Knocked off my bike this morning (T-boned by a car not stopping at a junction but quite slowly). I'm alright apart from a slightly sore leg, front wheel on bike is buckled at least, haven't checked anything else on it properly.

The driver and wife were very apologetic and shaken (I was all ready to launch into a massive rant at them…) and I've got his card with details and name and number of insurer. Apparently they lived close to the accident, which is a very rich/posh area of london.

Is there any point in reporting to the police? Should I ring the insurer or just ring him directly and try to settle without the insurer?

Police won't want to be involved unless there's a very clear case for prosecution – the driver did what was necessary in giving you contact details.

take bike to a 'proper' shop and get estimates for any repairs to the and then phone the car driver and ask how they want to handle it. If it's less than a couple of hundred quid then you'll probably find they'll just pay (unless they have a change of heart andf contest fault).

report to Police (within 24hr?)for reference number maybe needed for insurance company?

New bike at least…better get yourself checked out at Dr/Hospital to be on the safe side, sounds like genuine accident though.

Depends, if your after your bike being fixed it's probably easier just to go through them, however if you want to sue them injuries then go through their insurers.

If something comes of this, i.e. you bad leg doesn't get better, then I don't know if you need a record of the accident.

You need to report it to the police if there was damage to property or anyone is injured.

You must report RTA injuries to the rozzers. It de law.

the drivers responsibility

Follow these instructions NOW!

1. Report accident to Police and get reference number.
2. Get in touch with the best Bicycle specialist solicitor there is at: http://www.bikeline.co.uk

DO NOT deal/have contact with motorists insurance company-you will get shafted-let a trained solicitor do it for you. Things always turn nasty when the insurance company gets involved. Clear liability will turn into 'not our clients fault-you were speeding/wearing black/no lights/reckless cycling'.

Personal experience-top bloke.

I can highly recommend Bike line , i was the victim of rather nasty collison a few years and Jon Lear at Bikeline was very good .

Even though the driver accepted responsibility be prepared for their insurance company going after you. It won't be personal, it's just what they do to avoid paying out. Rubbish but true

BIKELINE = 3

Damage to your bike, and to you,
ripped clothes ,
damaged helmet,
hire of replacement bike,
taxi fares,
phone calls,
compensation,

Oh and be glad youre alive, some people dont survive.

Even though the driver accepted responsibility be prepared for their insurance company going after you. It won't be personal, it's just what they do to avoid paying out. Rubbish but true

Hence why you need a lawyer acting on your behalf …the insurance company of the driver who knocked me off my bike kept fighting right until the court hearing and then made there final offer , again pretty rubbish but it seems to be the norm .

get up, thank your lucky stars youre not seriously injured or worse and get on with life!

Probably best to report incident, get a quote for damage and contact the other side directly and ask them if they will cover your costs.

If they refuse to settle then approach legal types- they sound like decent folk and a genuine accident, Don't line the lawyers pockets unless necessary.

And why would you want to bother a+e/your GP with a "slightly sore leg" as advised above.

Even the nicest, most well-to-do people will shirk when it comes to paying for damages not to their own property! get a quote for damages, send to the other person in writing for them to respond and if they don't respond with in a reasonable time (usually a month) then get legal advice for how to pursue. HTH

Work out a price and call them – if they are happy to pay cash, take it.

Call the plod if you need to be legal and/or they don't want to pay.

Don't waste money on a solicitor, unless they play daft.

No Win NO FEE, tahts what their insurance is for, to pay out due tio their negligence, at least with a posh well to do area you may well be glad they will have insurance, not like some chav estate.

You seem like a decent bloke dav1d, not wanting to to kick up too much of a fuss over a genuine accident, but for your own protection I'd follow the protocol of informing the police, as it is law, and getting checked out by a doc. God forbid that there are any complications with the leg, but if there is and you have no record of the original accident there's no chance of any redress. Thats one reason you are required to report all workplace injurys, no matter how small.