Cycling UK Forum

So what exactly are you planning to claim for?

I am not aware of any direct injury other than shock and bruising and minor damage to my bike. The bruising is healing fine so far. At this moment, I am very happy to feel I am recovering well and wish to leave it at that.
I phoned CTC very soon after the collision. The reason was that I felt I needed help and on the back of your CTC membership card the only "advice" phone number is 'accident claims'. I called the Gardai following the prompt from the CTC accident advice phonecall.
Now that I am back home, I am just inviting advice from fellow CTC members in case I have missed any vital step which could be important if something should arise as a direct result of the collision. ....It is my first experience of being hit while riding a bicycle.
I also hope that sharing my experience will help others.
In summary, I hope I do not need to claim for anything!

Re: Collision advice request

Unread postby [XAP]Bob » Mon Aug 29, 2011 10:09 pm
Get photos of your bottom...

Yeh I have taken regular photos of the relevant area!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HI all,
Last Monday 22nd August, while cycling with my wife and daughter along a straight quiet country road in Limerick Ireland, in perfect weather, I was hit from behind by a VW Polo. While I am delighted that I am able to write about it now, I feel the need for advice as this is the first time I have been hit in over 50 years cycling.
I called "car behind!" and we moved into single file, me at the rear and wearing a (orange and yellow) hi-vis jacket.
I sensed the approaching car was unusually close and almost simultaneously noticed the front wing at my right knee. Almost simultaneously I was impacted by the wing mirror on my right buttock then watched the wing mirror hit the end of my (straight) handlebars, I do not know how I kept the bike upright but I did! It is a 1993 Trek MTB with Swalbe Marathon 26X2.0 tyres. I think I should award maxi credit to the stability of this combo for being able to retain control during the collision.
The driver stopped about 50 metres ahead and got out and was visibly shakingn. He enquired was if I OK and said he was sorry. I (calmly) asked him had he not seen me and he said he had not!!
I then took photos of the car, of him, his driving licence, his broken wing mirror etc and told him I would be informing the Gardai. My bike was only slightly marked and my buttock slightl bit sore.
I then continued to my destination. On arrival, I phoned CTC accident claims helpline but the person taking my call had little advice as that number is specifically to deal with claims only. I then called the Gardai who visited me about 30 minutes later. They took all details, looked at my photos and went to visit the driver. Later I was informed by them that the driver was fully legal but had family problems/distractions and would be visiting the doctor next day. The Gardai also explained the options open to me which in essence was it was my choice whether or not to make a statement. I felt I was being encouraged to decide against making a statement.
The next day I went to the Gardai station and made a statement as did my wife and daughter as witnesses to the collision.
My right buttock developed a large nasty black bruise which is now (seven days later) slowly turning yellow and reducing in size. I was informed by the Gardai that the driver could not read the eyesight test-chart in the surgery and has been diagnosed with failing liver which is the cause of his lack of adequate vision. He is not driving now.
I am now back home in UK and I intend to pursue this with CTC accident claims advice tomorrow morning.
Can anyone advise me whether any other essential steps need to be taken now? For example, although I feel well on the mend, is it necessary to have a doctor's report? I am minded to do so!!
Ceejay

Thanks for the replies.
The only other cyclists we saw in Piedmont were the guys in lycra and very smart bicycles. That may be a clue as to why the drivers get little exposure.
We loved Italy so maybe Tuscany is worth our attention.
Did a bit in Germany and agree, they do everything so well that we must go back.
France is still our favorite however.
CJ

I have just returned from a week in Piedmont on a holiday using rented bicycles and organised by Inntravel..
I feel that the driving standards were a severe threat to our safety and I wish to forewarn other CTC members of this fact.
Drivers overtook regardless of whether or not the road ahead is visible or clear. We had taken our own helmets which have mounted rear red lights and these plus Hi vis jackets are essential. Despite these precautions, we were subjected to very close passing and also on one occasion while I was rounding a hairpin bend, a car required to lock his brakes to avoid running into me from behind. We had to cancel the planned ride on one day due to clouds and fog in the hills. I will not be cycling in Italy again.
Has anyone else had similar or better/worse experiences in Piemont or elsewhere in Italy?
Ceejay (Swindon)