Cyclist Collision Question

[Answerprancer]

When I was driving back from work today, I witnessed a cyclist being knocked off his bike by a motorist turning left in front of him into a side road.
Despite the fall the cyclist was not hurt (it happened at a very low speed) but the bike was damaged. I immediately pulled up as I witnessed the whole thing.
I approached both parties who were engaged in an altercation and asked the cyclist "Do you need a witness because I saw what happened?" The motorist turned to me and said "Whose fault do you think it is because I think I need a witness too!"
Now afaic it was WHOLLY the motorist's fault but I kept schtoom about my opinion as I believe you're not supposed to discuss liability at the scene even though it was pretty obvious whose fault I thought it was.
I walked the cyclist over to my parked car in order to provide details, meanwhile the driver disappeared into a nearby car park so I gave chase, found the car and jotted down the make/colour and the reg number. He spotted me and followed me back to the waiting cyclist and started to go off on one again so I suggested to him that if he had a problem he should call the police. He asked for cyclist's details but was refused as the motorist was ranting and raving about the whole thing. I gave the cyclist and his bike a lift up the road and handed him a bit of paper with the reg number/car description and my phone number, suggested he dial 101, talk to the police and take it from there.
Question is, bearing in mind insurance is only an issue with the motorist, did I followed proper procedure?

[SirOracle]

Prancer
I would say that you did pretty well in the circumstances.
Also I am sure that the motorist is at fault here.

[woofgang]

well except that your opinion about who is at fault is not relevant. The function of a witness is to attest to the facts as to what they saw, heard and so on,not to have opinions.

[sinderella]

I would have got the camera phone out and started snapping away!

[Thunderchild]

You need to be clearer. Did the car hit the bike head on or did he turn in front of the bike that then hit the car, in which case the bike would be undertaking.

As both a cyclist and driver I see both sides. As a cyclist I know I'm in the way as I'm much slower and roads are not made for both despite so called cycle lanes that appear and dissapere on a whim, so I keep well out of the way and keep tabs on what is going on as either way I'll be the one coming out worse.

As a driver i am often annoyed by cyclists who act as though there are no cars on the road and have no consideration for the fact that they are much slower and cars cannot always react. Often cyclists just pull out into the middle of a carriageway without even looking behind when they know damn well that average road speed is faster and they could easily be pulling right into a cars path.

At the end of the day if your a witness yes your not to judge.

[Thunderchild]

I also now run a CCTV camera in my car now so that it I am involved in an accident or witness one I have the proof well beyond my memory.

[Orderlimit]

A written summary of the incident made at the scene or soon afterwards is good to be used in evidence, particularly a description of the driver.(obviously include you recorded the vehicle reg number on a piece of paper at the scene and handed it to the cyclist). All original notes should be kept and can be later exhibited as evidence on request. BUt yeah, well done.

[Orderlimit]

P.s Don't include the fact that you called the driver a fascist (you did didn't you :)).

[DangerUXD]

Yes you did and it was 100% the cars fault.

[Brinjal]

Is it not a legal requirement to call police to a accident?

[Booldawg]

pretty clear thinking under the circumstances AP.

does raise an interesting point; can you really act as a witness to the motorist if you're testament isnt favourable to that party.

Also sounds like he was attempting to leave the scene without giving his details - an offence.

[Booldawg]

think the police only need to be called if someone is injured.

[Zacs-Master]

From his agressive attititude, I would say the motorist knew that he was in the wrong. Yes you followed proper procedure although i think i would hacve called the police when he started having a go at you.

[Answerprancer]

Thanks for all the responses.
Thunderchild: The motorist cut the cyclist off as he turned left across his path thus clipping the cyclist's front wheel.
I actually heard the enraged motorist telling the cyclist that he should have braked to let him drive across his path into the side turning!
Orderlimit: Thanks. I actually yelled "TW*T!" when I saw what happened but had the window up so no one would have heard me ;-)
Zacs: I think you're right and in the heat of the moment he was venting spleen - part of me felt sorry for him because he was an elderly gentleman.

[Answerprancer]

This is the exact location of where the incident happened.
The red car and cyclist in this photo coincidentally are in the same position as in yesterday's incident. If you can imagine that car turning left across the cyclist's path the striking his front wheel, that's how it happened.
(Nb. none of the vehicles in this photo are of the persons/vehicles involved in yesterday's incident).
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y348/Photator/Jct_zpsbd1992ab.jpg