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Best way to identify a cyclist

A cyclist hit my car and ran off without giving me his details. My dashcam caught it all, including a clear shot of his face a moment before it smashed into my rear window and damaged the wiper. The bike damaged the bumper and cracked my number plate.

What's the best way to track him down so I can claim my costs? It was entirely his fault, I was stationary at the lights, he was looking at his phone.

Comments

  • david29dpo
    david29dpo Posts: 3,781 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I wish i knew,
    I seen loads damage cars
  • Devongardener
    Devongardener Posts: 568 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 500 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Unfortunately even if you can track him down, he won’t have any insurance to claim on, so you’d have to start a legal claim, at your own cost.
  • Voyager2002
    Voyager2002 Posts: 15,955 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Failing to stop after an accident is a criminal offence, so I would seek help from the police.
  • SiliconChip
    SiliconChip Posts: 1,731 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Unfortunately even if you can track him down, he probably won’t have any insurance to claim on, so you’d have to start a legal claim, at your own cost.
    My added word, I have public liability insurance for my bike but I wouldn't have run away.
    Of course, if the cyclist ran away then presumably the bike was left behind, are you holding it hostage now?

  • ThorOdinson
    ThorOdinson Posts: 256 Forumite
    100 Posts Name Dropper
    He ran off with his broken bike.

    I used Yandex to do a reverse image search on his face and I've found his Facebook page. Sent him a message asking him for details to avoid the need for police intervention.

    He had a photo of what is presumably his house too so now I know where he lives.
  • Wyndham
    Wyndham Posts: 2,568 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    He ran off with his broken bike.

    I used Yandex to do a reverse image search on his face and I've found his Facebook page. Sent him a message asking him for details to avoid the need for police intervention.

    He had a photo of what is presumably his house too so now I know where he lives.
    That's not at all weird and creepy.....

    OK, more seriously, let the police know, let them deal with it. You are not an Avenger!
  • ThorOdinson
    ThorOdinson Posts: 256 Forumite
    100 Posts Name Dropper
    I have passed the video to the police, but I still need to take him to SCC to get the cost of the repair out of him. He blocked me on Facebook so I've sent an LBA to his address. It's going to cost him about £1200 (expensive paint and new bumper) plus car hire.
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