Bicycle wreck...dog...what would you do?

[Kerikay]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I did call and report it to the Sheriff's office so at least there is a record. I think I may just cut my losses and be thankful I wasn't seriously hurt. The guy was really agitated and I just don't have the time or patience to deal with him, and yes there is a leash law in my area which was obviously not followed.

[owlice]

I think you should still write the letter. That costs nothing but time. You can point out that the incident was reported to the sheriff and that you have eye witnesses who can testify that the dog was not under control/not leashed as is required and ran out at you, causing the fall. You are asking only for the direct costs you've borne to be covered and you hope the owner will do what is right in following through on his/her word.

The last part is key -- making this an issue of honoring one's word and doing what's right. I read years ago that collections letters which use language which invokes "doing what's right" (probably better phrased than that) are more successful than those that simply say "pay up, you deadbeat!" Not as much fun to write as the "pay up, you deadbeat" letters, however!

I'm glad you were not hurt (and glad the dog wasn't, either), and hope you get your costs covered!

[ivorygorgon]

Just a little addition regarding small claims court - it does cost $. I think in San Diego it costs $75 to file and then you have to serve it. You can have someone you know serve it for free (which you might be able to do), or if you have a process server do it, it costs about $50. So that is almost your settlement right there. Also, I want to second what the poster said about "actual cash value." people get confused about this, but what it really means is that they don't have to buy you a new one, just pay you for what the one you had - in its current condition - was worth.

[Cataboo]

She's not charging for damages to the rest of her gear or herself.

I think she should just stop by sometime and speak to the wife. The husband has already offered to pay for half of the helmet & wheel (and truthfully if a new wheel & a helmet is only $200, they got off lightly - because I couldn't replace one of my wheels for $200), so getting them to come up another $50 or $100 shouldn't be too bad if you speak to the person that actually saw what happened.