Slowly becoming too afraid to ride.

[coffeejo]

Just to echo what others have said - speak to someone and get some help with this. I'd also add that it might be helpful if you stop thinking of it as you being scared of cycling on the roads and just as you being scared. Forget the cycling / roads / drivers bit and focus on the fact that your experience has had a negative and detrimental (though perfectly understandable) impact on your day to day life. Don't try to fix the cycling - I don't think that's the issue. For example, something happened to me and in addition to the obvious fear, I also ended up being scared of getting lost and loud noises, neither of which are even remotely connected to the experience. Before you can rebuild your confidence, you'll probably need to deal with why you lost it in the first place.

Good luck.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I agree that you need to speak to your gp and get help. But also remember one thing, right now he has got to you and done what he wanted, he has you off the road. My view has always been not to let the bastards win. I'm not saying it will be easy mind you, but I am not one for letting 'them' win and I have had a fair few fights of my own. Keep fighting for what you want and if you want to be out on your bike, get the help you clearly need Sara and get back out there and don't let him win.

 

[buggi]

Playing devils advocate for this part.
Given that you're now in the process of settling the claim, do you think it might be taken as you overplaying the impact this incident has had on you?

I don't think it would given the circumstances. Must people would be afraid to ride again let alone if someone had driven at them. Personally I think she should write to the insurance company direct to tell them EXACTLY how she feels.

 

[summerdays]

I think that you do need to go and see your GP, and get some help, and that it's entirely understandable that you should be feeling like this. At the moment the court case won't have been helping, but now that it is finished would be a good time to get that outside help, then hopefully it will start to put things into perspective. Lots of people are put off cycling by incidents less traumatic than yours.

Could you put your bike and your son's into the back of the car and go somewhere to cycle off road together? Or hire bikes at a centre?

 

[vickster]

I don't think it would given the circumstances. Must people would be afraid to ride again let alone if someone had driven at them. Personally I think she should write to the insurance company direct to tell them EXACTLY how she feels.

If the psychological aspect is to be part of the claim, Sara will likely need to see a psychologist expert. Their job is determine whether this is to be considered, to what extent and whether there is likely to be a lasting impact which will affect the amount paid. Also whether the other party is to pay for treatment.

I'm seeing one in a couple of weeks as this was recommended by the orthopaedic expert who assessed my injury and has been arranged by the solicitor. Although this appointment was in June. I have since had the counselling but the counsellor's report is insufficient. The wheels grind slowly!