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Try and get as much compensation as you can (bike, and personal injury). Unfortunately hitting them in the pocket is the only thing that will have an impact, anything else they'll just shrug off. If you feel guilty about claiming just donate it to a cycling campaign group.
Sorry, I didn't make it past the ARSEHOLES on the first page implying that it was the OPs fault.
Hope you get your wheel sorted mate. And the dickhead in the van loses his job.
DezB, what happened to your rsehole on the way to / at work thread from last week, that was just getting going when it developed a "fault"...
hitting them in the pocket is the only thing that will have an impact
Excepet it will be the insurance company that pays this. If it's a works van, then it's possible that the diver doesn't even pay the insurance
If it's a works van
Except if its in a works van and the driver is prosecuted there is the high possibility of losing his job or censure.
When I reported a truck driver who almost flattened me and a female cyclist his work took my call very seriously.
Steve. Very similar thing happened to me 2 years ago at Portwood roundabout
The driver went from pararell if slightly behind me to shunting me and pinning me against a bus.
I got a police caution for assault. He got a two year ban, £750.00 fine and 80 hours community service. He was told to expect prison.
I gave up trying to get the cost of my bike from his insurance. Direct Line 3rd party claims dept. are very good at sucking the will out of people.
Except if its in a works van and the driver is prosecuted there is the high possibility of losing his job or censure.
but that's got nothing to do with getting money for 'personal injury', etc.
monksie even though the 'we look after the little man' sharks have a bad rep couldn't you set one of them to work on the insurance company??
Is it just your wheels that knackered, sounds like they was quite a bit of force so it could have damaged your frame as well.
Get it checked out properly and I hope the c*** gets what's coming to him.
kayak23 - Member
I'd be feeling a stiff neck about now and phoning a no win no fee place to...
Christ...so its folk like you I have to thank for increasing premiums and an increasingly litigious society?
Nice one...
No it people who make false claims and have avoidable accidents that are pushing up premiums. With the help of insurance companies chasing each other for PI claims.
Back to the OP.
I hope you are ok, i also hope that this gets sorted quickly.
All this do/don't tell motorists the error of their ways is both right and wrong. It could make a situation worse, but I think there are a number of drivers who know full well what they are doing. telling they might make a difference, but reading about some one driving like they do going to jail would have a great effect.
where in south Manchester did this happen?
I'll have a fiver on Wally range (spelling intentional)
Direct Line 3rd party claims dept. are very good at sucking the will out of people.
When I was hit by a pizza delivery guy I phoned Direct Line saying I would want to be claim for some bent forks and maybe 3 remedial massage sessions (as I bruised the heck out of my shoulder/pectorial) - so maybe £400ish.
No problems they said but then dragged it out for months - and many phone calls to numerous people as my case was passed round - saying that they couldn't establish liability (the pizza guy had been canned and was never going to fill out their form - plus he was Russian...) so I phoned
http://bikeline.co.uk/index.htm
who are a no-win no-fee setup specialising in cycle accidents.
The solicitor seemed pretty clued up about bike accidents - said that it is usual for them to drag heels.
So he sent a letter to Direct Line informing them of the action - they admitted liability within the 3 weeks as otherwise it will be more expensive for them if they lose, and then offered £1k off the bat for medical to close the issue before an inspection by a doctor.
As they messed me around and my shoulder still has a bump on it after 4 months, and on his recommendation, I am letting the action run just to inconvenience the half-wits at Direct Line.
They could have setting for around £400ish, but now the solicitor fees will push this up a lot.
Note that the solicitor will check that your home insurance covers legal in case they lose, or otherwise take out a separate policy - the cost of which will be covered even if you lose by the policy itself. Hence the no win-no fee.
Many good recomendations for the www.bikeline.co.uk , who are on the wirral.
OP...glad your alright.
Van driver...please suffer penile erectile dysfunction.
Speshpaul - MemberNo it people who make false claims and have avoidable accidents that are pushing up premiums.
A couple of folk were suggesting faking whiplash symptoms when the OP has no such injuries. Is that not a false claim? Does that not push up all our premiums and generally make our society increasingly scared to do anything these days for fear of litigation? I think it does... 😐
Glad you're ok OP. Well done for keeping your head and good luck getting compo for your bike, hope it gets sorted quickly.
twistedpencil, totally understand your need to vocalize your dissatisfaction at the driver. I often do the same when other road users behave like complete morons. Take last night for example: approaching a junction with lights on green, just been over taken by a bus, I'm turning right so look over my shoulder, there's a car in the distance, I signal, check again and move out and the next thing I know the car behind is trying to overtake me on the wrong side of the road. I not so politely shouted "what the **** are you doing" at which point they pulled back and then overtook me on my left, smashing it through a red light. the word "****er" may have exploded loudly from my mouth at that point.
anyway, hope your bike gets sorted without too much hassle, sounds pretty nasty, van driver deserves a good kicking imo.
I commute in south manc myself, fortunately never been hit by a car in 3 years on these roads so consider myself lucky!
As an assertive ( some would say aggressive) town rider I think to let them know you were endangered and are angry is acceptable - best to keep your temper if you can. However as others have said you do not then put yourself where he can have a go at you. Jump the kerb, get to the side, u turn, ride off or whatever but do not give him the opportunity to do what he did.
As for this - press thje police to press charges - both for the asssulat with the car and the one with his fists. Tell teh cops you are looking at attempted murder with the vehicle and you want him charged with something serious
No action / not taking you seriously - get on to the duty inspector there and then
No the OP won't change his behaviour, but having a police record might temper his behaviour a bit in future
+1
also +1 t pursue charges of assault with the van and assault with his hands.
Hopefully he will lose his license.
OP - ignore the forum hippies. As a fully paid up member of the south manchester bike commuter massive I whitness the muppets on a daily basis. make sure you push the police to press charges.
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Not sure this will post, as I've never posted an image before.
I know the OP - Used to go riding with him when I lived Manchester - He's certainly not the aggressive type or the kind to deliberately wind up van drivers.
Steve - I've seen the pic on FB; you were lucky to escape injury - hope the van guy / insurance pays out!
Steve hiya mate!
I have my moments when commuting! The wheel looks dramatic, the incident felt like handbags that went wrong. After reading all the posts and links to CTC bikeline etc I've written out my statement to speed the process up tomorrow and will be pushing hard for action from plod.
Hope you and the family are okay. I need to come and check out the riding the north east.
Steve
Yet more reason not to use those stupid ASLs in my view.
Cool - sounds like it'll all work out anyway 🙂
We'll have to sort out a weekend in the moors at some point - just let me know when's good for you:!
I commute in south manc myself, fortunately never been hit by a car in 3 years on these roads so consider myself lucky!
I've found that if you dress like a scally you are given the whole road to yourself around here. Wear anything vaguely 'cyclist' and you are treated like an inconvenience.
the spam police will get you Mr Bridges2
If you thought not having a back wheel was getting you nowhere you're gonna love dealing with the police, insurance companies and solicitors.
I'm sorry the OP got assaulted, but the best remedy would be to get a new rim, get the frame alignment checked and move on.
but the best remedy would be to get a new rim, get the frame alignment checked and move on.
Why?
People have to learn they cannot do what they like to the detriment of others. That's why we have penal servitude. How will this be achieved by doing nothing and 'moving on'? By not following up incidents like this it makes things worse.
talk to bikeline - without a solicitor things won't move forward...
talk to bikeline - without a solicitor things won't move forward...
+1
Also as others have said, make sure the police take action - and do make sure they're aware of him making physical contact with you once out of the van, as that's the sort of thing they're likely to take far more seriously (deliberate assault using a vehicle is all too easy for them to classify as a RTC).
Try and get as much compensation as you can (bike, and personal injury). Unfortunately hitting them in the pocket is the only thing that will have an impact, anything else they'll just shrug off. If you feel guilty about claiming just donate it to a cycling campaign group.
+ 1 despite detesting all that no win, no fee money go round.
Sadly, this sort of behaviour isn't enforced like it would be on the continent. Amazing considering how 'Health & Safety' this country can be.
Bikeline won't help. It wasn't an accident. I tried them. I'm now in British Cycling.
I witnessed something similar to the OP when a yoof rammed his souped up Nova into the back of a BMX. More of a neighbourhood dispute it turned out but I left my details with the 'victim' and offered up as a witness. Went to court 6 months later and he got a record (can't remember the charge) and a small fine. Moral is, sometimes it does get pursued and treated seriously.
The usual verbals took place
I know this is with hindsight, but there it is - right there.
When you're a bit upset by a close call, just let it go...
but the best remedy would be to get a new rim, get the frame alignment checked and move on.Why?
police, insurance companies and solicitors.
I'd have to have a long hard think before bringing myself to deal with any of these when there wasn't much to be gained. Probably cost you more in time and phone calls than you'll eventually claim.
So you'd let a bloke go, him knowing he 'sorted out' a cyclist. In essence he was in the right as no one has 'done him. Why not go the full hog and reward his bad behaviour with a bottle of Champers?
Harsh but I'd look for bloody justice. Principle.
hora - Member
So you'd let a bloke go, him knowing he 'sorted out' a cyclist
Is this aimed at me? Well, no. I'm saying that if you've had a close call from a passing vehicle, just let it go.
I know, as I said, that this is with hindsight, but if it HAD been let go, none of the subsequent stuff would have happened. The cretin in the van would have gone on to be a cretin somewhere else and the thread poster would have gone on to have a better day with a non-damaged bike.
Rocking up in front of the van after inadvisable verbals was arguably, er, inadvisable as well.
Just saying, like,
It was in response to oliverd1981.
Intentionally driving into someone should be treated as a very serious offence.
Harsh but I'd look for bloody justice. Principle.
Unfortunately, it's called the legal system, not the justice system.
Being allowed to ram the guys van with a monster truck isn't gonna happen.
In fact I suspect very little will happen, and it'll happen slowly. The last thing the OP deserves is that kind of aggravation.
Interesting alternative oliver, you really are full of workable ideas 🙄
So if this van driver gets points which impacts onto his insurance and stays on his licence for upto 5yrs you wouldn't be all for that?
Bikeline won't help. It wasn't an accident. I tried them.
They wouldn't pursue the civil bit against his insurers? Very strange -can't see how whether or not it was deliberate makes any difference to that (it's not like it makes any difference to the liability). I suspect there's something else you're not telling us.
So if this van driver gets points which impacts onto his insurance and stays on his licence for upto 5yrs you wouldn't be all for that?
I suppose it's as good as he can hope for, but once the statements are in I guess that's in the hands of the Police. I hope they give the OP the satisfaction of knowing they've given him a motoring conviction. To be fair this is cheap and easy for them to impose so isn't beyond the realms of possibility.
I was more concerned about the cost/benefit of pursuing damages.
I got properly cut up this morning by a fella pulling out of a side road into my path quite deliberately - I was doing over 30mph and we had a little chat for a while. He then tried to swerve through me to take me out. A motorcyclist was just sitting behind watching and when the fella suddenly dived off to the right to try and escape he slowed down and waved me through protecting me from the cars coming up from behind to let me after him. Whilst the fella was sat at the lights I opened the rear near side door and emptied all his shopping into the road. Oh, and then I left. Quite quickly. Nearly got a PB for the commute too. Bollocks.
I've reported numerous of these kinds of things and nothing ever comes of it so sometimes I find other quiet non intrusive ways of making my displeasure known.