Accident advice

For the time being - write down everytthing you can about the accident and tally the damage with photos of the clothing bike and helmet etc.

Photograph your bruises and injuries.

Make contact with BC - you seem to have some kind of membership ?

Failing that - go with Bikeline.

I'd not consider doing it myself. The other insurance company isnt there to pay you your fair share. 

Might not be of help in this case, but for anyone else reading, situations like this are exactly why I wouldn't be without British Cycling membership (or another organisation that offers similar cover). I was invovled in a similar incident a few years ago, when a driver pulled out on me on a roundabout, resulting in a broken ankle. I called the BC accident helpline the next day and had a legal advisor on the case for me pretty much straight away. They did a great job, offered really useful advice (most of which has been covered by others above) and even went as far as claiming back for my employer the sick pay I'd been receiving while I was signed off work for a few weeks. They dealt with all the to-ing and fro-ing with the drivers insurers, so I didn't have to. Well worth the cost of membership.

You've contacted BC, yes? They should be able to advise what exactly to do. Race Gold, Race Silver and Ride membership has legal cover. And in some circumstances, they can even give you advice if your membership isn't current. https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/legalsupport#CHk1qP2BGeRoGxrD.99

Glad to hear you are up and about.

Never been there myself, but I believe number one priority is to get a copy of the police report, which will help with any claim you make. The police should also have details of the other party, and as he seems to be keeping a low profile not having contacted you, your best way of finding him might be through the police.  Also, if there are any other witnesses, the police should have their details. 

Oh, and beware of a driver who admits liability verbally at the scene. It is very common for the guilty party to change his story after going away and thinking about it! A few years back a driver admitted driving into the back of my mother in law at a junction. A few weeks later the message came back via insurance companies that he claimed she rolled back into him despite the extent of damage to her car being inconsistent with rolling back on the gentle incline.

Another thing I realise I should have mentioned is concussion. You say you were 'out of it' but don't mention any helmet damage. I was also out of it (although awake), and with a cracked helmet. Regrettably you need to consider your drving licence (assumption). I came clean with DVLA after reading their medical issues guidance, they suggested I surrender my licence which I did much to the chagrin of Mrs aje. It was gone for a few months while DVLA made medical investigations. I am hoping this has some compensatory value as it was very disruptive. If you settle with the insurers too soon this kind of thing will probably not be included.

HI Niteslave,

I was in your shoes December 2015, similar incident – commuting at 26mph into a Land Rover out of side road. No memory at all of the rest of the day but undeniable helmet camera footage. Some bone breakages and some brain issues.  It quickly became apparent that the vehicle insurers had no intention of playing fair, offering me a second hand Spesh Roubaix from ebay in Glasgow (not East Anglia). So now (and probably inevitably)  I have a legal case funded by my home insurance Legal Expenses cover ( have you got this?) , nothing is settled physically or bike-wise yet as I am still waiting for further medical legal examinations. I was also up and about quite quickly, confident of riding it off. Two months later I developed tinnitus, 15 months later I still limp.

My advice.

Be very wary of the insurers when they ask you to make contact. Record your call if you do speak to them. They are not there to compensate you. I repeat, they are not there to compensate you.

Keep a frequent pain diary, you will not remember what happened in a few months time.

Photograph your injuries as the bruises develop.

Assume at all times that the 'experts' in the case will let you down.

The insurers will likely offer rehabilitation, if you are not taking legal advice, and they are paying then it is wise to consider it as the courts smile on this, but beware they also use it for information gathering to fashion a defence case. In my opinion tethered physiotherapists play down the impact of injuries.

If you go legal, be prepared for the long haul. It is an industry.

Wanted to bounce this as I know there is some good advice from others on this forum.

It can't do you any harm to contact the police, get the incident number and the details from them of the other driver('s insurance), and contact your own insurance, household if that's all you have, to let them know what happened and that they will need to be in touch with the driver's insurance about it.

Rest assured, someone who knows what they are talking about (i.e not me) will be along soon.

In the meantime, and assuming you are not held to be at sole fault, you should be able to claim for all damage and incidental expenses. Start keeping receipts.

Hope you fully recover as soon as possible.

I was doored not long ago and ended up in the back of an ambulance and a written off bike. In my case, the insurer of the driver admitted liability and offered to cover the cost of the bike and a new helmet. If however you are injured and want to claim for that, best go through a specialist claims advisor. You'll find some especially for cyclists, who'll deal with everything, for a cut of course.

Get well soon.

Are you a member of any groups or organisations that offer legal advice, British Cycling for example? Glad to hear you're up and about by the way, sounds nasty.