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The streets of Calne will be filled with the roar of thousands of motorbikes of every make and model as motorcycle enthusiasts from the UK and across the continent descend on the town as the annual Calne Bike Meet gets underway next week on Saturday 30th of July.
Novum Law is sponsoring the event which will see proud owners from around the UK and Europe, with their Triumphs, Harleys, Royal Enfields, Hondas, Yamahas, Ducatis and Kawasakis, to name a few, lining up their prized possessions to celebrate the very best of the motorcycling world.
The assembled bikers will then participate in a 40 minute official ride out around local villages and towns of Wiltshire, taking in the sites of Avebury, before winging their way back around to Calne via Royal Wootton Bassett.
In 2015, the Bike Meet committee generously donated £10,000 to various nominated charities including: Calne Youth Trust, the NABD, Julia’s House and the Royal British Legion.
Mr. Les Willis (57), a former client of Novum Law and life-long biker will be attending the event. Unfortunately, Les was involved in a road traffic accident, over 12 years’ ago, in January 2004, when he was riding his motorbike and a van collided with him.
Les sustained a serious, life-threatening pelvic injury, resulting in permanent neurological damage to his left lower leg. He also suffered a broken leg and large open wounds to both thighs and groin, penetrated by the handlebars. Lucky to be alive, he underwent surgery eight times to repair the damage to his pelvis and deal with his other serious orthopaedic injuries, before being discharged from the Royal Berkshire Hospital three months’ later.
Novum Law was recommended to Les and his family, recognised for their expertise in the field of serious injury and bespoke service to their clients, the majority of whom have long-term needs. The van driver’s insurers accepted full liability and Novum Law’s specialist personal injury lawyers succeeded in securing an award of £3.3 million to help pay for Les’ rehabilitation, adapted property, intensive therapy and the care and support he will need on a daily basis for the rest of his life.
Today, Les is unable to walk without the aid of crutches and relies upon a mobility scooter to get about. However, his accident has not stifled his huge passion for motorbikes and he is looking forward to attending the Calne Bike Meet.
Proud Calne resident and Associate Solicitor of Novum Law Diane Reading, said: “If the past few years events are anything to go by, the 2016 Calne Bike Meet is set to create quite a buzz in our historic market town and we are really looking forward to supporting the event.
“But we do have a serious message to convey. Motorcycling is exhilarating, exciting and fun but it can also be dangerous. According to Government statistics for 2015, in total 365 motorcyclists were killed, an increase of 8% from 2014, 5037 were seriously injured, an increase of 9% and a further 14,518 were ‘slightly’ injured. Motorcycling fatalities were the only significant road user group and severity to increase during 2015.”
Les Willis commented: “When Novum Law invited me to come along to the Calne Bike Meet to talk about my experience, I was absolutely chuffed to bits. I’m really looking forward to being a part of the Bike Meet and meeting all my fellow bikers.
“Unfortunately, I’m one of the unlucky ones in the statistics – I was in the wrong place at the wrong time when I was hit by the van. It really felt like I had totally lost my identity, I was unable to work or ride my motorbike, as well as coming to terms with permanent physical restrictions. My solicitors took the time to understand what was important to both me and my wife, who was my main carer before we were able to employ paid carers. The final award has enabled me to become as independent as possible again.”
Novum Law is one of the leading specialist personal injury law firms in the South West. Its expert team of lawyers have considerable experience representing motorcyclists, drivers, passengers and pedestrians seriously or fatally injured on UK roads.
For more information about the Calne Bike Meet, visit: www.calnebikemeet.com.
