RTA – my fault

I was involved in a collision last night with a cyclist, and ultimately, I believe the fault to be mine. I am unsure what to do next.

It was late, I had just finished work and was driving home. I approached a junction, with a view to turning right. I slowed down but didn’t stop as I believed I was the only vehicle on the road, I did my left and right checks and proceeded on.  It’s a wide street with a lot of parked cars, so you need to check left and right several times to be sure, which I did. I only saw the cyclist as she hit my car with quite a bang and fell into the road. I immediately stopped, to see was she ok, and helped her up and onto the pavement. Some 30 seconds later, another car pulled up to offer assitance. I offered to call an ambulance and the police but she was insistent that I didn’t, and kept saying she was ok – no broken bones. I immediately apologised and continued to check she was ok. I asked had she hit her head but the only injury seemed to be a badly bruised shin. Aside from the injured party’s name, I got no further details from any party. I provided my name and number and asked her could she let me know how she was, and if there was anything I could do, I would. The other car took the girl and her bike home. I offered to pay for any damage to her bike, which was a buckled front wheel and also offered the use of my bike until hers was fixed. Again, I said I would wait if she wanted to call the police but she just wanted to get home. 

I was fairly shaken by the experience, and would have collected rthe correct details if I had been in my right mind, but now I am unsure what to do. I’ve never hit anyone before and as a former frequent cyclist, I am always mindful of them when I am driving. I honestly did not see her as I was turning right. I think this was because she was in my blind spot when I was looking  right, and when I pulled out as she was approaching, I was looking left to check for oncoming traffic. The timing was all wrong. She was darkly clothed but she did have lights, which I didn’t see. 

I have not heard from her, and I know of no way to contact her. It was a perfectly civil altercation and bless her, she was more worried about me, than herself. 

From a legal point of view, what do I need to do next? I explicitly take full responsibility for this – I put her life in danger, and I am horrified. I need to know what my repsonsibility is next for both of us. Is anyone able to advise?