wife (pedestrian) hit by a car: what to do?
Discussion
Hi Folks,
I thought I would ask the PH hive mind for a some advice...
On Friday, my wife was crossing a side road on foot, when a car took a sudden turn into the road and knocked her over. I was not present.
My wife, being in something akin to shock, didn't have the presence of mind to take witness details, car reg or insurance details. All she got was the lady's first name and mobile number, which we know to be real (messages exchanged)
The lady was very apologetic, and my wife initially thought she was OK, but now, as the days pass, she is in increasing pain, struggling to walk, etc etc.
My question is, what do we do next? My wife will be contacting the GP to see if she can get an appointment.
Should we contact the driver and try to get all her details? Contact her insurers? Contact the BiB?
Neither of us have been hit before, so we're a bit unsure as to what the procedure is...
Many thanks in advance
I thought I would ask the PH hive mind for a some advice...
On Friday, my wife was crossing a side road on foot, when a car took a sudden turn into the road and knocked her over. I was not present.
My wife, being in something akin to shock, didn't have the presence of mind to take witness details, car reg or insurance details. All she got was the lady's first name and mobile number, which we know to be real (messages exchanged)
The lady was very apologetic, and my wife initially thought she was OK, but now, as the days pass, she is in increasing pain, struggling to walk, etc etc.
My question is, what do we do next? My wife will be contacting the GP to see if she can get an appointment.
Should we contact the driver and try to get all her details? Contact her insurers? Contact the BiB?
Neither of us have been hit before, so we're a bit unsure as to what the procedure is...
Many thanks in advance
I guess it depends on what you want to happen.
If you're after compensation etc, then yes - I suspect you'll need to get the police involved and hence full details from the driver.
If you're concerned for the welfare of your wife, I'd imagine going to the doctor / A&E / Walk-In Centre would be first. Make sure there's no slow-burn injuries like hairline fractures etc. Or tissue damage (cartilage, tendons and the like).
I am not a doctor or lawyer.
If you're after compensation etc, then yes - I suspect you'll need to get the police involved and hence full details from the driver.
If you're concerned for the welfare of your wife, I'd imagine going to the doctor / A&E / Walk-In Centre would be first. Make sure there's no slow-burn injuries like hairline fractures etc. Or tissue damage (cartilage, tendons and the like).
I am not a doctor or lawyer.
Definitely register it with the police via the non emergency number or over the internet.
I've been knocked off my bicycle a couple of times and that's what I did. Purely for self preservation purposes in case the motorist came after me for damages. In both instances it was 100% the motorists fault, but I did more damage to the cars than they did to me (dented bonnets and wings). Nothing came to anything in either instance, the police just gave me an incident number, but i just wanted the police to be aware there'd been an accident and I'd been injured.
Took around 4 weeks to recover in both instances and as there was no long term damage I didn't go after the drivers. I have private medical insurance that covered the physio bills so I wasn't out of pocket, but it did mean I couldn't play sport for a month. Had there been long term damage I'm sure I'd have made a claim. In hindsight, I do wonder whether I should have gone after them anyway - I genuinely believe that if a motorist had been in a no fault car crash and suffered the injuries I did they would 100% have made a claim - getting punted over the bonnet of a car hurts.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that if your wife is genuinely hurt and it does impact her life, don't feel guilty about making a claim. I hope she's ok and recovers quickly.
I've been knocked off my bicycle a couple of times and that's what I did. Purely for self preservation purposes in case the motorist came after me for damages. In both instances it was 100% the motorists fault, but I did more damage to the cars than they did to me (dented bonnets and wings). Nothing came to anything in either instance, the police just gave me an incident number, but i just wanted the police to be aware there'd been an accident and I'd been injured.
Took around 4 weeks to recover in both instances and as there was no long term damage I didn't go after the drivers. I have private medical insurance that covered the physio bills so I wasn't out of pocket, but it did mean I couldn't play sport for a month. Had there been long term damage I'm sure I'd have made a claim. In hindsight, I do wonder whether I should have gone after them anyway - I genuinely believe that if a motorist had been in a no fault car crash and suffered the injuries I did they would 100% have made a claim - getting punted over the bonnet of a car hurts.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that if your wife is genuinely hurt and it does impact her life, don't feel guilty about making a claim. I hope she's ok and recovers quickly.
1. Start a detailed log of what happened, when, and the text exchanges, and what pain your wife felt, and when she felt it.
2. Visit A&E or GP, add all info to the log
3. Ask the driver for her reg number and insurance details.
4. Check your own house insurance, usually contents cover, to see if you have any built in legal cover.
5. If so, use it. If not, decide if you want to negotiate compensation with TP insurers directly or hire a personal injury lawyer.
Good luck.
2. Visit A&E or GP, add all info to the log
3. Ask the driver for her reg number and insurance details.
4. Check your own house insurance, usually contents cover, to see if you have any built in legal cover.
5. If so, use it. If not, decide if you want to negotiate compensation with TP insurers directly or hire a personal injury lawyer.
Good luck.
Couple of points to add:
When a car is turning into a side road, the Highway Code says pedestrians have right of way.
If you do end up with a claim off the thrid party's insurers, make very very sure that your wife is 100% healed before accepting any full and final offer of settlement from the insurance company.
My daughter had a car crash 18 years ago, other party's fault, which dislocated her right shoulder. She settled after a few months with the insurers for £7000 in compensation. We spend many long hours over the following 10 years in and out of A&E and consulting rooms, dealing with continuing pain and dislocations.
When a car is turning into a side road, the Highway Code says pedestrians have right of way.
If you do end up with a claim off the thrid party's insurers, make very very sure that your wife is 100% healed before accepting any full and final offer of settlement from the insurance company.
My daughter had a car crash 18 years ago, other party's fault, which dislocated her right shoulder. She settled after a few months with the insurers for £7000 in compensation. We spend many long hours over the following 10 years in and out of A&E and consulting rooms, dealing with continuing pain and dislocations.
Vipers said:
Beat me to it, bet a lot of drivers don't know that either, but no excuse.
This is the issue really, and most pedestrians either don't know, or are unlikely (for the obvious reasons) to step out in front of a car that is indicating to turn across you - The HC doesn't even suggest that you probably shouldn't step out, like it says about cars with reversing lights for example - so life just goes on really. I have in the past, belligerently stepped out to cross while a car is approaching, without looking, and I won't be doing that again. It's a rare driver that actively yields to a 'ped. I even saw one do it, the car behind beeped impatiently at the car that has stopped,OP, hope your wife doesn't have any long term issues. I still have shoulder issues 20 years on from a bike accident and at the time I was young and springy and the payout reflected that.
Vipers said:
QBee said:
Couple of points to add:
When a car is turning into a side road, the Highway Code says pedestrians have right of way.
Beat me to it, bet a lot of drivers dont know that either, but no excuse.When a car is turning into a side road, the Highway Code says pedestrians have right of way.
Don't let your wife get into the mindset that this was in any way her fault.
Vipers said:
QBee said:
Couple of points to add:
When a car is turning into a side road, the Highway Code says pedestrians have right of way.
Beat me to it, bet a lot of drivers dont know that either, but no excuse.When a car is turning into a side road, the Highway Code says pedestrians have right of way.
Red9zero said:
Vipers said:
QBee said:
Couple of points to add:
When a car is turning into a side road, the Highway Code says pedestrians have right of way.
Beat me to it, bet a lot of drivers dont know that either, but no excuse.When a car is turning into a side road, the Highway Code says pedestrians have right of way.
But it was only the rule at junctions, were you were walking across the side road.
Not sure what the rule is a distance from a junction - must look it up.
Vipers said:
QBee said:
Couple of points to add:
When a car is turning into a side road, the Highway Code says pedestrians have right of way.
Beat me to it, bet a lot of drivers dont know that either, but no excuse.When a car is turning into a side road, the Highway Code says pedestrians have right of way.
Summary of HWC change said:
1. Pedestrians have priority at junctions
Until recently drivers only gave priority to pedestrians once they had started to cross the road. The new rules state that drivers should give way to pedestrians who are waiting to cross a road at a junction. This means motorists may have to wait to turn onto a side road, for example, if there is a pedestrian waiting to cross it.
Until recently drivers only gave priority to pedestrians once they had started to cross the road. The new rules state that drivers should give way to pedestrians who are waiting to cross a road at a junction. This means motorists may have to wait to turn onto a side road, for example, if there is a pedestrian waiting to cross it.
W211 said:
Thanks Guys, Yes, we are aware of the rule. The driver was extremely apologetic and knew full well it was her cock up.
Stressed school-run-mum, chasing her tail we think
Mrs is at the hospital this morning, getting checked out. We'll see what they say...
Beware the change of story when others in the offender's family stir the pot. Apologies at the time often become accusations later. This is why witnesses are so important.Stressed school-run-mum, chasing her tail we think
Mrs is at the hospital this morning, getting checked out. We'll see what they say...
Just for info, the old HC said this :- (Rule 170 in both cases).
Watch out for pedestrians crossing a road into which you are turning. If they have started to cross they have priority, so give way
The revised one says this:-
Give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning. If they have started to cross, they have priority so give way.
That is what I meant when I said a lot of drivers probably don't know that.
Although the lady in question was already on the road, the difference is under the old rules, you didnt have to stop if you saw a pedestrian waiting to cross, now you do. Just thought I would post this.
Although looking back, I think some of you have said the same.
Watch out for pedestrians crossing a road into which you are turning. If they have started to cross they have priority, so give way
The revised one says this:-
Give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning. If they have started to cross, they have priority so give way.
That is what I meant when I said a lot of drivers probably don't know that.
Although the lady in question was already on the road, the difference is under the old rules, you didnt have to stop if you saw a pedestrian waiting to cross, now you do. Just thought I would post this.
Although looking back, I think some of you have said the same.
Edited by Vipers on Tuesday 10th January 12:37
TwigtheWonderkid said:
1. Start a detailed log of what happened, when, and the text exchanges, and what pain your wife felt, and when she felt it.
2. Visit A&E or GP, add all info to the log
3. Ask the driver for her reg number and insurance details.
4. Check your own house insurance, usually contents cover, to see if you have any built in legal cover.
5. If so, use it. If not, decide if you want to negotiate compensation with TP insurers directly or hire a personal injury lawyer.
Good luck.
Definitely record the text messages, either screen shots or photos if the phone isn't that smart. 2. Visit A&E or GP, add all info to the log
3. Ask the driver for her reg number and insurance details.
4. Check your own house insurance, usually contents cover, to see if you have any built in legal cover.
5. If so, use it. If not, decide if you want to negotiate compensation with TP insurers directly or hire a personal injury lawyer.
Good luck.
Add to the log what the person hit was wearing and doing. Did they have headphones in, were they on the phone or otherwise distracted. Of course they weren't but the driver will claim that when you start asking for insurance details so a "contemporaneous record" will be helpful. Also report to Police as others have said.
I hope the OPs wife makes a full recovery
W211 said:
Thanks Guys, Yes, we are aware of the rule. The driver was extremely apologetic and knew full well it was her cock up.
Stressed school-run-mum, chasing her tail we think
Mrs is at the hospital this morning, getting checked out. We'll see what they say...
Glad your Mrs is getting medical attention and you are helping get your ducks in a row.Stressed school-run-mum, chasing her tail we think
Mrs is at the hospital this morning, getting checked out. We'll see what they say...
It's an extremely unlikely example but a cautionary tale; an old friend of mine was reversed into, picked himself up and thought he was fine, driver apologised, but as no harm seemingly done no information was exchanged.
From the next day he got progressively worse, a few days later he sought medical help, and some years later the man who I knew as a bloody good rower now cannot walk without crutches.
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