hit by a car yesterday

[buffybike]

Yesterday morning I was struck from behind by a woman going about 30mph. Amazingly, my injuries are pretty minor even though the back of my helmet was cracked all the way through. Xrays and CT scans showed no broken bones. There were witnesses to the event and the driver (an 87 year old woman whose license had been revoked due to her poor eyesight) was given a citation and also charged with a misdemeanor.

I have been so sore today and sort of depressed. I'm a little worried about whether or not I'll feel skittish riding with cars around now. I know this was a freak accident and all...and I'm not going to give up cycling. I just can't believe I got hit by a car. :(

[trista]

Oh wow!!! So glad you are OK, but that is really scary. I'd be skittish after that too.

[redrhodie]

(((buffybike))) That's the worst! I got sideswiped a few weeks ago, and yes, you will be nervous around cars for a while. I also was depressed right after. I was quick to get angry at cars for a few rides. It gets better.

It's very frustrating, isn't it? You're out doing something you love, that is supposed to be good for you, then bam, you're in trouble. I found it really annoying when my friends told me how lucky I was, so I won't say that to you. Just take it easy, be gentle with yourself, and know a lot of us understand. I felt much better after talking to my lbs guys, so if you're friendly with your shop, they may be a good place for support.

I hope you feel well soon. I'm glad nothing is broken. How's your bike?

[Zen]

Good grief!
Glad you're ok. That really was a freak accident.
Somebody has to take that womans car from her.

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, so glad you weren't hurt more, but I can imagine how freaky that must feel after the fact. But like you say, it was a freak accident and hopefully won't put you off cycling for too long. Being hit from behind is one of the least common car/bike accidents; you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hope you heal up quickly and find your mojo again!

[OakLeaf]

(((((buffy))))) Oh man. I live in terror of being rear-ended any time I'm on two wheels. At least with a motor I can travel faster than the ambient traffic. Not so much without. It's one of the few collisions you really have very little control over - visibility is about all you can do. :(

So glad you're mostly okay physically! Don't discount the soft tissue trauma though, see a good chiro and/or LMT if you don't feel better in a day or two.

Hope her car was damaged as badly as your helmet. And I'm glad she stopped, too - most people would just skip out, under those conditions. :(

[buffybike]

Thanks, guys. It's good to know there are people out there who have been through it and recovered just fine. My LBS guys DID make me feel better today--as soon as I dropped my bike (Buffy) off, they asked how I was and provided lots of sympathy and support. They also assured me that all damage to my bike would be covered and then some (wink, wink). I'm not a mechanic, but my rear wheel and rear derailleur were definately bent. Honestly, I hope the frame is okay--I'm kind of sentimental about Buffy. We've been through a lot together and I don't want to give her up, even if it was for an upgrade.

[Catrin]

I am so glad you weren't hurt worse, and that Buffy will be ok. Hopefully they will take that woman's car away from her!

[buffybike]

I am so glad you weren't hurt worse, and that Buffy will be ok. Hopefully they will take that woman's car away from her!

I don't think they'll have to---she was absolutely freaked out at the scene. I thought that they would have to take her to the hospital too!! She kept crying, "I'm 87!! I'm too old to go to jail!" and tried to hug me repeatedly. I kind of felt sorry for her as I'm sure this incident shaved at least a year off her life. She probably won't even want to ride in a car for a while, much less drive one.

[Bike Chick]

How horrible!!! You were fortunate. I hope you heal soon and Buffybike isn't too badly damaged.

[sundial]

So glad you're mostly okay physically! Don't discount the soft tissue trauma though, see a good chiro and/or LMT if you don't feel better in a day or two.


Like Oak stated, please see someone for an evaluation. Your body took quite an impact and you may not feel the damage until a week, a month, or even a year later. And hopefully your bike will be better soon and you two can once again enjoy your time together.

[crazycanuck]

Oh dear! Take care of yourself !

[XMcShiftersonX]

I'm so sorry that happened to you, that must have been so scary. I'm glad your injuries weren't more serious either. I haven't had an experience like that, and so I don't have any sort of experience on what to tell you to get through this. But I'm glad you don't want to give up on cycling, and I'm sure it's going to be a little scary at first, but hopefully you'll regain your confidence soon. Take care of yourself in the meantime!

[arielmoon]

(((Buffy)))

So glad you are relatively ok. Could have been worse!

[colby]

:( :( here's to a speedy recovery, both psychological and physical! Amazing that you had no serious injuries. Take care of your body!

[Zen]

Now I feel bad for the lady. Bad day all around.

[lph]

Owee, that's so scary :( It sucks to have to feel afraid out there.

There can be a few good consequences though. Chances are she'll be a lot more careful from now on, if continuing to drive at all, and the witnesses too will have gotten a reminder to be careful around cyclists. It's a pity that you have to "pay for it", though. Good luck getting your bike up and going again!

[bmccasland]

(((((Buffy)))) Hope you're feeling better on the morning after, and not too stiff and sore.

Hate to admit it, but probably the only way to keep the older lady from driving is to force the sale of her car. If she's already lost her license and still driving, then she'll probaby drive again. Maybe she's shaken enough that she'll park the car permanently. My XH was a paramedic in a retirement community, oh the tales he would tell... :eek:

Glad you beloved bicycle is in good hands, may her recovery be full. :D

[oz rider]

So sorry to hear this buffybike. Hope you're comfortable, given the body often stiffens up later. You're very generous towards the lady who hit you. I have some sympathy for her, but I'm increasingly frustrated that people are so willing to put others' lives at risk for their own convenience, and don't recognise they are in control of a potentially lethal weapon. One of our most promising young competitive cyclists was killed by an elderly driver with poor vision a couple of years ago. :-(

[PamNY]

Hope you feel better (in every way) quickly.

[buffybike]

thanks again, fellow cyclists! I'm even more sore today than yesterday. BUT I'm also more ready to get back on my bike. I was just looking at helmets (mine was cracked in the accident) and now I can't help but think that they aren't "stealth-y" enough! I'm so pleased with the way my last helmet performed--it literally saved my life...and it was just a $30 Bell one from a big box store. Now all the helmets look so...skimpy? Especially in the back (which is where mine took the most damage). Don't laugh if you see me riding down the road wearing a full motorcycle helmet. And elbow/knee pads. And about 8 blinkies. :o

[Grog]

Gentle hug to you. I hope you feel better... Make sure you give yourself some time and love.

When I was hit by a car (no damage other than a big bruise and a totalled bike, which was replaced by insurance at no cost to me whatsoever) it took me a few weeks to feel as confident and happy about cycling again. I am still mad at the cars, noisy, stinking, annoying machines... :(

[emily_in_nc]

I am still mad at the cars, noisy, stinking, annoying machines... :(

Here here! Oh to live in a car-free world; what a pleasure that would be!

[blackhillsbiker]

It took me awhile to recover from the skittishness after being hit by a truck the Wednesday before Easter. And I also went through the anger at motorists in general, trucks in particular, and anyone I saw on a cellphone while driving... but I'm doing much better now. Hugs to you and Buffy. Firefly survived my crash with some TLC from a great LBS. We both have a few scuffs, but we're back out there.

Deb

[MtnBikerChk]

Heal up! Glad you weren't hurt worse!!

[sundial]

BUT I'm also more ready to get back on my bike. ...Now all the helmets look so...skimpy?

Buffy, how about a full face helmet that the BMX/downhiller mtb'ers wear? Or even the helmet that freeride folks wear? Also, do you have access to a state park? The speed limit is 20 mph or so inside many parks and you may not have as much traffic to worry about. Just may give you the extra boost of confidence for that initial ride. :)

[buffybike]

Ordered a new helmet today--a Specialized Women's Propero. I chose it b/c it meets higher-than-average safety standards. A little pricey, but my noggin and peace of mind are worth it!

[Zen]

Darn. I was going to suggest the Bell Citi Helmet (http://greenfishsports.com/product/468_440_441-cycling-helmets/2945-bell-sports-bike-helmet-bell-citi-helmet.html) because it comes in Screaming Yellow

[HipGnosis6]

I'd suggest a full-shell helmet if you're worried... more protection for the back of the head, and more likely to be able to take multiple hits. The local roller derby team wears/recommends/is sponsored by Nut Case. (http://www.nutcasehelmets.com/)

[runningteach]

I'm glad you didn't get seriously hurt. Take care of yourself. Also glad that your bike seems to need only a little bit of TLC.