Been a Bad Few Weeks
 

It all started on March 8th. Tuesday. My regular thing I do M-F is to go out for a 48km bike ride. Great way to start the day. I'm up at 4:30am. I check my email, and get ready for my ride. Out of the home in Vancouver West End at 5:00am, and on the road by 5:15am. Tuesday was no different. By 6am I was at my old Alma mater, the University of British Columbia (UBC). Then heading back around False Creek back towards the West End to take the road around Stanley Park before heading back home.

I only as far as under the south end of Cambie Street Bridge on the south side of False Creek when it happened. Lost my memory of what happened, and pretty much everything for the next few days. From what I told by the Vancouver Fire Department and Vancouver Police Department who attended the accident scene, along with am ambulance, I was in an accident involving a film crew (for US TV show) equipment (cables etc.) which were on the road. No signs posted as required according to VFD and VPD. Wet slippery curved road (narrow with one vehicular lane and one bike path beside it). Dark.

From the photos I've seen from the hospital, and hospital reports, I was a mess. Huge gash on my right forehead which required 8 sutures. Bruised right eye. Cuts and bruises on my right arm. Moderate to severe brain concussion, and possible brain bleed. Bunch of missing teeth, and broken teeth. Real mess. Yet, could have been much worse.

Been over two weeks, and still coping with concussion: headaches, lapses in cognition and memory, dizziness, and balance issues. Gonna be at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in April for 5 - 6 weeks (possibly longer) for 3 - 4 days (3 - 4 hours a day) a week. Saw my dentist last Monday to repair some damage, but gonna need some very expensive work down the road to make things right.

Could things get worse!?

I could never understand why anyone would ride a bike in traffic.

Don't fully agree. In the beginning, I mostly focused on bike trails and pedestrian/bike paths. Had so many issues with people not respecting bicycles. Especially with dogs off leash. Most dog owners do not bother to leash their dogs. Accidents albeit less severe, were much more common. Talked to a number of cyclists who agreed. Roads safer, along as you follow the rules, and ride safely and legally. Which is what I do. In my latest accident, the FD and PD found the production company at fault. I've been riding through their setups (road and off road) for years now. They can be careless at times, and you do have mindful. But this was the first time there was no signage, and the conditions (road, darkness and weather) which all together was a recipe for disaster. Could have nailed more cyclists but given the conditions and how early it was, I was the sole victim. Apparently they removed all their gear including cables shortly after my accident. But movie crews can be anywhere. Not just roads. As a matter of fact, much more common to find them off the road.

Guy gets into a terrible accident and the first thing you do is give him shit for riding in traffic? Classy.

Sorry to hear about this PSDan! But to answer your question: YES it could get worse. You could have died, you could have gotten a life-changing injury, lost a leg...the list of how worse things could get is very long so just be grateful you are still here!

Heal up, regain your strength and get back on the bike as soon as you are able to. :)

Well, I do get what he says. I used to be in that corner, but realized road could be and was safer if you ride safely.

Thanks for your kind words! You are right. Could have been much worse. I have a loving wife I'd hate to pile misery on. She has been so supportive. She is my everything, and vice versa. So grateful for that!

No shit, what piece of shit this guy is.

Hey Dan, hope you're feeling better. Sounds like you're in hell.

Thanks :) Yeah, but as the other guy mentioned, it could have been much worse. Hope before this year over, I can be fully back. Been hard on my wife, and I hate that the most. Plus, since the pandemic, Password Sentry sales have dropped. Can't see how related, if at all. Seems like nails are being hammered in. I'm usually very optimistic, but ...

Time to lawyer up.

Oh, yeah! Have a law firm in mind. Especially given that the production company never made an attempt to contact me, or see how I was. It was like a whatever moment to them, hoping that their responsibility falls between the cracks. Pretty sure which TV show as involved after I Googled the location to discover that was one of their fairly common locations. The lawyer will get to the bottom of this. I welcome going to court. When I'm on the stand, their lawyer will cringe.

That sucks man. Riding bikes is dangerous stuff, I could never do it in the city. But yeah, things could be worse. You could be dead.

If they are smart, this will never go to court.

Yep. On the upside you gonna get PAID if you are correct about the lack of signs and requirements for them.

I like riding in the city. It's where I live. Besides, the roads I ride are more like suburban. Don't ride in city centre. I'll post a map of my ride. Yes, good to be alive :)

Yeah, get a lot of bad press which is not best for their biz. See what they offer. Mind you, i'd love to got court to tell my story.

Signs are required. FD noticed lack of signage. Still awaiting PD report.

I wasn't unsympathetic to your accident. I was just making the point that it is damn dangerous to ride in traffic. I have seen so many bike vs car close calls. You are fortunate to live in a city with a lot of bike lanes and I see them getting busier and busier since the popularity of electric bikes. If I wanted to, I could ride from the North Shore to Downtown on protected bike paths.

No worries, I got what you were saying. Vancouver has become more cyclist friendly. My route is around False Creek on the bike path. Once I get to Granville Bridge, I head over to Cornwall. Very little traffic early in the morning. Then along Pt Grey Road. Safest stretch.Turn left at Alma. Quiet street, little or no traffic. Then 4th to Spanish Banks and uphill to UBC. Again almost no traffic. Back to West End to Stanley Park, and back home. I do road in the park, but still little or no traffic (separate bike lane through park). As early as I do it, very little traffic, and no inner city cycling. My route, and time I do it would work for anyone of any age. Can be hard for many to stay with me, as I can ride fast when it is safe to do. Coming down from UBC or Prospect Point can have me at peak speeds of 40s to 50s kph.

No sense in increasing expenses.

True. Lawyer contingency fee is usually around 33% (max of 40% in BC). I might see what the lawyer figures they could win (before I sign on), and then approach the film company with a possible settlement to see how they respond. With or without a lawyer, setting out of court has its advantages. But sometimes, going to trial can increase the financial gain. At least, it can become public (which could have the defendant settle for even more to avoid further embarrassment). Gonna take my time figuring this out. Right now, main plan is recovery and rehabilitation.

A good lawyer will not take your case unless they think you can win. So, if you can find a really good personal injury lawyer who will take it on, you will probably do well and settle out of court. But now is the time to get the ball rolling. You have to have a doctor who will keep perfect documentation. When you tell your care team that you will be pursuing a legal settlement, they will be extra careful in their record keeping because it is in their interest as well. But start right now. There are so many tiny details that become huge in negotiations. Stuff you would even think about. I have been down this road successfully and have a good idea how this will play out.

Oh, and BTW, fuck you and stop trolling me. If you want to see a real POS, look in the mirror, which I am guessing you avoid nowadays.

Movie crews in Vancouver are a hazard and a menace. I'm really sorry this happened to you.

I know an amazing personal injury lawyer if you don't already have one :)

Good advice, thanks! I have my 4-6 weeks starting in early April for rehabilitation. Should I approach the lawyer before or after that?

Yeah, they can be. I've had run ins with them before. No accidents, but just lucky.

I was thinking of Klein Lawyers in Vancouver. Who is your guy?

Before, for sure. A good lawyer will pay for any extras that you need in rehab. He will, of course, ding you at the end but it will go into the settlement. Act fast and build your case. Mine was ICBC so maybe different from yours. But here's the guy I used....he is in the middle of the page and he is a fucking shark. I got more than 5 times ICBC's original offer. He is no nonsense. Down to business. Shit kicker and he knows doctors who get on board with the case.

Sorry to heart that. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Good advice, thanks! Don't think ICBC involved Gonna speak to lawyers Monday, I'll look into your guy. Thanks again, you're the best :)

Thanks :) Working on it. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger! I'm that sort of guy :)

I don't know the laws up there, but there probably is a time limit to at least make them officially aware of your intent, so don't wait too long.

However: DO NOT SETTLE until you are healed. You will probably file suit before then.

Next week gonna consult with a lawyer to get the ball rolling.

I agree. Legal action will be filed first. Then settle once I have healed . . . which is important if healing fall short of 100%.

Thanks :)

Great advice.

I have several years experience in the personal injury field; feel free to toss questions my way if they come up.

https://i.imgur.com/sXEDcoK.jpg

j/k ! !

Will do, thanks!

Yes Dan they can. You may have forgotten, but I haven't. You owe me 27, 980 CAD. :2 cents::1orglaugh

Owe you how, huh?

The plot thickens . . .

You don't forget those kinds of things. Scumbag 2000 charge owes me 25,000 USD when they lost their merchant account promising profusely to pay. Wolfe and Inez. Their world head quarters is a UPS store box in Pasadena. But they are German.

Yeah, I think I would remember owing anyone. Especially tens of thousands of dollars :) I've been owed money on the very odd occasion, but remember them all like iBill.