After the Serious Accident

[goldfinch]

I had a very serious accident on my bike April 14. I was on a group ride. fortunately I wear an ID on my shoe and the leader knew what hospital, who to call, etc. So if you have one, wear it.

Anyway, I received the hospital bill today. Although I am not responsible for it, except for a $15 co-pay the bill is HUGE!! The insurance has paid the rest.

I bought a new VERY EXPENSIVE Ruby Carbon bike before the accident. I was supposed to get fitted for it the day of the accident. Instead I went on the group ride and planned to go there after. (Of course never got there.) The bike is paid for and they are holding it at the shop until I feel well enough to get it fitted.

The problem is I don't know if I want to ride anymore. Although my friends enccourage me, I am very depressed about so many things. First, the huge hospital bill that my wonderful employer's insurance is having to pay for and I am sure my accident will raise everyone's premiums next year, buying a new expensive bike when I can't seem ride the old one safely. I was also on medical disabilty for two weeks.

My friends are being very encouraging but it's not helping. Have any of you been in a serious accident and went back to riding. What did you think, How did you handle it, did you feel guilty about having an expensive bike, etc? I guess right now I need encouragement and wisdom from fellow riders. But if you think I should give up riding, please let me know that to. Nothing can hurt my feelings right now.

It only has been a few weeks. No wonder you are anxious! Wait, heal.

As far as your employer's insurance cost going up it is unlikely that your experience is going to drive up the premiums. There are different rules depending on how large the employer is and depending on what state you live in, but states often restrict the ability of insurers of small employers to use claims in setting rates.

[Kiwi Stoker]

I too had a serious accident (5 days in hospital, 6 weeks off work). Please realise that the low mood you are feeling is part of the accident and is normal. It's due to the painkillers, the healing your body is doing etc.

Don't make any major decisions yet. Think over the accident. Was there anything you could of done to not cause it?

If so, make a resolution to correct that eg. I will never overlap wheels again, or I will learn to ride is a bunch correctly.

Borrow or get your Ruby and go for a ride by yourself in a safe place. How does it feel? Do your good cycling feelings return? Maybe give it a few goes.

If you then truely feel, I don't want to do this anymore, OK. But give yourself a chance.

[Crankin]

You pay for insurance for the very reasons you used it! Why would you feel guilty? Believe me, they don't raise premiums based on one person...
As a mental health professional, I suggest you talk to someone about your fears. It 's very normal to be afraid of getting back on the bike. There are lots of women here on TE that have had very bad crashes; they all took the time they needed to get back to riding in whatever way they needed to.
Riding is such a huge part of my life, I know that if I was hurt from a crash, I would focus my recovery on getting back on my bike. I have a very good friend who broke his hip 2 months before we were supposed to go on a bike trip. It was a freak accident, but although he has a bit of a limp, he is as fast as ever on his bike. He took his rehab very seriously and did over and above what he needed to. This was 2 years ago and he still is doing focused personal training and massage to work on his injury.
And, I concur about riding in groups. I have done less and less of it in the past 2 years, for the reasons everyone has stated.

[Irulan]

It only has been a few weeks. No wonder you are anxious! Wait, heal.

As far as your employer's insurance cost going up it is unlikely that your experience is going to drive up the premiums. There are different rules depending on how large the employer is and depending on what state you live in, but states often restrict the ability of insurers of small employers to use claims in setting rates.

<derail warning> when my husband's co worker had preemie twins, it most certainly affected the group premium wise in subsequent years. But we don't know OP's state, company size or any of that. We can leave the discussion on how messed up health insurance is in this country for another board. </derail warning>

And oh yeah, if you are still in recovery, on meds... more than anything take it easy mentally and physically. The drugs do a number on your emotional state even if you aren't aware of it. IF it were me, I'd put the bike in the shop and just take each day as it comes, and not worry about what I'd decide to do tomorrow. My DH had a mountain bike accident that put him in wheel chair for over a month, with a year and a half or so recovery. You bet he took it one day at a time and eventually he got back on the bike and thank god he's dialed it back a notch.