Knocked over by taxi - what to do

[gummibear]

Insist on the SAP performing their part in the capturing of the details. If they resist request a superior officer.

 

SAPS only need to attend if a crime was committed ie drunk driver or if serious injuries.

 

They won't attend a fender bender or where there are no serious injuries ie broken bones or head/neck injury.

[firewolf]

I believe that, through the SAP brushing our need for their assistance away, we become more and more apathetic. And that we excuse them their inability or unwillingness to assist. Most of the attending members at motor vehicle accidents are rookies or very new constables, not experienced detectives, and are thus not always properly exposed to the actual reasons for their being on scene.

I have witnessed, first hand, their absolute disregard for the proper performance of their duties. For example - smoking at MVA scenes in the hot (working) zone. Kicking a soccer ball inside the garden while we battled a structural fire. Allowing their curiosity to make them stand on our heels as we extricate patients from inside wrecked cars, instead of performing crowd and traffic control. There are many more of these examples.

And I have witnessed absolute point blank refusals to take down details at incidents - WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED - as it would mean more paperwork.

So where do we, as cyclists, and as human beings after all, draw the line?

I will pursue all and every possible angle at the scene to ensure a positive outcome.

And trust me... you want SAP on scene... call for the Fire Dept... we can arrange anything.

[EigerSA]

just out of interest, the police will attend any accident scene that is reported, but you have to call the national emergency number, but attending an accident scene and investigating one is world's apart. Also understand that unless there is a death or serious injury, you're only reporting for statistical purposes from the SAPS point of view (and for insurance from your point of view). Reporting at a station, all you are doing is making an accident report and getting and AR number for insurance, that's all. If you planning on charging someone, then best you make sure you got photo's as well as the names and contact details of any witnesses.

 

Unfortunately in South Africa the training new police recruits undergo is pathetic at best, and not going to get any better any time soon, so do not rely on them at all!!!!!!!!!!

[eggsovereasywithteandtoast]

You have his plate. Thats the most important piece of information that you have now.

 

It does not bide that you do not the contact detail(s) of a witness to the accident. There is no confirming testament from an onlooker or immediate witness to retort to allegations of possible hearsay. Usually other road users or pedestrians should immediately be requested for their details.

 

First step is always opening a case and receiving a case number.

You will be asked if anybody was injured at the scene. Your answer is a firm yes. Respond that you are on your way to the emergency room for an examination. Ice packs and bandaging will assist in creating the correct impression when making your statement. Your original post was factual and can be used as a guideline, but your evidence should be punctuated with personal statements representative and typical of one that experienced recent trauma.

 

It is important to go to the doctor and establish a medical record related to the accident. Employ complaints of head aches, dizziness, joint pains and back ache. Authenticity should be significant enough to recieve at least a voltaren injection and a small prescription for alternative anti inflamatories or painkillers.

 

Thereafter contact the LBSs in your area and request a quote for a new wheelset and if an accessory that would be typically damaged in such a scenario e.g. a scuffed and split saddle, a cracked bicycle computer, bent handlebar, or other.

You require at least five quotes. Pick three that are similarly valued and one that is slightly lower.

 

To pursue the perpetrator, one requires the personal details of the party. The e-natis system or the taxi association will have the personal particulars of the owner of the taxi.

The record should give a name, street address and hopefully contact numbers.

 

With a measure of resourcefulness and persistence you should find the person responsible.

 

The big question your asking ... comes now: NOW WHAT ?

 

(1) There is no criminal charge.

(2) Civil outcome is limited in value, may take some time and due to mitigating circumstances of poverty will probably

issue a payment plan of R10/ month for twenty years.

Dont engage unless you are prepared to go all the way through with this.

(3) Flag down this taxi somewhere on his route and take a ride with him everyday.

One day you may just be the only passenger aboard.

 

The executive summary is briefer and sadder than you may expect;

Say thank you Jesus for what you have.

Accept that you live a in a sh^thole and that means that there will be flies.

And for that reason its better to keep your mouth shut

and breathe through your nose.

Find consolation in the fact that the big wheel turns.

and dont vote for the ruling party

[EigerSA]

You have his plate. Thats the most important piece of information that you have now.

 

It does not bide that you do not the contact detail(s) of a witness to the accident. There is no confirming testament from an onlooker or immediate witness to retort to allegations of possible hearsay. Usually other road users or pedestrians should immediately be requested for their details.

 

First step is always opening a case and receiving a case number.

You will be asked if anybody was injured at the scene. Your answer is a firm yes. Respond that you are on your way to the emergency room for an examination. Ice packs and bandaging will assist in creating the correct impression when making your statement. Your original post was factual and can be used as a guideline, but your evidence should be punctuated with personal statements representative and typical of one that experienced recent trauma.

 

It is important to go to the doctor and establish a medical record related to the accident. Employ complaints of head aches, dizziness, joint pains and back ache. Authenticity should be significant enough to recieve at least a voltaren injection and a small prescription for alternative anti inflamatories or painkillers.

 

Thereafter contact the LBSs in your area and request a quote for a new wheelset and if an accessory that would be typically damaged in such a scenario e.g. a scuffed and split saddle, a cracked bicycle computer, bent handlebar, or other.

You require at least five quotes. Pick three that are similarly valued and one that is slightly lower.

 

To pursue the perpetrator, one requires the personal details of the party. The e-natis system or the taxi association will have the personal particulars of the owner of the taxi.

The record should give a name, street address and hopefully contact numbers.

 

With a measure of resourcefulness and persistence you should find the person responsible.

 

The big question your asking ... comes now: NOW WHAT ?

 

(1) There is no criminal charge.

(2) Civil outcome is limited in value, may take some time and due to mitigating circumstances of poverty will probably

issue a payment plan of R10/ month for twenty years.

Dont engage unless you are prepared to go all the way through with this.

(3) Flag down this taxi somewhere on his route and take a ride with him everyday.

One day you may just be the only passenger aboard.

 

The executive summary is briefer and sadder than you may expect;

Say thank you Jesus for what you have.

Accept that you live a in a sh^thole and that means that there will be flies.

And for that reason its better to keep your mouth shut

and breathe through your nose.

Find consolation in the fact that the big wheel turns.

and dont vote for the ruling party

 

a nice and succinct post, to the point and relevant -

[firewolf]

A very good post. Well done!

[Inusc]

Go on the same route,same time,the taxi would probally be there and throw a brick threw the window-revenge

[firewolf]

Today I throw a small brick. Tomorrow I am crushed by a large boulder.

 

Take eggsovereasywithteaandtoast's advice.

 

It is good, and makes sense, and it,s practical.

[HeartCoppi]

Are you saying that he deliberately stopped so that you would crash into the taxi, as a response to your shouting at him?

 

Sorry if I missed something. The title is "knocked over by a taxi"

I'm trying to visualize the incident:

He turned in front of you in a intersection.

You were coming head on and going straight over he intersection. You could not stop in time when he decided to blockade you.

You hit him.

Edited February 9, 2011 by HeartCoppi

[firewolf]

You know what? Out there is Hub land are many people. Are there no riders who have studied law/are lawyers or are active in the SAP/Traffic or in the road traffic fund, or insurance company's?

[Scooterza]

Are you saying that he deliberately stopped so that you would crash into the taxi, as a response to your shouting at him?

 

Sorry if I missed something. The title is "knocked over by a taxi"

I'm trying to visualize the incident:

He turned in front of you in a intersection.

You were coming head on and going straight over he intersection. You could not stop in time when he decided to blockade you.

You hit him.

 

Sorry - I missed this before. In answer - yes that is right. I was going straight. Had the taxi not stopped in the middle of the intersection (and I can only surmise that he did this deliberately so that I hit him) I would have been fine because I had braked already and was going slowly enough that he would have had time to get through before I was crossing. When he unexpectedly came to a total halt, I was not able to stop myself completely so hit him and fell over.

[Scooterza]

Just an update - I thought I would "do the right thing" and report this guy. I went to the local cop shop and gave an inspector his registration number. The cop looked it up and said there are no details for this vehicle under the owner section. Apparently what a lot of the taxis have done is to either get false number plates, duplicate number plates or get the owner details expunged off the record. So there is no person to pursue to follow up on this. So it is a dead end unfortunately - cannot take it further.

 

The only thing to take from this experience is that if you are ever involved in an accident with a taxi, whether in your car or on your bike, if you can help it, don't let the bastard leave before the metro cops have arrived. Apparently they can do an instant lookup on his number plate and from there, they can see what is happening and impound the vehicle if it is not correctly registered. At least then you have a SLIGHT chance of getting paid out something for any damages.

 

They have got to do something about these taxis though - they are beyond the reach of the law...

[EigerSA]

although it didn't end that great. at least you made an effort to report the guy, if everyone did that things would definitely change for the better.