Bott and Co have successfully negotiated £9,900 in cycling accident compensation for an avid 80 mile a week cyclist after a roundabout collision left him with multiple fractures and long-lasting pain.
Graeme Rider, an osteopath from Ascot, Berkshire, who has been cycling for over 12 years, instructed Bott and Co Solicitors to help him recover compensation and get back on his bike after an accident left him unable to work and partake in daily activities.
Determined to get Graeme back to a place not too dissimilar to before the accident occurred, Bott and Co sought settlement for his injuries as well as bike damage, loss of earnings and a trip to Spain which he was unable to go on as a result of the crash.
Mr Rider said: “It is unfortunate but no matter how careful you are on a bike; you are extremely vulnerable to cars.”
Sunday Cycle Club Collision
He said: “It was a dry Sunday morning and I was out riding with a local cycle group. There were eight of us in total, all with similar levels of fitness. The planned route was through Marlow and Henley.
It was my turn upfront and I was safely approaching a double roundabout in full hi-vis attire and a helmet. I felt comfortable with my surroundings and I checked it was clear before proceeding onto the second roundabout when my bike was abruptly hit from the side by a car which failed to give way.”
I really couldn’t understand why they had hit me having made eye contact with the fourth rider back from me and undoubtably seeing me in high-vis attire as they approached.
Due to his occupation and his hands being an integral part of doing his job, as he took the knock, Graeme wrapped his arms around his body as he fell. But unfortunately, that didn’t stop him from suffering multiple injuries.
“I felt very winded and couldn’t breathe properly. I was in a state of shock and the pain from deep scrapes to my shoulders was intense.
I really couldn’t understand why they had hit me having made eye contact with the fourth rider back from me and undoubtably seeing me in high-vis attire as they approached. I later learnt that the driver was on his way to an interview and must have had a brain fade moment, thinking that he could make it out. He misjudged the situation entirely.”
Due to not being fully aware straight after the accident happened, Graeme’s cycling group friends took the driver’s details and took photos at the scene.
His bike, a £3,000 Cinelli custom frame, was left severely damaged due to the impact.
Life Following The Accident
Graeme went home battered and bruised and finding it difficult to move around properly.
“Being self-employed I was nervous to begin with as I was in a lot of pain but also knew that I had work to be done. I tried to get through it, but the pain was so bad and there were a lot of techniques I couldn’t do, and I was having to advise my patients more than treat which wasn’t ideal.
The pain got worse and at the point where it was 11/10 pain and any movement of my arms was irritating me. I decided to get an X-ray done privately as the NHS did not offer ribs X-rays. It was then that I found out there were 3 fractures as opposed to just one!”
Due to the accident and injuries sustained, Graeme was out of work for a total of 18 days and even when he returned, it was a slow road to recovery as he gradually built up strength.
“It was a nonstarter. It was just a case of sitting and sleeping incredibly still. I tried my best to let it all heal as I knew I was losing income the longer it went on for.
I started to do some static bike work to gradually improve my mobility and fitness. My confidence was affected and once I eventually got back on my bike, I felt unsafe. If there was a car coming from my left at a roundabout or a three-way junction, I would be waiting for the worst to happen.”
Claiming Compensation For The Bike Accident
It wasn’t just work that Graeme missed, he also had to cancel a trip to Spain and spending quality time with his family partaking in activities.
“Many important aspects of my life were affected in the months following the accident. After trying to be as proactive as possible in getting back to my physical job to no avail, I decided to seek legal help. That’s when I found Bott and Co Solicitors online and really liked that the firm had a specialist bike division.”
My case handler was arguing my corner just as much for the settlement they take a success fee on, as the part they don’t.
Tony Tierney of Bott and Co said: “Unfortunately in Mr Rider’s case, and many others, the claims process took longer than it should have done due to the other side dragging their feet.
Factors such as the other side not wanting to reimburse Graeme for his private X-ray even though that is the only way to prove a rib fracture slowed the progression of the case. This is a constant battle we’re having to face when trying to seek justice for injured clients.”
Bott and Co were able to secure Graeme a total of £9,900 which included compensation for his injuries, lost earnings, private X-ray, bike damage and trip to Spain.
Graeme said: “Bott and Co, particularly Ben Bale, were great. My case handler was arguing my corner just as much for the settlement they take a success fee on, as the part they don’t. They were on hand to offer good advice and get me back to a better position than I would have been right now without their help.”