Crash Today - Helmet Replacement

chakattack

Had a crash today going through a cross roads where a driver pulled out from the left (to turn right) into my path where I had right of way. I braked hard, front wheel hit his bumper and I went over the bars face down into the road.

Feeling ok now apart from a badly cut/bruised nose, lip and chin. Had an xray to check if my nose was broken. The front of my helmet saved me from any serious injury.

The hard shell is coming away slightly from the foam packing but it doesn't appear significantly damaged.

Under what conditions should a helmet be replaced and has anybody used the Giro replacement scheme?

The text of the policy states that you must be resident in the UK. Could I go through Slane cycles where I bought it if necessary?

Captain Havoc

Glad your OK bud.

Bunnyhopper

I don't know about the Giro replacement policy, but I think if a helmet has been crashed then even if there weren't any visible damage I'd be inclined to replace it.

Bunnyhopper

And, as I should have said, I'm glad to hear you came out of it ok.

(What is it with this time of year?? There's about four or five incidents I've heard about in the last week.)

CheGuedara

Good to hear you came off OK! (jeebus there's been a few fallen foul of poor driving here recently!)

Crashers are generally considered a single crash event product - thats to say they'll do their job once, be damaged in the process and then require replacement. So I think a new crasher is in order I'm afraid.

IIRC one of our lads had a helmet replaced after a crash last year - will check up for you.

In any case Madison is the distributor for UK and Ireland - I'd give them a bell and see what they can do for you. Here's their contact page http://www.madison.co.uk/contactus.aspx

They've a page for what the crash replacement policy will do if you can avail of it too

http://www.madison.co.uk/giro/

Beasty

Pleased your injuries do not appear too bad, but as I always say, take it easy for a few days - sometimes injuries can take their time to show up.

You should definitely replace the helmet. I am not sure any manufacturer can restrict its replacement policy to a single country - this almost certainly contravenes EU law

Give Slane a call about this - I am sure they will do what then can to help.

chakattack

Thanks for the good will everyone.

The driver has agreed to pay medical expenses. Is it reasonable to ask for a helmet replacement if there's little visible damage despite the impact?

DirkVoodoo

+1 on what Che said, helmets are like condoms; one bang then chuck it out.

Most definitely get the driver to replace it, if you had banged your car into him he would be paying for even more repairs. I wouldn't feel too bad about saying to him either that your helmet was damaged (along with anything else, clothing and that kind of thing) as thankfully he didn't cause any serious damage.

Glad you are ok. I have noticed today that winter seems to make people drive like idiots. I have seen more bad driving this week than I did all summer. Where the f**k is everybody's christmas cheer??

blorg

So may be a better bet for you to just buy a new one if the driver is paying.

Check with Giro but bear in mind that this may not mean the driver has to pay 2x- the crash replacement program is 1/2 RRP but the helmets are generally well discounted in online shops so buying a new one may not actually work out much more expensive.

cdaly_

DirkVoodoo wrote:

Where the f**k is everybody's christmas cheer??

I reckon Brian Cowen took it and won't give it back...

Alanstrainor

Glad you're okay man. Most definitely get the driver to pay for it. If there's any doubt of whether or not to replace, and the helmet took even a slight impact, i'd replace and send on the bill.

tomasrojo

Very sorry to hear about this, chakattack.

Helmets are one-crash-only items. The polystyrene liner is supposed to compress on impact and decelerate your head. It doesn't recover its original form thereafter and has no more ability to decelerate.

Incidentally, is there any sign of compression in the liner? If not, you may have borne the brunt of the fall on your lower face. Your injuries sound consistent with that.

morninwood

hope your face comes together without any significant scarring. get well soon.