Best way to identify a cyclist

ThorOdinson

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.

david29dpo

I wish i knew,
I seen loads damage cars

Devongardener

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

Failing to stop after an accident is a criminal offence, so I would seek help from the police.

SiliconChip

Devongardener said:

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

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

ThorOdinson said:

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

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.

ThorOdinson

He's pleading poverty now. Wants to pay in installments.

outtatune

Seems reasonable. Most people don't have £1200 lying around.

martindow

Are you attempting to mitigate your losses here?  If £1200 is a main dealer's price it is probably possible to get it dealt with at a local specialist for a fraction of that. It looks as if you are not going to be readily reimbursed for your expenses.