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 There were witnesses to the event and the driver (an 87 year old woman whose license had been revoked due to her poor eyesight) was given a citation and also charged with a misdemeanor.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.

[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!

[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 !

[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!

[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...

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

[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. :-(