I fear MA, given the state of the UK’s roads today, that your relative’s problem is going to be proving that the damage hasn’t been done, even unknowingly, in the last year.
You say the damage is to the near (kerb) side suspension and track rods and unfortunately this is exactly where the majority of potholes on our current excuse for a road network (another thing against bike riding GP) are to be found.
How many of us have had the experience of hitting such a hole at speed only to breath a huge sigh of relief that the tyre is intact and we can continue on our journey? It’s sadly not uncommon and in this case a year, possibly 12,000 miles, is a long time.
Sorry...playing devil’s advocate...still wish your relative well, but the ‘nasty bang’ might be exactly what I’ve described.