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Jeez Sarah that stinks! Wilco has certain things they care about so hopefully this is one. We reported a pit bull mix (again bad owners, not breed) that chased me repeatedly snapping at my feet everytime I rode! One time I was only saved because I motorist pulled in front of the dog. The dog is gone now, not sure if it was my constant reporting it to Wilco or something else.
Have your LBS do a thorough check, which they will. But they can write up a complete estimate. I know BSS (not sure which you are using) prints estimates that show parts, labor and details of what they will do.
For the road rash, make sure you hydrate. I was riding with a lady Monday night who wrecked sweeping her shop ride. She said she couldn't stay hydrated enough. She said she was so thirsty.
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Been there done that! Blueberry is on the money. File a police report if there are leash laws in your state. I did not do this unfortunately but I did lawyer up.
15 months later I still have not gotten a penny but I am still being treated for injuries I sustained (broken pelvis and sacrum). My bike was only scraped up a little. We are, currently, working on a settlement.
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As a City employee myself, whether there is a leash law or not (and most cities/counties have one), a "dangerous dog" report should be taken and the owners held liable for your injuries and damages. Especially since the dog ripped your tape as you fought it off using your bike for protection - THAT'S an aggressive dog and it needs to be dealt with appropriately.
Sure, you're not that hurt, and your bike doesn't have that much damage, but all added together it could easily total over $500 which in most cases is enough for a police report to be taken - I mean, if the dog were lose and ran in front of a car causing damage to the bumper, wouldn't they take a report???? Check the law for your state/county and see if bicycles are "treated" like autos - sometimes we have to remind law enforcement of such and stand up for our rights. Point is, you were injured in an ACCIDENT caused by the dog owners negligence. The viciousness of the dog is an entirely different issue to be handled by animal control. I'm just seeing several different angles here that you can take.
Like the others have said, the next person may not be as lucky as you were. Thank god you weren't injured more in the fall, or attacked by the dog. I am a HUGE animal lover, but I cannot stand off leash dogs!!! BIG pet peeve of mine. And the irresponsible owners look at us like we're crazy when we say something to them. My golden is always on a leash, and I can't tell you how many times people "walk" their dogs off leash, and the dog runs up to mine. My dog doesn't care for other dogs - she's a Golden, so she isn't the least bit aggressive; more like meek. She just prefers people and cats over dogs. Well, when I step between my dog and the approaching one, the owners always yell "Oh, it's ok, he's friendly". I often yell back, "Yeah, well, mine isn't" Are you sensing that I have an issue with this topic??? :)
Seriously, though, you have rights. You may have to force them, but you have them. Take care, and heal well!!!!
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another reason to get with both police and animal control is to assure that the dogs' rabies shots are current. No he didn't actually break your skin but if he savaged the bar tape, indicating rage and or aggression, the next rider may not be so lucky and it is always good to get it on record.
I love dogs, but I hate unrestrained dogs. Two years ago on a cross country ride I was passing a house with a homeowner and his German shepherd in their yard. I thought the man had to dog under control and was just minding my own business, riding by when the dog took exception. Before I realized it he had hit me in the hip, knocked me off my bike and was racing b ack to his owner, all happy and good boy. The owner had the decency to put him in the house, but never came out again. I rode on to the night stop, reported to the guide, pulled down my shorts and realized that the dog had broken the skin. the police were called, a report filed and the owner and the owners vet were both required to prove that the dog had been vaccinated and that I wouldn't have to under go treatment for rabies.
I am sorry that it happened to you, and I hope you and your bike recover soon.
marni
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Your bike is covered as part of your personal posessions on your homeowners or renters' policy. Your liability while riding it is also covered there, so if you don't have insurance - get it!
That's also true of their pet. Any damages it causes will be covered under THEIR insurance; if it's not (some breeds are excluded, including pits), seek a claim under your own and let the insurance company subrogate for the loss.
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So sorry about your crash, Sarah. :( I had a serious accident five years ago when two unleased dogs ran right for me as I rode by their house. They weren't vicious like it sounds like the pit bull was, but they were territorial, and I think whenever there is more than one, they tend to egg each other on. I sped up, and my DH, whom I was riding a little bit behind, slowed down, so my front tire clipped his rear tire, and down I went. In my case, my bike was barely damaged, but I suffered three pelvic fractures (one very serious) and had to have surgery to pin me back together, followed by extensive PT.
A police report was filed at the time of the accident (while I was lying in the road waiting on the ambulance), and due to the leash law in our county, I was able to file a claim with the owners' homeowner's insurance. They paid for all my out-of-pocket expenses. They were lucky I had good health insurance and disability from my employer, since I was out of work for 9 weeks until I was cleared to drive again. I did not end up retaining a lawyer, though I did get advice from one (informally) in my bike club. He said that taking folks like this to court would probably only have a 50/50 chance of success, because in rural areas, a lot of folks have dogs, let them run loose, and really don't care much for we "rich" cyclists. So, I didn't try to go for any "pain and suffering" type of damages -- they got off easy, really.
Agree with all the great advice offered here and hope that your county has a leash law. Those dogs should *not* be running free, because as someone mentioned, the next hapless cyclist, runner, walker, whatever, may be even less lucky than you.
Keep us posted...
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Well Sarah, I thought about your post this morning because I think I almost had a very, very similar dog encounter! Luckily I stayed on the bike...I am so sorry that you crashed :( But I'm glad you're ok.
So here's my near crash encounter...nothing compared to yours, but...I was riding down a rural road and saw two large dogs trotting around loose about 500 feet ahead. I slowed down and then saw a man coming down a driveway, so I yelled out "are your dogs ok with bikes?" In hindsight, what a stupid question. Anyway, the guy called his dogs and they both came to his side, although he didn't grab their collars. So I rode ahead. Well, literally right as I got to them, the larger Rottweiler-ish looking dog (no offense to Rottweilers) lunged at me, full bark and growl, teeth bared, etc. His mouth brushed my leg and got slobber all over me and he bumped my back wheel. The back of my bike felt like it picked up and moved sideways across the road, so I have no clue how I managed to avoid crashing. But I think my heel may have hit the dog in the chin as I was pedaling...add that to my screaming bloody murder scream and he backed off enough for me to get by. The man yelled at the dog but didn't say a word to me. So I rode off into the sunset and said several bad words.
I am going back to my dog rule, which is always stop and get off the bike. Of course this only works if you see the dogs and have time to stop. In this case, I trusted the man to control the dogs. My mistake I guess. I hope he felt bad about it.
