Hit and Run by White Van

...Plus the fact that I have to pay for public transport now....

It's terrible what you've been through. I think the wanker driver population has swelled this year. It seems so much worse than before...

When I read 'public transport' I really felt for you. Did it yesterday for the 1st time in ages. NO RIDER SHOULD BE PUT THROUGH THAT HELL! You gotta lynch this white van man.

Again, Ashe, not blaming you for incidents like this or the driver's attitude, but there's a lot of evidence here that you would benefit from some training. It will transform your enjoyment of cycling.

But Oliver, though you may well be right, has it ocurred to you that I do not actually want to enjoy my cycling? And..........that I see it as as a chore, a burden, a punishment from heaven....where I aimlessly get on my bike, get to work, get on my bike, get home?

Its a form of ritualistic flagellation. Not to be enjoyed.

Shocking. Be real interesting to see what comes of this - make sure you keep us updated dude.

Maybe do a shout out to forumngers for bike bits - you could probably get a beater put together with our combined might.

Just been to get a Gp check up and everything seems fine, but I have medical record now. I wish I had infact called 999 now as I think it would have definitely helped, but I was so close to my house I thought otherwise.

The van was definitely white, so hopefully I got the registration correct. I think im probably going to be looking out for all white vans that begin with GL54 around hackney.

I will probably try and claim through home insurance first, in the mean time I might be able to borrow my dads trek, or I have an old ridgeback genesis in pieces in my attic that I could bodge back together.

If the police can work out from the registration who was driving the van then you'd be entitled to compensation. Call LCC and they can put you in touch with a solicitor who could talk you through what your entitled to.

Also if youd like to find out who owns the van call the dvla and say you where involved in a crash with the vehicle and youd like to contact the owner to sort out insurance.

Also if youd like to find out who owns the van call the dvla and say you where involved in a crash with the vehicle and youd like to contact the owner to sort out insurance.

^ do this. You have every legal right to these details.

Edit: here you go

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_065303.pdf

Thanks for that, I found the same form. I'm going to see first if the police have done this for me anyway before I pay for it.

Frankie, this is absolutely disgusting behavoir by the van driver.
From the mild-manner you display in your posts I can't imagine you being an aggresive / red-mist inducing cyclist. I can't imagine how he justifies to himself acting the way he did.
I wish you a speedy recovery / quick return to the saddle and I also hope the police throw the book at this guy.
WAC.

I gotta say though, the amount of information, good will and guidance people get from this forum/network of people is kinda heart warming - if you wanted to somehow offset how evil some people can be, this thread (and many others like it) should surffice.

I hope you take this prick down.

terrible news frankie.

well done for getting reg plate and witness.

good luck with your enquiries / claim etc.

i think you should get a solicitor asap. try ctc or lcc or citizens advice beureau.

UPDATE:

The registration number had one letter wrong from my description, hence the report coming back as a blue van and not a white one, but the police managed to piece it all together and tracked down the driver.

After going in for an interview, the driver and his passenger both came up with the story that I was swerving around in the middle of the round and then proceeded to bang on his van.

After a lot of trying, the police managed to finally speak to the witness again, who basically backed up my first statement, but couldn't remember the whole event.

The conclusion is, that there is not enough evidence or enough of a strong case to press charges for Actual Bodily Harm.
The police are now going to charge him with a specific offence - Opening a Vehicle Door with Intention to Cause Damage. The carries a fine of £30, and a permanent record.
If he ends up disputing this he will have to go to court, which in the end will be more expensive for him, and carries the risk of the judge passing a driving disqualification and compensation costs, so I'm doubting this will happen.

As for damage to me and by bike, all my minor injuries healed very quick, and the bike damage and helmet totals around £100. So if I wish to claim after the charge, I will have to go through the Small Claims Court.

All in all I have realised these things come down to one thing - how many witnesses you have to back up your case (unless there is CCTV, which seems impossible rare).
I'm glad that he was at least caught and will now have a constant reminder of the potential costs of his actions, and I guess if he does it again, his record will not let him off as lightly.

Thanks to everyone for the advice, I seriously would have not achieved this without people's input and the accident thread.

Sounds like the cunt's got off lightly - £30!? Pfffff........

well done for following it up - he did get off lightly but he might think twice before being such a cunt again

(unless there is CCTV, which seems impossible rare).

Guarantee it'll be there to capture your every move if you ever decide to kick a tail light, or d-lock a mirror. But it will mysteriously stop working when a driver tries to knock you off, or when a driver/pedestrian assaults you.

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Or park on yellow lines

well done for following it up - he did get off lightly but he might think twice before being such a cunt again

+1

Gotta say, white van drivers - I wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire ;)

Now down to serious business, can those comments regarding the incorrect reg number be removed? Googling the reg. number to find the top hit is accusing the driver of being a child rapist is not clever!

Dude that totally sucks, £30 pounds wont even make the guy blink... did u find out who he works for so that you can at least let his employers know what a twat they have working for them...

The whole storty is harrowing, this could have gone so so badly wrong and left you properly fucked up.. seems the justice system only seems to work when somthing serious actaully happens ie i bet that if ud ended up in hospital they would have found a way to charge him...

Either way sucks for you dude, and hope that it doesnt affect your confidence when cycling...

+1

Gotta say, white van drivers - I wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire ;)

Now down to serious business, can those comments regarding the incorrect reg number be removed? Googling the reg. number to find the top hit is accusing the driver of being a child rapist is not clever!

He is a child rapist as well!! that is not on.

Possible to find out his address? I'm thinking something along the lines of deliverance, or maybe dead mans shoes?

Or we could put a Paediatrician sign on his door and let the local sun readers and, ironically, white van cunts who confuse it for "nonce" do the job for us?