M
marcusl
Guest
I was involved in a bit of a bingle with a 4wd on Monday night.
Basically the guy pulled out of a side street to turn right onto the
street i was on, across in front of me just in time for me to plow into
him just behind the drivers door. I saw him going but as it was a
slight downhill i was getting along at about 40kph (i checked my
computer AFTER and it said 47kph was my max so far for the ride and as
this was the fastest section in the ride so far I'm assuming about 40)
and just did not have time to stop. Slammed on the brakes and just
remember thinking "F%@$ I am going to hit him!" Because he was slighty
turned and I slid side ways a bit it, I hit at an angle and not
directly into his side which i think saved me. After the intial impact
i must have slid along the side of his vehicle (putting a nice new dent
(with the bar ends i think) all the way along)and being spat out the
back end. Ended up rolling in midair and landing on my side/back in the
middle of the road with my bike beside me. Miracurously (sp?) the only
injuries i recieved were some sore and slightly swollen knees with some
skin off (i think from hitting the handle bars on the way over), a
bruised hip , plus shoulder and lats that feel like I've just done a
huge session at the gym. I consider myself VERY lucky!! The bike was
not so lucky....suspension forks snapped at the crown/arch (?) and the
front wheel bent back on itself, rim snapped and spokes that look like
spaghetti, and the disc is buckled (thank god for crumple zones, right
?? ) Frame LOOKS straight, handle bars look fine and lights still
work!! And what was the first thing the guy said (all together now)
"Sorry mate - didn't see you" WTF??!! Didn't see me?!! I had twin
halogen headlights, bright orange jumper - there are street lights all
the way along??! Sentiments that were echoed by the cops when they
arrived. They gave him a bit of a serve about it because he didn't seem
to think it was his fault, he even asked the cop if it was because it
was a cyclist that he getting so much grief and that just set the cop
off again. I actually felt slightly sorry for the guy (only slightly)
because i know that i've been in the car before and have just not seen
another car/bus/bike on some occasion....but it was the feeling that he
didn't think he was to blame that extinguished that my feeling sorry
for him!! I sincerely hope he has learnt from this - I know i have!!
I've never had an accident of any sort in 13 yrs of driving. I've had
some close calls since i started commuting 3 days per week 2.5 years
ago, but i don't think i truly realise what fine line it is we walk
(drive/ride ) when we're on the road - in any form of transport. I
just trusted other road users to do the right thing TOO much (looking
back now any amount of trust in other road users is too much!!) My wife
handled it fine until she came to pick me up and saw the condition of
the bike and i must admit a shiver goes up the spine when i look at my
poor bike. Anyway enough of the therapy session...I was just wondering
if anyone has any advice dealing with insurance companies on this. I've
contacted his insurance company and they've said that until he makes a
claim they're unable to help me and only then if he's at fault (which i
am pretty sure would be the result of the police report judging by what
was said at the scene) The advice I've recieved from NRMA (who i am
insured with for my car) and from his company is to get a quote (only
one required) and either wait for him to make a claim OR to send a
letter of demand to him personally with a quote for
repairs/replacement. If the letter goes ignored to send another giving
a time limit and advising that your going to commence legal
proceedings...and if that expires then to commence legal proceedings.
(i hope things don't get that far!!) As far as getting quotes i've
contacted some bike shops on this and they're more than willing to do
it, and that they'd get their mechanic (hopefully not some 18yo who
knows how to adjust gears/brakes and that's all) to inspect it and give
aquote. Some shops want a payment for this service which they'll take
from the price if i end up getting the bike from them. Fair enough
really (they have a business to run)but it means i don't want to have
to lug the bike to too many places and incur any cost my self (which i
really can't afford). My main concern is with the frame, whether there
is more than just cosmetic damage (of which there is hardly any)...how
do you go about checking that out? Will a shop mechanic be able to do
it?? or would a frame builder be better?? Any advice/experience would
be very much appreciated (what i've been receiving is skewed towards
cars it seems) I haven't got a regular LBS, am not a member of a BUG
and none of my mates ride....I lurk here on cyclingforums.com sometimes
and would appreciate a 'cyclists' point of view!
marcus
PS. sorry for the long winded post
PP What irks me the most is that i miss my bike and miss riding and
it's only been a couple of days and that any 'replacment' won't be
the same. This was THE one, it fit me like a glove and was MY bike.
Crazy the attachements we get to inanimate objects!!
--
Basically the guy pulled out of a side street to turn right onto the
street i was on, across in front of me just in time for me to plow into
him just behind the drivers door. I saw him going but as it was a
slight downhill i was getting along at about 40kph (i checked my
computer AFTER and it said 47kph was my max so far for the ride and as
this was the fastest section in the ride so far I'm assuming about 40)
and just did not have time to stop. Slammed on the brakes and just
remember thinking "F%@$ I am going to hit him!" Because he was slighty
turned and I slid side ways a bit it, I hit at an angle and not
directly into his side which i think saved me. After the intial impact
i must have slid along the side of his vehicle (putting a nice new dent
(with the bar ends i think) all the way along)and being spat out the
back end. Ended up rolling in midair and landing on my side/back in the
middle of the road with my bike beside me. Miracurously (sp?) the only
injuries i recieved were some sore and slightly swollen knees with some
skin off (i think from hitting the handle bars on the way over), a
bruised hip , plus shoulder and lats that feel like I've just done a
huge session at the gym. I consider myself VERY lucky!! The bike was
not so lucky....suspension forks snapped at the crown/arch (?) and the
front wheel bent back on itself, rim snapped and spokes that look like
spaghetti, and the disc is buckled (thank god for crumple zones, right
?? ) Frame LOOKS straight, handle bars look fine and lights still
work!! And what was the first thing the guy said (all together now)
"Sorry mate - didn't see you" WTF??!! Didn't see me?!! I had twin
halogen headlights, bright orange jumper - there are street lights all
the way along??! Sentiments that were echoed by the cops when they
arrived. They gave him a bit of a serve about it because he didn't seem
to think it was his fault, he even asked the cop if it was because it
was a cyclist that he getting so much grief and that just set the cop
off again. I actually felt slightly sorry for the guy (only slightly)
because i know that i've been in the car before and have just not seen
another car/bus/bike on some occasion....but it was the feeling that he
didn't think he was to blame that extinguished that my feeling sorry
for him!! I sincerely hope he has learnt from this - I know i have!!
I've never had an accident of any sort in 13 yrs of driving. I've had
some close calls since i started commuting 3 days per week 2.5 years
ago, but i don't think i truly realise what fine line it is we walk
(drive/ride ) when we're on the road - in any form of transport. I
just trusted other road users to do the right thing TOO much (looking
back now any amount of trust in other road users is too much!!) My wife
handled it fine until she came to pick me up and saw the condition of
the bike and i must admit a shiver goes up the spine when i look at my
poor bike. Anyway enough of the therapy session...I was just wondering
if anyone has any advice dealing with insurance companies on this. I've
contacted his insurance company and they've said that until he makes a
claim they're unable to help me and only then if he's at fault (which i
am pretty sure would be the result of the police report judging by what
was said at the scene) The advice I've recieved from NRMA (who i am
insured with for my car) and from his company is to get a quote (only
one required) and either wait for him to make a claim OR to send a
letter of demand to him personally with a quote for
repairs/replacement. If the letter goes ignored to send another giving
a time limit and advising that your going to commence legal
proceedings...and if that expires then to commence legal proceedings.
(i hope things don't get that far!!) As far as getting quotes i've
contacted some bike shops on this and they're more than willing to do
it, and that they'd get their mechanic (hopefully not some 18yo who
knows how to adjust gears/brakes and that's all) to inspect it and give
aquote. Some shops want a payment for this service which they'll take
from the price if i end up getting the bike from them. Fair enough
really (they have a business to run)but it means i don't want to have
to lug the bike to too many places and incur any cost my self (which i
really can't afford). My main concern is with the frame, whether there
is more than just cosmetic damage (of which there is hardly any)...how
do you go about checking that out? Will a shop mechanic be able to do
it?? or would a frame builder be better?? Any advice/experience would
be very much appreciated (what i've been receiving is skewed towards
cars it seems) I haven't got a regular LBS, am not a member of a BUG
and none of my mates ride....I lurk here on cyclingforums.com sometimes
and would appreciate a 'cyclists' point of view!
marcus
PS. sorry for the long winded post
PP What irks me the most is that i miss my bike and miss riding and
it's only been a couple of days and that any 'replacment' won't be
the same. This was THE one, it fit me like a glove and was MY bike.
Crazy the attachements we get to inanimate objects!!
--