Mark, a company director from Kent has won a legal battle with the help of Bott and Co after suffering a life changing accident when a transit van cut in front of him while out cycling in January 2019.
The 38 year old’s life was turned upside down as a result of the bike accident, which left him with multiple injuries, needing surgery and unable to ride his bike.
Mark said: “My life as I knew it stopped that day. The accident wiped out everything, all my hard work just gone in an instant.”
New Possibilities Overturned
Prior to the accident, Mark weighed 26.5 stone and cycling was a big part of his effort to turn around his life, get in shape and lose the pounds.
“I was massively dedicated. I trained every day with a personal trainer and cycled hundreds of miles every week. I came down to 11 stone and then plateaued at 14 stone.
I was then involved in this accident and could no longer ride my bike. My hobbies and social life were all gone. As a keen cyclist and gym goer, all my training was wasted and any chance of exercise for the foreseeable future is gone.
The accident has affected being able to go anywhere or even sleep a night in any kind of comfort.”
The Day Everything Changed
Describing the day of the accident, Mark said: “I was out on a normal weekday training run, doing the same 24 mile route as I usually do on the homeward stretch. I was cycling down a country lane which I have ridden up and down thousands of times. As I was heading towards the park I noticed a van coming from the opposite direction.
Without any warning and no time to react, it turned straight across my path. I was travelling at around 25mph and it was a head on collision, my bike went into the nearside front corner of the van and I hit the windscreen and then somewhere in the road thereafter.”
Mark was left with severe neck and back injuries, a complicated posterior shoulder dislocation, a broken tooth, broken nose and buried debris in his right cheek. He also suffered nasty cuts, bruises and a black eye.
He was rushed to hospital where he received care under the NHS, including X-rays and numerous scans.
Family Life Affected
“I spent months in a fixed sling unable to care for myself, my wife and my young children, it was a very dark and awkward time.
It was difficult for the little ones as they didn’t like looking at me at first, I was a bit of a mess and got tired quickly. As I was strapped up, I spent a lot of time just sitting. My wife did everything at first for me, the house and the kids, eventually as I was able to walk about more and do simple things, I made her cups of tea and tried to help as much as possible. It was a real strain on the family but focussing on getting better for them kept me going.”
Seeking Legal Help
Mark decided to seek legal help and initially did some research online. A google search led him to Bott and Co.
“From the first phone call I knew Bott and Co could help me. The lady I spoke to was caring, kind and listened. This was quickly followed by contact from their cycle accident claims team and I was allocated a file handler, Tony Tierney, who is also a keen cyclist. It was pretty obvious I had made the right choice.”
Fighting For Appropriate Compensation
As soon as Mark instructed Bott and Co, RTA Legal Manager Tony Tierney immediately arranged a substantial care package funded by the other side to help with his recovery. Tony has a vast experience dealing with road traffic and cycle accident claims.
Tony said: “Due to the nature of his injuries and how badly his life was affected, we received an offer of £100,000 from the defendant insurer prior to medical evidence being finalised and served.
Mark was satisfied with the amount of compensation but I managed to get them to increase it to £125,000 as I believed the change to life was worth more and that an extra £25,000 would help massively towards further recovery.”
Moving Forward
Mark said “I cannot speak highly enough of the firm. They kept me constantly well informed, I was made to feel cared for and nothing ever seemed a problem. It was nice to feel secure and they kept my spirits up throughout.
Bott and Co fought my corner and winning my case has filled a hole left from a hard year. The compensation claimed for my cycling accident is being put towards rebuilding my fitness and sport hobbies plus ongoing recovery.”
Getting Back On The Saddle
Since the accident, cycling for Mark has not quite been the same but he hopes to build back up slowly.
“My wife has been a bit against me going back to road cycling which I fully respect and I’m certainly very nervous at the prospect of doing so.
I have started exploring different types of cycling such as cyclo-cross and gravel cycling which I’m starting to enjoy more as I get my strength back slowly. I don’t get the same buzz about cycling as I did before the accident but it’s nice to spin my legs again.”