On both occasions when I've been hit (once on my own, once with BC's lawyers) I've got a quick payout to cover bike repairs, helmet replacement (new price, there's not really a market for second hand helmets after all) and clothing damage.
The payment for alternative transport, missed races, injury etc came later.
Don't agree to anything until you're back to 100% btw, don't settle if you've still got niggles in case they're more serious than they seem.
If it was a bike lane on the inside then surely it is not really filtering as it is a 'lane'.
I'd have thought that should strengthen the OP's position. Even when bike lanes are provided I often don't use them, especially in slow/queuing traffic, because of drivers "flashing" others to make turns or making unsignalled left turns.
S'funny that these "filtering lanes" are often most useful to use when they're also the most dangerous to use. Often due to the poor road positioning of drivers that won't permit overtaking, in lane, down the outside.
I can't afford to fix the bike myself unfortunately. And it takes months to get a payout so I'll be without a road bike for a long time - the bike I ride the most.
Sorry to hear that. But get on with contacting one of the companies mentioned on this thread (I think you've been given a choice of 3 - all decent from what I've heard). Stop dithering, do it today. They'll be able to advise you better than us as to what timescale you can expect. If you can get the liability sorted then as mentioned above you should get an interim payment, at least as quickly as going direct to the insurers (likely far quicker).
No chance of anybody loaning you some bits to get you going? If you were anywhere near here (I presume you're not) I've got some bits you could have - I'm sure there must be some people on here with the bits you need who are local enough to you. Where abouts are you?
I've contacted one of the companies and a solicitor phoned me back. He was very helpful and knew a lot about cycling incidents.
He said that as it was a relatively minor crash (no major injury, at fault party pretty clear cut) then I may be best contacting the other party's insurance to claim for repairing the bike and a personal injury claim. He said they are often keen to do that if the driver admits responsibility as it saves them a lot of money dealing with another body such as another insurance company or legal practice.
So I'll do that.
He did say if I came across any problems then I could leave the matter up to them in a no win no fee basis.
As far as borrowing bits is concerned to fix my bike - thanks' - but not worried about that yet as it'll be a week or two before I get back on the bike anyway. I have quite specific requirements so it'd be hard to get something that suits anyway.
And an aside - if you've ever fitted drop bars/shifters/tape you'll know that it's something you don't want to do more times than is strictly necessary!! 😉
Thanks for the help everyone so far - I will let you know how I get on.
I have quite specific requirements so it'd be hard to get something that suits anyway.
I understand that POV, but if it's the difference between having a bike to ride or not, as you imply above...
And an aside - if you've ever fitted drop bars/shifters/tape you'll know that it's something you don't want to do more times than is strictly necessary!!
Glad to see I'm not the only one who really hates that job!
Pleased to hear you've got the ball rolling in the right direction, and even happier that you've got proper legal advice which contradicts mine! Fingers crossed that the driver doesn't decide to backtrack on admitting liability when he speaks to his insurance company.
Bike has been dropped off at the bike shop. As it was almost new (200 miles riding) it was easy to see what was damaged. Tiagra shifters, Kinesis DC07 Forks, FSA k-wing bars, Shimano 105 pedals and Selle Italia Flite saddle.
Contacted the other persons insurance yesterday - they said that I should email a scan of the quote to them and they will issue a cheque for that amount. The personal injury claim will come later.
They sounded pretty good so no reason to doubt this will happen at the moment.
Neck, shoulders and right arm still painful, going to go back to the doctors later this week.
Rob, it's your neck you gotta be carful of (I don't need to tell you that though, do I? 😉 ) 'cos you don't want it back to square one. 🙁
Giev me a bell if you need any help 🙂
Thanks - going to docs tomorrow as very painful today.
Got bike and quote back from bike shop - £800!!!!!!
Quote sent off to insurance company - check!
Taking prescribed Codeine tablets - check!
Feeling a little loopy now? CHECK!
See? It's not all bad.
Spaced out for the weekend, top notch.
At least things seem to be working out well on the financial front.
As long as I get the money it is...
I must say that Sowerby Bros Cycles in Mirfield have been excellent. Bought a bike from them a couple of years back and they have always been great to deal with. They give me a little discount on stuff in the shop now (never asked for), don't mind me chatting for a bit too. The advice I've heard them give all the customers is spot on, from families to near pro cyclists. Did me a professional quote for nothing so I will be spending a lot of money with them when the cheque comes in - not just buying it all off the net!
Still not been paid out for damage to bike yet. Still pursuing direct with his insurance. This is the best option at the moment. I have spoken to 3 fiends of mine, one in legal practice, one ex traffic police and one insurance investigator! There's no point in me setting my own solicitor onto them until the insurers got back the report from their own investigation (assess car, interview with driver) as until they've assessed their side of the story no approach is going to be faster than another.
FWIW they've been quite good IMHO and seemed to be reasonable. They have said they'll send me a cheque for the bike as soon as the report arrives if it turns out their driver is at fault. I know how the report is written after speaking to my insurance investigator friend. He also said they are crazy busy at the moment and the timeframe I've been waiting is typical at the moment for my sort of case, so I don't think they are dragging their heels.
I did contact Audi UK though as I wasn't hearing anything about the case for a while and the insurance company were saying they couldn't get in contact with the driver (works for Audi). I thought they might be able to look into it. The conversation I had with the nice lady at Audi after she had spoken to the manager of the person who hit me was VERY amusing and I think I might have ruffled a few feathers!!
Hoping it will be resolved soon. Costs for them are racking up quite a bit with public transport/medical/fuel bills mounting up as my bike is out of action.
It does take a while if you are an uninsured road user like I was when I was hit last year.
Bike cheque took about five months. The balance about eight.
That was for a hit and run, but where the driver later came forward.
Sadly the guilty can confess, but the legal side just want's to go on forever.
FWIW anyone faced with a similar situation can join CTC after an accident and make use of their services (don't quote me on this) if you join soon after the incident
Thread resurrection for update:
Just got off the phone from the other insurance company and they have agreed to pay for the damages (well I think that's what they said). I've just sent off details of all the financial stuff and scans of all the receipts I've collected plus the diary of the pain/recovery that I had to go through.
Patient phoning every week has paid off hopefully, no need to get the legal profession involved........ yet 😉
Well it seems like it's finally resolved. An offer of £2500 has been made to me which I think is very fair, so I've accepted. I can now buy some new parts for the bike and get out on it!
Just goes to show that you don't need to involve solicitors for minor things like this - I kept patient and tried to see their point of view about why things were taking the length of time that they did. I kept a diary of my injuries and all the receipts I collected, as well as all the phone calls and professional advice. Rang up every weekly too - I did become more firm in my conversations recently but not abusive or shouty.
And the advice I listened to was professionals involved in the business who I know personally - an insurance investigator and a solicitor.
Just hope another bloomin' Audi driver doesn't have it in for me again (for a third time!!)
Yay! - LBS is that way ------------------>
Good stuff!
I thought they made "them" drive audi's as it makes them easy to spot!
Anyways nice work there fella, go get spending:-)
Good news 🙂
(Wot, no Bikeability lessons? 😉 )
Wonder who will be the first to only read the thread title and jump to the end with some great advice for you...
