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Crash Recovery and Legal Stuff

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  • April 15, 2015 at 8:35 pm #23752
    SR2

    Hey guys,

    I had a pretty bad accident over the weekend in which a car was undertaking which caused me to veer and crash. I’ve broken my collarbone and have pretty much had my life turned upside down. I’m going in for an operation soon to have a plate fixed to my collarbone as its damaged badly. I most likely wont be able to ride for another 3 months even then I will have to take it easy…It’s the worst thing I was training for London to Brighton which is off the agenda now, my bike isn’t completely totaled, as a lady offered to have her husband take it to their property rather than leave it out on the road chained up.

    I caught the VRM of the driver on my GoPro and have spoken to the Met Police about it in person, as the driver did not stop after the accident and was undertaking they’re looking into prosecuting him and I’m also considering taking legal action as I wont be able to work after the operation as i’m paid by the hours I complete at work.

    Long story short i’m a little distraught, I’ve only been cycling in London for about 3 months and had nothing major happen til this came along. I’m wondering if anyone else has had severe injury and managed to get back on and how riding felt different or what challenges they had. Also if you’ve taken action against a driver I’d like to know your experiences in court.

    Thanks guys

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Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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  • April 17, 2015 at 6:22 am #841777
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    ciderman_100

    as per the others hope you
    as per the others hope you make a good recovery. I am recovering from a broken pelvis caused by a car out of a side turning, as somebody has already said look at you calorie intake, I went down to 1500 calories a day but biased to protein to help with muscle wastage also calcium supplement along with iron and vitamins. as soon as the docs said I could get back on a turbo I did and built up the miles first then the effort. The gist of it is listen to the docs look at your calorie intake exercise as soon as they say, and document everything that you have had to spend money on even gas and electric bills as you will be home when you are normally at work. it is a long slow road back but take your time and it will be good again . mine happened jan16 2015 and i’m off work at the moment till end of may but i’m getting there just like you will.

    April 16, 2015 at 11:26 am #841775
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    dotdash

    As others have said it takes
    As others have said it takes time to return, and you don’t know how you will feel when on the road.

    I got hit by a car turning right across me, broken back in 3 places multiple rib fractures etc. I started by riding on the turbo, then took it to an off road track as you need to sort out your balance issues when you start riding again, then I built up to road.

    You will have moments, I had one on Tuesday when a car started turning right across me just like my accident, and if I had stopped my bike and thought for a second I doubt I would ever got back on.

    Try to remember that you did nothing wrong.

    April 16, 2015 at 7:21 am #841773
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    OldRidgeback

    Good comments in all of the
    Good comments in all of the previous posts and I’d add that the Cycling Silk is a very experienced legal bod who frequents this site and who may be able to offer a bit of advice on how best to proceed. He’d certainly be able to give you advice on what legal firm could best represent you and also on the charges that could be brought against the driver.

    As the person left the scene of the incident the police will probably want to start with that charge but there may well be a string of others. Having footage of the incident will help you along the way. Drivers who leave the scene of incidents often do so because they may have no licence, insurance, valid MOT or VED for the vehicle as well as being offenders in other respects and the police are particularly keen to get these people off the road.

    Heal up, don’t hurry back onto the bike and maybe get some time on a turbo trainer when you’ve repaired sufficiently but still aren’t ready to venture back onto the road.

    April 16, 2015 at 7:17 am #841771
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    Mungecrundle

    This may be the crap that the
    This may be the crap that the first poster warned you of, but here goes.

    If you are currently very active and have the calorie intake to match then just watch what you are eating while you recover. Your body needs the right nutrition to rebuild but if you keep eating the same then you may find yourself putting on weight quite rapidly.

    Wishing you a full recovery.

    M

    April 16, 2015 at 4:41 am #841769
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    Anonymous

    As the previous posters have
    As the previous posters have covered the legal side so I’ll deal with your getting back on the road.

    First up. You will lose a lot of conditioning. If you have access to a turbo trainer use it because you can sit up and not place any strain on your collarbone.

    Secondly and this one is a bit tricky because it’s what is going on in your head. Everyone is different and you won’t know until you get back on the bike. Some people have no problem getting back out there but some need a little help and encouragement.

    Most are jittery for a few runs and then settle down.
    Some might need to use predominately off-road routes or quiet routes until there confidence returns.
    And some find riding with an understanding partner of friend works.

    The important thing to remember is that we want you back out there. Do not be afraid to ask for help! Most cyclists have been ‘rattled’ at sometime or other.

    Good luck.

    April 15, 2015 at 10:39 pm #841767
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    Dr Mcr

    That sounds dreadful. Hope
    That sounds dreadful. Hope you get good care and make a speedy recovery.

    Kwi is right, you need to speak with a solicitor. I work for a law firm in our business services department (I am not a lawyer) and we have recently been doing work around cycling safety. Although we have offices in London, I would suggest giving us (Irwin Mitchell) a call to discuss, to at least get some up front advice. If you want to call, our number is 0370 1500 100.

    I had a non-cycling sporting injury a few years back which ended up requiring two operations and months of physio, so I know how long the healing process can be for serious injuries.

    April 15, 2015 at 10:37 pm #841765
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    Argos74

    Yep, contact a reputable,
    Yep, contact a reputable, cyclist friendly solicitor. A ambulance-chasing bucketshop outfit will do you no favours. If it were damage only, might be a different situation, but stakes are big enough to warrant siccing a solicitor on the vehicle’s insurer.

    Keep documents and receipts for everything. Bus fares. Taxi fares. Lost wages. Physio bills. Bike repair bills. If in doubt, keep it.

    Came back six months ago from a high speed tumble, busted ribs and bruising all the way down one side and both legs. Too fast to even think about putting an arm out and doing the collarbone. Be prepared for a lengthy recovery, bring the activity and intensity back up as and when your physio allows you.

    April 15, 2015 at 10:32 pm #841763
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    ChrisB200SX

    Make sure you record/document
    Make sure you record/document everything. Get a solictor on the case who is an expert in cycling claims. I recommend Slater and Gordon. I was told these claims take a number of months (maybe 6?) to be resolved. You should be compensated for your injuries, incurred expenses and loss of earnings. Solicitor will take (up to) 20% of whatever you are awarded, just because that’s now the law and you can’t recover that cost from the liable party.
    Have you completed a witness statement etc with the police?

    I was hit by a taxi on Christmas eve, lost a kidney, broke 6 ribs and a bunch of other trauma injuries that don’t seem as significant but would probably ruin most people’s day… 2 weeks in hospital and about 6 weeks before I went back to work in stages. They said it would have been a lot worse if I hadn’t been very fit and active.
    I’ve mostly recovered now, fattest and most unfit I’ve ever been, and I’ve been working on my fitness for over a month now! Ribs still ache a lot of the time, I guess that’s normal for broken bones?
    I’ve been riding the mountain bike to work and back for a week or so now, doesn’t really feel any different, but I do feel more vulnerable and concerned about the damage an idiot driver could do to me.

    Sorry to hear about your pay situation, hope you recover well and the bastard who caused this gets what’s coming to them.

    April 15, 2015 at 9:10 pm #841761
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    kwi

    Sorry to hear that, I’m
    Sorry to hear that, I’m recovering from a shoulder injury at the moment and feel your pain.
    Best advice I can give you is get a solicitor, preferably one that has experience in cycling related claims, on the case ASAP and don’t rely on the armchair “legal experts” that frequent forums, though you will get the odd gem of advice from someone who really knows, it can be hard to filter out the crap.

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