Thanks for the advice, I just want to get back on my bike, I do not want this to be the end of my cycling life, confidences is a very important thing when cycling and it is easily lost. I think I am going to replace my wrecked commuting road bike with a crosser maybe the Revolotion Cross Sport, I may go and look at one tomorrow if I can get out of bed!!
P.S You do not know how much you love your bike and how much the loss of the ability to use it effects you until you see it smashed up in you hall every time you pass it.
FORGIVE ME FOR SHOUTING BUT DO NOT GO ANYWHERE NEAR A BIKE AT THIS TIME AS 1) YOU NEED YOUR INJURIES TO HEAL 100% AND 2) HOW IS IT GOING TO LOOK TO THE DRIVER'S INSURERS IF YOU HAVE BEEN SEEN OR CLAIM YOU HAVE BEEN RIDING YOUR BIKE OR DOING OTHER PHYSICAL EXERCISE.
LET TIME TAKE IT'S COURSE.
Phew ......... I never shouted so much in caps lock. A replacement bike, components, accessories, clothing helmet etc is the EASY BIT. You have a fairly signifcant injury DO NOT jeopardise your recovery or compromise your personal injury claim. Damages are not huge so be sure to do everything correctly as down the line you MAY still be left with some symptoms and you will have wished you got more. I have been there. I did not compromise my claim, I didn't ride for 6+ months. The bike side was sorted fairly quickly back at
Condor who were brilliant, but it was my injuries that took the time to heal and where prognosis was uncertain. In the end I got a sizeable payout, on reflection the best I could have got. It was frustrating at the time as everything seemed to be progressing so slowly, but glad I stuck it out. Even after 10 years I still get some discomfort in my left hip on cold damp wet days.
Stay away from bikes save to sort out repairs or replacements. The law says you are entitled to be recompensed to the extent of putting you back in the position you were immediately prior to the accident. Whether an insurer takes the view that it will dispute value of bike and equipment all depends on how good a negotiator your solicitor is. My solicitor was pretty good as the other side's insurer just accepted repair costs of £2,600 as the rear stays of my then Condor Barachi 853 Team bike were bent and it needed a respray, rear wheel and chorus rear mech trashed, saddle, bars and front chorus ergo levers. If there is no question that the driver is at fault then they haven't got a leg to stand on really.
Presumably you are off worK? So loss of earnings??