Cyclist down - Castle Donington

[MoG]

Me !!


5pm last night, just left work and starting my 18 mile homeward commute, going round the roundabout over the A50.

A lady in her Corsa decided to approach the roundabout far too fast in lane 1 of a two lane entry onto said roundabout (car in lane 2 had already given way and stopped to let me cycle past), and ran straight into the back of me.
Fortunately I saw it coming and "braced myself!!" Thought I was going to save it, but the back end of bike was doing its own thing (pouring rain and soaking wet, greasy tarmac).

Despite being stretchered into the ambulance on a backboard, and having spinal, pelvic and hip xrays, I have been really lucky and got away with bruising and torn/strained muscles (basically whiplash injuries).

Mind you, it has cost me a day off today(no pay ) and loss of a days overtime pay for an extra shift on Sunday- Money I cant afford to lose as getting married in September.

The bike (3 week old Btwin triban 3) seems to have got away completely undamaged - was hit straight onto back tyre, so it felt like a massive bumper car attacking from behind!!


Sorry if talking gibberish, but am on happy pills (nice hospital doctor gave me these superstrong painkillers, but they are making me feel ill and Im going to have to stop taking them )


As for the lady, she drove all the way round the roundabout (prob about 1/2 mile) before stopping along side and told a pair of very kind first aiders that she didnt think she had hit me!

Reported accident to police today (ambulance called them, but still no show 40 mins later when I was being shipped to hospital) and they are coming round at 3 tomorrow, and are looking to prosecute the car driver.

 

[lejogger]

Eek.. sorry to hear, but glad your injuries aren't any worse. Maybe the whiplash compensation will pay for the honeymoon!

Get well soon.

 

[bedrock]

Wow, lucky escape!

It's a great shame the police didn't come out, but I guess they were on their tea break. Surely you should be able to claim for something? I remember a time when a car driver just lightly tapped my back wheel (didn't even come off) and I insisted he pay me 20 quid to "true the wheel" otherwise I'd "take action".

 

[wiggydiggy]

Glad to hear you ok, make sure you claim for loss of earnings from the retard driver

 

[ChrisRicho]

Glad your ok, and hope your not too shaken!

I like how the bike is mentioned, when i got knocked of it was my main concern at first

 

[Tynan]

bummer, I hate the people that push out behind another driver for no other reason than they can't see

record your aches and pains and talk to some cycle specific lawyers

the CTC ones, Russell and Jones will do you proud, free if you join the CTC for £38ish

do it

 

[cyberknight]

I hope you get well soon and do not have any long term after affects.

Take photos of your injuries and make not of any changes that occur as some symptoms can take a few days to appear.

Take the bike to the LBS for a check up as they might spot something you have missed.

As Tynan has said i would contact the CTC or the BCF with regards to them chasing the driver for compensation,you have already lost earnings and might be suffering from whiplash and other injuries that will all add up.

Have a good wedding and honeymoon , have you got a tandem to go to the wedding? i can imagine the guests faces if turn at the alter in lycra

 

[TVC]

Glad to hear the injuries will heal. Don't expect the Police to prosecute though, best just get on and pursue compensation.

 

[roadrunner20]

hope you get back on your bike and get better asap.

on the loss of pay i must say you very unlikely to get loss of pay from the driver who hit you or their insurance ect but best bet is to go through small claims(hate to mention them but those injury lawers ect)

pictures allways good idea like others wisely said

 

[Ellis456]

GWS.

 

[HLaB]

MoG, I was actually glad to read the first line of your post, it was reassuring see that the cyclists was in a reasonable state to post. I hope you are better soon though :-)

 

[MoG]

Thanks for the GWS messages.

Bike goes into LBS today for full checkover.

Home visit by cops yesterday. They are attempting to prosecute car driver for driving without due care, or something like that. They know that it prob wont stick, so they are also doing her for failing to report an accident within 24 hrs (where she knew that someone had been injured).

Was going to attempt to get back to work tomorrow, despite being in constant back and hip pain, but policeman has advised that I get to my gp, and then to one of these "where theres blaim there is a claim" type lawyers. I am of an age where I am not comfortable trying to screw as much cash as possible from someone, but the more I think about it, the more I think, "why not?". I am already over £200 out of pocket in lost overtime, and not sure when I will get back to work. Am also facing strife from SWMBO re cycle commuting on busy roads.

 

[Msmancunia]

I would definitely speak to a solicitor. I had a car accident years ago - a drunk driver ran a red light and turned right at a junction on NYE and I ran straight into the side of him. I ended up with a punctured lung and wrote off my dad's car, plus it was only a fortnight since my mum had died.

Someone recommended a solicitor - not an ambulance chaser, but one that did do personal injury claims. I just used a local family firm near me. They organised a hire car, sued the insurance firm of the car for a replacement, sent me to a private consultant for check ups for my back (possible whiplash) and a lung specialist a couple of months after I was out of hospital to check that there were no long lasting effects. We also claimed for me being off sick because I lost pay, public transport for my dad to get to the hospital to see me until we got our hire car, and I also got money for upset, inconvenience, and a scar - I have one under my arm where the chest drain went in.

A quick word with a lawyer would be ok - even if it's just to see if you can get your day's pay back, your bike service costs paid etc. And keep an eye on the back - whiplash injuries aren't immediately apparent.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I hope you get well soon and do not have any long term after affects.

Take photos of your injuries and make not of any changes that occur as some symptoms can take a few days to appear.

Take the bike to the LBS for a check up as they might spot something you have missed.

As Tynan has said i would contact the CTC or the BCF with regards to them chasing the driver for compensation,you have already lost earnings and might be suffering from whiplash and other injuries that will all add up.

Have a good wedding and honeymoon , have you got a tandem to go to the wedding? i can imagine the guests faces if turn at the alter in lycra

What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[SportMonkey]

http://www.cycle-claims.co.uk/ did a treat for me, the driver who hit me has paid out (last week, accident in June) and I've got an assessment in September to see if I am still injured in anyway (so they can potentially get compensation).