Horse hit by motorbike

[cbmotorsport]

Really don't want a debate about horses on the road. I ride horses, but also drive cars and ride motorbikes on the road.

Anyway, my mothers horse was hit from behind by a guy on a bike at the weekend. It was on a straight bit of road, clear sunny day, horse rider was wearing hi-viz jacket. Horse was good in traffic, and didn't move out from the side of the road, biker just ran into the back of it, I guess he just didn't see it. Horse had to be shot, rider has broken vertebrae, and biker had head injuries, but they're not serious, concussion I guess.

Just after peoples thoughts on where we stand with regards to compensation. The bill for the fire service to lift the horse out of the ditch, the horse to be shot by a vet, and the body to be collected and destroyed is well into 4 figures. The rider is a self employed fitness instructor, and will not be able to work for some time, the horse was a valuable animal, a valuable saddle was destroyed too.

At the end of the day, I'm just glad everyone is OK, but it seems very unfair that my mother and the rider are going to lose out due to someone elses negligence.

Where do we stand? Cheers.

[cbmotorsport]

Nickyboy said:

You claim for everything off the riders insurance same as any other accident. Claims for the riders loss of earnings will have to be via a personal claim

This was my immediate thought, but I'm led to believe that we'll have to formally pursue the rider for losses, who will then use his insurance to cover costs, if we approach the insurance company direct, they'll not entertain it. Not sure how accurate that is.

[cbmotorsport]

Dan_1981 said:

Why is it any different from if he ran into your wall or parked car or anything else?

Do you have his insurance details?

No. He was unconscious at the scene, my mother attended who did not get the reg or details as she was in a panic. It was however attended by 2 police cars, 2 ambulances, the air ambulance and a fire engine, and we have an incident number, so can get his details via the olice.

[cbmotorsport]

paintman said:

I'm presuming the horse is insured? If so have you sought advice from the insurers?
Proper professional legal advice. Any number of solicitors claiming expertise in the field. Couple at random from Google:
http://www.horsesolicitor.co.uk/fatal-accident-cla...
http://www.equinelawuk.co.uk/
Likely to be best asking on one of the horsey forums or if you are a member of any of the horse societies try them.

Horse was not insured, other than public liability insurance for the rider.

[cbmotorsport]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

The owner has this, but was not riding at the time.

[cbmotorsport]

battered said:

Have the police decided to prosecute either party? In my case they did the other driver for without due care and he got a ban, but the collision was witnessed by an unmarked police car, so there was never any dispute about what happened even if I didn't have a clue. Well, there was, but once it went to court the madge didn't waste any time in saying "The police witnesses say this, the civilian witnesses say something similar, the positions of the vehicles match this, you still say something else, don't take the p*ss, you're nicked."

Accident is being investigated, we'll hear more tomorrow. There were no independent witnesses. The rider heard the bike approaching, and the next thing she knew the bike hit the horse square on from behind.

We're waiting for the police to give us the details, and then we'll approach their insurance company.

[cbmotorsport]

Rangeroverover said:

Presumably if the bike hit the horse at sufficient speed to cause this damage the rider would be in the wrong even had the horse stepped out. Had he had the courtesy to slow right down and give a wide berth and pass as quietly as possible this could never have happened. If bike rider just overtook as if dobbin was a bicycle then whatever happens is the bike riders fault.

Whenever I come accross a horse on the road, there are loads where I live, I always slow down more so if I'm on my bike.

Try asking your local hunt if there is a sympathetic lawyer they can suggest, where in the country are you?

Some common sense here. As a rider and a biker, I agree.

We're in Cambs. Good suggestion re Hunt, we'll get in touch. Thanks.