The Bott and Co cycling accident claims team has secured a £45,000 injury compensation settlement for a healthcare worker and semi-professional cyclist from Durham who suffered serious facial injuries in a road collision.
37 year old Paul was cycling to work when he was struck by a car, resulting in injury and psychological consequences.
“I was cycling to work in rush hour. I approached a set of traffic lights in the cycle lane when the traffic was stationary at the time. The lights changed from red to green and there was a car that came across my broadside to move into a parking space, not noticing me.
“I was doing about 15-20 miles per hour and he hit me square on, I went over the handlebars and landed on my face, which took the impact of the crash.”
An ambulance was called and Paul was taken to hospital to be assessed. Paul came away from the crash with life-changing facial injuries, cuts and bruising, a fractured left thumb and grazes on his chest and legs.
“I had surgery on my cheekbone and thumb so I was unable to work for five weeks. Not only was I unable to work and in a lot of pain, but I was unable to continue with my cycle training for upcoming races.
Left unable to work or train
“I am a semi-professional cyclist and I do a lot of racing around the world. I had a race across America planned which I was doing for charity; the accident interrupted my training for this. My race schedule and performance was badly affected as a result of what happened.
“I have been able to slowly but surely get back on my bike and returned to work five weeks after the accident. Cycling since the crash has been very mentally challenging for me and has knocked my confidence.
“I now continue to cycle to work frequently but stick to the cycle lanes where possible. When I do cycle races in America it is easier as they have much bigger cycle lanes and open space. I’m very wary and looking out of the back of my head all the time when cycling to work and training here in the UK.
“With regards to my thumb, I am wary and conscious of it but it is the injuries to my face that are going to be with me for the rest of my life. I am trying my best to get on with it but I am having trouble chewing my food sometimes.
“Because of the seriousness of my accident, I had a rough idea straight away that I would be eligible to make a claim”
“I sat down and had a look online at what companies specialise in cycle accident claims and when I came across Bott and Co, I found the website to be very helpful.
“I saw online that there are staff at Bott and Co who are keen cyclists and so I knew there would be someone who could relate to me and what I have gone through.
I felt they understood my circumstances and were able to provide expert care.
“I went straight to Bott and Co without a second thought; the service from my initial point of contact all the way through has been excellent. I would without a doubt recommend them.
The other side put forward an offer of 50% liability. Bott and Co issued proceedings and provided substantial medical evidence which then prompted the other side to put forward an offer of 100% liability and £45,000 compensation.
“Bott and Co fought to get me the full settlement, they didn’t stop at anything. They have far exceeded my expectations.”