Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 26
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Mornington Peninsula
    Age
    48
    Posts
    2,825

    Default What's my next step?

    Evening all,

    A bit of background and then my question

    Last week I was riding (push bike) from Bondi towards Bondi Junction on Bondi Rd when a parked van driver threw his door open infront of me. I tried to swerve but not enough notice and I hit the door and got thrown on the road. The driver was pretty upset and hung around until I had his mobile number and told him I was ok (an ambulance was on the way).

    After trying to contact the driver with no success I left a message indicating that the accident had been reported to the police. He rang back half an hour after I left that message so I have the right phone number. I now have a quote to repair the bike but haven't been able to contact the driver again. I have left a few voice messages but he doesn't answer his phone.

    Basically, my question is what options do I have available if I can't get in contact with the driver of the van to have his insurance fix my bike. He told me he has insurance but I really would like to get my bike fixed for when I'm back in Sydney week after next.

    Regards
    Corbs
    (I'm fine too, have been in the shed for a clean out and some turning since)
    It's only a mistake if you don't learn from it.

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 1999
    Location
    Tooradin,Victoria,Australia
    Age
    73
    Posts
    11,918

    Default

    Are you insured? Put it in the hands of your insurance company.

    They will sort it out.

    Otherwise notify the police.

    Next time, get the rego number and view his licence and RING the police.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Mornington Peninsula
    Age
    48
    Posts
    2,825

    Default

    I got his rego number (I don't think he realised I did though) and have an accident report number. I didn't see his licence though, I must admit I was pretty out of it after the accident though

    If I don't hear back from him tomorrow morning I will call my insurance company and see what they have to say.
    It's only a mistake if you don't learn from it.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Munruben, Qld
    Age
    83
    Posts
    10,027

    Default

    I would contact the police, they may follow it up seeing as you have his phone number, they will be able to trace it to his address and if you are lucky may have a word with him and wake him up a bit.
    Reality is no background music.
    Cheers John

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Sunbury, Victoria, Au.
    Posts
    1,133

    Default

    Hard luck Andrew!
    I agree with munruben. However it is still worth running it by your insurance co. They may give you some guidance.
    Russell (aka Mulgabill)
    "It is as it is"

  7. #6
    I_wanna_Shed's Avatar
    I_wanna_Shed is offline Now I've got a 6x7m shed! I need a new name...
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Thirlmere, NSW
    Posts
    1,146

    Default

    Very bad luck Corbs - wrong place at the wrong time. Glad to read you are ok though.

    That's one of my fears when riding alongside parked cars. Although due to the state you were in you didn't get his licence details, I imagine he should have provided them, so that may be leaving the scene of an accident without exchanging details - which I think carries a decent fine.

    I'm not sure what insurance covers you on a bike though? Are you with the NSW cycling mob who offers insurance?

    Were there any witnesses?

    Wish you luck with a speedy resolution.

    Nathan.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Mornington Peninsula
    Age
    48
    Posts
    2,825

    Default

    I'm a social member of the Australian Defence Cycling Club which may have coverage but my home and contents might cover the damage to the bike if I have problems with the driver. As a member of Defence, medical isn't an issue I just want my bike fixed

    At the scene the driver was really good and tried to help in any way possible. Its just been getting in contact with him since that I'm getting a bit worried about. I tried calling him 10+ times with no response and it was only after I mentioned that accident had been reported that he called me back. It may have been a coincidence but I have been calling (and leaving messages) for the last few days and still no contact.
    It's only a mistake if you don't learn from it.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Munruben, Qld
    Age
    83
    Posts
    10,027

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by corbs View Post
    At the scene the driver was really good and tried to help in any way possible. Its just been getting in contact with him since that I'm getting a bit worried about. I tried calling him 10+ times with no response and it was only after I mentioned that accident had been reported that he called me back. It may have been a coincidence but I have been calling (and leaving messages) for the last few days and still no contact.
    Definitely seems like he is trying to ignore you and hope you go away. Of course at the scene of the accident he would also be in shock but given a few days to think things over,some people seem to change their outlook on the event and don't want to face up to their responsibility.
    Reality is no background music.
    Cheers John

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    back in Alberta for a while
    Age
    68
    Posts
    12,006

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by corbs View Post
    I'm a social member of the Australian Defence Cycling Club which may have coverage but my home and contents might cover the damage to the bike if I have problems with the driver. As a member of Defence, medical isn't an issue I just want my bike fixed
    Defence medical will almost certainly lodge a 3rd party claim on your behalf to recover your medical costs.

    you may want to mention this when next youy text them.

    you have their rego number, do you have their insurance details?

    ring the Roads and Traffic Authority, briefly tell them what happened and ask them how do you go about obtaining the address that goes with the Rego so you can start civil proceedings against the owner for the damage you have suffered.
    the RTA will almost certainly not tell you the address details, but they will tell you how to officially get it. Then text the person with a polite message along the lines ...
    the easy way is to pay to fix my bike -- cost ~$400
    the hard way is to go to court -- cost ~$4,000
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 1999
    Location
    Westleigh, Sydney
    Age
    77
    Posts
    9,542

    Default

    Front up to the police station where you reported it, and tell them you want to lay a complaint. It is much easier to obtain compensation if he is convicted of neg. driving. Have your statement about what happened prepared very clearly - where, when, where on the road you were riding, traffic conditions, what speed you were doing. There used to be a bicycle liaison squad, but I don't know if they still exist. They were very helpful.
    Their response is unpredictable. Sometimes they will be very helpful, but often they will say that there is nothing they can do. This is pure laziness. If that is their response, tell the constable that you want to see his boss. If you get nowhere, ask for his name and politely make it clear that you will be taking it further.
    You should get legal advice, probably through Bicycle NSW. If you try to ring him again, ring from a different phone, and don't leave a message. He's probably ignoring calls that he knows are from you.
    Visit my website
    Website
    Facebook

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Mornington Peninsula
    Age
    48
    Posts
    2,825

    Default

    This is becoming a bit of a saga now

    The bike isn't covered by my home & contents insurance as it was being used at the time.

    I reported the accident at Surry Hills station on the day it happened but it is to be investigated by Bondi Police as the accident was in their jurisdiction. I rang Bondi and the report hasn't been opened yet. The report is pretty comprehensive and there is a mention of my repeated attempts to contact the third party and messages being left... I have a copy of my statement here

    I rang Bicycle NSW and they advised that insurance companies won't generally pay out until the police report has been completed. There wasn't much they could do to assist at this stage.

    I still haven't been able to contact the third party and have been trying from my home phone and mobile. I have left another voice message and sent a text as well. At least if it becomes a legal matter I will have a lot of evidence behind me in that I tried to keep him informed of the progress

    Currently waiting to hear back from ADCC to see if my social membership has any support but would be greatly suprised if it did.

    Will keep you posted
    It's only a mistake if you don't learn from it.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Mornington Peninsula
    Age
    48
    Posts
    2,825

    Default

    it just got worse...

    Third party just answered their phone () and claim to be working where there is no reception. He claims to not have the money to fix the bike or pay for the insurance (assuming he's referring to an excess) and questioned why it was costing so much to fix. He seems interested to discuss options but I really don't want to go down that avenue noting how hard its been to contact him.

    I swore pretty loudly when I hung up the phone. I can see myself being stung pretty badly on this one
    It's only a mistake if you don't learn from it.

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    2,947

    Default

    I think he is stalling - encouraging you to put whatever foot you can into it so that he has something to claim - even if he alleges that he tried to do the right thing and you became abusive.

    Get yourself out of the position of dealing with him directly and use a third party [you could inform him that as you have tried this way and you do not appear to be coming up with a satisfactory solution that you will now be pursuing legal satisfaction] - this way you remove the emotion - document everything, date time, place, who was present and as much of the conversation you can remember accurately also get any phone records showing times, dates, numbers etc.

    Claims of no money etc are really not your problem - your problem is the bike and to get it fixed. Harsh, perhaps, you appear to have tried to do the right thing so now it really becomes his problem.

  15. #14
    Join Date
    May 1999
    Location
    Tooradin,Victoria,Australia
    Age
    73
    Posts
    11,918

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob38S View Post
    I think he is stalling - encouraging you to put whatever foot you can into it so that he has something to claim - even if he alleges that he tried to do the right thing and you became abusive.

    Get yourself out of the position of dealing with him directly and use a third party [you could inform him that as you have tried this way and you do not appear to be coming up with a satisfactory
    solution that you will now be pursuing legal satisfaction] - this way you remove the emotion - document everything, date time, place, who was present and as much of the conversation you can remember accurately also get any phone records showing times, dates, numbers etc.

    Claims of no money etc are really not your problem - your problem is the bike and to get it fixed. Harsh, perhaps, you appear to have tried to do the right thing so now it really becomes his problem.
    I second that.

    Many years ago a truck I had got cleaned up a car speeding through a red light. He claims he didn't but 3 witnesses and the camera proved otherwise.

    As he was young and just started his job and claimed he had no money or insurance and would lose his job if he had no licence, I let him off lightly by saying he could pay off the $10,000.

    The accident was not reported to the police as no one was injured.

    He didn't bother about paying any thing. He moved. His parents told me to get stuffed.

    I was lucky that I found a policeman that was sympathetic and filed an accident report after seeing the camera footage and interviewing the witnesses.

    It took 5 years and $4000.00 to get the little mongrel but we did. I got my money plus costs. He lost his licence and was fined heavily.

    I have no sympathy for them now and the slightest accident, I ring the police.

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 1999
    Location
    Westleigh, Sydney
    Age
    77
    Posts
    9,542

    Default

    What Bob & said.
    Can Bicycle NSW refer you to a solicitor that is expert in these matters? They used to have a few on the list. If you get a verdict against him, it becomes his problem, not yours.
    Keep a note of everything - attempted phone calls, what he said, what you said, and of course, receipts.

    I once had a case where a bloke had deliberately hit me while I was stopped at the lights. Fortunately, I had three witnesses, including a retired magistrate. When I walked down the road to the bike shop, one of the police from the bicycle liaison squad was moonlighting there. When he went to interview the bloke, he found some marijuana in his car. Some days are diamonds.
    Visit my website
    Website
    Facebook

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Step by step on making a Square to Round transition
    By Al B in forum METALWORK FORUM
    Replies: 34
    Last Post: 19th September 2012, 11:32 AM
  2. Caulking instructions required - step by step
    By Lea in forum BOAT BUILDING / REPAIRING
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 11th April 2009, 11:33 AM
  3. Excellent step-by-step instructions for MAloof-style rockers
    By TassieKiwi in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 14th December 2006, 01:57 PM
  4. Step by step splined mitrebox?
    By Carry Pine in forum BOX MAKING
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 14th August 2006, 10:02 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •