[bikeman01]

Hi,

On Tuesday I was T-boned hilst riding within a cycle lane past a road junction. I sustained a few cuts and grazes but my Giant Defy carbon frame is a write off, wheels bent etc.

The driver and I exchanged details but witnesses left quickly so I didnt get any of their details.

As Cycling UK member I called their incident line and was told to report the incident to the police. I went to the police station and was told it was not necessary. I then called 101 and was told that I should report it online. When I did so it again said it wasn’t necessary as we had exchanged details and no one was hurt (I assume a few grazes doesnt count).

Cycling UK basically said I was on my own and they sent me a leaflet on the small claims procedure. Not impressed, I called their 3rd party insurer who was more helpful but only if the car driver made a claim against me.

I’ve been trying to contact the driver’s insurer, Admiral. I’ve tried telephoning their claims department, using web chat and Twitter and have been told by all that someone will call me, so far no one has.

I’m beginning to think that I may need to use one of those no win, no fee accident management companies. 

Do you have experience of using such a company and can you recommend one?

Thanks

*** Update Dec 2023 ***

Just wanted to update you on the outcome of this. 

As I had sustained some grazing I went back to Cycling UK and agreed with them that I had sustained an injury. They then instructed their claims firm, Fletchers.

The driver admitted fault quite early on, but the process was still quite lengthly mainly due to their insurer, Admiral, dragging their feet.

I am pleased to advise that after 5 months I received a settlement offer for the bike and injuries, which was about double the cost of a replacement bike.

Fletcher’s claimed their costs, I have no idea how much, from the other party and there was no deduction to my settlement due to my being a Cycling UK member. So after my initial disappointment with Cycling UK, membership was worthwhile and a good outcome for me.

 

Topic

[Rendel Harris]

Good luck and keep us updated

Good luck and keep us updated, it’s always useful to hear about other people’s experiences and to have that knowledge to call on if the worst comes to the worst.

[bikeman01]

Thanks all for the replies

Thanks all for the replies and suggestions.

Its pretty clear that I’m on my own in this. I have asked a local bike shop to do a loss report and I went ahead and created a police report. I appealed on FB for witnesses, of which there were several, without success. My injuries are pretty minor so I feel that it would not be a good use of A&E or my time. I have taken some photos.

I’m going to write to the driver and copy to their insurer, with a claim for the bike only, with the threat of legal action including associated costs, personal injury and travel costs etc if a quick settlement isnt offered. I hope this will be successful. Wish me luck.

I’m also not going to renew my membership of Cycling UK, who frankly haven’t been any help. Like many I had thought that they would help in the event of an accident with a 3rd party.

With a bit of luck the driver will counter claim and Cycling UK’s insurers will have to get involved.

[wycombewheeler]

David9694 wrote:

the cost of replacing your bike is small beer in the injury scheme of things.

and yet the driver’s insurer will still try to delay and potentially avoid paying.

[wycombewheeler]

A reminder to all to take

A reminder to all to take photos at the scene of the accident, in case the driver later changes their mind about admitting liability. The bike lying in the main road broken with the car directly in front of it (having clearly crossed give way lines) will likely rebut any dubious claims about a different course of events.

Pretty shitty response from all organisations, almost makes a case for calling an ambulance after any collision between car and bike (who knows what hidden injuries may have occurred), to make sure everything is recorded properly. 

[OnYerBike]

A a Cycling UK Member, you

A a Cycling UK Member, you should have free access to Cycle SOS, who are a firm of personal injury lawyers as you require (strictly speaking a trading name of Fletchers Solicitors). I would try the Cycling UK Incident Line again, or else try contacting Cycle SOS directly and informing them that you are a Cycling UK Member (https://www.cycle-sos.co.uk/)

Note that legal cover is separate to Cycling UK’s third party insurance provider.

This should be cheaper than instructing your own, although if you do wish to then prior to Cycle SOS, legal cover to Cycling UK was provided by Leigh Day, and British Cycling members get access to Slater & Gordon, so those two firms are presumably also reputable and well versed in dealing with cycling incidents. 

[David9694]

Slater & Gordon – seem to be

Slater & Gordon – seem to be the best option. 

if you read the Cycle magazine, it’s full of firms advertising and there is meant to be an CUK Incident Line: 

https://www.cyclinguk.org/member-benefit/cycling-uk-incident-line

I found a law firm through a no win / no fee referral service – you may have this bundled with other insurance policies.

Of course you must claim – but this is a lousy game all about money, as you’re already finding, that you’re going to be engaged in: Don’t die of fright if the driver claims off you and/or “witnesses” appear out of the woodwork. You should get a crime number from the police. 

Are you sure you’re unhurt yourself? The system seems more geared up to bodily injury – the cost of replacing your bike is small beer in the injury scheme of things.

Without some independent verification you could be on to a loser here  – a witness, CCTV, or just a driver with a conscience (). 

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/23683050.inquest-cyclist-died-hit-vauxhall-lane-near-barton-stacey/

Don’t do with I did and contact the driver direct. I took my father’s bad advice, and got a ‘phone call from the police saying not to do that again.  That would be the same police that the driver lied her head off to about what happened. 

 

[Rendel Harris]

Insurance companies are

Insurance companies are notoriously slow to reply, I should give them at least 10 days before going to the expense of employing a lawyer (as others have stated, no-win no fee is for really for personal injuries, if you get the driver to pay for a new bike how is the legal firm going to take their percentage out of that?).

[quiff]

I could be wrong, but I think
I could be wrong, but I think as David says that the no win no fee deals are for personal injury claims. I doubt anyone will do it on a property damage only claim, and you can’t recover your legal costs from the other party in a small claim. However, worth talking to one of those firms to check

[Secret_squirrel]

Although this isnt going to

Although this isnt going to be personal injury claim bear in mind photo graphs of the scrapes and emerging bruises would be additional evidence that something happened.

It would do no harm to photograph them now and again in a couple of days.

Its a timely warning that the CUK insurance cover is essentially only the equivalent of motor 3rd party, and that leaves you with contesting with the insurance company.

[Author]

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