I feel your (almost) pain! Yesterday I was going at a good pace on my way home, hit a bump, rear bag bounced off & rack clip broke, bungy wrapped around tire stopping it immediately. I, though, keep going and slid across the grass median. Got up, continued home as road rash is ugly to look at but not too painful but lost a lot of skin on my hand.
Advice??...wear those cycling gloves you bought but aren't using because "I'm not going fast on my commuter bike; I only wear gloves on my road bike!" (at least that was my excuse!)
Oh, and I also ride with my mouth slightly open. Better to suck down a bug every once in awhile then hit a bump and have your jaws crush together. ouch.

Suzanne