Scooter Attack = One Dead Raleigh. What Next?

Why are you calling him an attacker ?

just being a bit flippant about all the times I've been knocked of my bike, had car doors opened on me, and other fun occasions when motorists felt the urge to get close to me in a loving, if painful manner.

But aren't all road accidents because someone somewhere has not paid attention?

Not the ones that involve silver Jaguars..

Today a guy got out of his car to finish off a cyclist that he didn't manage to kill earlier. The cyclist rode away and me stuck between the 2 cars and the mad driver shouting "GET A CAR YOU WANKER!!!". That one was definitely an attacker. As well as the guys who threw fireworks at my friend on Queenstown road.

The irony of my surname "Madill" is not lost on me right now. The fact that I've had worse slams skating than the incident last night has been playing on my mind, the only difference being that if I slam on my board it's my fault. Last night I was riding in a very reserved manner, which I don't always do, but this guy was not paying attention and managed to ride up the back of my bike.

I'm going to keep listenning to advise, not do any malicious and just make sure that his insurance replaces my bike, and if my shoulder ends up being worse than I think, then I'll cross that bridge with the knowledge that I've had a GP look at it.

To clarify, I think the Scooter Guy was at fault and so does the witness who was in the stationary traffic.

I've turned the other cheek on many occasions, this time I am not going to be so accomodationg as I believe the guy needs to understand that paying attention will benefit HIM aswell as other road users.

Not the ones that involve silver Jaguars..

no, that one was a murderer!

That's the right approach I think; it's not about vindictiveness, it's about you not being out of pocket.
Avatars can be tricky: Lucky 7 was posting a few days ago about his stolen bike.

Avatars can be tricky: Lucky 7 was posting a few days ago about his stolen bike.

unfortunately Madill is the name I was born with... oops!

Change it to madskills and then dominate the world with your fixiebike tricks..

Warm the crowd up with 'riding forwards' then dazzle them with 'doing a skid' and then for the astounding finale.. a trackstand to standing ovation. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it.

But aren't all road accidents because someone somewhere has not paid attention?

no, some are just accidents, they happen, people some times cannot react fast enough to changing situations, sometimes vehicles fail, even if well maintained. in most cases there is some one at fault, but in some both sides, or neither side is at fault.

no, some are just accidents, they happen, people some times cannot react fast enough to changing situations, sometimes vehicles fail, even if well maintained. in most cases there is some one at fault, but in some both sides, or neither side is at fault.

"that's my story and I'm sticking to it. M'lord."

I can't fucking believe this.

After finally getting my appointment to see a Doctor in order to check my injured shoulder and neck on Saturday just gone, when I arrive home this evening I find a letter from a solicitors acting on the scooter rider's behalf saying, and i quote

"We regret to inform you that from the information supplied to us by our client we must hold you responsible for this accident due to your negligence."

This is the guy who hit me from behind... what a cheeky fucker.

I had no insurance at the time so I'm a little bit exposed. I'm going to forward the letter to the solicitors handling my claim and see what they have to say about it.

Any words of wisdom from you guys?

Key phrase: "from the information supplied to us by our client"

Also sounds a bit like a standard response, made in the hope you'll give up and wonder off. Stick with it, and fuck em in the courts.

Don't give up!
Did you get any CCTV footage? HSK is covered with cameras end-to-end.

You mentioned in your original post that you had a witness - I presume you're still in contact with them? Also the original info that was given to the fuzz would've presumably included details of whose fault it was and what the witness saw? If so the insurance company and the scooter monkey can take a flying leap.

Mads, you'll win. It is plain that either you suddenly and violently reversed into him at great speed, or he went into you. A (fixed) bicycle cannot be reversed at such a speed (under human power) to cause that type of damage (to the frame).

I'm hoping you got a police report of the matter at the time? They will have your staement on file, and your statement supports the physical evidence.

At worst, you could threaten a civil suit for damages, based on his dangerous driving, and in the end, his possible near ending of your life, as you know it (you could have been crippled - spinal injury, cranial, etc).

A free "expert" might be available to write, or give verbal evidence as to what could have happened to you, given the nature of the bike's damage. Attempted homicide is another stick, if the carrot of settling out of court isn't successful.

The others are right. Its a frightener. You're supposed to go all timid, and back down. Don't. There's a bike of your choice in this, and maybe even a holiday.

Good luck mate.

Persevere.

Sounds like standard insurance bollox - they don't pay up unless you make them work for it.

Years ago in the US my car got totalled by a drunk driver - despite the fact that the guy was arrested for being 3 times over the legal limit and that it was clearly his fault - the insurance company were complete knobs to me - and I was one of their customers!

Don't give up. Show them you're not willing to back down.

I'm going to forward the letter to the solicitors handling my claim and see what they have to say about it.

Absolutely the right course.

The letter you have received is an example of attack being the best form of defence. They are hoping that the fear of a counterclaim will put you off making a claim.

First things first - what a cunt!

Having worked in the business (for a solicitor) and also having been knocked off my bike I have a little bit of experience - so hope this is useful...

1) What happened to the witness? Did they make a statement?

2) My guess is that he was insured on a third party basis and as such is trying to possibly screw you for the accident as he needs to pay for the repairs or protect his insurance premium.

3) Be methodical, you have the pictures of your damaged bike, the accident is clearly to the rear of the bike and the onus is on them to prove that you were negligent.

4) On what grounds do they hold you negligent? Ask for their alegations.

5) Get photo's of the accident scene and a detailed map to support your statement.

6) They may be angling for a split liability settlement (you accepting partial blame). Don't accept it.

7) Did the police prepare a report? Probably not, but worth enquiring.

8) What is your solicitor claiming for?

9) Why the delay? It's two months since the accident, why haven't his insurers repudiated liability (denied the claim on his behalf)? Is he insured? If not report the fucker to the police.

Hope this might help...

Thanks everyone,

Just what I needed to hear, the fear was starting to grow a little.

A cheap tactic on his behalf for sure. I was worrying about what relevance the outcome of my claim would have in relation to this. If His insurance accept that it was his fault does that mean that it is his fault set in stone, or just for that claim, oh god.

When a roof leeks i wish i was a plumber, when my car breaks down I wish I was a mechanic... I wish I was a hard as fucking nails Barrister right now.

Don't take the shit in their letter. Fucking scare tactics.

If his insurers accept that it's his fault, then that's that. Insurers have the right of subrogation (not sure if that's spelt right). Basically it means that if they feel it's his fault they will pay your claim and there is fuck all he can do about it (realistically - little person v big insurer).

Stay strong, tell him to fuck off and get advice!