and build up something to ride to work on leaving the new shiny Boardman for the weekend.
I thought i would be lambasted for being mercenary! But you are all thinking the same as me then. I'll give him a call later.
My pal (who i go MTB'ing with) was after a road bike for winter fitness, so i might give it to him (or sell very very cheap) if we can be sure that its structurally intact, and replacement parts will be only a couple of hundred quid.
My pal (who i go MTB'ing with) was after a road bike for winter fitness, so i might give it to him (or sell very very cheap) if we can be sure that its structurally intact, and replacement parts will be only a couple of hundred quid.
Get yourself checked out first, if for some reason you cannot work it will cost more than £1300. You may feel ok today, tomorrow could be different. If they admit in writing that they are at fault then the insurance shouldn't end up going 50/50.
If on the other hand you ok bar a few scratches then take the money!
If on the other hand you ok bar a few scratches then take the money!
Take the money and try to get it today!
You've been to the Police and if they're going to give you an incident number, they'll probably go round to see vanman to get his driving licence details/insurance etc.
If the company owner is trying to get rid of this problem quickly because his driver is disqualified or not eliglible to be driving on his insurance for any reason or anything is amiss, he'll back away from giving you the money as soon as the police arrive, because the game will be up and paying you £1300 won't make this problem go away.
You've been to the Police and if they're going to give you an incident number, they'll probably go round to see vanman to get his driving licence details/insurance etc.
If the company owner is trying to get rid of this problem quickly because his driver is disqualified or not eliglible to be driving on his insurance for any reason or anything is amiss, he'll back away from giving you the money as soon as the police arrive, because the game will be up and paying you £1300 won't make this problem go away.
Well, the events of today have come to a strange but overall reasonable end... the owner, his son (both brick sthouses) and the driver have come to my door, with £1300 in cash. Slightly intimidating for a 5'10 weakling that lives on his own, but hands were shaken, more apologies given and accepted, and they got me to sign a sheet of paper saying they have paid me for the damaged bike as an out of court settlement, and that I was "not injured"... my legal head says it wasn't wise signing that, but on the other hand its over now, im pretty confident i'll be right as rain in a few days, and I get to either repair my bike and pocket the difference, or treat myself to this years model. And while I consider myself a cautious/defensive road cyclist, the experience is only going to make me even less trusting of what people are doing in cars, which is a good thing probably. My mother is having kittens though - "why cant you stick to mountain biking, its safer...". If only she knew...
Oh, and no, im not telling you where I live, and yes, I will be depositing this phat wedge tomorrow!
thouses) and the driver have come to my door, with £1300 in cash. Slightly intimidating for a 5'10 weakling that lives on his own, but hands were shaken, more apologies given and accepted, and they got me to sign a sheet of paper saying they have paid me for the damaged bike as an out of court settlement, and that I was "not injured"... my legal head says it wasn't wise signing that, but on the other hand its over now, im pretty confident i'll be right as rain in a few days, and I get to either repair my bike and pocket the difference, or treat myself to this years model. And while I consider myself a cautious/defensive road cyclist, the experience is only going to make me even less trusting of what people are doing in cars, which is a good thing probably. My mother is having kittens though - "why cant you stick to mountain biking, its safer...". If only she knew...Oh, and no, im not telling you where I live, and yes, I will be depositing this phat wedge tomorrow!
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