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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DC knocked over a cyclist

363 replies

blueirishues · 31/01/2017 16:33

The situation was that I pulled up and dc opened the car door, a cyclist went into it and over the top. My door is damaged and cyclist shouting all sorts about going to sue Shock what are the rights and wrongs here?

OP posts:
Topseyt · 01/02/2017 20:33

Askbasil, admitting liability absolutely does NOT invalidate your insurance, assuming that a valid policy is in place. That is a myth.

There was clear fault on the OP's part. She would be more likely to invalidate her insurance by not being completely honest.

ruralmum78 · 01/02/2017 20:49

A driver opened her car door into me when I was cycling on the road past her as a young teen. I got flung into the middle of the road - luckily there wasn't a car coming at the time or I would probably have been run over. OP, I dare say this child will think carefuly before opening car doors in the future. I would urge all drivers though to really remember how vulnerable cyclists are.

user1482501331 · 01/02/2017 20:55

Having worked for a large car insurance company you would be held at fault for this incident unfortunately with the cyclist being able to make a claim. You too can claim for your damaged door but it would go as a fault and you will have to pay your excess and no claims discount will be affected unless protected.

The reason it would be a fault is that the cyclist is unlikely to have any form of insurance and the likelihood of taking this individual to Court to claim back the cost of the repairs to your door is again unlikely to go in your favour.

Also the reason people shouldn't admit liability at the roadside is because at the end of the day it is up to the insurance companies to settle on liability.

Hope this helps! Not great news but hopefully it's only mental that is damaged and not people!

KERALA1 · 01/02/2017 20:59

Topically the court case involving Jeremy vine was heard today - he was leaving space between his bike and parked cars and look how the driver reacted! She was rightly convicted of road rage offences.

Mumski45 · 01/02/2017 21:02

In this case whether or not the cyclist has insurance is irrelevant as the cyclist was not at fault.

Mcakes · 01/02/2017 21:05

I agree that cyclists are in a tricky situation here. They can't usually position themselves in the road to avoid car doors being opened. If they do cycle out in the road, the majority of drivers don't understand why and get quite irate at the 'arrogant cyclists hogging the road'.
If you see a cyclist taking a central position in the road in front of you, cut them some slack as they are probably aware of a danger you may not have clocked (e.g. car door opening, deep pothole ahead, bus indicating to pull out etc).

If you (both drivers and cyclists) fancy a giggle, pop over to www.warringtoncyclecampaign.co.uk/ and have a flick through their "Cycle Facilities of the Month" section. It is a lighthearted look at crap cycle lanes and brilliantly showcases some of the stupid (and downright dangerous) road designs cyclists have to contend with on a regular basis!

Mcakes · 01/02/2017 21:11

Yes! Kerala1. This exactly!
I meant to refer to the Jeremy Vine case in my message too. He was cycling entirely sensibly and safely and got a torrent of abuse from the woman who wanted him out of her way :(

ThatWasThat · 01/02/2017 21:37

To add a bit of balance: a cyclist shot across a pedestrian pathway in a car park, hit my car, and fell off in front. I was going so slowly I didn't hit the cyclist on the road, and he was annoyed about his damaged front bike wheel but not injured. I got out of the car because I was worried that he. was injured, and he gave me a mouthful and threatened to hit me. I was a bit frightened but could see he was young (early 20s) and shook up so tried to calm him down until a friend of his happened to pass by (no more than 5 min later) and I thought he would be looked after . Another passerby stopped and gave me her details, saying she would be a witness that the incident was not my fault - but I gave the cyclist the money i had in my purse - had just been to cashpoint and had 50 quid - because he was near to tears about his bent bike wheel, and I felt sorry for him. TBH I didn't realise at the time he had damaged my car (because he said he hadn't!) Friends afterwards told me i was an idiot,, and that I was admitting liability by giving him money.

I observe a lot of cyclists taking risks and I would be so angry and upset if their foolishness led to my injuring them in any serious fashion, but I reckon that we want to encourage cyclists, and car drivers should take extra care (even if not legally reponsible) to keep them safe.

KERALA1 · 01/02/2017 21:39

That's an entirely different situation Hmm

If I documented all the twattish manoeuvres by car drivers I have witnessed I would be here all evening

cherish123 · 01/02/2017 21:53

Accidents happen. Why was your child in the front of the car? Are they not a bit young?

TheFuzz · 01/02/2017 21:57

The driver is responsible for passengers opening doors. We double check when letting people out of a car as I'm a cyclist.

NotYoda · 01/02/2017 22:01

cherish

Suggest you Read the thread

cwtchesandprosecco · 01/02/2017 22:23

I haven't read the full thread so this may have been covered already and is a genuine question: When I was learning to drive I was told when passing a cyclist to make sure I pull out at least a doors width- why aren't cyclists told the same thing?

chuffingtrain · 01/02/2017 22:27

was it dark ? did the cyclist have lights ? if not then its their fault as they have an un-road worthy vehicle on the road which is illegal

chuffingtrain · 01/02/2017 22:28

cwtchesandprosecco because bicycles don't have doors !!!

cwtchesandprosecco · 01/02/2017 22:31

@Chuffin Yes, but surely the principle still applies- it's the same as when you're overtaking a parked car while driving- you're supposed to leave enough space so that if someone opens the door of the parked car it won't hit you. Just seems like common sense approach.

ZackyVengeance · 01/02/2017 22:32

Only on mn
Kid opens door nearly hurts cyclist
Driver admits fault
Loads of op was your fault
Then the anti cyclist shit that the op hoped for

ivykaty44 · 01/02/2017 22:45

A 6k bike for commuting shock

Whatsthatcomingoverthehill
But on the cheapies for a commuting bike - I had the same thoughts don't worry

NotYoda · 01/02/2017 22:48

cwtch

I suggest you read the thread

KERALA1 · 01/02/2017 22:53

Cwtch because if cyclists do that EVERYBODY hates them and they get relentless abuse from drivers for "hogging the road" etc. Try leaving a large car door width between your bike and parked cars during rush tomorrow. Such fun! See court case today where a driver was convicted of road rage against Jeremy vine when he did this.

NotYoda · 01/02/2017 22:54

Kerala

Honestly, don't waste your fingers replying the same thing for the 5th time to someone who can't be arsed to read the thread

chillifeet · 01/02/2017 22:55

Hopefully you will ensure she does next time. I have a son who has to cycle daily to get to college and I constantly worry about his safety on the road. Our attitudes to cyclists has got to change' one day it might be your child on that bike.

MamaMoose1 · 01/02/2017 22:58

This happened to my dad a few years ago when he was cycling on the road, the lady just opened her door on my dad, the lady gave my dad her name and number and said she would pay for any damage to his bike, turns out she gave him the wrong name and number Shock
I tell my son who is 10, not to open the door, until I have double checked there are no pedestrians, or cyclists. Hopefully you are all ok and will learn from this.

dazzlingdeborahrose · 01/02/2017 23:05

The attitude of all road users to other road users has to change. Everything is so combative. There's no consideration towards anyone. There's no patience. The roads in the U.K. Are woefully inadequate for accommodating cars and cyclists in the same space. I've seen drivers act like twats and pull bloody dangerous manoeuvres I've seen cyclist doing the same. Pedestrians plugged into mobile phones wandering into roads. The whole system is crazy and you can't pin blame on just one category of road user. A combination of consideration, common sense and some personal responsibility would go a fair way until the uk starts investing in its roads Shain including a decent network of cycleways.

GlomOfNit · 01/02/2017 23:08

Um, child locks?!? They're on cars for a reason. 9 might be seen as old enough to know better but I have a fairly flaky nearly 9-yo and he drifts along in a cloud. And how is a 9 yo meant to understand the sudden danger of causing an accident in this way if nobody has ever talked to her about it? We all need to educate our families about this. I'm ashamed to say I'd not heard about the Dutch Reach thing until a few weeks ago, and it's made me so much more aware of oncoming cyclists.

The child could just as easily have merrily flung open the door and been mown down by a car or lorry. I'm very hot on my 8/9 yo and his friends not opening doors on the road side (or getting into the car on the road side) until I come round and get them. There's idiotic driving everywhere, even on 'quiet roads'. There are so many reasons why this child shouldn't have been in the position where she could open her door onto the road.