What's The Next Steps after Getting into an Accident Riding a Pushbike?

My son was hit by a car while crossing a signal on his pushbike. Fortunately, he is okay apart from a bit of shoulder pain and a few scratches on his arms and legs.

The car that hit his bike was being driven by a P plater (red). The car ran a red light and hit my son's bike's rear wheel while he was crossing the road and he fell onto the road. My son managed to get the rego of the car and I have reported this to the police.

There were a few kind people who attended to my son and asked him if he was alright. He is still in a bit of a shock. Have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow to see about his shoulder.

Is there anything else that needs to be done in this kind of scenario?

Thanking in advance.

PS: edited to pushbike to avoid confusion.

Comments

  • +1

    Did he get any of the details of any witness that saw the accident? I can see the next thing being that the P plater will say "the biker crossed on a red…" and then it is down to the whole "he said, you said" fight.

    Make sure you tell the Dr. it was from a vehicle accident, bike v. car and that a record needs to be kept in case this turns into a CTP issue in the weeks to come.

    • Don't think he did… I think you are right about it.

      Yeah, will mention it to the doctor.

      • +4

        Also, keep an eye on him for the next day or so and look for signs of concussion (Google it). He may have hit his head and in the hype/adrenaline of the accident may not have noticed.

        Also, make a written recollection of the incident with him while it is still fresh in the mind. This may need to be bought up at a later stange and is much easier to go back to a written account than it is to try and remember it week/months out.

        • Thanks. Will do.

    • +18

      Even if the bicyclist crossed on a red, a hit and run is a criminal offence.

  • +1

    Is he a member of a bicycle organisation? They usually include insurance. If so, I'd be contacting them

    • No. He's not.

    • +8

      Is he a member of a recreational motor-bicycle club? Because if so you just need to let them know and they will go half a “talk” to the driver.

      • He was on a pushbike… Crossing the road at the pedestrian signal.

  • -3

    Given your son was in a state of shock it is amazing he had the presence of mind to get the cars rego. number and remember same.
    In the absence of an independent witness to confirm the rego number and details of the incident I don't think their is much the police can or will do.
    As stated by an ealirer poster it will be a case of "he said - she said".
    With all due respect do not rule out the fact your son may be glossing over the truth of the event.

    • +6

      Not really - not stopping after accident is a major offence

    • Given your son was in a state of shock it is amazing he had the presence of mind to get the cars rego. number and remember same

      He was asked by one of the lady helping him to take a photo of the number plate.

  • +1

    First off, I hope your son is alright and recovers well, and that the doctor gives the all-clear tomorrow!

    Did this accident happen somewhere with security cameras? That could definitely help if it becomes a 'you said, they said' situation.

    Make sure you get a copy of the police report, which will help you obtain a copy of any security footage and make an insurance claim if need be.

    Good luck.

    • Thanks.

      The incident happened at a major intersection. Not sure if there are any cameras, but I will go and check it out tomorrow.

  • +1

    Glad your son isn’t seriously hurt. This happened to a friends sonnvery recently. Unfortunately he didn’t get the rego of the vehicle, but some witnesses apparently did. The mongrel driver didn’t even get out to check him. Just watched him pull his bike out from under the car then drove off - and in a school zone.

    Any damage to bicycle or equipment? You
    May be able to claim the repair/replace costs from the driver. Go to a bike shop and get a quote for repairs.

    • Glad your son isn’t seriously hurt

      Thanks.

      Any damage to bicycle or equipment?

      Wasn't able to check it in the evening. Will do it tomorrow morning.

    • Any damage to bicycle or equipment?

      Checked it today, the gears don't shift smoothly and the chain is also rubbing against the front derailleur.

  • +3

    Contact TAC (or your states version) and make sure your son completes a claim. No fault insurance. Doesn't matter whether he has anything to claim right now. But just in case something more significant comes of it down the track.

  • +1

    Surely the police gave you advice when you reported the accident? Surely? (And surely they will investigate by visiting the owner and driver of the vehicle???) Contact them again regularly for updates.

    Also, there is the possibility the driver was unregistered or uninsured (a reason for them not to stop), in which case your battle will get harder.

    • Surely the police gave you advice when you reported the accident? Surely?

      Police said they will contact the driver. I will ask them for a update tomorrow.

      Regarding contacting TAC etc., it wasn't mentioned by the policeman but the doctor whom we saw today asked us to get in touch with TAC.

      Also, there is the possibility the driver was unregistered or uninsured (a reason for them not to stop), in which case your battle will get harder.

      You are right about that.

  • Did the offending driver stop and provide assistance? It's not explicitly stated in your post but the tail end of the story seems to allude they didn't. If not, could you please update the question to include this important detail.

    If it were a hit and run, what a truly despicable act. I wish our courts would impose higher penalties (mandatory jail time) for this since it appears to be reaching epidemic levels. I hope the police find this abomination of a human being and he/she gets their backside handed to them. I also wish your son has a speedy recovery.

    • +1

      Did the offending driver stop and provide assistance?

      No. The driver realised after hitting my son's bike that their side of signal was red and had to stop. After my son was helped by the two ladies and the intersection cleared, the driver drove off.

      My son told me that driver got out of his car once and asked him if was okay, but didn't help him in picking up his bike or the water bottle which flew out of the bottle holder.

      • I'm not a legal expert but I think they've still committed a crime in not exchanging particulars. Despite whether they have or haven't committed a crime, they obviously lack any sense of morals for not providing assistance and I hope they're caught and charged. All the best to your son.

  • Any Updates? Did driver get charged?

    • +1

      Police managed to speak with the driver. According to the police the driver apologised. Police did not charge him.

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