Now my lawyer has received my medical report and photos my hubbie has taken of my scar, the claim is now being sent to the insurer's of the driver which pulled out in front of us.
They have been given 5 days - yes, 5 days. I was a bit surprised by that! - to make an offer. If none is forthcoming, court proceedings may be raised. I hope it doesn't come to that. I just want to get this behind me and move on. Until the claim is settled I won't feel I can move on properly.
Thursday 20 August 2009
Tuesday 18 August 2009
Annoyed
Today my hubbie phoned the procurator fiscal office to which the police had referred the charges levelled against the driver who pulled out in front of us. The procurator fiscal makes decisions on whether or not to pursue the criminal case and take it to court.
In the case of our crash, the procurator fiscal has decided not to pursue the criminal case! Apparently they believe it can be dealt with through the appropriate civil channels. I.e. us pursuing the insurers of the driver.
So, the driver caused us to be injured to an extent where we required surgery. Both her car and our motorbike were written off and she could have killed us. What does she get? Nothing. There will be no points on her licence nor a fine. My hubbie and I will have a piece of metal and substantial scar for the rest of our lives.
It's not that I think points and a fine would change things nor necessarily amend her behaviour, but at least the authorities would have acknowledged the dangerous nature of her driving. Personally I would have preferred her to have to re-sit her test. That would have modified her driving.
What I find particularly annoying is if someone's done for speeding, they automatically get at least 3 points on their licence and a £60 fine. Now I'm not condoning speeding, but they haven't put anyone in direct danger. Yet, a driver pulls out in front of a motorcyclist, injures both the rider and the pillion and causes thousands of pound worth of damage and nothing happens.
In the case of our crash, the procurator fiscal has decided not to pursue the criminal case! Apparently they believe it can be dealt with through the appropriate civil channels. I.e. us pursuing the insurers of the driver.
So, the driver caused us to be injured to an extent where we required surgery. Both her car and our motorbike were written off and she could have killed us. What does she get? Nothing. There will be no points on her licence nor a fine. My hubbie and I will have a piece of metal and substantial scar for the rest of our lives.
It's not that I think points and a fine would change things nor necessarily amend her behaviour, but at least the authorities would have acknowledged the dangerous nature of her driving. Personally I would have preferred her to have to re-sit her test. That would have modified her driving.
What I find particularly annoying is if someone's done for speeding, they automatically get at least 3 points on their licence and a £60 fine. Now I'm not condoning speeding, but they haven't put anyone in direct danger. Yet, a driver pulls out in front of a motorcyclist, injures both the rider and the pillion and causes thousands of pound worth of damage and nothing happens.
Friday 14 August 2009
In praise of...the NHS
At the moment there's a lot in the press about the NHS, as President Obama is trying to reform health care in the USA. All I can say is good luck to him. I think what he's trying to do is amazing, but he really has a fight on his hands.
Now I'm proud of the NHS. Yes, it's flawed. It's not prefect, but what system is? My recent experience has been an exemplary example of the treatment the NHS provides. My hubbie and I were attended by 2 ambulances with 4 paramedics arriving within 2 minutes of the crash. One of the ambulances took us to hospital where we were X-rayed, examined and given strong pain killers. All free.
We were operated on and had to stay in hospital for 2 nights. We were well fed, watered and cared for by all staff. From cleaners to consultants. All free.
On discharge from hospital we were given a large selection of pain killers to take home with us. All free.
We had follow-up consultants' appointments and X-rays. All free.
We had physiotherapy sessions. All free.
All of this treatment would have cost us thousands, if not tens of thousands of pounds. We are comfortably off, but there's no way we could have afforded all the treatment.
We may not have been covered by health insurance or the whole cost may not have been covered.
The NHS rocks. Also, like many people in the UK, I have friends and relatives who good quality lives as a result of the treatment the NHS provides. Some may be dead or seriously disabled if not for NHS treatment.
And to any American reading this - The NHS to us Brits is a bit like a close relative that drives you to distraction. They are flawed, but you love them, are proud of them and NO-ONE berates them but you. Brits can moan about the NHS, but leave it alone. Oh, and check your facts. Stephen Hawking would not have been left to die by the NHS. In fact, it is because of the NHS he's alive. And he's British.
Now I'm proud of the NHS. Yes, it's flawed. It's not prefect, but what system is? My recent experience has been an exemplary example of the treatment the NHS provides. My hubbie and I were attended by 2 ambulances with 4 paramedics arriving within 2 minutes of the crash. One of the ambulances took us to hospital where we were X-rayed, examined and given strong pain killers. All free.
We were operated on and had to stay in hospital for 2 nights. We were well fed, watered and cared for by all staff. From cleaners to consultants. All free.
On discharge from hospital we were given a large selection of pain killers to take home with us. All free.
We had follow-up consultants' appointments and X-rays. All free.
We had physiotherapy sessions. All free.
All of this treatment would have cost us thousands, if not tens of thousands of pounds. We are comfortably off, but there's no way we could have afforded all the treatment.
We may not have been covered by health insurance or the whole cost may not have been covered.
The NHS rocks. Also, like many people in the UK, I have friends and relatives who good quality lives as a result of the treatment the NHS provides. Some may be dead or seriously disabled if not for NHS treatment.
And to any American reading this - The NHS to us Brits is a bit like a close relative that drives you to distraction. They are flawed, but you love them, are proud of them and NO-ONE berates them but you. Brits can moan about the NHS, but leave it alone. Oh, and check your facts. Stephen Hawking would not have been left to die by the NHS. In fact, it is because of the NHS he's alive. And he's British.
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