no cycling for me for a while..knocked off today

elderone
elderone Posts: 1,410
edited November 2012 in Road beginners
Went for a ride this afternoon and 20 miles in i was hit from behind by a 4x4 and went for a bit of air time.basically was ambulanced to hospital but no bones broke just cuts and bruising and much swelling and gravel rash all down one side, my pelvis is sore and cant walk just now but that will heel.bikes trashed.gear trashed as was cut of me in ambulance.police said some old chap has dragged my bike to his house so i can get it back some time..they said seems ok oas wheels spun but frame snapped i seen that my self when i was in road.Im totally gutted,only been going 7 weeks and progress was good i think..On the up side if id have flew right not left the jeep would have run over me as well so lucky on that score,gaurdian angel today i feel.
His car well dented where he hit me and he is 100% responsible,he said sun in his eyes and didnt see me so just ploughed into me at he claims 35mph but i dont know for sure.
No moral to the story as i didnt know much about it but i feel i want to start again when i can and i hope thats stays over the healing period but i feel mixed up just now but we will see.
be careful out there.
Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori
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Comments

  • ilm_zero7
    ilm_zero7 Posts: 2,213
    ah the old - sun in my eye defence again !
    you were lucky. hope you mend quickly and he gets done over in court

    sounds like a new bike Hmm Oltre, C59 ....... that should ease the pain
    http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=3370a&r=3&c=5&u=M&g=p&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png
    Wiliers: Cento Uno/Superleggera R and Zero 7. Bianchi Infinito CV and Oltre XR2
  • peat
    peat Posts: 1,242
    Yikes. Terrifying. Glad you're, in the main, ok.

    Also feel for the driver a bit, i have been in situations like that where visibility is really low. But as a cyclist i always try and be extra vigulant for bikes in those conditions - it is difficult though.
  • Really feel for you mate - I'm just a few weeks in to all this myself, so sorry to hear you've come a cropper. Very best of luck for your recovery, keep us posted.
    Is the gorilla tired yet?
  • TommyB61
    TommyB61 Posts: 103
    Thank goodness you're around to ride another day. All the best for your recovery.
  • nevman
    nevman Posts: 1,611
    Good luck with recovery mate.cant believe he can drive 1,5 ton of metal when he cant see.no defence to careless driving.
    Whats the solution? Just pedal faster you baby.

    Summer B,man Team Carbon LE#222
    Winter Alan Top Cross
    All rounder Spec. Allez.
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    Advice... as simple as the case may seem, and as distasteful as it might be, get a solicitor involved sooner rather than later. Your local ambulance chaser might be fine, a search of the forum will find recommended firms who specialise in this sort of thing.
    All the best with your recovery, hope you're back on a shiny new bike soon.
  • dashik
    dashik Posts: 156
    Indeed, Get advice asap. I hope your ok and recover quickly.

    As for the driver if the sun was in their eyes why did they not drive slower? What kind of idiot keeps driving at speed when they cant see. Oh wait... It's British drivers were talking about.....

    Years as an ADI have made me a little cynical but the drivers in the wrong regardless.
  • he was travelling at 35 mph and could not see. they will be dishing out licenses to blind folk next.
  • Scary stuff, makes you realise we really are putting ourselves at risk on every ride.

    I wish you a speedy recovery.... enjoy shopping for a new bike!
  • nick1972
    nick1972 Posts: 144
    All the best for your recovery. Lets hope the driver gets whats coming to him. When I'm driving and the visability is poor I slow down. Guess not all drivers have the same mindset.
  • peat
    peat Posts: 1,242
    Nick1972 wrote:
    All the best for your recovery. Lets hope the driver gets whats coming to him. When I'm driving and the visability is poor I slow down. Guess not all drivers have the same mindset.

    The OP makes no reference to what speed zone he was in. For all we know, it could have been NSL, which would mean a speed of 35mph could be deemed as 'safe' (or downright dangerous depending on your point of view)
  • dashik
    dashik Posts: 156
    Its a limit not a target, so if you cant see the road ahead then it could be that in those conditions 5 mph could be deemed dangerous.
  • dov2711
    dov2711 Posts: 131
    Worth checking out if your home insurance has accident cover attached. Mine did and the company have been very good at chasing through a claim which is close to being settled as third party has accepted full liability. Contacted x2 bike specific company's in Scotland by email and the replies were poor to lazy hence I went elsewhere.

    Dont expect a quick resolution though!!
  • Dashik wrote:
    Its a limit not a target

    +1
    Sometimes you're the hammer, sometimes you're the nail

    strava profile
  • elderone
    elderone Posts: 1,410
    thanks for the replies chaps,they have made me feel better.
    The road was a 60 and dead flat and straight and yes the sun was low and strong, i live close and know what its like,personally in the car i,ve gone down to 10 mph in the same situation on that road.the chap lives further up this road so wouldnt have been his first time with the sun.
    The police came back last night after i got home from hospital with all the details etc so will get ball rolling as police said he,s admitted full responsability.
    Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    Peat wrote:
    Nick1972 wrote:
    All the best for your recovery. Lets hope the driver gets whats coming to him. When I'm driving and the visability is poor I slow down. Guess not all drivers have the same mindset.

    The OP makes no reference to what speed zone he was in. For all we know, it could have been NSL, which would mean a speed of 35mph could be deemed as 'safe' (or downright dangerous depending on your point of view)
    If you're driving at a speed that means you can't stop in the distance you can see to be clear, then it's not safe. IT clearly wasn't safe as he drove straight into the OP!

    Rule 93 of the Highway Code:
    Slow down, and if necessary stop, if you are dazzled by bright sunlight.

    OP: get well soon, and get legal advice.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Get the lawyers involved in it. Take photos of all of the damage.

    I know of 2 local cyclists killed in similar circumstances to this - so you were lucky comparatively.

    I'm very wary of the sun now - if I'm struggling to see then I'll do everything I can to find a different route.
    Some motorists are too stupid to be allowed to drive.

    Heal well.
  • lotus49
    lotus49 Posts: 763
    I'm really sorry to hear about your accident - it sounds pretty scary.

    It's true that the low sun can be a problem but it's not an excuse. If you cannot see, you shouldn't keep going. If you were driving at night and your headlights failed, you would stop (I hope). The same applies here.

    At least there shouldn't be any doubt as to who was to blame. I hope this doesn't put you off. Accidents like this are relatively rare (<4%) but it is hard to guard against them.
  • Hope you feel better soon OP, hopefully the driver will get his comeuppance and you get a better bike out of it. And a full recovery of course.

    Still amazes me that some drivers really don't respect cyclists and give us the room we deserve :roll:
  • Sounds pretty scary! hope you recover and come to enjoy cycling again, it can be pretty hard to get back on a bike after an accident like that but I think it depends how nice the bike is so seek legal advice!
  • WOW, really sorry to hear that buddy. Could have been so much worse. Bloody idiots driving when they can't see, no excuse as far as I can see. :x :x

    There's me feeling sorry for myself for smashing my hybrid off the roof just now (low height restriction - don't ask, feel a right tw#t!!!!!) and I have no right to as despite the damage to my bike it was my own fault and I wasn't injured!!

    Really hope you feel better soon and don't lose too much confidence. I've been back cycling about 3 months and lost a bit of confidence when i got cramp and couldn't unclip and fell. Not turning this into "all about me and my idiotic accidents!! :oops:

    Get better soon.
  • ben@31
    ben@31 Posts: 2,327
    From a past experience, a court judge said "Motorists always need to drive to the conditions, even if it means them slowing to 1mph. Therefore there is no excuse for a crash". There's no such thing as a " road accident " as it wasnt accidental, human negligence lead to it happening.
    "The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby
  • Mikey41
    Mikey41 Posts: 690
    Woah Elder!

    That's very nasty and rather scary, hope you will heal up fast and well :)

    As others have said, take photos of all damage and all injuries, write it all down so your memory is clear. I doubt you'll have any trouble getting his insurers to cough up to replace your bike and kit.
    Giant Defy 2 (2012)
    Giant Defy Advanced 2 (2013)
    Giant Revel 1 Ltd (2013)
    Strava
  • I'm glad to hear you are well,

    I had an incident the other day. A 4x4 I'm sure intentionally turned in on me, I was heading for some red lights a mate went past no problem. I had a hi vis coat on and a guy turned in, wedged me between the vehicle and the curb. Now that frightened the crap out of me.

    I'm now unsure when to overtake or not.

    All the best for you mate. And advise in both situations would be good.
  • elderone
    elderone Posts: 1,410
    thanks for the replies guys and they do help..As it stands now im still sore and emotionally drained but feel more positive.the other blokes insurance called me tonight and said he,d been intouch and admitted full reliability so thats good news..
    Now this tickled me,after he told me the above they asked if i would like them to represent me in a claim against there client,now that i didnt expect.
    Also both of the police officers who attended the scene have popped round to see how i am,which was nice.
    Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori
  • peat
    peat Posts: 1,242
    I had an incident the other day. A 4x4 I'm sure intentionally turned in on me, I was heading for some red lights a mate went past no problem. I had a hi vis coat on and a guy turned in, wedged me between the vehicle and the curb. Now that frightened the crap out of me.

    It's not advisable to be filtering on the left of vehicles. The 4x4 driver was possibly just a militant pr!ck trying to 'teach you a lesson'.
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    Glad to hear you are ok elderone. If you haven't already done so, it might be worth looking at the CTC website as they have some very capable solicitors who are used to this sort of thing. Even if you aren't a member yet, they may take your case, etc.

    My advice would be to refrain from talking to the other party's legal/insurance team except to acknowledge contact. Anything you inadvertantly state may be used against you, even some off the cuff remarks like "I'm fine now, no damage done". So, stay shtumm and don't try to be a reasonable bloke because that won't stop them from trying to fleece you when push comes to shove!
  • elderone wrote:
    Now this tickled me,after he told me the above they asked if i would like them to represent me in a claim against there client,now that i didnt expect.
    Is that even legal? Does conflict of interest mean anything? There'll only be one winner in that situation, and it won't be you.
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    Guanajuato wrote:
    elderone wrote:
    Now this tickled me,after he told me the above they asked if i would like them to represent me in a claim against there client,now that i didnt expect.
    Is that even legal? Does conflict of interest mean anything? There'll only be one winner in that situation, and it won't be you.
    This. They will offer you, very friendly and helpfully, the smallest figure they can possibly get away with.
  • elderone
    elderone Posts: 1,410
    thanks lads for the advice, i have no intention of using them as you say,there looking out for themsleves not me.
    It just tickled me they actually did it.
    Bonus is they aren,t going to dispute it so i can start drooling over a new bike.
    Dr. reckons at least 8 weeks before im well enough to ride so thats a bummer,just have to realise it could have been worse and wait out.
    Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori