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So I earned an important commuter badge yesterday having my first coming together with a car.
An idiot pulled out after stopping at a give way to my right, straight across me into a junction opposite, with about 20 metres notice. Hit the car on the b post quite hard but bounced off with grace (ie sack of crap on the floor ) luckily nothing broken except bike. The car eventually stopped a short distance away before leaving at speed presumably after checking in the mirror to see what the hell had just hit them and clocking a body on the floor.
I got the reg and reported it, I have an appointment (to make a statement ?) on Friday which does not seem too urgent !
I would very much like the idiot to pay for my bike to be fixed, but more than that I want to stop them doing the same thing to anyone else.
Any advice from your experiences ?
contact a firm of solictors recommended by the CTC.
join the CTC for next time.
Unless the law has changed, I think you'll have to identify the driver...if he/she chooses to deny it. Any witnesses?
CB - I don't think so - if an offence has been committed then the registered owner has to identify the river again IIRC
OP
Get back onto teh police - check for CCTV footage adn it should not be put off till friday. It should be done today
several offenses have been committed here including failing to stop which is a serious one
If no action today from the cops you need to speak to the duty inspector.
do not let them fob you off
TJ you may be right. I had a bloke drive into my car but I had to identify him in court rather than the vehicle. That was many years ago and I seem to remember reading that that principle had changed in law.
Do you have your bikes insured for damage? Might be worth checking with your company just to make sure you have a plan B. Also the can the police provide you with the other parties insurance company so you can make a claim direct through them?
I called into Nottingham central police station last night after trying to report the incident on the 101 number and getting transferred several times. The enquiries officer in there was very helpful and said that an officer from the night shift would try to come and see me at work nearby. At ten past ten (night shift start at 10) I got a call asking me to phone 101 and make an appointment...
No witnesses as road was empty of other traffic, I'm guessing that's why they decided to pull out, just didn't see me in my dayglo top. This was just after 7 in the morning heading home from work. Doubtful about CCTV there are no major junctions nearby. Besides, if the police are waiting til Friday to see me, I'd be surprised if they would go to the trouble to look through CCTV footage etc.
Annoying as this kind of driver is likely to hurt someone sooner or later and unlikely to own up to it. From my point of view, the police have a chance to pre-empt that by finding them and having a word, if nothing else.
go into the nearest polic station and insist on reporting it then
You are being fobbed off - don't let it happen. Cyclists are not third class citizens
I've linked to this thread before:
http://www.lfgss.com/thread4213.html
Very useful, every cyclist should be made to read this before going out on the roads!
Edit: As TJ says, you're being fobbed off a bit and the actual offence of driving off "failing to stop at the scene of an accident" is annoyingly more serious than the offence of running you over... that's what they'll do him on (if they actually get of their arse and do anything)
I'm beginning to think it's actually best if you hit the floor to STAY THERE until the services actually come out to you.
Rachel
Sounds bit different to the Notts Police reaction when one of their own got clocked on his bike by a hit-and-run driver...
Where are you in lovely Nottingham? I'm currently Beeston way for my sins - plenty of tools around here...
I would write down every single detail that you can remember, no matter how silly it might seem and do it NOW!
I found after the shock had eased off, I forgot quite a bit about the incident when giving a statment face to face with the police.
Good luck btw, I hope the process is not as stressful for you as it was for me.
My brother in law got 6 points and £1000 fine for leaving the scene of an accident after someone stepped into the road, got knocked down then attacked his car with a hockey stick. hit and run is norally taken very seriously, though driver has 24 hours to report..
I have an incident number from my visit to the station, so I guess the event is logged and they'll just get some finer details on Friday ?
I have finished work this morning ready to go abroad on holiday so I can't spare a lot of time to chase this up which is annoying as it seems like that is the key to getting anywhere with this.
crazy-legs that link is very clear and helpful info, thanks.
wwaswas I have been meaning to join for ages....doh
davetrave I work next door to Central police station so I ride 20 miles of the A60 to get to work, and I can tell you that ALL the tools in Nottingham get there on that road, it was always going to be a matter of time...