Cyclist damage

[myles]

I'm wondering if anyone has had damage to their vehicle as a result of a cyclist.

A cyclist smashed the side mirror in my last car and kept on going. I was at a stop sign on the gold coast and by the time my 'trusty vehicle' took off again he was gone. :eek: The SS would have caught him. ;)

What's the process if a cyclist damages your vehicle? Do you pursue the cyclist to try and take down details or just follow it up with insurance? Is it common for them to pull to the side of the road in the event of damage?

I watched a clip Bike clip in New York (streaming download) (http://www.compfused.com/directlink/770/) and was absolutely speechless. I realise most cyclists are phenominal athletes, but in the example above every person whether it be cyclist, pedestrian or ordinary everyday driver were at risk of a severe accident. If that was my spoiler being used to gain speed :box:

[vh-holden]

my dad rides to work everyday, and rear ended a car. it was a case of both misjudged the distance between each other as the car was turning the corner and dad was going straight ahead.

there was a little bit of rubber on the bumper from the bike tyre.

dad went pulled alongside to tell the driver what had happened, only to find the driver was on the phone and hadn't even seen him. he left it at that and continued home.

[myles]

Good on your dad for trying to inform the driver. Like you said, no damage but he pulled alongside to let him know.

But if the driver was on a mobile while driving, which would go against him if any accident were to happen and increases the liklihood of an accident, he's in the wrong.

[jbernie]

I watched a clip Bike clip in New York (streaming download) (http://www.compfused.com/directlink/770/) and was absolutely speechless. I realise most cyclists are phenominal athletes, but in the example above every person whether it be cyclist, pedestrian or ordinary everyday driver were at risk of a severe accident. If that was my spoiler being used to gain speed :box:

Astounding... bloody idiots ...but still amazing.

As to the accident... depending on severity of damage and your $$ situation... maybe avoid insurance company and repair yourself or at dealer to avoid any possible increase in premiums etc. If you could find the offender it would be good, but if you watch the video, good luck for that.

James

[Dover]

As a rider ive been knocked off twice, same thing both times, me going straight car entering a freeeway onramp car took out back wheel both times. I end up a mess on the ground (35kph) driver keeps going (Witeness reported car regos to police both got done hard)
I hit a car once, down hill wet no brakes thought i would make it, na stright across the top af a kinga going at least 45, I was a smashed crab and the bloke (top bloke) threw me bike in the back me in the front and drove me home.
Theres some dickhead bike riders (im probley one) but car do some bizare things too.
ben

[myles]

Dover, all cool bud. I wasn't having a direct go at bike riders, I was just wondering the process if anyone had to go through it. As people have pointed out, the majority of the time the accident/damage is settled in a decent manner.

I have to admit in my years of driving, cyclists in Brisbane, I'm talking the guys who take it seriously, have been absolutely faultless. If I could ride one tenth as good as those guys, I would be on the bike enjoying the outdoors right away. I'm too paranoid about hitting the gutter, or like you said, fear of other drivers.

The guys in that video are having the time of their lives. However they should take care at red lights. :p It must have reminded me of the guy who flew past me down the coast but today I later realised it was with his knee so I guess I wouldn't be the only one complaining.

At the end of the day that's what insurance is for, to cover the odd occassion if something unfortunate and unplanned happens, to either cyclist or a vehicle. For every cyclist not taking care, I know the number of drivers doing the same is far greater.

I think what it comes down to, the more all road users think about their actions and the others around them the safer the roads become for all. Thanks for your replies.

[SV8VY]

Best to ring your insurance.
I would think that if you had no proof you would pay full excess just like if it were hit in the car park.
The only thing you could do is sue the rider directly ...if you had their name.
I remember once I was riding down a steep hill and I saw a car door coming towards me really fast.
I bent the bejesus out of the door and lucky I only had a few scratches and bruises.
The driver was so apologetic and actually paid for damages out of his pocket which I made a new bike and covered many spares.He was only happy I think for me not to sue him.

[Dover]

Dover, all cool bud. I wasn't having a direct go at bike riders, I was just wondering the process if anyone had to go through it. As people have pointed out, the majority of the time the accident/damage is settled in a decent manner.


Yea sweet as, I can not belive he dident stop thats just wrong, i would be pissed as but what can ya do stuck in traffic.?

[xcapee]

insurance will charge you full excess (even though its not your fault) if you want them to fix your car. They will then repay you your excess whenever they can get money off the other party (in this case, a cyclist). If they cant, you just lose your excess.

[THE308]

I'm wondering if anyone has had damage to their vehicle as a result of a cyclist.

A cyclist smashed the side mirror in my last car and kept on going. I was at a stop sign on the gold coast and by the time my 'trusty vehicle' took off again he was gone. :eek: The SS would have caught him. ;)

What's the process if a cyclist damages your vehicle? Do you pursue the cyclist to try and take down details or just follow it up with insurance? Is it common for them to pull to the side of the road in the event of damage?

I watched a clip Bike clip in New York (streaming download) (http://www.compfused.com/directlink/770/) and was absolutely speechless. I realise most cyclists are phenominal athletes, but in the example above every person whether it be cyclist, pedestrian or ordinary everyday driver were at risk of a severe accident. If that was my spoiler being used to gain speed :box:


The cyclist as a road user and in control of a vehicle according to the road law is required to stop and exchange names and address with you as they have been involved in an accident. If the rider fails to stop, the rider is guity of an offence. I'd follow the rider failing to stop and call police.

Unless you sight the persons drivers licence, I'd also be calling Police to have the riders identity confirmed.

Armed with the riders confirmed identity, you can then fill out your insurance claim. If the rider was at fault then you can nominate him/her and therefore have your car repaired with out having to pay any excess. It is then upto the insurer to pursue the rider and you have nothing to worry about.

If the rider escapes your are xrewed and will have to pay the excess.

[THE308]

insurance will charge you full excess (even though its not your fault) if you want them to fix your car. They will then repay you your excess whenever they can get money off the other party (in this case, a cyclist). If they cant, you just lose your excess.



That is totally incorrect.

If you nominate the identity of the at fault party in a collision (eg. you are hit from behind) any insurance company that makes you pay the excess and will reimburse you on the proviso that they can extract money from the offending party is ripping you off and engaging in disgraceful business practices!! Report them to the Insuance Council of Australia and the Consumer Affairs Dept in your state.

Once you nominate the offender, that's the end of it. The insurer chases the offender and you DO NOT PAY AN EXCESS for an accident which was not your fault. That's the whole point of having Comprehensive
Insurance.

CHANGE INSURER IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR INSURER EVER PULLS THIS STUNT

[xcapee]

That is totally incorrect.

If you nominate the identity of the at fault party in a collision (eg. you are hit from behind) any insurance company that makes you pay the excess and will reimburse you on the proviso that they can extract money from the offending party is ripping you off and engaging in disgraceful business practices!! Report them to the Insuance Council of Australia and the Consumer Affairs Dept in your state.

Once you nominate the offender, that's the end of it. The insurer chases the offender and you DO NOT PAY AN EXCESS for an accident which was not your fault. That's the whole point of having Comprehensive
Insurance.

CHANGE INSURER IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR INSURER EVER PULLS THIS STUNT

I went through this process a few years ago with a leading insurer. I had comprehensive cover, had an accident where the other party was at fault. The problem I believe is when the other party is not a registered driver aka a cyclist or pedestrian. In my case, it was a drunk pedestrian. There was a complete police report to back it up, however the other person was an Irish tourist. The insurer insisted that I pay full excess if I wanted to get my car fixed. They claimed that since they could not get the money off the tourist initially, I would have to pay up or wait until they could get the money before fixing my car. I jumped up and down, and refused to pay up .. asked them what is the point of comprehensive insurance if im still paying excess when an accident is not my fault? Its like having your car stolen and then trashed, they should be paying for it. But they were having none of it.

Purely pissed off, i called Consumer Affairs who in turn directed me to the Insurance Council and they pretty much said it was legal for the insurer to act in this way. It is a loophole and there was nothing I could do about it. This was a few years ago so I dont know if this is still the case but i suspect that it is. I ended up not getting the insurer to fix my car, did my own repairs for a fraction of the price of the full excess.

Im no longer insured with this company because I was not happy with my treatment nor the tone taken by their senior staff. However I am not convinced that this practice is limited to just this insurer.

[Tonner]

I watched a clip Bike clip in New York (streaming download) (http://www.compfused.com/directlink/770/) and was absolutely speechless. I realise most cyclists are phenominal athletes, but in the example above every person whether it be cyclist, pedestrian or ordinary everyday driver were at risk of a severe accident. If that was my spoiler being used to gain speed :box:[/QUOTE] .
Unbelievable Vid

[THE308]

I went through this process a few years ago with a leading insurer. I had comprehensive cover, had an accident where the other party was at fault. The problem I believe is when the other party is not a registered driver aka a cyclist or pedestrian. In my case, it was a drunk pedestrian. There was a complete police report to back it up, however the other person was an Irish tourist. The insurer insisted that I pay full excess if I wanted to get my car fixed. They claimed that since they could not get the money off the tourist initially, I would have to pay up or wait until they could get the money before fixing my car. I jumped up and down, and refused to pay up .. asked them what is the point of comprehensive insurance if im still paying excess when an accident is not my fault? Its like having your car stolen and then trashed, they should be paying for it. But they were having none of it.

Purely pissed off, i called Consumer Affairs who in turn directed me to the Insurance Council and they pretty much said it was legal for the insurer to act in this way. It is a loophole and there was nothing I could do about it. This was a few years ago so I dont know if this is still the case but i suspect that it is. I ended up not getting the insurer to fix my car, did my own repairs for a fraction of the price of the full excess.

Im no longer insured with this company because I was not happy with my treatment nor the tone taken by their senior staff. However I am not convinced that this practice is limited to just this insurer.

Good on you for changing insurers.

If you provide details of the offender and your insurer can't be bothered pursuing the offender, that isn't and shouldn't be your problem and certainly doesn't justify them providing you less than the cover you paid for.


1. I'm insured with Elders.
2. I've had the cyclist scenario occur
3. Police attended at my request to confirm riders' identity as he had no ID on him
4. I claimed on my insurance
5. I DID NOT PAY AN EXCESS because I was able to provide the details of the at fault party
6. My car was promptly repaired and returned to me in 10 days from the date of the collision
7. The insurer pursued the cyclist for the total cost of the repairs (I have no idea wether the cyclist paid up or not. Him paying up, had no bearing on wether my repairs were conducted and was not conditional on my not paying an excess either)

So if your insurer doesn't operate like mine does - change! Take your business elsewhere.

[SSBarney]

That is totally incorrect.

If you nominate the identity of the at fault party in a collision (eg. you are hit from behind) any insurance company that makes you pay the excess and will reimburse you on the proviso that they can extract money from the offending party is ripping you off and engaging in disgraceful business practices!! Report them to the Insuance Council of Australia and the Consumer Affairs Dept in your state.

Once you nominate the offender, that's the end of it. The insurer chases the offender and you DO NOT PAY AN EXCESS for an accident which was not your fault. That's the whole point of having Comprehensive
Insurance.

CHANGE INSURER IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR INSURER EVER PULLS THIS STUNT

If you reread the post you will note that the cyclist did not stop.... umm therefore no details of other party... and full excess :rolleyes:

[LT8888]

The cyclist as a road user and in control of a vehicle according to the road law is required to stop and exchange names and address with you as they have been involved in an accident. If the rider fails to stop, the rider is guity of an offence. I'd follow the rider failing to stop and call police.

Unless you sight the persons drivers licence, I'd also be calling Police to have the riders identity confirmed.

Armed with the riders confirmed identity, you can then fill out your insurance claim. If the rider was at fault then you can nominate him/her and therefore have your car repaired with out having to pay any excess. It is then upto the insurer to pursue the rider and you have nothing to worry about.

If the rider escapes your are xrewed and will have to pay the excess.

Easier said than done!! First you have to get them to stop and them get them to agree to show you thier ID. If they tell you to f**k off, there isn't really much more you or the cops can do.

[dogsballs]

crzy vid! i'm nearly as bad riding to work, but london the traffic is bad at the best of times. saying that i got my first ticket recently (£30 thank you very much), but thats what you get when you go through 2 red lights in front of two motorcycle cops.

if i did damage someones car i would stop. i've been in a couple of incidents where the drivers are in the wrong and don't stop