Thanks.. your advice has been very useful
eileithyia wrote:Hopefully you have the driver details and company etc., police attended the scene and have details. First and foremost get yourselves a solicitor either via CTC membership, membership of a union/professional organisation, or your household insurance. Failing all this there are plenty of solicitors who specialise in these type of cases specific to cyclists.
Check out other topics giving accident advise. My usual advise after getting a solicitor is; Keep diary, injuries, pain, time in hospital, discharge dates, physio etc., remember pain and suffering, how long medciation was taken for, physical ability to do simple jobs; dressing, personal hygiene, shopping and cooking, travel. In 2-3 years you will not remember the time frame of when you could or could not do specific things. Also keep all receipts / costs of hospital car parking, bus / taxi travel, mileage for relatives giving you lifts etc., all the journeys you would not normally have undertaken had you not had the accident, plus any journeys you would normally have undertaken by bike but now have to do by other means of transport. Remember you can include damaged clothing in your costs. Solicitor will advise you on this, but remember employer liability will also need to be claimed for ie if wages are paid during sick time, these monies need to be reclaimed on behalf of your employer.
Be prepared that this may take some time to be settled, it is often not a quick fix esp with serious injuries and personally I feel it is not worth a quick settlement, you need to know you are as recovered as you are likely to be and that can take up to 2 years anyway.. if still have some issues at the end of this time then if it unlikely to improve much after this. Remember compensation is a one off payment and cannot be revisited (usually) so you need to know you are being compensated for where you are and any likely future deterioration in condition... which will be advised on by medical specialists.
And best wishes for full and complete recovery.