Serious motorbike accident

by **Anthony** » 18 Oct 2006, 22:52

Does anybody know how the young lad is progressing, who suffered a horrendous motorbike accident towards the end of my time on Symi?

As reported to me, he and his girlfriend were riding his bike from Yialos to Symi in the early hours of the morning with her driving, when she suddenly lost control. Being Greek, neither of them was wearing a crash helmet. I believe she was quite badly injured, but not nearly so seriously as him. Riding pillion, he fell off backwards onto the road and seriously damaged his skull, then skidded along the road incurring more severe brain damage. He was rushed to hospital in Rhodes, and after being operated on there was helicoptered to Heraklion in Crete where there is a hospital that specialises in serious head injuries. (A sensible location in my experience - the Cretans tend to have even more reckless drivers than most other places in Greece!).

For several days after the incident the reports were that his life was hanging by a thread, but on my last evening the news was that he had stabilised and the doctors were more optimistic that he would live. That said, I hate to think how much permanent brain damage he might have suffered.

My heartfelt sympathy does of course go out to the young man, if he survives, and to his family.

by **Kojak** » 18 Oct 2006, 23:11

Someone on Symi will no doubt have up to date news Anthony, but the last I heard was that they had taken him off life-support and he was able to breathe unaided. The news was that he would survive, but the more people I asked the more different answers I got! :?:

by **Kon** » 18 Oct 2006, 23:29

During our stay in Iraklio this year there was an accident between a motorbike and a car the bike was traveling so fast that he cut the car in two taking a passengers life from the car and his own.Could someone explain why they carry the helmet in their hands whilst ridding the motor bike ,isn't it better on the head????Isaw this so many times its like a fashion statement .Perhaps if they imposed some strict penalties like 800eu if you are caught maybe that will make them think.

by **Anthony** » 19 Oct 2006, 14:01

Jean claims that the Greek law only requires you to "carry" a helmet, not to wear it - and that she points this out to the police when occasionally they stop her for not wearing it. (Apparently they do sometimes do this - presumably when the petty cash is running low

or when the big boss on Rhodes complains that they're a lazy lot who don't arrest or charge enough people!

Another strange aspect came to light the previous week when two off-duty policemen came into the bar for a drink and I noticed that they only had one helmet between them. Jean explained after they had left that the reason is that the law only requires the driver to wear/carry a helmet - there's no compulsion on the pillion passenger to do so

by **Kojak** » 19 Oct 2006, 18:37

I was there Anthony - and one of them was the Sergeant! I've only ever seen Katja and the odd visitor actually wearing one

by **Adriana** » 20 Oct 2006, 11:36

This is actually an urban legend. The wearing of crash helmets is indeed compulsory in Greece, for both drivers and passengers, and it is quite clearly stated in the Greek equivalent of the Highway Code which drivers have to learn to get their license.

Enforcement of the law is a different matter.

by **Ozzie Geoff** » 20 Oct 2006, 13:56

I know they had the same problem in Italy. :evil:

But they have now implemented dracionian measures with very hefty fines.
I understand the problem is now sorted out.
Its really only a case of education and a bit of common sense.
Perhaps the dreadful accident will hammer the point home, lets hope so.

If the new police are not doing their job they deserve a swift kick in the pants by the Mayor!!.

by **Richard** » 20 Oct 2006, 18:57

We were told that it is impossible to get anything but third party insurance for motorbikes. Can this be true? If so, it is indeed terrible for anyone suffering injury. Would the lack of a helmet invalidate any insurance?
Unfortunately the police are not controlled by the Mayor but are a national force. Probably just as well in most circumstances. They can not be accused of being affected by local politics although I am sure that they would take notice of any advice given by the Town Hall.

by **Ozzie Geoff** » 21 Oct 2006, 03:24

I don't know about UK/European law but Third party insurance is for property damage only to property owned by a thid party. It does not offer any protection for the damage to insureds vehicle or motor bike.
In Oz, bodily injury is covered under the licence and registration of the vehicle. I think you folk call it "Road tax".
Failure to wear helmets and seat belts does not prejudice any claim. However, you are up for a hefty fine if caught driving without belts or helmets, helmets even for bicycles (much to the annoyance of cyclists)
Andrew may be able to fill you in regarding UK law.

by **Anthony** » 21 Oct 2006, 22:49

As I understand it, third party insurance (which is compulsory for all drivers in the UK) relates to damage (whether bodily injury or damage to property)suffered by somebody other than the driver. (Parties 1 and 2 are presumably the insurance company itself and the insured driver). The alternatives are 'third party, fire and theft' which as the name indicates compensates the insured if his vehicle is damaged by a fire or stolen, and comprehensive insurance, which pays not only for all the above but also for the repair of the insured person's vehicle. Comprehensive insurance is likely to be very expensive - or simply not available at all - if the driver is in a high risk category, e.g. a young person or has a poor claims record.

UK law has, as I recall, relatively recently been changed to require insurance companies to pay to the National Health Service the costs of hospital treatment after an accident. I'm rather hazy about the details but I think the Government placed the onus directly on the insurance companies to pay up for this which (given that there's "no such thing as a free lunch") must mean that they add it to the premium which all drivers pay for the compulsory third party cover.

by **Richard** » 22 Oct 2006, 12:26

I was really concerned about the insurance requirements in Greece and how they would affect the people and property damaged in a motorbike accident. The danger of uninsured injury does not seem to have affected the boys and their bikes (and especially quads) in Symi. One of the quad bikes lifted a wheel around that nasty corner by the Symi Fish II. Doubtless a quick dip in the harbour might have cooled the rider's enthusiasm a little.

by **Kojak** » 22 Oct 2006, 13:33

Hmmm, don't know about that Richard. I've seen numerous "dips" and quite a few accidents and it doesn't seem to make any difference

by **D and E** » 23 Oct 2006, 18:11

One of course hopes that the people involved in the accident pull through.

But the acceptance of personal risk and the levels of law enforcement is yet another attraction that Greece and Symi holds for some of us. The UK now tries to legislate for almost every eventuality that may be harmful, thus winning the accreditation of the Nanny State

We also heard that the young man was on the mend just before we left. We were also lead to believe that he was related to the shoe shop owner at the top of the Kali but cannot swear to this being true.

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