Had a crash that was the road's fault, what now?

RichardD1970

Unfortunately that is one of the perils of riding a bike/scooter.

I came of my PCX 125 on Thursday evening on the way to work. Coming up to the lights, they changed, I broke doing about 30, road was wet, alongside a petrol station so assume there was some oil/diesel on the road, scooter went from under me.

5" friction burn just below elbow, slightly skinned knees. Thank God I was had invested in some decent gear, not a mark on jacket but need new gloves as the knuckle armour has been wrecked. Hate to think of the mess if I had been wearing t shirt and shorts like you see some idiots doing.

Dusted myself off, (with the help of some very kind people),checked scooter over, just cosmetic damage so who cares. Carried on to work, got arm patched by first aider. Bruised ribs on my right side which hurt like hell, but taking pain killers and resting this weekend back to work Monday night.

Am I looking for compo, or to sue anyone. No. Accidents happen, it has taught me to pay more careful attention to the road surface and maybe anticipate potential problems like the risk of fuel spill outside petrol stations. (People topping off the tank so some spills from the overflow when they drive off).

alastairq

''Varying one's speed to suit the road & traffic conditions?''

This is a basic driver/rider skill, assessed on driving tests.

And so very often ignored, even by licence holders of many years' standing.

At the end-of-the-day, only the rider [or driver] can look after themselves.

If someone else is 'expected' to take care of us, we are doing something wrong!

GAZ237

Ynayesta wrote: »

I was going very slow, I had just taken the play out of the front break and was pressing slowly.

This probably explains the cause.

Do you mean adjusted the brakes beforehand?

colino

If you don't start looking for, and recognising and avoiding overbanding on road surfaces, your not going to have a very long biking career.

paddedjohn

If the road was to blame then surely there are accidents here all the time, do you have knowledge of any others?

bod1467

GAZ237 wrote: »

This probably explains the cause.

Do you mean adjusted the brakes beforehand?

No. OP means they had gently squeezed the brake lever to take up the (hopefully very little) slack in the brake cable/mechanism. There's always a small bit of "play" in any hand control, like brake or clutch.

GAZ237

bod1467 wrote: »

No. OP means they had gently squeezed the brake lever to rake up the (hopefully very little) slack in the brake cable/mechanism. There's always a small bit of "play" in any hand control, like brake or clutch.

Yes I thought that, but questioned it, as the way it was worded.

As said above, every road in the land has overbanding on them and its sounds like the OP has been caught out, through lack of experience.

OP. The black lines are overbanding. Is this what you meant buy Tar spill?

arcon5

it's a defect they've clearly accepted as safe because they've painted road markings over it.

So how close to the curb side was you if the road markings was painted over it?

If the highway maintenance people was held responsible, I can't see them being liable for much more than the value of your excess. Which is why we have insurance products, to indemnify us and others in case of accidents. I personally don't have comprehensive insurance, but i've accepted if i'm to blame for an accident I will have to cough up.

Ynayesta

It wasn't overbanding, its like a spill shaped patch. I MUST report thisbe aide its dangerous. I thought is already said there's just superficial damageim not looking for the council to buy a new scooter I only wanted to know what I'm SUPPOSED to do now. No I wasn't by the curb I position myself in the middle of the road, for the most part to give myself a dominant position. Yes the road has seen a lot of accidents. I do look out for overbanding, as I'm always driving in residential areas. I really feel like I'm not being understood, am I making much sense? The road here needs to be seen toto. theres the area of the road I described about half a car wide and a couple of cars long, goes over the crossing which is why there are markings painted over it. I don't actually think illbe replacing anything so no coughing up to do. i just want to k.ow what my responsibility is as someone whose aware of it. I'll be avoiding this road just like I avoid the roads with the worst potholes. On my phone now so I'm sure ill make even less sense.

Ynayesta

Richard I know what you means, ive seen them in their tshirts. I'm just very happy to ha e invested in some good textiles, too hot for leather for me atm I refuse to go out with at least a jacket (and helmet obviously) don't feel comfortable without leg and hand protection, I don't know how some of them do it. in trainers too ive seen. Makes mee cringe.