3 Mile Commute...

[Karma007]

So I was truckin' down the road on Monday on my measly 3 mile commute. I'd passed the scary part where the bike lane is full of parked cars, and was only a couple blocks from work. I was going about 15mph on slight downward slope, when I see a black car, with his blinker on, ready to make a left hand turn in front of me. "Whew!" I think "He sees me." But then, he begins to turn right in from of me. "He'll stop", I think, knowing full well there was no way I could at that point. As his front bumper comes within an inch of my wheel I realize; He didn't see me. Close my eyes, and hope my head doesn't hit the stopsign. Tumbling, the sound of breaking wood; My head went through the fence. This is GOOD, b/c it meant I didn't hit the stopsign. I sit up in confusion, hearing a voice telling the driver "No dude. You gotta wait here, the cops are on their way." According to the good samaritan, the driver was drinking. That's why le left before the cops arrive.
My good samartain was a little confused himself, and may only have gotten a partial plate. The police came, along with the fire department to find I am not in pieces. The police ask me repeatedly if he hit me. I wasn't sure at the time, trying to protect my head from the stopsign. I call off the ambulance. Bf arrives and will take me to the ER if needed. I'm a temp, with no medical benefits, so I am trying to avoid the hospital...

3 days later I know a few things; the driver hit my wheel; it explains the damage, which cost me $150. My lower back and hips hurt when I sit. The officer involved is off until Friday, and the incident report is of low importance in a county drowning in budget cuts. Even if they look for the guy, they probably won't find him and if they do, they won't be in a hurry to prosecute.

My question to you is- how do you determine when pain is severe enough to go to the doctor? I can't afford a lot of unnecessary tests or x-rays, but I am concerned about chronic pain.

[Becky]

Holy cow! I don't have any answers, but I'm glad that you're (reasonably) ok. That pic looks really scary!

[Irulan]

Ow! Hit and Run? I'd contact a lawyer. It would really suck if you had to cover that out of pocket.

[Biciclista]

DO you live in a big city or a little town? can the witness describe the guy?
that's a felony, hit and run, isn't it?
I hope you can get to the doctor soon. Please take care of yourself.

[ASammy1]

I'm with Irulan-contact a lawyer! And then get yourself to the Dr. I know times are tough but your health shouldn't be compromised.

I'm glad that you are reasonable ok

[Softie]

Wow, you poor thing. I really hope you feel better soon. I've been in the terrible position of having no insurance, but in Canada, it means you can still get all the basic treatment you need for things like doctors, hospitals, and xrays (*phew*).

I can't stress the importance enough of trying to find him. His insurance should be covering your medical costs. One important part of going to a Dr. right away is that it's your documentation that these injuries are from the accident. If he is ever found it's important for legal purposes. Even if for now all you do is basically report the accident and pain your feeling to the Dr. (Ice/heat it, take your anti-inflammatories, and see if he feels xrays are absolutely necessary at this point). Get all the info you can right away, while witnesses memories are fresh too, including writing your own reports up.

The other important reason, which might seem pretty extreme to bring up, is cases like Natasha Richardson's highly publicized death from a skiing accident (even though she didn't wear a helmet and I'm hoping you were). This tends to be more of an immediate concern as far as I know, but things can happen to the brain that we don't feel, or show many symptoms of, that have very dangerous consequences (like bleeding in the brain). Extreme, but it should be kept in mind when we have accidents.

Good luck. Stories like this always scare me so much.

[OakLeaf]

Oh man. (((((((tofu)))))))

When you say the guy "may have" only got a partial plate, do you mean you've tried to look it up and got no results? Depending on where you live, you may or may not be able to do a little tracking yourself, with a partial plate and a vehicle description.

You definitely need to document your injuries as well. Don't bother with the ER at this point, go to a chiropractor or a walk-in clinic who will examine you and take X-rays, if needed, for much less money than the ER (and with at least the possibility of continuing care if you need it). Get your boyfriend to take photos of your bruises and scrapes, and keep the clothes and helmet you were wearing.

To address your question, pain doesn't have to be severe right away to result in chronic pain. (In fact, it's usually the smaller misalignments... ) If you're in enough pain that you're even asking the question, get some treatment.

If you have Uninsured Motorist Coverage on your auto insurance, that should cover you for now. (Maybe even med pay coverage might take care of it?? I've never really been sure what that is for. ) EDIT: Since I just renewed my motorcycle insurance, I have the policy sitting right here and took a look. If your policy works the same as mine, then YES, if you have med pay, it will cover you for a motor vehicle accident when you are not in/on a motor vehicle.

Your state may also have a Victims of Crime Compensation Fund. Usually those are reserved for violent crimes, but maybe DUI hit and run would qualify?

Take good care, rest and heal and I hope they catch that !@#$@^#.

[Irulan]

OP is in Canada, how might that differ from what one might do down here in the states?

[NbyNW]

Wow. I'm glad you lived to tell the tale. I hope they find your driver.

Lots of good advice above, please take good care of yourself! Best to document things and get checked out now, than to let things linger and not have many options later.

Hope you feel better soon

[sundial]

((((((tofu)))))))

[SheFly]

In Canada, everyone should have access to the health care they need without additional coverage. X-rays and lab tests should be covered as part of the provincial plan (I am only familiar with OHiP).

Get yourself off to the doctor to have yourself checked out! Don't compromise your health, and heal quick.

SheFly

[shootingstar]

sounds like you're in the U.S., tofu if you are avoiding the hospital checkup?

Hope you'll get this checked right away. After all, your head was involved too.

[Karma007]

Thanks everyone! After sitting here a bit, I did go to the doctor! While the rest of me is feeling better, sitting is still quite painfull. The good news is, he things there's simply quite a bit of swelling, so I need to be patient, and the cost was better than I figured. I'll give it some more time, and will go back for x-rays if things don't improve.
I have friends in the county, and tomorrow when I go in to work, I'm hoping they can look up the plate, depending on how accurately it was taken down. I will be making EVERY effort to find this guy. The whole thing was pretty crazy. Thanks so much for your support and advice!

[redrhodie]

If you own a car, and have uninsured motorist coverage, you may be covered under that (I think) even though you were hit while on your bike.

[andtckrtoo]

Actually OP lives in the States. In California.

Tofu - I'm so glad you were not too badly hurt!! Do you have a GP you can go to? That would cost a lot less than going to the ER. If not that, a chiropractor is a good idea. Do go because you just never know - and you don't want to be in pain the rest of your life if something is wrong. Hope you are doing okay.