Broke wrist in bike crash

[runningteach]

Hi ladies! I had a car make a right turn in front of me on Sunday. The lady was going into a Wendys, did not see me. I hit her car and fell. Outcome is that my wrist is fractured and tomorrow I am having surgery. Will have a plate and screws put in permanently. Need to have PT. I was lucky that it wasn't worse. My bike is in the shop, but it didn't look bad. I was riding in a bike lane and very nice people saw it and called the police for me.

My question is, has anyone had a broken wrist and when do you think I'll be able to ride again? My main thing is running, but I love riding. Now I am worried about being fearful on the bike. I already have my mountain bike set up on my trainer. Also, I didn't see the police report yet because it takes time for it to be completed. I shouldn't be at fault at all, right? I am very cautious at intersections and just did not think someone would be so blind. I was going about 18 mph. When riding I always look at the driveways and will slow down when needed. Why couldn't she? Her car has a dent and scratch from me hitting. It was a rental car too, mercedes no less. She didn't see me and said she heard the bang. She was worrying about the car behind her driving too fast.

Thanks for any advice!

[velogirl]

It sure sounds like she's at fault. Has her insurance company called you to settle yet? Don't talk to them. Instead, talk to a good attorney. Not sure if there are cycling-specific liability lawyers in NY, but I'd recommend you chat with Gary Brustin -- http://www.bicyclelawyer.com He only handles bicycle liability/personal injury cases and although he's in CA I'm sure he can refer you to someone in NY.

[eclectic]

No suggestions just sorry to hear about your accident
prayers that surgery goes well and recovering time is quick

Take care

[Nanci]

Sounds like the driver failed to yield the right of way.

Here's a really good website about how to avoid the Right Hook:

http://bicyclesafe.com/

PS, sorry to hear about the wrist! It will be much stronger and heal faster with the plates/screws, though.

[Susie]

I'm so sorry to hear about your crash. I was hit by a truck in May and I wholeheartedly agree with the advice to talk to an attorney. The driver's insurance quickly replaced my bike, but starting ignoring me about the medical. I finally talked to a lawyer and things are rolling.

I'm still off the bike since an MRI two months after the crash showed a fracture (that did not show up in x-rays the night of the accident) as well as cartilage damage but I'm sure that you can ride on a trainer right now if you either sit up straight or only use one hand on the bars. I wouldn't hit the road again until your doctor says it's OK, though.

Take care and I hope you feel heal quickly.

Susie

[DDH]

Oh my goodness, I'm glad you are okay. I cannot believe she was worried about the car and not you. I think, fault or not, my first thought would be with those involved. Material items can be replaced, bodies, people and body parts cannot.

I don't know what to tell you about your case other than like veogirl said, don't settle or talk to anyone until you talk to an attorney.
I mean, I am not a sue crazy person. I don't believe in all these people that sue for anything and everything little thing they can find, but you do have to protect yourself.

I would think that a bicycle or a pedestrian would always have the right of way as long as they are crossing or riding where they are suppose to. And they don't run or ride right out in front of you.
Anyway, good luck with your surgery, and let us know what happens.

[Brandy]

I'm sorry to hear about your crash. I hope that surgery goes well and that you heal quickly!

[eclectic]

Sounds like the driver failed to yield the right of way.

Here's a really good website about how to avoid the Right Hook:

http://bicyclesafe.com/

PS, sorry to hear about the wrist! It will be much stronger and heal faster with the plates/screws, though.

Great website Nanci THANKS ! ! !

[Crankin]

Sorry about your crash; perhaps I can shed some light on getting back to riding. In August 03 my husband fell off a ladder and broke BOTH wrists. One was just a hairline that only required a splint, but the other required surgery and pins. He got the cast off after 5 weeks (after annoying the Dr. not to wait 6) and got on the bike the next day. He was in horrible pain and could only do ten miles, but he increased it slowly for a couple of weeks, along with going to OT and home exercises. I would say after 2 months he felt totally normal. By then it was getting cold out, so when he started riding again in March there were no problems. He was religious about doing the exercises and probably would not have listened if the doc had said to stay off of the bike (he didn't).
Hope your recovery goes well.

Robyn

[hsmpcycle]

I am so sorry about your accident. I hope it is nothing serious.

About 4 or 5 years ago I was riding in a bike lane and an old lady in a huge Caddy, who wanted to turn right into a bank parking lot as I was approaching the entrance, moved right into the bike lane so that other cars could pass her then finally made the turn. In doing this, I had to brake very very hard. My tire was up against her bumper when I finally stopped. I was so Hot , I slammed my fist down on her trunk. She looked up in her mirror, shocked but did nothing to apoligize. To this day, I hate it when people use the bike lane as a turn or passing lane.

My opinion about the wrist, consult a physical therapist and see what you need to do to condition it. They may suggest to exercise it by sitting on the floor at a hard surface (a chair or an end table) in front of you. Place your arm on the surface with your wrists just over the far end of the table at the ledge. Place a 5 lb. weight in your hand and have your hand lift it up and down slowly.

Hope this helps.

[Bikingmomof3]

I read the previous posts and you have been given some excellent advice. I am sorry about your wrist and will keep you in my thoughts during your sugery tomorrow.

[HappyAnika]

I'm so sorry! That's terrible. I hate bad drivers enough as it is, but this is just inexcusable. I broke my "wrist" in February (snowboarding fall), it was actually a distal radius fracture: arm bone near the wrist. I didn't have to have surgery, just a cast for 2 weeks, then a splint for 2 more weeks, then I was on my bike 6 weeks after the fall. Yours will likely take more time since you are having hardware put in. However my advice is be adamant about starting physical therapy as soon as possible. Make it very clear to your therapist that you want to get back on the bike ASAP. I think a lot of therapists are used to dealing with sedentary people who's primary goal is to be able to get back to using the remote control. Do your home exercises diligently. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

[SouthernBelle]

I wanted to point out that the insurance company won't reimburse you for your medical or injury expense until they are all in. This isn't like medical insurance, where it is paid as it's incurred. When you are done, and all your expenses, lost wages, pain suffering, etc are determined after negotiation, one check is cut and a release is signed in exchange.

HTH,

[Nanci]

Hardware is good! Then the fracture is stabilized, over, done with, rather than in a cast, flopping around till it finally makes a bridge. It'll heal faster!!

[Denise223]

I'm very sorry to hear about the crash & also about your broken wrist !!

You definitely WILL be able to ride -- just be sure to follow your hand surgeon's advice post surgery. Don't have PT until he/she says that it's okay.

I have had several bilateral upper extremity operations, (hands, wrists, thumbs, elbow), and have been left with surgically fused wrists. I don't have any motion -- I can't move my wrists up or down, nor can I move them side to side. (I was a passenger in a car accident).

Against the advice of my hand surgeon, I went to see a doctor "for the performing arts" - (I play the guitar). He told me that, "I would never play again, because my wrists were totally fused".

I'm happy to report that I CAN play the guitar -- the only thing that's different is the way I position my hand on the neck of the guitar.

I'm not in the market at all right now, but, if I ever do purchase a road bike, I think that I'll have to stick with straight handlebars.

Nanci's right -- with hardware, you will heal quicker and most likely will not need to wear a cast/splint for more than a month.

Take good care of yourself -- I'll be keeping you in my prayers!

Denise