Collision with a motorist...next steps?

martin.mcevoy

I would appreciate any advice on this as I am a bit lost at the minute.

While doing the Westportif on Saturday I was involved in a collision with a van. It had been weaving, dangerously, through the cyclists when it pulled in in front of myself and my wife. Suddenly over the brow of a hill it slammed on the brakes. My wife missed it but I slammed into the back of it, coming down and a few cyclists coming with me. From all reports the motorist got out, had a look and sped off....
I have the number of the van involved.

Now that the shock has gone and after spending 4 hrs in A&E and now being told that the frame and wheels might need to be replaced I am wondering what do I do? Does insurance cover all this? Perhaps more importantly...whose insurance?

Do I contact the Gardai? Do I contact Cycling Ireland? What do I need to do?

All advice and help would be gratefully received.

Alanstrainor

Gardai should have been contacted at the scene imo. But contact them now regardless, and suggest that others involved do similar.

You can make a claim against the driver through the insurance, but there is more at play here, the driver leaving the scene of an accident is very serious.

Brian

All the best with your injuries.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Contact Gardai and report him for dangerous driving and leaving the scene of a collision. You can get his instance details from the Gardai (he has ten days to produce them once the Gardai demand them from him) It would probably be advisable to have a solicitor deal with the claim. Make sure you have the names and addresses of shy independent witnesses ( apart from your wife) and ask them if they're willing to provide witness statements and if so give the Gardai their names also.

magicbastarder

the driver could potentially be done with leaving the scene of an accident, but the fact that you rear-ended him would make me question any liability he would have in terms of causing the accident.

challengemaster

Alanstrainor wrote: »

You can make a claim against the driver through the insurance, but there is more at play here, the driver leaving the scene of an accident is very serious.

I don't see why it would be treated differently to any other collision - if you've rear ended someone, until proven otherwise you are at fault for not leaving enough distance to stop safely. OP's at fault here imo.

Jasper79

challengemaster wrote: »

I don't see why it would be treated differently to any other collision - if you've rear ended someone, until proven otherwise you are at fault for not leaving enough distance to stop safely. OP's at fault here imo.

Yes this, regardless of the van's driving ( driving off a different matter), if you go in to the back of him, you're liable .

Dr Turk Turkelton

You rearended a van and your trying to blame them?
How did you not notice the massive object in front of you?

Eamonnator

I wonder, why he didn't remain at the scene.

rollingscone

If a vehicle is weaving between lanes and cutting across their path they are liable.

OP contact the Gardai first.

After that contact his insurer or www.mib.ie

ford2600

When someone is rear ended the road user behind is normally at fault; in not controlling the distance between them and vehicle in front.

However IF the driver in front had just overtaken and then braked then the road user behind can't control the stopping distance available to him.

www.mibi.ie @rollingscone forgot an "i".

freshpopcorn

rollingscone wrote: »

If a vehicle is weaving between lanes and cutting across their path they are liable.

OP contact the Gardai first.

After that contact his insurer or www.mib.ie

Most lorry and car drivers and cyclists I know that witness another vehicle driving as the op described generally keeps well behind the offending vehicle to avoid a collision.

CramCycle

For your own good, go to the Gardai, ask was it reported at the time, you had to go to hospital, it may have been, you, I presume were unable to. Give over all the details you have.

Cycling ireland is Medical and Dental cover only (as far as I know) so it will not cover your bike etc.

midi is only necessary if the driver is unidentifiable, you have the vans number so unless it was unregistered or uninsured you should not need to contact them.

MOD VOICE: No one here can give you legal advice bar going to the Gardai or a solicitor. Do this immediately. I am closing this thread as while my own words may be wrong, several posters words are definitely incorrect and constitute legal advice IMO.

Any questions, please PM me.