ubpetey

Hello,

I was recently hit by a pickup truck on a street with a median. He decided it would be faster to go the wrong way for a bit to get to his house faster, and cut me off while pulling into his driveway. It was like he never even saw me. Since i was alone on the street I thought it would be a good spot for a little sprint, and had not time to get out of the way. Went into the side of the bed at a pretty good speed. Thank god for my helmet. He received a few tickets for going the wrong way on the street, and not yeilding to traffic.

I ended up with a broken pelvis and a really sore body.

I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar injury. Im trying to figure out how long im going to be laid up. So far its been abut 5 weeks without being able to walk. I had to have plated put onto my pelvis surgically =o(

Im having a tough time coping with not being able to do things for myself and not being able to exercise really. Any advice will be very much appreciated!!

bmclaughlin807

No advice here, but lots of well wishes and hopes for a fast recovery.

brianinc-ville

Hey, ubpetey.

I've never had an injury quite that bad, but I just wanted to let you know that somebody's listening. You'll make it through, and I bet that you'll be pedaling around happily long after Mr. Pickup has succumbed to his lack of exercise and dropped dead. Hang in there! (You're not literally hanging in traction, are you? I mean, I'd still say "hang in there," but anyway...).

I _did_ break my lower leg pretty badly in a fall from my bike (no one else around; only myself to blame) about five years ago and had a titanium rod implanted from knee to ankle. That's not as bad as the pelvis, I know, but it did put me out of commission for quite some time. It's frustrating to find yourself unable to do any of your normal activities, especially if you're an independent person and you don't like to bug your family and friends to help you. At the time I lived in a townhouse apartment with stairs, so my girlfriend took me in at her place; we were grad students and she had a job as a house manager for a sorority, which came with an apartment on the back of the sorority house. It was rush week. I was unable to get off the couch. I had to listen to sorority girls shout-singing their own promotional lyrics over recordings of "Build Me Up, Buttercup" and "The Gambler," over and over again, all day long, several days in a row. ("You got to just go Theta / Look in your heart now ..."). There was no escape. I am still traumatized. On the positive side, it was good for our relationship (trust and intimacy build quickly when you have to ask for help to go to the bathroom) and now we're getting married.

I don't know what your personal situation is, so it's hard to advise you, but just remember: you'll make it! When I was lying on the ground looking at my foot pointing off in the wrong direction, I thought I'd never walk again, let alone bike, but a year later I was back on my bike and climbing mountains. Meanwhile, I suggest that you call Mr. Pickup and tell him he owes you some delivery service. This might be a good time to order stone or bricks for a patio. A lot of 'em.

mandovoodoo

Seems to me my brother in law took about 3 weeks to really get around much on his own, about 6 months to seem to have recovered to a steady state. He still limps, but he limped before. And as far as I can tell, he never really rode again, always has pelvis pain in that position. He rides motorcycles, or rode them, but it's the same basic position. Problems can linger.

I've gotten over having a twisted pelvis and wrenched hip through deep fascia body work and chiropractic. Took a long time.

Fortunately, bicycling is one of the things that keeps everything straight now.

Febs

ubpetey, have you consulted with an attorney?

bhkyte

You need to get assessed and regular treatment by a physiotherapist, another item you can rightly charge him for if you use an attorney to sue for damagers.

ubpetey

Yes I have about the lawyer. Im sure this is going to be a long process =o(

The doctor had told me at the time of the surgery that I would be off my feet for 3 months. Im hoping its not quite that long. And im sure im in for some hardcore PT afterwards.

Chris516

While I have never broken a bone, in that kind of situation, I can say, I have been cut off before.

CB HI

Post surgery treatment should include physical therapy. Do lots of upper body weights and you should have already started leg exercises (with Dr. OK of course). I broke all 4 quadrants of my pelvis skydiving and started PT about the second to third week. But that was in a military hospital, a little different mind set, I guess.

Get the lawyer and nail this guy for big bucks.

Luddite

I can't believe the cager only got tickets. Ridiculous. He should have at least temporarily lost his license/received a beating. Fracking cagers.

ChipSeal

Gee whiz! A salmon motorist!

Keep us informed of you progress please, as it will help us remember you in our prayers!

parademaker

Somebody did the same thing to me 3 months ago with a Dodge Durango. I didn't break anything but busted up my shoulder pretty bad. I got an attorney, and the driver's insurance has replaced the bike they totaled, and as soon as my physical therapy is over they'll be taking care of my medical bills too. Just make sure you keep going to the doctor for everything and go until you are completely healed. You have to be able to trace your treatment back when it comes to justifying your expenses in court or for the insurance company...was the driver that hit you even insured? Good luck with your healing process and don't let it discourage your cycling for the future.

iareConfusE

Similar thing happened to me, except I didn't actually get hit, and it wasn't at a median. Some guy in his huge pick up was pulling out of a parking lot on the right side, and the bike lane runs right in front of it. It was sunny as can be, and I was riding a blue bike with a red t shirt, and for some reason this ******* doesn't see me and just pulls out of the parking lot when I'm about 20 ft from him. Luckily I slowed down beforehand anticipating such asshattery and I didn't run into the side of the truck.

I held my tongue and my finger but gave him a 2 second staredown. He still didn't seem to notice me.

ubpetey

Luckily in NY you are required to have insurance to drive. I have my next appointment with the doc tomorrow. Im hoping im on schedule. Im sick of using a walker and wheelchair to get around.

I havent bee able to do any exercises with the effected leg yet =o( Im guessing it is because the fracture ran right through the socket of my hip(ACETABULUM).

The worse part was that I was only out for a short ride to make sure my brand new wheels were working well for the charity ride I had the next day. Got hit 3 blocks from my house after the best 10 miles I rode all year. Was also wearing a brand new jersey I really liked haha

ubpetey

So I just got back from the doc, 6 more weeks of no weight bearing =o(

Such a downer!!

jeph

I had an accident in my car, elderly lady blowing a red light, we were real lucky. As far as settling a claim, in california, you have two years to settle. The paying insurance company only pays a complete and final settlement and you have no recourse to go back. Make sure you are healed.

As far a dr. bills My insurance medical coverage picked up the bills durning this time. I have heard that your car insurance medical coverage (if you have it) will do the same for you if you are on a bike. This is california, not sure about other states.

Good luck.

Jeff

Keith99

My only advice is listen to your doctor and physical therapist. Also ask, find out the consequences of doing things you should not. Sometimes it is just pain, no big deal as I see it, other times it can be life long problems. That is enough to make me a good boy and not push things.