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.