My son was cycling to work yesterday - lots of lights, visible jacket - he's 33 and a defensive cyclist.
A car pulled out without indicating and swung round directly in front of him - he couldn't brake in time and went over the bonnet. He smashed his front tooth, helmet is cracked, bike is pretty much totalled.
At the time the driver was very sympathetic - he stayed with DS (who rang or his dad to come for him. He claimed that he wasn't doing a U-turn (as DS thinks) but was just pulling out into traffic - however when DH arrived he took full responsibility. He was pulling out, and it was peeing down with rain and he hadn't seen son. Stayed with DS until DH arrived. Someone from the newsagents where he had been for a paper (driver - not DS) brought a chair. A few other people WHO HAD NOT WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT asked if DS was OK. Son rang police - was told that if he was okay to talk there was no need for an officer to come out. He made a quick sketch of scenario on his phone. Driver gave son name and contact phone number and told him to get in touch when he had a price for repairing his bike etc.
Son spent morning in emergency dentist. Is very shaken up - can't get warm (shock, I think). DH took him and bike to "bike place" for estimate - £400+ and £150 for helmet (thank God he was wearing it!) + £39 (so far at dentist - could be a LOT more).
Rang driver today - now claims he was stationary with wheel sticking out slightly and that son hit him Says he has a witness and that son can ring insurance or police or whoever the hell he likes because HE HAS A WITNESS!!! and nothing will be done.
I am so bloody MAD! He could have killed my son - and he doesn't give a fuck! There were no witnesses (that stopped - other drivers only - none bothered to stop) except that when my DH collected DS, the driver did say that he was pulling out and hadn't seen him.
I am so fecking angry at this man! What do we do? Son has rung police (presumably previous call will have been logged) - they have apologised and said that someone should have attended the scene. They are coming out to take a statement. A bit bloody late!
What is likely to happen now? - what can we do? He isn't on a high wage (not much more than minimum) and can't even afford the bus to work (is an hour and a half walk) so it will be a very early start for him on a morning (doesn't want to get the bike sorted because he can't afford it - we would lend him the money, but he wants it left until things can be sorted properly - thinks is may be necessary if it comes to court).
And advice would be very gracefully received. I suspect that we will have to get a solicitor - what sort of charges are likely? Are there people who specialise in this sort of claim? How can we find them?
Sorry if this is disjointed - my son could have been KILLED and this wanker can only think about getting off cheap, and this is all I can think of. The bastard!