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AIBU?

Stupid fucking bastard car driver

68 replies

Eve · 07/07/2013 17:14

.... A game keeper as well, on 30 mph speed limit on a country road.

Drove into back of my best friend when she was on her horse, horse had to be put down & she's in theatre with a broken back.

He was beautiful, he was her world, I loved him.

OP posts:

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LessMissAbs · 07/07/2013 21:25

Oh Christ, how awful. I'm so sorry.

Eve · 07/07/2013 21:27

Thanks all,

Reasonably elderly, sun was in his eyes apparently. He was driving a Hilux at quite a speed.

Had to sort out disposal of horse this pm, Got. A friend to come with me & take some of his tail as I know my friend will want some.

No spinal damage we hope. Her daughters are distraught but her ex came straightway to look after them.

Will still be 6 months before she's even beginning to be mobile.

Her house is council, daughters are 16 & 18... & not earning, will they lose home, what happens with rent? As my friend will be in hosp & not able to earn.

OP posts:

KirjavaTheCat · 07/07/2013 21:35

There has to be a safety net in place for this sort of thing, Eve. They can't take their home away from them!

Can her ex stay with the kids at all? How awful

youarewinning · 07/07/2013 21:38

Contact housing office first thing tomorrow. If she's not earning a penny housing benefit should cover her rent. If she's employed so will get income and then ssp she should get a means tested housing benefit. Also help with council tax etc. also if not earning at all she should get other income support type help - and in some cases you can get dla for short periods if its known to be a disability that will last a period of time.

As far as elderly driver and sun - slow down then. Surely someone with many years on them can muster even that much common sense?

TheSmallClanger · 07/07/2013 21:40

As long as the rent is paid, it shouldn't matter if your friend is in hospital. She cannot help being in hospital, she is not subletting and she hasn't gone to live somewhere else.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this, and hope the book is thrown at the driver.

youarewinning · 07/07/2013 21:40

Different benefits depend on if she's at home or in hospital - but importantly the council will not evict her - they'll come up with some rent payment plan.

Musicaltheatremum · 07/07/2013 21:44

Get hospital to do her a sick note. Claim SSP get receipts for everything so that when he gets charged you can put in claim for everything she has lost. What an idiot. Poor poor horse and friend.

LouiseSmith · 07/07/2013 21:44

How awful poor horse, and poor lady.

I hope they throw the book at him!

ImagineJL · 07/07/2013 21:44

She should get a significant amount of compensation from driver's insurance.

McNewPants2013 · 07/07/2013 21:46

Go to the CAB and get some advice.

Surely there is plans in place for this.

britnay · 07/07/2013 21:52

Was she and her horse wearing hi-vis?

Incapinka · 07/07/2013 21:55

If the sun was in his eyes high viz wouldn't have made any difference... Poor lady and poor pony on such a beautiful day too. Good luck with her housing office. Sure they should be able to help

TweedWasSoLastYear · 07/07/2013 23:01

Poor Friend and poor horse . I really hope it didnt suffer and the idiot driver gets a custodial sentance.

The sun in the eyes sounds unlikely , mid afternoon , mid summer sun is very much high in the sky , unless you are in the southern hemisphere .

The ' sun in my eyes ' seems to be a std get out of jail clause for drivers who hit cycles as well . Sun in your eyes meant your foot was unable to operate the brake pedal did it Mr bad driver?

I have seen some really good imitation Police Hi Vis vests with POLITE written on them. well worth it if riding on roads , and yy i know it shouldnt be neccessary.
Hope her kids are coping , accidenst can be very traumatic for family members

minouminou · 08/07/2013 00:04

You're being a brilliant friend to her.

OodPi · 08/07/2013 07:32

Hope all goes ok sorting the horse today. You are such a good friend helping with all this.

If friend isn't up to dealing with council etc get her go authorise you to and help her sort benefits if she doesn't get sick pay. Make sure she puts in a claim against the driver for everything she can!

yoshipoppet · 08/07/2013 09:48

How frightening for all connected to your friend. I hope she is OK. I know someone who had a similar accident, her horse was killed and she broke her back. She is not only walking but has also ridden again, although it took many years of recovery.

SamuelWestsMistress · 08/07/2013 10:38

How utterly dreadful. I've had a few near misses in the past and also know a lady who was in the exact same scenario as your friend. Art teacher from school drove into her horse, killing it and breaking her back and she wasn't mobile for 6 months. Driver also blamed sun in her eyes, but it was a cloudy day. Despite that she got away with it. Luckily the lady made a full recovery and is still riding now. She got herself a beautiful mare who she competed very successfully on.

There are always adverts on television, especially in the summer for motorcycle safety. I don't know why the BHS don't get the chance to promote safety either. Even if they had government backing and perhaps were able to combine it with cycle safety. I think vulnerable road users are often ignored when it comes to campaigning safety and its simply not fair.

I really hope your friend recovers well and manages to cope with the loss of her special horse. You sound like a good friend and I'm sure you will see her through.

froubylou · 08/07/2013 10:58

Your poor, poor friend. Had a similar accident not far from us recently. lady rider was killed in that one. Heartbreaking.

We have ponies and I refuse to let DD ride on the roads. I hacked all over our area as a kid but its just not safe anymore. The police currently have a bee in their bonnet about the 'Polite' hi vis riding range. Disgusting that police resources and effort are being put to use to discourage riders wearing gear that may just keep them safer.

You are a very good friend for dealing with the recovery of the horse and taking some of his tail. I hope your friend makes a full and speedy recovery.

With regards to practical stuff re housing etc is she a member of the BHS? Or are you? They have a fabulous free legal advice line for members and I'm sure they will be able to help with insurance claims and dealings with the council etc? If you are not a member and are horsey, which I assume you are, make yourself one (its about £6.00 per month) and give them a call.

Some drivers are incredibly inconsiderate around horses and cyclists, in fact other road users in general and should have their licenses removed. And someone that causes this should be dealt with in the harshest possible way.

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