my century, dog crash

[CenturyGrrl]

Miranda - I agree with what several others have said, about having your insurance company or lawyer handle this. Your medical bills might be extensive, and your homeowner's or renter's insurance company will almost certainly ask for the dog owner's name and address.

As a dog owner, I know that if my dog were to run in the street in front of someone's car, I would be held responsible and liable for any damage. (Massachusetts law, I looked it up when this did happen to one of my sister-in-law's dogs.)

Especially since the owner KNEW that his dog did this, it was extremely negligent on his part not to control the mutt.

I know that this is just more bother and worry for you while you're recuperating, but something has to be done so that this dog doesn't succeed in his quest to kill the next cyclist that comes along.

[staceysue]

I've designed the flyer that should go out on every country home's door (on the race route)!

WARNING! (pencil drawings of police badges on either side of the word - and great big black fonts)

ATTENTION ALLA Y'ALL!!!

There's gonna be a bike race runnin' right past yer house on ___(plug in date)____!

Now - y'all probly don't know this but there's what's called a LEASH LAW in this here county! What that means is that everybody's dogs are supposed to be on leashes all the time!

Now, we don't care what you do with your dogs most of the time, but on ___(plug in the date)___ when we're having this here race, you better have your dogs inside or on leashes or yer a$$ is gra$$. You hear what I'm tellin you? GRA$$!!!

If one of yer dogs so much as steps foot on the road during this here bike race, we're gonna be callin' in some attorneys, and you're name's gonna be in the paper. Heck - we might even call in a television crew.

KEEP YER DANG DOGS ON LEASHES OR IN THE HOUSE ON ____(plug in date)____!

This is yer one and only warning. We aint gonna count to 3 like yer mamas.

[HoosierGiant]

I've designed the flyer that should go out on every country home's door (on the race route)!

WARNING! (pencil drawings of police badges on either side of the word - and great big black fonts)

ATTENTION ALLA Y'ALL!!!

There's gonna be a bike race runnin' right past yer house on ___(plug in date)____!

Now - y'all probly don't know this but there's what's called a LEASH LAW in this here county! What that means is that everybody's dogs are supposed to be on leashes all the time!

Now, we don't care what you do with your dogs most of the time, but on ___(plug in the date)___ when we're having this here race, you better have your dogs inside or on leashes or yer a$$ is gra$$. You hear what I'm tellin you? GRA$$!!!

If one of yer dogs so much as steps foot on the road during this here bike race, we're gonna be callin' in some attorneys, and you're name's gonna be in the paper. Heck - we might even call in a television crew.

KEEP YER DANG DOGS ON LEASHES OR IN THE HOUSE ON ____(plug in date)____!

This is yer one and only warning. We aint gonna count to 3 like yer mamas.

ROFL!!

Unfortunately, in this here neck o' the woods, most people aren't literate enough to comprehend the notice!

[beccaB]

There is a person on one of our routes who has dogs that have chased us, she told her neighbor that she wishes people would not walk or jog or ride bikes on her street. She works with my husband and when he told her we were worried about her dogs getting hit when they chase us, she said " I hope they do-that will serve them right(the dogs) for being out in the road. " Her neighbor who's child is one of my bus kids, complains that the dogs charge at her kids when they go outside and play. What an irresponsible dog owner!

[staceysue]

ROFL!!

Unfortunately, in this here neck o' the woods, most people aren't literate enough to comprehend the notice!

LOL - here too!

If somebody WAS able to read the notice, though, that would give them time to get out their lawn chairs and buy some more beer.

[HoosierGiant]

LOL - here too!

If somebody WAS able to read the notice, though, that would give them time to get out their lawn chairs and buy some more beer.

Yep! So they could have a front-row seat to watch Satan and Bruiser in action!

[MartianDestiny]

I know that this is just more bother and worry for you while you're recuperating, but something has to be done so that this dog doesn't succeed in his quest to kill the next cyclist that comes along.

I agree something needs to be done. But point of contention: the dog has no "quest to kill the next cyclist that comes along". Dogs like to chase things, dogs think it's a fun game, dogs want to have fun. That's it. (exception to the VERY small minority that actually do want to catch and attack you, but even those don't want to "trip" you to death). He has no idea that if he misjudges distance or otherwise causes an accident that he could kill you and/or himself. The dog is a victim too, of an uncaring, negligent owner that can't be bothered to teach him that chasing is bad or contain him such that he cannot. The owner is the one that's in the wrong and needs a wake-up call...big time.

[channlluv]

I hope you're feeling better today, Miranda. Were you able to get an earlier appointment with the doctor? How's your shoulder today? And how's your face? It all just sounds so painful. Are you still getting foggy?

If it's not too painful to remember the details, what happened with the dog exactly? Did he catch you and grab your foot or run in front of you, or force you into something else that made you wreck?

I agree with those who have said to complain to the Sheriff's office. That kind of bodily injury requires some accountability and for the officer doing the questioning to see your injuries and then blow it off, that would really make me angry. (Kenyonchris, any input there on what she might do?) You were not breaking any laws doing what you were doing. That dog - the owner, really - was the one causing a public safety hazard. Not the riders.

I'd also see if someone with the ride organization has some pull with local law enforcement or maybe legal assistance in getting your medical bills paid for by the owner. I'll bet if he gets your medical bills, he'll be more responsible about letting his dog run loose and chase people.

Staceysue, that flyer is a hoot.

Roxy

[hipmama]

So sorry to hear about your crash and I hope that collar bone is on the mend.

I agree as a dog owner, it would be MY responsibility to keep my dog from cyclists and to pay for any damage or injuries caused by my dog. I hope something works out for you and that you are on the mend.

[Miranda]

Thanks you guys for those additional post of support. It helps.

Well, I learned today if you just physically show up at the doctor's office, looking completely pathetic, beat-up, and beg desperately for assistance... you get in.

The short of it is that my shoulder / collar bone acl appears to have seperated. Plus, the doc is concerned about my neck too.

Was pretty much last patient of the day so the office scheduling staff had gone. One of them will call soon. Doc wants me to have an MRI of my shoulder / collar bone, and neck area. Ordered PT as well.

Doc's first impression was that it would heal without surgery; but wanted to see my MRI results to determine that for sure. Plus, something about PT assessing me.

My arm just hanging by my side feels like it did when my kids were toddlers holding my hand and trying to swing on me like a piece of playground equipment.

I asked if I should be wearing a sling or something for support. For now, to my surprise, he said "no". He does not like to see shoulders get "frozen". Guess people get in pain and don't move at all... then things heal tight w/limited range of motion etc.

Steering the outdoor bici is a "no-go" he said. But, I could spin my legs only stationary.

I told him I teach spinning at my gym. Boss & buddies have been covering my classes. I miss it. I couldn't do everything on the spin bike. But some stuff. Doc said that would at least give me "something". He sees a lot of athletes and knows we need our happy exercise endorphines. That's nice since some docs just say "deal with it, and give the sport up".

Just waiting to hear about the appointments. But...

OMG... I HATE that MRI machine. I've been in it serveral times in my life. I'm cholostrophobic and emotional upset triggers the real problem of my asthma. They drug me, but sometimes it's still just bad. Yuck.

[wackyjacky1]

Holy *beeeep*! What an awful experience. Hang in there, Miranda. Here's to your swift recovery.

[Cataboo]

Miranda, can you have an open MRI done? You don't have to get into the tube for those.

[Blueberry]

Take heart on your shoulder. I had a partial AC joint separation and bicep strain from my crash in early July. I had x-rays - no MRI. I'm still going to PT (when the scheduling people don't screw up), but 80% came back really fast - loads better in about a week, and then most of the rest of the 80% in the next 2 weeks. Still seeing lots of improvement (and my life is back to normal, more or less).

Take it easy - ice, anti-inflamatories and not sleeping on that side are your friends. And yes - they don't like to sling it. It tends to cause more problems if you're over 25 (or so says my sports med doc).

CA

[Fredwina]

what I was told when I broke my elbow was that those joints would "freeze" from lack of activity. Most of my PT work was aimed at restoring a full rande of motion
keep your chin up.

[ilima]

Wow, Miranda. I am glad you are well enough to post.

But please, please get your insurance involved. You are going to have significant medical costs, you are going to lose income (maybe your job, cuz who knows in this economy whether they'll hold it for you), and you may have lasting, permanent damage for which you deserve to be compensated. Not to mention if your face ends up with permanent scarring.

Seriously. I'm not the lawsuit type, but you are due some serious pain & suffering and loss of income $$$.

Watch out for the dog owner's insurance company trying to give you the bum's rush & sign your rights away to get just a dribble of money.

Heal well!!!!