Other half accident with tractor, advice please

[Kbrook]

My partner cycling along in the countryside yesterday, tractor pulling trailer passes, huge metal grass cutting arms flies off, luckily hits the bike and not her otherwise she would probably be dead. She flies off is injured, clothing wrecked, bike scratched. Farmer stops, says something about a pothole must have caused it. Gives name and company details and takes my partners phone number.
She goes to hospital after several hours is treated for a number of cuts and bruises so in that respect she was lucky.
Question is what to do now? what has really bothered me is that the farmer hasn't even rung up to see how she is which I think is terrible. I would imagine he has committed a number of offences including some health and safety offences.
Should we try and sort this out direct with the farmer, although his lack of a phone call has sort of swayed me away from this idea, just go through his insurance assuming he gives us details, which i know by law he has to or go down the solicitor route?
The bike frame has minor scratches but I guess she is entitled to a new frame as a minimum and the other bits sorted, her clothing will need replacing don't know whether her injuries are serious enough to be entitled to compensation.
Any recommendations regarding a reputable solicitor, she isn't a member of BC but would imagine their solicitors would still be happy to take this on.
How can you cause an accident where someone is injured, and potentially could have been seriously injured and not check on their welfare is beyond me.

 

[classic33]

Ignore the "farmer". Report it to the police, pointing out that its a vehicle not fit to be on the road/carrying an unsafe load. He'll be out now the for next month on hire & the next time it happens, the outcome could be a lot worse.

Search for Accident Advice in Commuting and Utility Cycling, for a quick guide on what to do.

It's the time of year when the contractors hit the roads. Some are nowt but fly by night merchants. There for the money and very little else. If you know any of the farmers round there, have a word with one or two. They'll not want to be associated with people like that.

Any idea what the piece on the back looked like. They're designed not to fall apart in transit if fitted properly.

the the removed in edit.

 

[Pale Rider]

Depends what you want to achieve.

Compo for cuts and bruises won't amount to a lot, hundreds rather than thousands.

No harm in giving the farmer the chance to pay for the bike repair and clothing, although if he doesn't pull out the money literally within hours of you asking, I wouldn't waste time asking again.

I hear what you are saying about him showing no concern, but he may have reported the matter to his insurers who will probably have told him to say nowt, other than to refer you to them if you do get in touch.

A solicitor may take it on, but there isn't a lot of money in the claim, so you need to be certain on what basis the solicitor is proceeding and what liability you may have if there is no blood in this particular farming stone.

It's an injury accident, so a report to the police would be wise - doing that now may come in handy later if you have questions to answer from the other party.

 

[Kbrook]

Depends what you want to achieve.

Compo for cuts and bruises won't amount to a lot, hundreds rather than thousands.

No harm in giving the farmer the chance to pay for the bike repair and clothing, although if he doesn't pull out the money literally within hours of you asking, I wouldn't waste time asking again.

I hear what you are saying about him showing no concern, but he may have reported the matter to his insurers who will probably have told him to say nowt, other than to refer you to them if you do get in touch.

A solicitor may take it on, but there isn't a lot of money in the claim, so you need to be certain on what basis the solicitor is proceeding and what liability you may have if there is no blood in this particular farming stone.

It's an injury accident, so a report to the police would be wise - doing that now may come in handy later if you have questions to answer from the other party.

Thanks hadn't considered what you said about him referring it to his solicitor.

 

[psmiffy]

huge metal grass cutting arms flies off

Farmer stops, says something about a pothole must have caused it.

I think someone ought to be concerned - Police - that it fell apart - these thing rattle around bumpy fields - someone was negligent - there by the grace of god ...............

 

[classic33]

I think someone ought to be concerned - Police - that it fell apart - these thing rattle around bumpy fields - someone was negligent - there by the grace of god ...............

Sounds as though they were in too much of a rush. Either to maintain the vehicle or in fitting the mower.
They'll have it "fixed" & back on the road in no time.

@Kbrook, do you have the registration and the colour of the tractor?

 

[Kbrook]

It was of the arms from this piece of equipment, slightly dangerous I would think!

 

[classic33]

View attachment 132367 It was of the arms from this piece of equipment, slightly dangerous I would think!

The pins on those weigh upwards of 2lb each, and there as bad as a knife.

Personal opinion, shouldn't be in the field let alone on the road. Get it reported.

 

[Kbrook]

Thanks she is on the phone now reporting it to the police

 

[classic33]

Thanks she is on the phone now reporting it to the police

Why not you!!

 

[classic33]

View attachment 132367 It was of the arms from this piece of equipment, slightly dangerous I would think!

Bet the guard fitted in the picture wasn't there either. Designed to stop/minimize the chance of it turning whilst in transit.

 

[snorri]

Bet the guard fitted in the picture wasn't there either.

You've really got it in for the agriculture industry haven't you? Let's wait for some detail before casting aspersions.

 

[classic33]

You've really got it in for the agriculture industry haven't you? Let's wait for some detail before casting aspersions.

No, I'm aware of some of the fly by night types who are only in it for the money.
Relatives are farmers and I've done a fair amount of the work that's done around these machines. Including the simple stowage of them for transit & actually fixing them.

Time lost not moving is money lost.

 

[fossyant]

Contact the police as this could be a serious health and safety breach.

As for people not giving a damn, the driver that broke my spine, and the one that smashed up my shoulder never contacted me.

 

[midlife]

Why not you!!

It's easier if the person involved reports it to the police rather than a third party..........

Shaun