Finally happened

backo

Almost three years of commuting, clocking a good 7k miles a year and knocked off my bike this morning for the first time.

A partially blind teen runs full pelt accross the road in between parked cars straight into my path whilst doing a good 20mph

Two broken ribs, brokren collar bone and shattered shoulder blade. Thankfully had my helmet on as my head smacked the tarmac pretty hard. The lad had a nasty gash and was in shock quite badly.

Bike is ok but new helmet required, clothing ruined and back on train to work once pain goes.

Well out of pocket and a lot of pain

Going to be a grumpy git untill i can get back into the saddle... Wife will be hating me soon.

Gutted

Mikey23

Oh dear, that's not good...
Have you gone through the usual preliminary checks, contacting insurance, exchange of details, visit to A&E etc?

backo

Never got to exchange details, i was pretty out of it before being ambulanced off.

Didnt think there was any insurance to claim off? Had a car hit me well that would be a different story.

Supose its just bad luck

Mikey23

Do a 101 at least... This young man might decide to sue you on the basis that it's your fault. At least there's a record kept. I had 2 ribs, clavicle and pneumo thorax and I was on morphine ... Not conducive to clear thinking!

Mikey23

I'm assuming you have some kind of insurance which should cover you for third party liability. If the guy has a nasty gash and is in shock and when checked out might have other injuries. I'm sure missus can sort that out...

backo

Yeah i got british cycling silver membership which covers third party. The lad lives on the road, there were quite a few witnesses. His parents knew what happened from neighbours/witness and couldnt apologise enough.

Pity pedestrians arent insured!

Mikey23

Probably a case to answer but no point in pursuing it... Partially blind you say. Probably a substantial investment in benefits then. Looks like you have done everything you can, now just get better. Will the collar bone and shoulder heal themselves or will surgery be required?

backo

Specialist ringing me on monday to confirm if shoulder blade needs pinning. Had a ct scan but doctor on at time wants to consult the senior doctor. I hope they do, it should heal better.

Not looking forward to trying to sleep tonight

Roll on 8 weeks!

Mikey23

I hope you have loads of painkillers. I had paracetamol, codeine and ibuprofen. Yes, finding a comfortable position for the first few weeks is pants. The ribs are the worse by far. I had to sleep sitting for first few days, had to be pulled upright by missus, couldn't drive or work for 6 weeks. Anyways, you're alive and you will recover!

backo

Pretty much the same, slept sat upright last night. Been given dihyrocodeine , paracetamol and ibrobrofen which are very strong and make you very drowsy.... Really help with sleep.

They wanted to keep me in to manage the pain relief, cant say a weekend sat on a ward was appealing!

Yes it could be a lot worse i suppose, i ended up under a parked car. Had i been going quicker i would have hit it head first!

At least my right arm is fine as im a rightie!

Weeks of crap tv awaits!

backo

How long before you could realistically get on a spin bike following your injuries?

Conscious i have a big appettite but the miles i clock up keep the weight off.... Really dont want to baloon up

Mikey23

Erm, accident 9/7, OP 24/7, back on static bike within days, turbo a couple of weeks after. Not a prob as summat you can do one handed and gradually got to use two in short spells. No point in going outside if you can't hold the bars or change gears. Make sure you get physio as early as possible and do it thoroughly. The shoulder joint capsule will close down quickly with the inactivity and you will need to work hard to get back your mobility. I'm about 90% after 4 months. Manageable but you will get stuck where you give up. Weight, I put on about 6lbs but quickly lost it again. Watch out for pressure issues from sitting around and also constipation. The painkillers have an effect here and can cause probs... I think codeine is the culprit. I went with staying in as long as possible. There was a little gang of cyclists and we had quite a fun time!

unixnerd

Pity pedestrians arent insured!

That doesn't mean you don't have a case for compensation. It just means he has to pay out of his own pocket, if he has any assets. At the very least you might get a few 100 quid. Remember that you're the victim due to his negligence, you're in pain and out of pocket.

Mikey23

Maybe... The other party might counter argue that he's a victim in pain and out of pocket...

The Rookie

Most people are covered fpr third party liability under household insurance, it's worth finding out as you are seriously out of pocket, at the elast you should be claiming for the repairs to the 'stuff' (bike/clothing etc) damaged.....

ChuckWoking

Nasty.

One reason why I've opted to pay for BC Gold level insurance, too many people can't look before they cross the road.

You wouldn't think you live in a densely populated country that has too many cars would you... :?

murvis1er

+1 for getting into physio as early as possible. My shoulder was left too long (NHS waiting lists are generally massive). Took them 8 weeks from when I left hospital (7 weeks from the ortho consultation) to get in touch, by which time I'd have lost a scary amount of range and muscle. Thankfully decided to bite the bullet and go private after waiting 6 weeks. It's amazing how quickly atrophy happens and the muscles shorten. Physio said I should have started ROM exercises from week 4. Still haven't got full range after 8 months, if I'd waited 8 weeks things would have been slower...
One of my mates was recommended to start with a private consultation for a knee injury by his GP recently because of the delays. I'd say that's good advice.
Heal up soon

backo

thanks for the posts...the lad who ran out was only 14. cant imagine he has any house insurance and it happened in quite a poor resi area. Even with gold BC insurance im not sure I would get anything under Personal accident insurance...seems to pay out for lost of limb, sight things like that... I may give BC a call regardless just in case.

I have private medical insurance with my employer so going to use that for physio....seeing a specialist tomorrow for another xray and discuss recovery.

finding it really difficult not being able to exercise..very very grumpy!

The Rookie

backo wrote:

thanks for the posts...the lad who ran out was only 14. cant imagine he has any house insurance

No but the parents will......at the very least he should pay what he can, needs to learn cause and effect!

unixnerd

finding it really difficult not being able to exercise..very very grumpy!

I know how you feel, I broke my wrist six weeks ago and only got back on my bike yesterday. But look on the bright side, at least it didn't happen during the nice weather. I was surprised how little fitness I've lost, letting muscles have a bit of time off isn't always a bad thing. Once you to start to mend go for long walks and the like before you're bike fit. And try to keep off the cream cakes for now :-)

junglist_matty

The Rookie wrote:

backo wrote:

thanks for the posts...the lad who ran out was only 14. cant imagine he has any house insurance

No but the parents will......at the very least he should pay what he can, needs to learn cause and effect!

Do you work for the accident helpline by any chance!?

merkin

I should imagine the trauma of being hit by a grown man on a bike travelling at 20mph would be a more effective learning tool than someone taking an insurance claim against him. I doubt it was a pleasant experience for anyone involved.:roll:
Get well soon OP