Crashed into a car...claim

[BOB'5]

Last week, riding along and a woman driver pulled out from a junction without looking. Had no time to react, was too close and going some 20-25mph. Broke the impact as much as possible and quite remarkably nothing majorly serious.

Bike hit the front driver's side wing and I went shoulder and then face first into the side of the door. Was unconscious momentarily, opted to be driven to A&E rather than have an ambulance come out. X-rayed etc and was told that my shoulder has muscle/tissue damage and would have probably been better off broken (in terms or recovery). Side of face swollen and horrid headache for a couple of days.

Bike was still upright and lodged into the car after the accident. Bike shop says it just needs a new (carbon) fork and a couple of bits around it. I am a little dubious though as the bike is full carbon and don't want to find out it has internal damage after the insurance claim is settled. The impact speed was my riding speed of 20-25mph.

Not 100% sure where I stand with the insurance side of things for the bike claim. I hear that you can't test properly for internal carbon damage and that the bikes are not replaced on a like for like basis, but based on the s/h value of pre-accident?

Bike is a Trek full carbon racer.

Any other advice on claim welcomed.

 

[summerdays]

Bad Luck. You're not my friend's husband are you? Have you thought of asking another bike shop for their opinion?

 

[marinyork]

Yes I would ask for a second opinion. Other than that CTC it and get better soon.

 

[Will1985]

Firstly, bad luck! I had a similar incident 2 months ago.
Secondly, get CTC's or British Cycling's lawyers on it quickly...witnesses are good too. Police should be told if they weren't already - you can decide if you want her to be prosecuted as well. Don't forget to make sure you claim any health costs/loss of time.

Sounds like the forks took much of the impact, but given that my collision was carbon forks in a steel frame which bent in 2 places I would say don't chance it with the frame. Bike shop should be able to agree to that (or get a second opinion)...they might even get some business out of it later!

 

[BOB'5]

I've already instructed a accident claim company (via a leaflet in A&E) and the solicitors have contacted me.

Accident was reported to Poilce within the 24hr deadline. Witness details taken.

Just been on the phone to Trek UK and they advised that the shop send it to them for testing if I am not 100% happy with the shops' view. They said there is no real scientific way of testing the intergrity of the frame and only visually inspect it and tap test it themselves (which is what the shop did).

Have been told that the replacement fork will be in black, which annoys me as the bike is in US postal colours inc the fork at the moment. To be honest I just don't feel like getting back on it. The same with any car that has had a major crash - I doesn't feel right.

Will have to clarify with the solicitors what can and can't be claimed for.

The movement of my shoulder is restricted, which means no cycling (have to now drive) and my lifestyle is massively disrupted. Can't work on the car, do DIY work to the house which was half started, can't go to the gym etc etc. Even simple things like washing my car once a week. I am having the car valeted tomorrow (I usually do it once a week myself) at a cost of £25 - will costs like this likely be recovered? Petrol expenditure is now higher etc.

 

[BOB'5]

Pre accident pic:

Few changes since pic including SPDs etc.

Wouldn't look very nice with a black front fork. Imagine doing that to a car, has an accident and the repair shop puts on a different colour body panel

 

[Will1985]

You should be able to recover any incurred costs which you otherwise wouldn't have had to make such as physio, travel/extra petrol costs etc. When it gets to physio, you're talking personal injury claims meaning lots of trips to independent specialists which can also take longer.

 

[cheadle hulme]

Have a look at this thread BOB,

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=26954

Quite a few people have had shoulder injuries afetr side car impacts. Make sure you get a full assessment, including scans if appropriate. The damage often doesn't become apparent until much later.

 

[fossyant]

Bob - get to a Physio PDQ, go to your doctor and get a referral to a shoulder specialist.

I was off'ed - something not too dissimilar - car drove into me...

I am still having significant trouble with my shoulder three months later - it's OK(ish) day to day, but I have to watch it gardening, lifting....etc. Can't go swimming with the kids.... Can still ride, but not more than 90 mins. I also have trouble sleeping.

My shoulder aches, then it's fine, then it's bad again. My main problem is crunching and clicking, which, as time goes on, looks increasingly like surgery to get it 'fixed' - otherwise this pain will continue.

I've got cover through British Cycling - I'd say get some cover now - although you've contacted another - this sort of thing may happen again....

How you'll go on for getting the car washed may be difficult - wash one handed.... -I've forked out for new pillows, a garden rotovator (for digging) etc. - these won't be covered.

Things like increased travel costs will be covered, repairs etc...but less 'essential' stuff won't I suspect.

I'd try and get a new frame - I wouldn't be happy with a non-matching fork.

Make sure you contact the solicitor and let them know you are going for physio - se the GP first and find out if they recommend the treatment - it will then be on your records. You'll most likely have to pay privately for physio...don't rely on NHS - it will be months...... I've been on physio for two months now, 2 x per week at £39 a visit - soon racks up.....that's come out of my pocket.

The third party is not contesting liability in my case, so that's one less pressure...... right 45 mins till my Ibuprofen Extra, then I'll feel a bit sick and go to bed.... at least I'll sleep....

 

[BOB'5]

Thanks guys.

Doesn't seem to fair this insurance lark. Sounds like my shoulder could be a problem for months if not years to recover - the doc at the A&E certainly thought so.

Today I had to take the car to the carwash as it's not realistic to clean it inside and out with my left hand. My lounge and bathroom is currently stripped - I was doing the work myself, now I have to leave it like that for months in the hope I recover (can't afford to pay someone to do it)?

From my breif conversation with the solicitor he said it was reasonable to claim for things like someone helping with the shopping etc. Will have to see how far this extends.

My bike will look like a piece of mis-matched junk, my shoulder is likely to be a problem for some time to come, I can't compete in a Triathlon this year, can't train at the gym, have trouble sleeping, can't wash the car, can't finish the decorating etc etc....All because some idiot failed to look coming out of a junction.

All I get is some expenses to patch the bike up and treament money.

 

[fossyant]

You'll eventually get compensation for the 'injury' - but this will be a long way away..... and after you've had treatment or operations, all the medical notes have been collected, and you've seen an independant specialist, who will also assess long term damage - e.g. arthritus.

I've just been told that bike expenses, and the first 4 of my physio treatments have been 'coughed up for' for now - but more to come.

Yep, I too had plans for more sportives this year...no chance.

You'll not get help with washing the car - don't forget, you'll still be suffering the initial impact damage - this goes fairly quickly, then you'll notice the long term issues - it was a good two weeks before my main problem with my shoulder showed up.

You can push for a new frame - I would in this instance. I have literally just got the cost for a few new bits and a new helmet (only for the model I had and it's current RRP - not the new helmet) - but the bike bits are more or less the estimate price, despite the 'age' of some of the parts. No labour cost..I don't need to claim for that..

It is incredibly frustraiting, but make sure you list the 'events' you were going to do. Also keep a log of how the injury is. Mine has been very up and down..... it's actually worse at the moment despite the extensive treament - explain this to the solicitor as well - I'd literally just written a letter to mine saying it felt better, then it all went down hill - I'd not actually done anything to trigger it.

Let's hope the driver admits fault - that takes one pressure off you - next step is find out what's wrong....

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Although it'll be the least of your worries you should push to get the bike done up to the standard at which it was pre-crash, as someone has said, they wouldn't bodge a car up with different coloured parts so there's no reason to expect a cyclist to accept such a crap job.

Hope you manage to get things sorted, my claim took almost a year but they finally paid up for everything.

I originally claimed for bike repairs, clothing replacement and some for pain and suffereing, but the driver's Boss siad this was far too much and to go down the insurance route... glad I did in the end, as I ended up with just over 4 times the amount I was claiming for in the first place!

 

[BOB'5]

Just to update:

Bike has been looked at and likely the frameset is a write-off. Replacement like-for-like frameset is in excess of £2000.

All paperwork now filed with solicitors etc.

Hopefully have a medical soon and begin treatment.

Is really getting me down not being able to do some normal day-to-day activities, work out etc.

 

[summerdays]

Good luck with the path to recovery - I know what you mean about being able to do things ... my family keep looking at me when I suddenly say something like - I managed to open a jar today...

And it looks like a result in the bike too now you won't have to worry about whether there was any unseen damage.