Accident with a pedestrian on my ebike

cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
3,048
179
www.whatonlondon.co.uk
I once had an accident with a pedestrian... it was during the night and dark.... and he just stepped in front of my bike.

I didn't have front light that day.... he told police he was looking for car light but couldn't see any.

It was quite a strong accident, the pedestrian stayed on the floor for few minutes and was hit on the head. On my side my glasses were broken...

First thing I did was to hide the bike to reduce the chance of investigation.

Police were asking me what happened, took statement and told me nothing will happen because it's an accident with 2 un-insured parties.... I could potentially go to court if I want but that's it.

I ended up going home with my bike with a flat tyre and no one questioned the bike as it was dark and unsuspiscious
 

biker88

Pedelecer
Mar 26, 2016
30
7
49
Now that is one of those Perry Mason responses!

** edit. double post **
 
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biker88

Pedelecer
Mar 26, 2016
30
7
49
Cwah. I wish the Police dealt with me that way. Unfortunately while i was in the ambulance the Police had enough time to check my bike out. The policeman was quite nice and noticed I had hydraulic brakes.

It seems crazy the circumstances of your collision were much worse than mine and yet i am being investigated.
 

paul20v

Pedelecer
Nov 18, 2015
150
81
This is a very unfortunate accident
But theres no way in hell you should be held reasponsible for someone elses stupidity .
I hope your aches and pains heal quick .
 

biker88

Pedelecer
Mar 26, 2016
30
7
49
Thanks paul20v. I wish I'd copied the video files from my action camera from the day before. This is precisely why I bought the bloody thing in the first place, to cover my arse in situations like this.

It's unfortunate, but in the eyes of the law I am guilty until proven innocent. I will seek legal representation after the BHW.
 
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cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
3,048
179
www.whatonlondon.co.uk
Just to be clear, what are they investigating about?
I suppose the lady didn't have anything and wouldn't try to claim anything from you?
But maybe it is investigation about the legality of the bike, which makes it a different case?
 

biker88

Pedelecer
Mar 26, 2016
30
7
49
Unfortunately the letter doesn't say.

I agree it could be about the legality of the bike.
 

RobF

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 22, 2012
4,732
2,312
Where is the bike?

If you still have it, the police will have some difficulty investigating it.

I can't see this going anywhere, very, very minor injury road traffic collision with the evidence suggesting the injured party stepped onto the crossing when the lights were against her.

Your best bet is to sit tight and say nowt.

You might want some update on the progress of the investigation, but you won't get that.

Contacting the police only serves to promote your case to the top of the pile.

Leave it and I'm fairly certain you will hear no more about it.
 
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biker88

Pedelecer
Mar 26, 2016
30
7
49
Thanks RobF. The bike is in the shed. Mrs says I should remove the Bafang and refit the Shimano Hollowtech triple cranks and wait for a visit.

Your post has made me feel a bit better. I'm looking at all options, perhaps getting some kind of legal representation and stumbled upon this site: http://www.cyclistsdefencefund.org.uk. On their About page they list some of the cases they have helped with.

You made me smile for the first time today. I've taken your advice on-board. Thank you.
 

cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
3,048
179
www.whatonlondon.co.uk
yup. Make sure the bike is consistent with the report they've written down.

If they've noted it's an electric bike... then make it go 200w...

Other than that, use another bike that goes faster :D
 

biker88

Pedelecer
Mar 26, 2016
30
7
49
That is also very good advice that the bike is consistent with the accident report.

A friend of mine suggested I remove the BBS02 and fit a BBS01 250W. The only issue would be if photos were taken of my bike without my knowledge while i was in the ambulance.

Thanks cwah.
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,919
6,516
just say you sold the bike and game over or it got stolen lol ;)
 

biker88

Pedelecer
Mar 26, 2016
30
7
49
Years of watching Columbo and other crime related dramas has messed me up a bit. With the likes of eBay, Gumtree and even Loot or a local paper, there's a paper trail. How do you convince Columbo you sold it to a guy but don't have contact details, email, phone number and can't remember what he looked like, where he was from, etc.

That is a great profile picture by the way.
 
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soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,919
6,516
car boot ;)
 

cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
3,048
179
www.whatonlondon.co.uk
to be honest, I don't think the police will be bothered. I'd say you have 90% of chance that it won't go anywhere. They may even not contact you.

Maybe part the bike out and sell the bbs to someone abroad.
 

Alan Quay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Dec 4, 2012
2,351
1,076
Devon
That is also very good advice that the bike is consistent with the accident report.

A friend of mine suggested I remove the BBS02 and fit a BBS01 250W. The only issue would be if photos were taken of my bike without my knowledge while i was in the ambulance.

Thanks cwah.
If I were in your shoes I'd be a bit more wary of what I say on a public forum. Giving the GPS coordinates and postcode of the accident narrows right down.

If you now modify the bike back to legal I'd guess that's perverting the course of justice.

I make no moral judgement here, just saying you need to be very careful.

Qualified legal advice is very much required. (I'm just guessing)
 
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biker88

Pedelecer
Mar 26, 2016
30
7
49
Silly me. BUT. I've never sold anything at a car boot sale. Wouldn't i need to register a plot and pay a fee. Again. I've got Columbo staring me down.

(This next bit is making even less sense as i type this as I've never had to register my details as a buyer at a car boot). That's the whole point of a car boot sale. Anyone can walk in off the street and buy anything as-is. But who would buy an expensive ebike from a car boot?

Thanks soundwave. Mrs likes the idea of me selling it at a car boot.
 

cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
3,048
179
www.whatonlondon.co.uk
Legal advice is too expensive. Last time I went to court for deposit recovery the sollicitor cost £166/h... without VAT!!

Just taking necessary precaution should be enough. Again it's likely that police won't be much bothered.
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,919
6,516
id not worry about, it doubt if you will even here from them tbh.

if they was they sure as hell not let you walk off with the bike or give it back to you.

if you was on a push bike and crashed it be same thing ;)