Former Police Chief Superintendent Instructs Serious Injury Lawyers To Help Him Access Therapies And Rehabilitation

A cyclist seriously injured when a car hit him has revealed how he’s determined to ‘move forward’ with his life after lawyers secured him a settlement.

Former police chief superintendent Clive Chalk was cycling along Wraysbury Road, Staines, towards the town centre when a blue Chrysler PT Cruiser collided with him opposite Lammas Park, Staines.

He lost consciousness and stopped breathing after the collision. Subsequently at hospital he was found to have sustained a catalogue of serious life changing injuries including a bleed on the brain and fractures to his skull, collarbone and hip.

Clive, who served with the Metropolitan Police Service for around 30 years before retiring in October 2013, remained in hospital for four weeks.

Legal experts help dad-of-two access rehabilitation

Following the crash, in June, 2021, he instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him access the ongoing rehabilitation and therapies he requires as part of his recovery.

At a hearing on 19 April 2024, the driver of the car was handed a 33-month custodial sentence and was disqualified from driving for five years.  He previously pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Ahead of this year’s Bike Week, Clive is now joining with his legal team in issuing a road safety warning to others.  It comes after the legal team secured him a six-figure settlement which will help fund his rehabilitation.

Peter Lorence is a specialist serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Clive.

Expert Opinion

“It’s almost three years since the crash and it’s been an incredibly difficult time for Clive as he continues to try and come to terms with the impact his injuries have had on not only him but his family.

“While he continues to make progress with his recovery, he still has challenges to face. We’re pleased to have secured this settlement for him which will ensure he has access to the specialist treatment he needs to move forward with his life as best he can. We hope it will also provide him with some degree of certainty for the future.

“Following the sentencing, we hope that Clive’s case also poses as a stark reminder of the potential dangers on the roads and for users to stay safe at all times.” Peter Lorence

Road safety: Clive's story

The crash happened on 9 June, 2021, at around 5.30pm, when Clive, 61, was cycling into Staines town centre to pick up something for dinner.

It’s understood that the car hit Clive from behind. Clive, however, has no recollection of the incident and had to be told what happened by the police and hospital staff.

He sustained various injuries and underwent surgery in hospital before being discharged on 7 July, 2021.

As a direct result of the collision he develop vertigo and nerve palsy in one of his eyes which caused double vision.  As a result, he was unable to drive for a year until those symptoms had resolved.

Clive lives with his wife Lorraine, 57.  They have two adult children, James, 29, and Georgina, 28.

Following the crash, Clive has undergone rehabilitation, including occupational therapy and physiotherapy.  He has also received support from Lorraine, who took early retirement from her role in the police to enable her to support him.

Clive relied heavily on crutches and a wheelchair for around five months, but is now able to walk again and has returned to cycling and resumed part time work in October 2022.  However, he continues to have health challenges including short term memory loss and reduced concentration.

Sixty-one-year-old recalls struggles and reveals determination to move on

He said: “To this day, I still can’t recall anything about the crash.  The first thing I remember is waking up in hospital and being told what had happened, the seriousness of my injuries and how fortunate I was to be alive.

“Until then, I had been relatively healthy and really enjoyed cycling to help keep fit.  I went to the gym and was part of a canoe club. I also went out with friends and family a lot.

“After the crash, all that changed and I do not mind sharing I’ve really struggled having to come to terms with it all, both physically and mentally. At times during my recovery, I suffered from depression. Simple tasks were initially very difficult and reading a book was hard work. Even now, I have health issues due to the collision that I continue to manage.

“However, with great help from my family, NHS staff and others I’ve spent the past 35 months determined to move forward with my life and the settlement will ensure I can do this while giving me security for my future and further treatment I may need.

“Whilst I’m not the same as I was before the crash, I’ve come a long way. I’m back driving, working part time and even cycling again.

“I want to say thank you to the police, emergency responders, NHS teams at St Peter’s Hospital, Surrey, and St George’s Hospital in Tooting, London, who cared for me after the crash and those NHS staff who looked after me subsequently.

“I know nothing will change what I’ve been through, but I know I’m lucky to be alive and I hope that by sharing my story I can encourage drivers and road users to be safe on the roads.  I wouldn’t want anyone else going through what I have.”

Bike Week takes place between 10 and 16 June 2024 and is organised by Cycling UK.  Find out more

Top tips for safe cycling

• Stay alert - be aware of who else is around you and where they are.
• Watch the road – look out for potholes or puddles that could be hiding them.
• Communicate – ensure other road users know what you plan to do, by clearly signalling and making eye contact where possible.
• Be prepared – Being caught in the rain can make for a cold, unpleasant ride.
• Be seen – Even if you don’t intend on riding after dark, plans can change and therefore it is sensible to have lights on your bike, charged and ready for use at all times.
• Take up position – keep at least 0.5 metres from the kerb edge when riding on busy roads with vehicles moving faster than you. 

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting people impacted by road traffic collisions at our dedicated section on the website. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or all 0370 1500 100.