My bike is totalled

[Susie]

Hi Everyone,

On Monday night at around 7:00pm, I got hit by a truck. The truck and I had both stopped at an intersection facing each other. He had no turn signal on, so I starting riding straight through the intersection, believing that he had looked right at me. Unfortunately, he had the sun in his eyes and couldn't see me. He decided to make a left turn and ran right into me. I tried to turn right to get out of his way and pounded my fist on his hood yelling "HEY!" but he kept going. My bike got sucked under the truck (Ford F-250) and I went down. He didn't even realize that he hit me and wouldn't have stopped except that a college student walking on the sidewalk ran out into the street in front of him and screamed "stop"! When he stopped, my 2.5 month old Specialized Ruby Pro (with Campy Record, BTW) was under his rear wheel and the front wheel was about an inch from running over my head.

Surprisingly, I have a lot of bruises, but absolutely no road rash. My helmet saved my head and I had only a few small cuts on my legs and one on my nose. My right knee was hyperextended and I'm on crutches for a couple of days until the swelling goes down. I am sore pretty much everywhere, but all in all, I'm in pretty good shape. My bike, however, is a different story. My LBS freaked out when the bike was taken into the shop yesterday. All the mechanics and staff were standing around it in a circle staring. I finally broke the ice by saying "I think I need new handlebar tape". They told me that there is not one part that can be salvaged and that I'm really lucky not to be hurt any worse. I posted pictures at http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/susieb.../ph//my_photos

The guy's insurance is already offering me a settlement and I'll be paid full replacement value on the bike. Unfortunately, Specialized appears to be out of Ruby Pros in my size.

Susie

p.s. Immediately after as I was laying on the ground with people asking me if I was OK, I turned my head and saw my bike. What did I do? Ignore their questions, crawl towards the back of the truck and scream "MY BIKE" over and over. Everyone's still giving me a hard time about that.

[SadieKate]

Ah ha! A real cyclist worries about her bike first.

You are so incredibly fortunate. I'm amazed that you weren't injured more. Was the driver cited?

[maillotpois]

What an amazing story and photos - it is incredible that you weren't more badly hurt. You were so fortunate, all things considered.

Wow.

[AuntieK]

Susie,
I'm so sorry to hear about your accident! I was shaking just reading your story!
I'm glad you're ok. You seem to have such a positive attitude and great sense of humor. I think I would have been worried about my bike first, too!
Sorry about your bike...it looks awful! Hope you can find a suitable replacement!

[bikerchick68]

OH MY GAWD!

this blows my mind! Am I the only one??? How did he not hear you pounding on his hood? I can understand that he didn't see you... but man, smacking the car to make noise is sorta our last defense... and if that doesn't work wow, I'm SO glad you're not any worse... I am assuming the guy must've been incredibly shaken too... despite all the idiots out there I don't believe that most people WANT to hit a cyclist or anyone else for that matter... was he totally freaked out too? Was he nice, offer to try to help? I bet the insurance wants to settle and but quick! Sounds like they're looking to be sure it's a done deal... make sure medically you're 100% too OK? You'll probably heal up fine, but just be sure...

those pics... yeah, you'll be needing some new bar tape again, really, really glad you're OK... healing vibes your way...

[maillotpois]

OH MY GAWD!

this blows my mind! Am I the only one??? How did he not hear you pounding on his hood?

Right - I was shocked by that as well!!

[SadieKate]

I'm assuming he had the stereo cranked up or the phone glued to his ear.

Were the police called? It does sound like you have a medical report. I'd be concerned about injuries that don't show for awhile.

[Brandy]

I am so glad that you were not badly injured. Sorry about your bike, I hope that they can get one in your size quickly!

[LL_Super_D]

My condolences about your beautiful bike... What a relief you're not seriously injured.

I agree with SadieKate about keeping an eye out for injuries that don't show for awhile. For such a terrifying experience, you've got an amazing spirit about it. Here's wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Lifesgreat]

Whew! Glad you are still in one piece. I am sorry about your bike.

Unsolicited advice: Do NOT agree to any type of settlement until you have spoken to a lawyer. Do NOT sign anything. Don't look up a lawyer in the phone book, but talk to trusted friends who may have some suggestions.

I am not a lawyer, but my husband is and when I told him about the insurance company wanting to quickly settle, he said "she needs to make sure she has someone review the settlement before signing".

Sorry to spend more of my post on the insurance side of what happened.

Heal quickly!

[DrBee]

OMG!!!! I'm shaking from reading this. You are sooooo lucky to only have bruises. Has it hit you yet that you were almost killed? That's crazy. How did he not hear or see you pounding on the hood??? At least he was apologetic.

It sounds like you're handling this really well!

[Geonz]

And... I'm sorry, he *should* have been shaking becuase there is a PROBLEM if he was not aware of something pounding on his hood, something crunching under his wheel. I know the truck is big, bUTT... (I have had a similar experience as a driver - nobody was hurt but that was only because my brakes stuck -- some angel doing overtime literally holding the van back... I don't drive big things any more except under extreme duress...)

[im4smiley]

WOW you are so lucky that you didn't get hurt worse than you were. I am sorry to hear about your bike, I hope you are able to replace it when you are ready. Heal quickly. And I agree, don't sign anything till you make sure you are ok!!

Karen

[velogirl]

I don't have time to read all the replies -- someone may have already said this.

Do not take a settlement from the insurance company. Don't even talk to them at this point. Speak with an attorney ASAP. Since you're in Santa Cruz, I'll recommend Gary Brustin -- http://www.bicyclelawyer.com -- he has an office in Foster City (and also in LA). Gary is a long-time cyclist and supporter of the cycling community. He's even a board member of LAB.

[alpinerabbit]

f-u-u-c-c-k-k-k-... that looks and sounds scary. Please Gods of the road let this be the last one.

Luck the guy had insurance.