Collided with a car today

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I wasn't really sure where to post this, but figured this would probably be a better place than GD.

Basically, I got pretty catastrophically 'left-hooked' by a car today while cycling out of London. I was in a bus lane; he overtook me, indicated left briefly, then made his turn. All I had time to do was shout, brake as best I could and brace for impact. My handlebar collided with the top of his rear wheel arch.

Fortunately, I wasn't hurt, just quite shaken. My bike only had slight cosmetic damage as I'd managed to stay upright. His shiny BMW had a small scuff. We swapped details and continued our respective journeys. It was pouring with rain and I was quite keen to get home. In hindsight, I probably should have spent more time doing things like taking pictures and trying to find witnesses, but never mind.

Anyway, he was adamant about making an insurance claim because of the scuff (he seemed like the type of guy who would). I'm a little confused about where I stand here. I'm obviously not willing to pay for the consequential damage of his careless driving, but am a little apprehensive about what to do in the case of a potential claim against me.

Has anyone else been in this situation?
 
I know the type. People like that make me want to punch them out on the spot, and having been in a few 'situations' now, next time I probably will.
 
If you were in a bus lane then there is probably CCTV footage of the incident. It may be worth pointing this fact out to gentleman should he try to make a claim against you.
 
Write everything down now and send it to yourself in an email. Everything you can think of that may have a baring from the weather, where the sun was, what you thought / know your speed was. It could all be important. Even the time and exact location could be disputed.

Last time I was a witness the driver claimed the accident too place on the side street and that he'd completed his turn and the cyclist followed him and crashed into him.
 
It's always BMW drivers!

I had an incident where a BMW cut me up and I went up to his window and tapped on it to tell him I thought he should have left more space. He then accused me of damaging his property and assaulting him by tapping the glass and not to touch it again or else. So I told him to **** off at that point and he then followed me about in his car blocking traffic and driving dangerously while shouting abuse out his window at me.
 
Would have been good to get a witness with hindsight.

What details did you give him? If you gave him insurance details?
Do you have insurance for such situations through cycle insurance?

Ultimately if he was at fault and says he is going to make a claim, I can only imagine he will fabricate the events rather than putting his hand up as to being at fault. For something like a small scuff which would be the result of your own poor judgement, most people would usually cough up out of their own pocket to fix it if they chose to do so. Otherwise it ends up likely costing you more on your insurance anyway.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. It's a reassurance just to have input on the situation.

michaelp said:
Cant you make a claim against him? and do it before he does since its his fault?
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I should think the only claim I could bring against him would be for driving without due care and attention. And given my probable lack of evidence, I'm not sure it'd get very far.

Saundie said:
If you were in a bus lane then there is probably CCTV footage of the incident. It may be worth pointing this fact out to gentleman should he try to make a claim against you.
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Great point. Checked streetview and there is indeed a bus lane camera pointing at the exact location. Will get on to the council tomorrow about releasing the footage.

Nexus said:
What details did you give him? If you gave him insurance details?
Do you have insurance for such situations through cycle insurance?

Ultimately if he was at fault and says he is going to make a claim, I can only imagine he will fabricate the events rather than putting his hand up as to being at fault. For something like a small scuff which would be the result of your own poor judgement, most people would usually cough up out of their own pocket to fix it if they chose to do so. Otherwise it ends up likely costing you more on your insurance anyway.
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I have no cycle insurance, although it might be worth looking into for future it would seem ... if for nothing else but the legal cover!

All he has are my full name and mobile number.

The last point you make is a very valid one; thanks for that.
 
Most cycle insurance companies that sell you theft cover will also let you add 3rd party protection for a £1 or so more. That way if somebody does try to make a claim against you, or you damage public or private property, you have insurance and legal help available.

Given what you explained above, he can't really take things much further now unless he calls you, or goes to the Police, but the later would be ridiculous! Unlike a car with a license plate, his insurance company is not going to be able to look up who you are insured by, like with a car.

The other thing I'd add is that through frustration and anger people sometimes say things after an accident without really thinking it through.

I had a guy try to drive into a spot I was reversing into when driving my car once, it caused a bump & his car took the brunt of it. I just couldn't understand what he thought he was doing, as he clearly wasn't paying attention. Of course he blamed me and made a big song and dance about that he would be making a claim and to expect to hear from him. He obviously eventually saw sense, as I never heard from him again.
 
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