Well, My Summer's Over

[lauraelmore1033]

I was hit by a huge truck while riding on the Centennial trail on Wednesday. Broken ribs, unbelievable amount of pain and swelling over most of the left side of my body, and I am one unhappy camper. I just cancelled my STP registration and have my finger hovering over the cancel button for a tour in Idaho in August.

I was hit while riding through an area of the trail that runs through kind of an industrial area. The truck was in the driveway for one of the businesses. I stopped, made eye contact with the driver and assumed he was waiting for me to cross. By the time I was half way across the cross walk, he'd decided to pull out. I was screaming, "Hey! hey! hey! as his grill continued to loom closer and closer on my left side, and I remember thinking, I don't friggin believe it! as the grill made contact with my torso. Jump cut in consciousness, and I am writhing and bellowing in the street with the wind knocked out of me. I remember sirens and somebody running up with a chair, because I had started to get up, because I didn't want to lie back on the busy road like I was belatedly directed to do. The EMTs insisted that I needed to go to the hospital, where it was determined that if I was seriously injured, I would be in more pain. An officer came in and took my statement and tried to insinuate the accident was my fault because he didn't think I had the right of way. (pretty sure I did) He also said that I had caused an awful lot of damage to the truck, but my bike (the Bacchetta Bellandare) didn't appear to be damaged at all! (The back wheel had been run over and wasn't really rolling any more when we picked it up) .
I've had two days to reflect on it, and I am getting angrier and angrier by the minute. It could have been so much worse, though. If I'd been riding my tadpole trike, which is way lower than the bellandare, he would have rolled over me and crushed my body. If I'd been riding the tricross, I would have been higher off the ground and being violently flung to the ground would have done more damage to me.

[malkin]

Ouch!
I'm very sorry this happened to you! Give yourself a little time to gather your wits before making decisions about August.

Sending wishes for peace and healing.

[salsabike]

Laura, I am glad you're alive, girl. I am wishing you well.

And get a lawyer with bike case expertise! John Duggan is a well known local name. MM_QFC also knows a good lawyer. PM if you need her email.

[Catrin]

So sorry that this happened and so glad you survived! Sending prayers and wishes for healing.

[ny biker]

Oh wow. So glad you weren't more seriously hurt.

I agree about talking to a lawyer.

I hope you feel better soon.

[lauraelmore1033]

Thanks for all the kind words. I was only planning to get a lawyer if the insurance co gave me trouble. Do I really need a lawyer?

[thekarens]

I agree, get a lawyer. It already sounds like they are trying to put the blame on you and I can guarantee insurance companies aren't any better.

Heal fast!

[lauraelmore1033]

Well, my insurance company (State Farm) says THEY consider me a pedestrian, and totally in the right. We have no fault personal injury coverage of $10,000 which should cover everything, but they will be pursuing coverage from the truck driver's insurance. I don't think the driver was a professional truck driver, just some young (dumb @$$) with a taste in trucks too large for his particular driving skill set.

[lauraelmore1033]

Good for that. It's a relief not to have to deal with being 'at fault' in such a situation.

But more importantly, how do you feel? Are you healing?

There is still a lot of pain. The ribs are going to take at least 2 months to heal. The inflammation in my hips and tailbone is subsiding to more tolerable levels, but my arm and shoulder are still horribly bruised and swollen. I have moments where I feel very lucky to be alive, and then the pain meds wear off and I find myself not feeling so lucky.

[Catrin]

From what I understand most, if not all, insurance companies consider cyclists to be pedestrians - so glad to hear that is so in your case. I hope your recovery is sooner than later! I would still have a lawyer in mind just in case legal counsel is needed.

[rebeccaC]

Sorry to hear this and hoping the healing goes well….if you’re having problems sleeping and if you live in Wa. you might look into edible marijuana for that instead of your pain meds.

[kernowcyclist]

Thank goodness you are ok, if somewhat damaged. Could have been unthinkable. Stupid driver!

[Catrin]

Take it easy and do what is comfortable to you. Is there a park with low volume roads large enough that you could take your bike? Country roads in an area where they are accustomed to cyclists?

[lauraelmore1033]

Oh, I'm sure there are, but lifting a 40 pound trike up into the van with broken ribs is probably not on the menu...

[Catrin]

Yep, that wouldn't work. Just looking for ideas when you are ready to ease back into riding. I had hoped you might have a hitch-mounted rack, some of those are easy to use (others, not so much).

Also the word "trike didn't register. I hope you are feeling at least somewhat better!