2011-03-30 - Rider Down, CS7 (Balham/Clapham South)

Got crashed into by a car on the A24 (Balham High Road) just at the junction with Alderbrook Road (I think, I dunno I was pretty out of it at the time so it might have been Oldfield Road) at around 07:30. I was going north on the A24 up a nice clear CS7 (early enough there isn't a shedload of other cyclists). Lots of stationary motor traffic going the same way as me and as I was just going past the junction with the side road, there was a van in the traffic queue to my right who apparently waved a car going te other way who wanted to turn right, to go across in front of him into the side road. That car turned right across my line and into me. I didn't see it because the van was in the way until the front of the car hit my front wheel/fork.

Not sure what happened exactly, but I woke up on the road on the other side of the car, no idea where my bike went. I'm pretty sure my bike and I went over the bonnet of the car which rings true as I remember landing on the back of my head and on the other side of the car. Upshot was no broken bones, helmet and bike trashed. Lots of witnesses and the driver didn't drive off but in my wobbly/shocked/injured state I just didn't get the driver or any witness details. Witnesses were great and really nice/helpful but well-meaning and didn't make sure Police came or that details were taken.

Anyone here see it or the aftermath? There is CCTV along that road, but as the Police didn't attend and weren't interested when I went to report the accident, I don't hold out much hope there.

Bummer... I guess there's no way you're going to feel good about this, but at least you walked away from it which is the most important thing. Maybe worth checking to see if any of the local shopkeepers saw anything, but if you didn't get reg details or any witness contacts you'll probably have to put it down to bad experience. If you're insured, it might be worth at least checking to see if the police are willing to issue an incident report so you can claim for damage?

I know from experience that when you're peeling yourself off the road, organizing claim info probably isn't foremost in your mind - last time I had a major prang one of the witnesses gathered all this info for me, and as it was a trip to A&E with police (and fire engine!?) attendance this was all done for me. I dont think I would have had the presence of mind to sort this out myself otherwise.

Heal up quick...

Ouch! This is my commute too and I must have gone past 8am. Shocking that the driver did not contact ambulance/police and give you their details. The same thing happened to my husband a few years ago but on the other side. Luckily there was no damage to himself or bike but the police was called by the pub where the accident happened.

There are a lot of side streets on that stretch of road with cars/van going through. The traffic has been pretty dense recently so it is important to look out for that and go super slowly. There was another similar accident a couple of weeks ago by Waitrose.

Get yourself checked up properly too. Take care.

TOTkat

Sorry to hear that you don't have the drivers details. Chase up re CCTV etc, you may be lucky and be able to get the drivers details that way.

If anyone else is reading this thread please review the following thread, it details what to do in case of a crash. It is a good idea to have read this before you have one

https://www.lfgss.com/thread4213.html

I don't mean to hijack, but it is important that more people are aware of what to do in such situations. I remember after riding in London for a brief time I saw an accident. Luckily I had read Roxy's instructions a couple of days beforehand so managed to collect the relevant details for the other cyclist involved. It may well be that you never have to use the suggestions in the thread for yourself but you may be able to help another person.

I nearly got hit by someone doing just that, was only not injured because there wasn't railings on road. I always keep an eye out nowadays.

prancer: absolutely right - that thread (http://www.lfgss.com/thread4213.html) should be mandatory reading for anyone cycling on the roads.

I am kicking myself I refused the ambulance in more ways than one. :o(

James
I'll admit that I've not read the http://www.lfgss.com/thread4213.html recently.

"but in my wobbly/shocked/injured state I just didn't get the driver or any witness details. Witnesses were great and really nice/helpful but well-meaning and didn't make sure Police came or that details were taken."

Is this covered yet ?

Was I 'lucky' when I had a very similar wipe out that police and ambulance appeared within minutes ?
I suppose I was .

TOTKat get yourself checked at a hospital asap.

CTC/LCC Lawyers are very good.

Commiserations. Good luck.

If the driver didn't offer assistance it could be that they were uninsured.

If so, look up the Motor Insurers Bureau. I think they are mentioned in the above thread. I don't know what details they would need - reg number, presumably.

James
I'll admit that I've not read the http://www.lfgss.com/thread4213.html recently.

"but in my wobbly/shocked/injured state I just didn't get the driver or any witness details. Witnesses were great and really nice/helpful but well-meaning and didn't make sure Police came or that details were taken."

Is this covered yet ?

Only in part, I think:

• If you have adrenaline pumping through your veins you may not realize you are injured - go to the hospital.
  
  

I think it could do with expanding that your likely general out-of-itness may extend to matters such as correct procedure apart from thinking you're not injured.