Man Reveals How Life Has Been Changed By Collision

A motorcyclist who suffered serious injuries in a collision with another motorcyclist is supporting a campaign to reduce the number of two-wheel riders seriously injured on the roads.

Andrew McLeish, from Hamilton, suffered serious injuries including multiple fractures in his left leg, when he was riding along the A826 to Amulree on 14th May 2016.

As the 60-year-old rode along the road toward Crieff approaching a sharp right hand bend he and his pillion passenger were hit by a motorcyclist travelling in the opposite direction who had lost control of his bike.

The father-of-two was taken to Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, following the accident, where it was established he had sustained multiple fractures of his left tibia and fibula and his left knee had been smashed. He also sustained broken and cracked ribs and significant fractures of all the knuckles on his left hand.  

Following Andrew’s accident, the father-of-two instructed specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the collision and help him gain access to specialist treatments for his rehabilitation and recovery.

The widower has joined his legal team at Irwin Mitchell in supporting this year’s Road Safety Week which is aiming to reduce the number of cyclists and motorcyclist injured or killed on the roads.

David Bell, expert serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell Scotland’s Glasgow office representing Andrew, said: 

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“Unfortunately, we continue to see too many people whose lives have been turned upside down as a consequence of road traffic collisions, particularly cyclists and motorcyclists.

“The injuries Andrew suffered were through no fault of his own. He is still trying to come to terms with how his life has changed forever.

“His injuries have had a major impact on not only him but also his family as his children are now assisting him daily with many every day activities.

“We join Andrew in supporting Road Safety Week and urge all road users to take care at all times to reduce the number of those on two wheels being seriously injured or killed.” David Bell - Senior Associate Solicitor

After the collision, Andrew was in hospital for 44 days as he received treatment. He currently has steel pins inserted in the left hand and has an external fixator on his left leg. 

He will require a full left knee replacement but has been advised that that cannot take place until his other leg injuries have healed, which is likely to be within 12 to 18 months.   

Andrew said: “It’s been a difficult two years since my accident. It happened so quick, I had little time to react and I am still traumatised by it. 

“My left leg is still a long way short of being fixed, and this greatly impacts on my independence. I am very reliant on my son and daughter, and I am so thankful for everything they have done for me.”

During the last two years, Andrew has undergone several operations on his knee and he has been left with permanent restrictions. In addition to his physical injuries, Andrew has continuing psychological issues and is receiving ongoing therapy.

Andrew added: “I currently live on my own in a two-storey house, so it can be difficult tackling the steps and getting myself around the house and up to bed and the bathroom. 

“At times I can find it a bit too much and it is hard to stay positive about my rehabilitation. But because I know how difficult it can be for someone in this situation, I really wanted to speak out during Road Safety Week.

“I just hope that by speaking out other road users will realise the hurt and pain suffered by those involved in collisions on the roads and will ensure they are fully concentrating when they are next on the road.”

Road Safety Week runs from 19-25 November. This year’s ‘Bike Smart’ theme aims to reduce the number of cyclists and motorcyclists killed or injured on the roads. 

In 2016 a total of 19,297 motorcyclists and 18,477 cyclists were either killed or injured, according to the most recent figures from the Department for Transport.

The rider of the other motorcycle was on a touring holiday of Scotland at the time of the accident. He admitted liability for the accident at the scene to Andrew, and police officers, and was charged with careless driving. He was not prosecuted after returning to Germany.

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