Knocked over by taxi - what to do

[Scooterza]

Sunday morning I was riding along Republic Rd next to Cresta and I see a taxi turning right. Of course he doesn't stop for me (I never expected him to) so was braking but shouted at him (no profanities - just told him to watch where he was going). Anyway, so he is driving through the intersection when suddenly he just stops dead in the middle of the road. If he had gone through, it would have been no problem - he would have been out the way by the time I got there but because he stopped in front of me, I couldn't stop in time so I hit the back of his taxi. Fortunately by the time I hit him I was going quite slowly but still fell over onto the road.

 

I was ok - bruised elbow, torn glove and my palm was bruised. But this asshole just drives off. I took down his registration number (WJK554GP). What should I do? Report him for a hit and run or am I just wasting my time. My bike was fine, I was basically not injured badly but the guy didn't know that when he drove off. Obviously I was outraged but not sure what good it will do to take this further. Anyone know if the cops will do anything?

[EigerSA]

of course lay charges. doesn't matter if the cops don't do anything, worst case scenario is the driver lays charges against you for damaging the taxi. lay charges and then contact the taxi association and put a complaint in (in writing).

[MariusL]

Glad to hear you are okay and not too badly hurt.

 

I had a similiar incident with a car that knocked me down, more of a bump and i smashed into the pavement... took registration details, reported to police - found out it was a rental car - no damage to the car, I couldn't prove anything... police laughed it off, guy just kept avoiding my lawyers (found out he didn't have a drivers licence)... R14k damage.

 

Basically because i couldn't prove it was the cars fault, no one was willing to do anything...

[firewolf]

Distance yourself emotionally from the incident. Refrain from name calling, swearing or threats. Explain that you have received injuries and ask that the other vehicle remain on scene. The position can be marked then the vehicle moved to open the roadway as no one was killed. Call for a medical response vehicle to treat your injuries. When they arrive ask them to contact SAP and or Traffic for the capturing and reporting of the legal side, if you have not already done so yourself. Get the personal and insurance details of the driver/s of the offending vehicle, the medical response team, the name and rank and station of the SAP/Traffic Officer (they usually are resistant to this as it means they might have to appear in court)Ask about the time-frame for a case #. Give your details, your insurance details. Make it clear that you are serious about the incident. Explain that you will handing all of the above details to your insurance company for attention. Stay detached emotionally. Stay calm. Take or have taken pics of your injuries, your bike, the vehicle damage (if any) Ask the SAP/traffic to record same on paper. Ask for a copy.

In other words, treat it seriously, professionally. Make all involved realize you expect them to take it seriously. Then have patience.

[firewolf]

And this is of course assuming the vehicle does not flee the scene, or you have been knocked unconscious, or are D.O.A.

In which case we will try to get you back to this side of the living, so that you can then go about the business of reporting the incident as explained above.

['Dale]

Sorry to hear your story, man...

Good to hear you are okay.

 

Excellent advice, firewolf.

[Slave]

Sunday morning I was riding along Republic Rd next to Cresta and I see a taxi turning right. Of course he doesn't stop for me (I never expected him to) so was braking but shouted at him (no profanities - just told him to watch where he was going). Anyway, so he is driving through the intersection when suddenly he just stops dead in the middle of the road. If he had gone through, it would have been no problem - he would have been out the way by the time I got there but because he stopped in front of me, I couldn't stop in time so I hit the back of his taxi. Fortunately by the time I hit him I was going quite slowly but still fell over onto the road.

 

I was ok - bruised elbow, torn glove and my palm was bruised. But this asshole just drives off. I took down his registration number (WJK554GP). What should I do? Report him for a hit and run or am I just wasting my time. My bike was fine, I was basically not injured badly but the guy didn't know that when he drove off. Obviously I was outraged but not sure what good it will do to take this further. Anyone know if the cops will do anything?

 

For what it's worth, I doubt that the cops will do anything at all. If you want to get some satisfaction, find the tjop and pour brake fluid all over his taxi and or beat the spots off him.

[gummibear]

D.O.A.

 

Not much that can be done then

[1hill@aTime]

W registration, probably not even his plates.

[Edge_Design]

Definitely lay charges, it's a criminal offence to leave the scene of an accident irrespective of who's fault it was. Even if he gets off with just a warning, at least he will think twice the next time. If there's damage to your bike and you want to claim from insurance, they would insist on a case number as well.

[Memetic]

Great advice firewall. Last year I tea-boned a car that pulled out in front of me going down Kloofnek. I went over the car smashed my face into the road (thank goodness for the helmet) and was unconscious for a minute and disorientated for a few minutes after that. The women responsible was very apologetic and admitted responsibility. However, in my dazed state I toke down limited information (basically contact details) and assumed the best.

 

A few weeks later I got a letter from her insurance company claiming she wasn't responsible (since I had crashed into her) and there would be no pay out unless I provided evidence to the contrary. After many exchanges I decided to let it go. The time and cost to sue her would have exceeded my medical and bike damage costs.

[Tiny K]

Glad you OK man - it seems more and more that we cyclists need to ride in groups just to watch each others backs!

[Napalm]

I was knocked over by a car - went to report it, together with the eyewitness, and the cops didn't even went to question the woman that drove the car, despite having the license plate, and street address where she lives.

[firewolf]

Insist on the SAP performing their part in the capturing of the details. If they resist request a superior officer. If the still resist record their names, ranks, vehicle reg. and the police station they have responded from. Explain that you will hand these details together with a written report of their refusal to assist and the nature of the incident to their station commander, your insurance company, the SAP watchdog, and the Ombudsman for further scrutiny.

Be calm and patient. The more calm and patient you are the more worried they will be. Try to visualize the positive outcome being many months down the road and so understand that this is not going to be a minute experience.

 

The SAP must, by law, perform the functions ascribed to them. Try google the SAP Protocols for attendance at Motor Vehicle Accidents, and/or the Road Traffic Act for more details.

 

Knowledge is power after all.

[firewolf]

And remember "If it's not on paper, it's vapor!"

Black and white, with copies, signed and dated and if possible, witnessed.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

My bike was fine, I was basically not injured badly but the guy didn't know that when he drove off. Obviously I was outraged but not sure what good it will do to take this further. Anyone know if the cops will do anything?

 

If you want to know if the cops are going to hunt him down and arrest him, the answer is probably not, if nobody was injured, there is minimal if any damage, its not going to be a priority, no matter what the law says they have to do.

 

I would report it anyway, just as a precaution and it creates a paper trail if the same driver is involved in other incidents.

 

Firewolfs advice is fine,.....providing the other party stops, as he didnt, there was no chance for you to get all the particulars and go through the motions,....its a tough pill I know but for your sanity, theres no loss, you are okay, your bikes okay, report the incident and forget about it.