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Yesterday, I was happily cruising along, approaching a right hand bend with a side road off the corner, when a black Jaguar XF cut straight across the road without stopping. I took evasive action, trying to cut inside, but it happened too quickly and I hit the passenger side rear quarter. By luck, and potentially some subconscious falling ability from years of mtb, I am pretty much uninjured, just a bit sore today and some road rash, however my bike got smashed up.
The driver carried on the side road, maybe 150 metres, and slowed almost to a stop. As I got up I started hurling abuse at them, then they just sped off!
The police came, I got a partial plate (first four digits) so they have a lead from a traffic camera matching plate/car earlier in the day,but they told me not to hold my breath. They were nice but I'm not convinced they weren't just going through the motions. I'm not a small guy so there will be a substantial dent in the car if they do follow it up! So I have a couple of questions I hope STWers can help me with...
1. I've put in a claim to my home insurance for the damage to the bike, they (AXA) have referred me to Wheelies Direct to validate the damage and settle the claim. I read very mixed reviews about them The bike is a Trek Madone which they don't stock, can I just go back to AXA once they've validated the damage and ask them for a true like for like replacement (i.e. another Madone)? My policy states like for like, new for old. It's an older bike (2012) but it's practically brand new as I only ride it every now and again. Gutted tbh it's a lovely thing, but more happy that I'm not hurt.
2. Does anyone have experience of Cycliq bike cameras? https://cycliq.com/?v=79cba1185463 It really pisses me off that I couldn't get the full reg so considering these for evidence of future motorist shenanigans.
Here is the bike, pretty sure this a write off...
They were nice but I’m not convinced they weren’t just going through the motions.
Don't let them. I'd have thought the Reg database could fairly easily track down potential cars, and I'd have also thought your insurers would have access so they can try to mitigate their losses too.
You need to be checked at A&E. Remember, just cos you felt uninjured at the time doesn't necessarily mean that something will not appear at a later date. This happened to a friend. Are you sure you didn't hit your head, for example? Being checked out should hopefully assist your claim and I would definitely be pushing for plod to stop being so darn lazy and do their job.
Sorry to hear that - rubbish all around.
Sorry, no experience to help you with. I'd be interested to know where this goes though. Like for Like is such a broad term. Is your policy a new for old? If not surely like for like means the value of an 8 year old bike which sadly is sod all irrespective of condition.
On the bright side if you are able to 'dispose' of the current bike for the insurers 90%+ of components beyond the frame will be reusable - there is a winter bike project just waiting to happen there.
Keep on nudging the police. If they wanted to surely there is enough to work with there given a partial plate, a make and model and likely damage on the car.
Also - and please don't see this as victim blaming as I would have done exactly the same and I too am a big lad who apparently can be very intimidating when angry - I wonder if they would have driven off if you (and in my head visualising this, me) had been less aggressive/shouty? Returning to the accident, whilst the right thing to do morally and legally, is not a natural reaction if you think its odds on you'll get lumped.
Hit and run claims, never tried it so no idea how good it is;
https://www.gov.uk/compensation-victim-uninsured-driver
As above, push the police.
Wheelies - not perfect, but if they can't get you your bike (and they can get more than is listed on thier site) they can pay a local shop or give you cash.
Don't let them say the vouchers are 10% less if they can't get it.
I would push the police to tell you the full reg from the traffic camera, or if they won't tell you, tell your insurer. Not sure if you have a legal right to the information but worth a try.
My experience of wheelies direct was good. They offered me a bike that they said was a direct replacement. It wasn't and I said so. @they then offered me anything off their site up to a certain value. I accepted and got a bike I liked.
If they cannot supply you with a bike you are happy with as a replacement then you are entitled to a cheque from your insurance co. to the full value of a replacement. Its gets discounted ONLY if you chose cash over a suitable replacement. They should be able to get the value either from a bike they have which is similar ( which is what happened in my case) or from the manufacturers of your bike ( current model)
Took a couple of weeks of to and fro in my case but no great hassle
I have the Aldi copy of the fly rear light/camera (I actually have several). I have one on each bike and always switch it on no matter what time of day.
Clarity is good and I have had a successful prosecution after someone made an incredibly dangerous pass when I was riding with my son.
The camera caught him accelerate nearly into the back of us, then drop back, start the pass and then aim his car at us (wide A road with no on-coming traffic).
I wish there was a compact front version.
If my Aldi versions ever fail I will definitely buy the original.
My experience of wheelies direct was good too. On the first ride of a bike they supplied, the rear mech went into the back wheel, mangling the mech and mech hanger. I sent them photo evidence and they sent through a new mech and hanger and paid for it to be fitted by my local bike shop.
Good luck with this. Presumably you have an excess to pay on your home insurance? This seems unfair, although a 2020 bike to replace an 8 year old one is good as far as silver linings go.
I’ve had something similar recently. The driver has a legal responsibility to report the RTC to police within 24 hours of a collision, if they didn’t exchange details at the scene. Failing to do that is a statutory offence.
IME your home insurance will be a wet flannel in trying to chase the car driver. They operate differently to car insurers so don’t chase the other party’s liability so hard. You might think they will chase the driver of the car to recoup their losses - they won’t.
I think your only real option is to keep badgering the police, explaining this was a very serious RTC. You are indeedLucky not to be seriously hurt - at risk of being an armchair engineer, clearly a lot of force has gone through that bike (amazing that it stayed in one piece, kinda). Realistically, they’ll potentially need to visit a few addresses to investigate that partial plate match - which is obviously a fair bit of man power. They won’t bother. Imagine if a car driver had hit-and-run a pedestrian - they’d be looking all over! It’s always important to remember in these situations, you’re only a cyclist, so don’t expect anything like that degree of help.
Also – and please don’t see this as victim blaming as I would have done exactly the same and I too am a big lad who apparently can be very intimidating when angry – I wonder if they would have driven off if you (and in my head visualising this, me) had been less aggressive/shouty? Returning to the accident, whilst the right thing to do morally and legally, is not a natural reaction if you think its odds on you’ll get lumped.
@convert - It's a valid point, I've had the same thought, but it's pretty hard to control your emotion when you have just got up off the ground LOL 😀 I think they waited to see that I did get up then scarpered.
@everyone else - Thanks for the feedback so far, particularly around values etc. Insurance is new for old so will wait to see what Wheelies come back with. I'm partial to Trek for their aftercare so don't think it's unreasonable to ask for a Trek to be replaced with a Trek.
Sister in law who came to collect me is a Dr and checked me over (with PPE!), so think i'm OK, will go to A&E if anything gets weird. Think the bike took most of the impact judging by the noise it made and the state of it :/
I think with the driver stopping then driving off it may be that they stopped to see if you got up then thought "he is ok I'm off"
Good luck with this. Presumably you have an excess to pay on your home insurance? This seems unfair.
Yes, but it's only £150 so in the grand scheme of things not a disaster if I can get a replacement bike. Between the bike and wheels it was £3.5k 9 years ago.
AXA did ask me if I had details of the car/driver and passed on the description/partial reg/police case number etc so they did seem keen to recover if possible.
Will give the police a call this morning...
Sister in law who came to collect me is a Dr and checked me over (with PPE!), so think i’m OK, will go to A&E if anything gets weird. Think the bike took most of the impact judging by the noise it made and the state of it :/
Unfortunately that’s not the point in this, it’s about future claims for injury. If you don’t go to A&E and have a medical record to prove you sort medical advice, being able to claim later won’t be possible.
I’d keep on at the Police you need to claim off their car insurance
In regards to camera for the bike, these cameras from chilli technology get rave reviews
Sorry to hear about your crash. As others have said go to A&E to get checked out.
Even though you think it’s only soft tissue damage you could have internal injuries. At least at A&E they will send you for x Ray to confirm no broken bones. Spinal injury may not be causing you issues now but could mean life changing if things aren’t right.
Unfortunately that’s not the point in this, it’s about future claims for injury. If you don’t go to A&E and have a medical record to prove you sort medical advice, being able to claim later won’t be possible.
Exactly this. We can not have idiots driving around in cars believing they are invincible. This idiot should legally have stopped to see if you were OK but he didn't and guessing he hasn't reported himself at a police station either. This is irresponsible behaviour and we all need to call it out.
Following a cycling accident I ended up in A & E. Considering I was found barely conscious, lying in the road and was in hospital for 3 days, I thought plod might have been interested. No sign of them.
I have the Cycliq front and rear video cameras.
Bit expensive really, but the rear one on its own is the best value for money really, close passes etc.
I think it’s worth it, if you had them this would be proof to the police and the insurance companies.
Good footage, not GoPro standard, but more than good enough
Not alone in looking at cameras.
Just last night, on the main road, and about to turn right into a spur and some clown decided to overtake also turning right, so he's on the wrong side of the road as he passed me at the junction markings.
Turns out he's going down the same road as me, oh turning into my street, and turns out he lives opposite me.
I felt like saying something about that was a bit much etc without getting angry but just gave him a wee look and said nothing.
It's later I felt I should have said something at least, argument or no. I indicated and he instead of waiting 3 seconds overtook.
If i'd had a camera I'd have said something, as that way i can back away from any argument ans allow the police to make the decision. I think many drivers from that would maybe adjust their driving in the future.
OK to hand.
Year ago had someone open their door just as I passed clipping the end of the bar and sending me off and a face first slide.
Woman driver mumbled about not seeing me, but she opened the door with her foot.
She then went into Weirs pumps to work leaving me bleeding and without even a sorry.
Went to the security gate at the front but the fat slob wasnt for even looking for her so I phoned a pal who said phone the police.
This is what the police said tto me down the phone.
Go back and inform the security guard to inform the woman to present herself to the station as son as possible as she had illegally left the scene of an accident, and any failure on his part to do so constitutes a crime in itself.
So the driver by leaving the scene has committed quite a serious offence, other than the loss to you, and the injury.
As with another thread try a letter to your MP.The police are currently really busy,, and while they might have noted it they wont do anything unless a slightly damaged jag passes them. On the other thread that had a remarkable effect, and letters of apology sent saying it was an oversight and they were right on it.
So I'd push on this one.
Plus not a lot of people driving about currently, I know, the irony you get the prick, but more so people arent travelling far and highly likely that car is on a familiar route.
The other thing to think of is it's likely the impact left him damaged too, so maybe help the cops by finding out any jag garages and riding round to see if they've anything in for repair. Bit of a far stretch that one, but you never know it might turn up again. Maybe even look in the immediate area for any home cctv or anywhere else such a thing may be. Is this a route you use yourself often ?. Any further evidence you can get, even if its picking the paint off the bike where it made contact.
Post Covid quest - Find the bastard.
The police came, I got a partial plate (first four digits) so they have a lead from a traffic camera matching plate/car earlier in the day
given you hit the car and they have reg they should be going round and asking how that happened and why the impact matches a bike?
Got one of the Aldi knock off Cycliq Fly6s* that you can have cheap if you want - PM me. I never use as in town I usually have a Hamax child seat fitted that obscures it, and when I go road biking I have a saddle bag and this one needs to be on the seat post.
Video quality is decent enough. They are exactly the same as the Mk1 Fly6, think the factory knocked them out for a different brand completely violating copyright.
Look for a jag dealer in the area and ask them if it's one they sold.
They can search a partial reg itll bring up the colour
Well, I’m waiting in A&E. shoulder hurts quite a bit to be fair.
Tried to call Lancs police, no chance of someone answering so have sent them an email/ contact form thing. Hopefully they are out hunting down black jags but somehow I doubt it.
Wait, what?
You have sustained 'slight injuries' in a Road Traffic collision. The Police at the very least should be recording that fact as part of the Stats19 process or an equivalent method which that particular Force has adopted. If they haven't already then you should go to a police station and report it. If they won't record it then they need to be explaining why. (Slight injuries are defined as bruising, minor cuts/grazing etc)
Leaving aside the specifics of your collision, it is always important to ensure these incidents get recorded. Every RTC recorded through the Stats19 process goes into a database which all Local Authorities then filter to identify collision hotpots, cycle collisions and anything else you care to investigate in their areas. Local Authorities are legally obliged to do this as part of the Government's RTC reduction policies.
The junction where your incident occurred may already have a history of collisions involving right turning vehicles. Or it may not. However, the point being is that once a certain number of collisions have been recorded at a given location, it will be flagged up as requiring an investigation. The outcome might be minor changes to the junction, it could also be to improve cycle infrastructure in the area. But if it's not recorded, no one will ever know.
That aside, what everyone else said +1. Healing vibes.
The police attended the scene.
To be fair, the officer has just called me back and has been to the car they thought might be it from my description/plate digits but it’s in perfect condition and the driver is a surgeon who was operating at the time so that line of enquiry is dead.
Just waiting for wheelies to ring me now...
I’m sure they’ll trace it eventually. Hope you are OK. And I’ve had very good experience with house insurance to replace my wrecked bike from a hit and run. Yours is clearly a write off. Surprisingly, mine snapped at the forks and I replaced them.
Document all losses. And pain.
For cameras, I’ve had a fly 6 and a 12. The rear 6 was great, but my 12 is bricked. It was a good lump when it worked. Light similar to an early joystick. But the rear was very good. It was used as evidence in a club ride fatality to exonerate the riders.
I have the Fly 6 and 12 CE versions.
My 6 bricked itself - eventually Cycliq replaced it (after me sending them videos of the reboot process not working).
Video quality is ok - you are better off with a high frame rate rather than more pixels if you choose a different camera.
Footage from the 12 was sent to the police after an oncoming car decided to take a massive puddle at speed drenching a group I was following (in the dark). Number plate was just about visible in a couple of frames.
No prosecution, but a letter was sent to the driver.
Healing vibes to you - somewhere on another forum there’s a list of what to do when after a collision. Worth a search and a read...
So police did follow it up. Still the "plod will do **** all" brigade will tell you they don't care because your a cyclist.
If you are actually injured and might want some compensation then an injury lawyer might be able to progress this more effectively than you can. BC or CTC would be best if you are a member.
So police did follow it up. Still the “plod will do **** all” brigade will tell you they don’t care because your a cyclist.
To be fair I had a good chat with the police guy and turns out he’s a cyclist too. Apparently this is pretty common.
Got checked out, I have no serious injuries but I do hurt quite a lot today!
Thought I’d update this after a bit of progress.
I’m fine, been back on my (other) bike. Definitely a bit more wary of junctions and car behaviour than I was before but that’s probably a good thing.
I’ve went tech mad and bought a Garmin Varia which is really good for awareness behind, particularly on windy days. Wouldn’t have made a blind bit of difference to me when I got hit from the front/side but it’s a nice extra help on the road. Apparently it varies the flashing speed/intensity bell depending on the speed and proximity of cars behind so hopefully encourage wider passes.
Also bought Cycliq Fly 12 and 6. Mixed reviews everywhere, mostly down to the mounts but they seem fine for me so far, I’m using the GoPro style mount for the front. Fingers crossed I won’t need them too much in future!
Wheelies were extremely slow and didn’t call me back on multiple occasions but they eventually verified that the bike was a write off and offered me a nasty looking Giant or a not unreasonable sum to spend in their shop but as they can’t get Trek I declined and negotiated for a cash settlement with AXA who were also very slow but after 45 mins on hold today and some polite but firm conversation they have made a fair offer and have already sent me the money to be fair to them.
So now I’m bike shopping, looking at a Domane of some nature, weighing up Di2 and carbon wheel upgrades. Not sure I need either, but you only live once.
Thanks for all the support and concern from folk on here!
Well it could have been worse as you weren't properly injured, but having to claim off your own insurance is a bit rubbish. I hope you did a lot of damage to his Jag and it cost him shit loads to get it fixed.
Good news 👍
Good result.
A shame that a fight has to be put up in these circumstances, many lose out.
I tend not to leave home with out the fly6 on, they are not perfect but do tick a lot of boxes. Definitely worth picking up an aldi special if they do them again, my first battery dies but get2 seems to be holding out.
Looking for something on the front but I think the fly12 is a bit big, that chill camera might be worth a punt.
I've have 2 positive results from submitting the fly6 footage to GMP (both crappy close passes).
Glad you are getting sorted out!