Money Moral Dilemma: Should I claim compensation from the woman whose dog knocked me off my bicycle?

silverwhistle

And whilst I'm getting my morning grumpiness out the way, could we please have a thread BTL on social media and forums when the word 'bicycle' doesn't immediately have a load of whataboutery about registrations and running red lights and all the other knee jerk reactions that it is so tiresome to read, particularly out of context and where the posters are so badly informed.

There! I feel better now: off down the allotment in my car although sometimes I cycle, depending on circumstances..

Nasqueron

marcia_ said:

Nasqueron said:

marcia_ said:

 Yes she was to blame but who says she has liability cover for her dog. In all likelihood she hasn't and any claim will be fruitless and bankrupt you both 

This is a bit of hyperbole, not a chance they will be bankrupt, many people have public liability via house or pet insurance etc

 And many more dont. I dont i have pets with no insurance and home contents insurance without legal cover. 

Your personal situation is not relevant, as I said many people do as they're responsible pet owners or have cover on house insurance. More importantly is my general point - they won't go bankrupt, this will go to small claims, nobody will be going bankrupt under this small amount

BikingBud

miapops said:

As a dog owner myself, I think extendable leads are not safe, and you cannot have full control of a dog if using one. Also, any responsible dog owner should have public liability insurance. You are liable for any damage or accidents that your dog causes, and should have means to cover it. Also, having been hit by a car myself when cycling last year, the injuries, physically and mentally, along with damage done to a bike are something you really should be seeking to claim for. If you have legal cover on your home insurance they should be able to advise you and appoint a solicitor,  so you don’t have to go via a no win no fee service.

Why not all dog owners? If it's a legal obligation there is no measure of the level of responsibility of the owner.

And victims are therefore protected from the inactions of irresponsible owners.

BikingBud

ollythecollie said:

It's a sad reflection on the modern world how so many people are always on the lookout for a reason to try and screw some money out of everyone they encounter.  The trend is driven by bloodsuckers in the legal so-called profession are the only ones who gain from it all.  Cyclists are so often at the front of the queue with their hands out when they think they can get a few quid, yet are also quickest to run off and dodge liability from the problems they cause.  This is apparent in the responses here.  But they aren't the root of the issue.  The culture of suing at the slightest opportunity will bring more and more detriment to society if it isn't halted soon.  Where there's blame there's a claim benefits no-one outwith parastitic law firms.  Everyone from a dogwalker to a surgeon is reduced to a host wallet for their greed.  The habit is already way out of hand and requires some urgent action to prevent sliding into a mass of litigation which will eventually choke human interaction and lead to an ultimate breakdown of society.

@ollythecollie

Are you the dog in question?

Captain_Pugwash

I would definitely claim, I have two dogs and always on short leads.  Extendable leads should be banned as people don't know how to use them and are a hazard.  If the said dog ran in the road after a cat the dog would be dead and could have caused a collision.  Just hope people who use extendable read this forum and learn from it

squirrel59

A lot of uncompassionate people on here, as usual. The only sensible response to this is for you to contact her and discuss the matter with her openly. If she doesn't have any liability insurance, then you should forget about claiming. However, she may be able and willing to pay you towards your bike repairs etc. Yes, it was her fault, but don't forget that she and her dog have suffered too. So tread lightly.

Rocketdogroya

ripongrammargirl said:

Yes, there is a claim to be made here as the dog was out of control on a long lead by a road. Short leads for roads, long lead for parks or big spaces.
However, this is also a major reason why cyclists should be made to buy road tax and insurance. They use the roads (and have special lanes just for them) but still abuse the laws/ rules of the road (running red lights, ploughing into pedestrians on crossings  etc which have clips all over the internet). If this cyclist had had insurance then it would have paid out for the bike and possibly personal injury and possessions. 

All road users should be taxed and insured with registration plates so they can be fined etc for breaking the law. 

But back to original question, yes this is definitely a legitimate claim as the dog was out of control in a public area. Even the best of owners can have a mishap if something out of the ordinary occurs and this is when pet insurance with public liability is essential.

Hope you are feeling better. 

In my village the state of the paths is SHOCKING! As a wheelchair user I roll on the road of mild traffic (always being aware and trying not to obstruct) for my actual safety, I have been thrown out of my chair 3 times on the path, no injuries but I don't want to risk it again. Would I need a number plate too because of council negligence of the paths?

Nasqueron

ollythecollie said:

It's a sad reflection on the modern world how so many people are always on the lookout for a reason to try and screw some money out of everyone they encounter.  The trend is driven by bloodsuckers in the legal so-called profession are the only ones who gain from it all.  Cyclists are so often at the front of the queue with their hands out when they think they can get a few quid, yet are also quickest to run off and dodge liability from the problems they cause.  This is apparent in the responses here.  But they aren't the root of the issue.  The culture of suing at the slightest opportunity will bring more and more detriment to society if it isn't halted soon.  Where there's blame there's a claim benefits no-one outwith parastitic law firms.  Everyone from a dogwalker to a surgeon is reduced to a host wallet for their greed.  The habit is already way out of hand and requires some urgent action to prevent sliding into a mass of litigation which will eventually choke human interaction and lead to an ultimate breakdown of society.

The cost and OP's injury are sufficient cause for damages - what if they can't work or have to pay to get to work due to their injury for example, the replacement helmet etc. Cyclists, like pedestrians, are vulnerable road users, of course we are going to want money for repairs, loss of earnings etc when the injury is caused by an irresponsible person. Should I not have sued the man who went through a give way at a roundabout and drove into me given my losses and months of physio needed?

kimwp

ollythecollie said:

It's a sad reflection on the modern world how so many people are always on the lookout for a reason to try and screw some money out of everyone they encounter.  The trend is driven by bloodsuckers in the legal so-called profession are the only ones who gain from it all.  Cyclists are so often at the front of the queue with their hands out when they think they can get a few quid, yet are also quickest to run off and dodge liability from the problems they cause.  This is apparent in the responses here.  But they aren't the root of the issue.  The culture of suing at the slightest opportunity will bring more and more detriment to society if it isn't halted soon.  Where there's blame there's a claim benefits no-one outwith parastitic law firms.  Everyone from a dogwalker to a surgeon is reduced to a host wallet for their greed.  The habit is already way out of hand and requires some urgent action to prevent sliding into a mass of litigation which will eventually choke human interaction and lead to an ultimate breakdown of society.

I personally wouldn't say a broken clavicle, an operation to put a plate in and two months off work, a "slightest opportunity"

surreysaver

If you're approaching pedestrians or animals, cyclists should slow down and ride appropriately, as you would expect a motorist to do. Don't keep going hell for leather.
Perhaps if you've been that badly injured, you may not have been riding appropriate to the conditions, even if the dog owner wasn't in proper control of the dog.  You need to be able to anticipate more