Thank goodness for helmets!

Last Wednesday, Sept 17th, I decided to go out on a 10 mile ride. About 3/4 mile from my house I made a left hand turn at a 4 way stop. As I rode into the center of the intersection, a car on my left began to move towards me. I tried to get out of the way, but didn't make it. Down I went, helmet hit the ground first, rest of my body last. At the time I thought I just had some strained muscles. However, at the hospital after XRays, I heard the news: fractured femur, out of alignment, partial hip replacement surgery to be scheduled for that evening. I finally got home yesterday.

So now I"m a bionic woman on BOTH sides-left arm in '07 and now right hip in '08.

I overheard the driver (a woman) say she was on her cell phone and didn't see me. :(:(:( I saw her coming and couldn't get out of the way. She hit my rear wheel. (rim is toast, rest of bike is fine)

I had on a yellow long sleeve jersey, the weather was clear and dry. Driver was not cited. (Does this sound familiar?)

On the positive side- woman ortho surgeon, head of her dept, and a neat lady besides.

Other good parts-several people from my local bike club work at the hospital so I got to talk with them during my stay. And I had lots of friends who showed up which was much appreciated.

Doc says probably 6 weeks before I'll be able to back on my bike. I live in a wonderful place for walking and the gym isn't far away. Because I am in good condition, my recovery should be less painful and faster. (Keep up that riding my friends, never know what life is going to hand you).

Am devising ways to get around my house (some stairs to deal with). You don't realize what muscles we use everyday until one part of your body isn't working at 100%. So far I can do most maneuvers with crutches. Am saving the walker for outside journeys.

Going for a small nap now, been up walking and sitting for the past 6+hrs and I'm a bit tired. Enough said, I think you all get the point!!!!

Oh yeah, if you are in the area, please call. Would love to see any of my TE girlfriends!:D:D:D:D:D

Wow! Glad you are okay... and very mad she was not cited.

Lots of warm wishes of recovery are going your way! I'd gladly visit but I'm stuck in Vancouver, BC right now!!!

Geez, Nancy,

I thought your incident from 2007 made you exempt from further bike-related injuries for AT LEAST 5 years.

I hope you heal quickly and are back on the road in no time!

- Melissa

Oh my gosh, Nancy! Glad you're OK (relatively speaking). You've got a great attitude too, so I know you'll be back in no time. Take care.

Major bummer! Take care of yourself and heal quickly.

Veronica

You poor thing!! Seriously - I think you have had your limit of accidents now!!!

Goodness gracious! What a bad fall and to be coaxed by a car at that. :mad: :mad: Glad to hear you are in good spirits despite your ordeal. Here's to a quick recovery and that you'll be back on your bike soon. :)

What they said! Take care.

So, why wasn't the driver cited? That just sounds crazy! I mean, does that mean the law condones hitting a cyclist? If she had hit a car or a pedestrian would she have been cited? I am so sorry you got hurt! I send good karma your way and hope you heal quickly!

Yikes, that is just NOT FAIR

I'm wishing you a fast recovery. The woman did not yield to you and ran you over - she should have been cited. There was a police report, I hope for your insurance purposes???

I can't believe the driver was not even cited for a violation of the CA cell phone law. Its just all crazy. You have a great attitude. I admire that. Hope you heal quick.

ARGH!! How annoying!!

I'm glad you're home recuperating. Take care & you'll be back out dere soon!

Heal up quick!

oh, Nancy, I am so sorry that you were hit!!! a broken FEMUR!! holy cow! get well soon.

mimi

Sorry, about your hip and collision. Yes, I think you have an bionic attitude. I hope you heal quickly. I can't believe the women was not ticketed.

Thanks for all of your thoughts!

I haven't gotten the police report yet so we'll see what was said by driver and witnesses. Since I ride clipless, when I come to a stop sign I look all ways and then proceed. If I have to take a foot out I will.

The driver did call and leave her insurance number for us. Turns out she knows a mutual friend of ours (small town here)

Like one of my bike buddies said, getting mad won't do much on the healing end of things. Maybe one of these days I'll get a chance to talk to the driver and see her perspective. I figure that she has to live with this for the rest of her life. Perhaps that will be incentive to be more attentive at intersections.

I just wish cell phone usage in cars was totally banned not only for our sake but for all the people who suffer needlessly from inattentive cell phone users. I don't even like the idea of ANY cell phone usage by drivers!

The injuries sound awful. So glad you're able to be resting at home now. I hope the healing & PT go quickly and trouble-free.

I thought CA was one of the first places to pass some kind of law regarding cell phones and driving?

It's good to hear that the driver is doing the honest thing and taking responsibility for her part.

Jocelyn- yes we have a law banning hand held cell phones while driving. I think any kind of cell phone use while driving is extremely dangerous hand held or not.

I'll let you all know what the police report says.

"Failure to yield the right of way" isn't a law in California?? :confused:

Well, no matter. As your friend pointed out...anger won't help you heal any faster...and in fact, I might add, would probably be a negative drain on your health. Speedy healing. Feel better soon!

Wow! So glad you're OK. Hoping for a speedy speedy recovery!