Knocked off bike - what next?

[6.5_lives_left]

Sorry to hear about that, and glad you're OK.

Usual rules: keep contemporaneous written notes of all communications.

Do you now have the driver's name and address?

I misspoke: I have the driver's name and telephone number, I do not have his address or car registration number.
I don't believe he is trying to be evasive however, I just failed to ask for these when I had the opportunity.

Are you sure that you only want compensation for the damage to the bike? What's the value of the bike?

I would be quite happy just to have the bike back in the state it was in before the collision.
I don't have any injuries and my clothes and luggage were undamaged.

Edit: Value of the bike, about 2K when new. It's a pedelec, Trek District 1+ . 3years old, done about 10k miles, well maintained.

Yes, inform the police immediately but I wouldn't expect much to come of it.

Jonathan

Thank you Jonathon

[thirdcrank]

I had forgotten, but I see I gave some advice to the original poster which seems broadly applicable to your case.

IMO, an important point now a couple of days since the crash is "are you still sure you are uninjured?" If so, OK, but any doubts need checking.

Then, I'd take prompt steps to get a reputable estimate of the cost of properly repairing the damage. If you rely on the bike and if you can afford to get it fixed now then I believe - as a layman it's OK to do so. Take steps to preserve evidence. In this case, that would include plenty of pics of the damaged bike as well as any written estimates you receive and receipts if you shell out now.

[rareposter]

I exchanged names and telephone numbers with the driver, (but I didn't get address or car registration number !). There was also a lady motorist who arrived shortly after the collision who offers to act a witness (although she said she didn't see the collision, just the aftermath as I was getting up of the road. I have her name and phone number too.

I would do whatever possible as soon as possible to obtain address and vehicle reg. It would be very easy for the driver to "lose" his phone and suddenly not have to deal with you again. Any CCTV, does the witness remember the registration or have it on dashcam? Without that info, you'll be absolutely screwed if the guy decides he's no longer interested in repairing your bike and the police won't pursue it based on a name and phone number.

This is a very useful card to print off and carry with you.
https://www.willcycle.com/2021/11/04/crash-card/

[Jdsk]

...
Then, I'd take prompt steps to get a reputable estimate of the cost of properly repairing the damage. If you rely on the bike and if you can afford to get it fixed now then I believe - as a layman it's OK to do so. Take steps to preserve evidence. In this case, that would include plenty of pics of the damaged bike as well as any written estimates you receive and receipts if you shell out now.
...

Agreed.

Reasonable costs of getting that estimate can be included in the compensation.

Jonathan

[Jdsk]

I would do whatever possible as soon as possible to obtain address and vehicle reg. It would be very easy for the driver to "lose" his phone and suddenly not have to deal with you again.
...

Agreed.

Jonathan

[thirdcrank]

I'd agree that knowing the registration details of the vehicle and its owner are vitally important if the driver becomes evasive.

The MIB is the route to a payout from an uninsured or unidentified driver. I suspect that their T&Cs include reporting the crash to the police (as suggested already.) In the circumstances you describe, I fancy police action is unlikely but get a reference to show that you took this action.

https://www.mib.org.uk/making-a-claim/c ... ed-driver/

That's just a way of avoiding a queue of fraudsters. If push comes to shove, I fancy the MIB has the right to get info about the user of a phone.

If possible, secure circumstantial evidence that you were using the main road. eg You left work at XX hours and your destination is that way. If the junction is in an urban area, try to secure any public or private CCTV coverage - it won't be retained permanently if nobody makes arrangements.

I hope the driver keeps their word and this advice turns out to be redundant, but it's better to have unneeded evidence than regretting not securing it.

[6.5_lives_left]

An update,

The driver has been in contact with me again. He has passed my details to his insurer. And he has provided me with a reference number or case number that his insurer gave him. He told me to expect a call from the insurer (so that I don't confuse it with spam call or a nuisance call).

And of course I continue to remain uninjured !

I have not heard from the insurer yet however.

[thirdcrank]

That sounds like good news.

Others may be better informed than I am about negotiating with the insurer. AIUI, the details of any restrictions on the policy are a matter between the insured and the insurer. Your right is to be put back in the same position you were in before the crash. Don't be bullied but don't try to be clever.

[6.5_lives_left]

Further update

The driver's insurance company phoned me up today.
It seemed to go well enough. They ask me if I was injured and I said no.
Then they ask me if the bike was damaged and I said "Yes it was damaged
and it is currently at the bike shop who I have asked to write up a report on it.
But the bike shop haven't finished it yet."

They said fine, give us your email address and mail address, we will reply with an email address to sent the
photos of the damage to the bike and forward the bike shops report when it is ready.

The bike shop are being slow, although the bike only went in on Tuesday 1 Nov. They said they couldn't see any damage. I told them they need to look at the forks. I would have hoped they could spot that without the need for prompting.