Driving after a foot injury
Discussion
Firstly, if this is in the wrong section please move it.
On 18th March my wife fell off a climbing wall, she sprained her left ankle and tore the ligaments in her right. They didn't put her in a cast, but they did give her a foot boot/brace. She was hobbling around on crutches, but over the past week she's been walking unaided, albeit slowly & short distances. She's keen to start driving again as she wants to return to work next week, so 4 weeks since the accident. My question is, how does this sit with regards to insurance/legalities of driving? So far all I can find is that it's down to the individual to decide if/when they're able to drive again, but to me this feels like a grey area that an insurance company could use, should something happen.
She's hasn't started her physiotherapy yet, because NHS. She's sat in the car on the driveway and says that the peddles "don't feel too bad". Her commute is around 10 miles each way, around half of which is on a dual carriageway, with some further driving once she's at work (she visits schools alot). My concern is if she's not able to comfortably perform an emergency stop then she shouldn't really be driving, but she's very keen to get back to work.
Anyone have any thoughts/insights?
On 18th March my wife fell off a climbing wall, she sprained her left ankle and tore the ligaments in her right. They didn't put her in a cast, but they did give her a foot boot/brace. She was hobbling around on crutches, but over the past week she's been walking unaided, albeit slowly & short distances. She's keen to start driving again as she wants to return to work next week, so 4 weeks since the accident. My question is, how does this sit with regards to insurance/legalities of driving? So far all I can find is that it's down to the individual to decide if/when they're able to drive again, but to me this feels like a grey area that an insurance company could use, should something happen.
She's hasn't started her physiotherapy yet, because NHS. She's sat in the car on the driveway and says that the peddles "don't feel too bad". Her commute is around 10 miles each way, around half of which is on a dual carriageway, with some further driving once she's at work (she visits schools alot). My concern is if she's not able to comfortably perform an emergency stop then she shouldn't really be driving, but she's very keen to get back to work.
Anyone have any thoughts/insights?
Her foot strength when sat on the driveway is good, my concern is the emergency stop. I mean, personally I haven't had to perform one on the road for years, but sods law & all that.
If she can perform one on the road at say 30mph then I reckon she'll be ok, I'm just concerned for her safety, as well as the potential for a hefty insurance bill
If she can perform one on the road at say 30mph then I reckon she'll be ok, I'm just concerned for her safety, as well as the potential for a hefty insurance bill
skinnyman said:
If she can perform one on the road at say 30mph then I reckon she'll be ok, I'm just concerned for her safety, as well as the potential for a hefty insurance bill
It's more a question of whether she'll hesitate for fear of it hurting than the actual mechanics of performing a stop.Edited by Bill on Friday 14th April 18:47
Was she been told not to drive when they looked at her ankle? If so then she probably wouldn’t be insured if she drove before they told her she could. Won’t be caught unless she has an accident but that is when she will need the insurance.
I had knee surgery a few years ago and the doctors instruction was not to drive until I was told I could.
I had knee surgery a few years ago and the doctors instruction was not to drive until I was told I could.
Do you have a modern car with auto emergency braking?
Was reading modern systems if they sense an emergency braking scenario and an imminent collision, will apply the full force regardless of the brake pedal position.
Having said that I wouldn’t argue with my Mrs over this. I’d tell her my concerns and then let her decide. You got to pick your battles.
I wouldn’t do it myself however. Work can wait.
Was reading modern systems if they sense an emergency braking scenario and an imminent collision, will apply the full force regardless of the brake pedal position.
Having said that I wouldn’t argue with my Mrs over this. I’d tell her my concerns and then let her decide. You got to pick your battles.
I wouldn’t do it myself however. Work can wait.
Personally I'd make my job wait, but my employment is very different to hers. I work at an international aerospace company, where I've been for 15yrs+, if I miss a few weeks it doesn't really matter, whereas she works for a charity in a small team, her absence means young vulnerable people miss out on help.
Anyway, it's an 18 plate Tucson, no idea if it has the auto emergency braking tbh, I should probably check. Also in the moment I'd imagine instinct would kick in and she'd stamp on the brakes and worry about potential pain afterwards.
As someone above mentioned, if she's adamant she's going into work next week there's not a great deal I can do other than voice my concerns.
Anyway, it's an 18 plate Tucson, no idea if it has the auto emergency braking tbh, I should probably check. Also in the moment I'd imagine instinct would kick in and she'd stamp on the brakes and worry about potential pain afterwards.
As someone above mentioned, if she's adamant she's going into work next week there's not a great deal I can do other than voice my concerns.
Red9zero said:
Go private for physio if you can. My wife broke her wrist over two years ago and still hasn't received a physio appointment. We gave up after a couple of months and went private.
Not 'if you can'. Just do it, even if it means living on beans from Lidl.A half decent private physio will not only result in a quicker recovery, but also the best prognosis long term.
Your mission, tomorrow.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff