Rest assured that they will, the rules are very different here. But my question would be how will that help Col?
It won't, directly and immediately. But if they throw it publicly enough, it could benefit lots of people by helping more drivers remember that there are consequences to driving like an idiot.
Glad to hear u r on the way home at last. How long do u think u will b in hospital Col ? Let me know which one and i will try and come n see you as long as i get to eat the grapes lol. Cheers Pete
The Police were pretty keen to prosecute the person to the fullest extent. The legal side of my motorbike insurance are on the case, it's going to take quite a few months but they will get everything back I'm out of pocket for that wasn't covered under my insurance. This whole process has made a lot easier because there are a lot of witnesses and the police have concluded that she was to blame and that we were doing nothing wrong. However the news I had today was I will probably need a new hip in 10 years rather than a lot later in my life. But keeping things positive, at least i have a lot more life left. Col
Hi Pete Just waiting for the results of the latest CT scan. I need to know if they have to refer me to another hospital for specialist operation to pin my pelvis together or if it's not too bad, could even be going home soon. Looking forward to getting home and playing three months of call of duty. Given recent events maybe I should be playing Grand Theft Auto on the PlayStation instead.
I’m back! I’ve had to start this with a new account but it’s me ColT after 5 years of physical and mental rehab. Well it’s mostly me, I have a new hip but overall I’m mainly me. Although for a long time mentally I wasn’t. You see it turns out that thinking you have just killed your wife by having her as a passenger when getting hit by a car isn’t that easy to get over. Especially when the accident isn’t your fault. You kind of go into a “what could I have so done to avoid it” loop. In the end the only way to really recover thanks to the support of my wife is to get back on the bike. So I bought a V4S Multi because, well why not. the reason why I’m writing this is to partly encourage anyone going through a similar thing to get back out there (at your own pace) and also because I was chatting to a very nice chap near Guildford the other week who remembered this story being posted. I had completely forgotten about it. So looking forward enjoying the open road, the buzz from the engine as I open the taps and importantly, catching up either everyone again out there. Oh and the wife is back in the back, cool.
Many Thanks. After 25 years of marriage, her being a pillion is about the only time in life I get to make the decisions. Well some of them. Joking aside, bike trips were/are a big part of our life and most holidays a year we’re based around them. So not riding because of a fear that she may get hurt was a big issue.
Great news and welcome back. If I may say we never forget events like this, but with time one hopefully accepts and lives knowing there was nothing you could have done, even Thor the scenario gets replayed over mad over but with far less frequency over time. Enjoy riding!!
I'm really pleased to see you have "come through to the other side" of that awful accident, and both you, the wife and a Ducati are gracing the the roads once again. BTW having been through the wringer with Bennetts, what would you say about them?
Fair play to you, I had a bad accident a few years back that left me in hospital for nearly 2 months. It was my fault so I was able to understand why it happened, and the decision to start riding again was done on the basis of “I won’t be doing that again”. If it had been someone else’s fault I think it would have done my nut in, worrying about whether it could happen again etc etc. Stay safe mate
Welcome back Col, enjoy your new ride. Great that the wife and you can continue to share your travels by bike. Haunting memories of accidents fade but are forever implanted in your brain. Thankfully I've never had a serious injury beyond a broken leg back in my early 20s as well as carrying something of a hip injury from the last one in 2009. The latter comes back to remind me every now and then. Will probably need medical attention as I get older. This, a lovely lady who likes to ride pillion with me and maturity is what drove me to seek further training. Not an absolute guarantee but a strong defensive move in self preservation.
Welcome back matey, glad you’ve come thru it. Erasing memories like that is impossible, learning to live with and learn from is liberating
That's a very good question and one I was waiting to answer when in front of a full size keyboard. Bennet's were good but that may be down to two things: The accident was deemed 100% the other parties fault by the authorities, the insurance companies and importantly the 3rd party themselves. this meant I got 100% of the value of my bike back with no quibbles or deductions such as a claim excess. They offered me a new bike at first but were happy to just provide the cash when it was apparent I wouldn't be getting on another one any time soon. They had a good helpline and seemed to really care with most of the people I spoke to being or been a biker themselves. I had legal cover. I cannot emphasize enough how important that is, especially when overseas. The appointed legal agents don't just go through the process but they have so much experience that they can really provide some good advice and expectation. Again, when dealing with the legal process in a foreign country and foreign insurance representatives in the UK, their expertise shined through. Brexit did not help and there was a worry with a "No Deal" that things were about to get complicated but they had that covered as well. So would I go back to Bennet's? Definitely. Did I this time? No because after so long without a bike and the size and value of the new v4S with all the bells and whistles meant that they put too many restrictions on me. So for this year I'm with another insurer but come renewal I will be giving them a call. Hope this helps. If anyone has a specific question, please feel free to ask. I will answer if I can but the case is still ongoing (in a UK court) as we sort out the settlement value. Long term I'm pretty screwed up physically, especially when the weather changes, but right now I'm able to ride and that what I want to concentrate on.
Great you are back and good choice of bike ;-) I has a week in hospital in March 2014 but had no lasting physical or mental issues. I guess a weak brain can't trouble itself !
every day is a school day and there is always something to learn. if nothing else it teaches muscle memory and automated responses. If I hadn't done years of motocross and street racing the accident would have been a lot worse. instead my automated responses took over, time slowed and I was able to do things without having to make a conscious decision. so I agree, it's always good to get regular training and the advice that comes with it. I also do skid pan on a regular basis (in a car obviously) as I took up British Classic V8 car racing as a hobby during my time away from bikes. I mention this because it gives the chance gain experience in what you have learned before you need to call upon it. so training courses included, if not especially, off road can help a great deal.
I've got to add that one of the reasons why I got back on is because of Carle Boorman. he went through a similar accident and said you just have to get on again or you end up stuck in it mentally. He also sent me a wonderful personal message via a friend wishing me all the best. He's a genuine nice guy and I am grateful to his inspiration which has lead to me getting my life back. I did try the Harley Live Wire last October, it's quick but not organic so I went back to Ducati.
Col, good to see you getting back in the saddle. Accidents are bad enough and I can't imagine how much worse they are when they happen in another country. Pics of your new V4 and the Classic V8 you race can only add to this thread! Good luck man.
as requested, starting with the cars. here is the complete classic v4 with me looking in wondering what I will break next. Then there is the v8 when it was under construction. will dig out some more pics of it. My friend owns and races it, I haven't had a chance yet.
