View Full Version : Crash pictures
John Wilke
10-15-05, 01:18 PM
My brother brought over the pictures he took of me after my crash back in August (see the thread "Ran over from behind" on this forum for details). These were taken about 2 weeks after the crash, but before going back to the hospital another week for infections.
One picture shows the road where I was hit, looking back.
http://members.aol.com/j999w/crash
No pictures of the bike ... the sheriff still has it and I haven't seen it yet.
(I tried uploading thumbnails but my browser keeps crashing).
Stay safe.
John Wilke
Milwaukee
road rash AND poison ivy.... yikes!
(I tried uploading thumbnails but my browser keeps crashing).
http://members.aol.com/j999w/crash/Route.jpg
http://members.aol.com/j999w/crash/Roadrash.jpg
Or you could just post as images instead of thumbnails.
Anyway .... ouch!!!
d.tipton
peregrine
10-15-05, 01:41 PM
looks pretty serious, John. i'm glad you survived but it's gotta be hard to deal with
are you gonna try to get back on a bike again later on?
John Wilke
10-15-05, 01:48 PM
Thanks for uploading the pics !
I just tried getting on the trainer, but couldn't figure out how to do it without falling over ... too stiff, too SORE, and too scared. :(
Will keep tryiing.
John Wilke
Milwaukee
Damn nasty crash. That road is like um well strait as a damn arrow.
Shouldnt be no reason for a motorist t hit a cyclists there. With that strait of a road and huge sight distance.
That car in the left lane has to be half a mile pluss away and its still visable.
shokhead
10-15-05, 01:58 PM
Smallest bikelane i've ever seen.
Hi John,
Thanks for sharing the pix. I personally would never ride on a major road w/o a shoulder (like in your pic)... I'd just be too afraid to do so. When I do ride on a major road w/a shoulder I ride against traffic so I can make a quick exit if I see anyone coming at me. We have a lot of drunks and elderly people (w/cataracts(sp)) on the roads where I live so I'm always paranoid. You must feel very lucky to be alive! Hopefully over time, your injuries will heal well...
I feel for you because I had my first bike wreck on September 14th (no vehicle involved) and I'll have lifelong problems from it. I landed on my chin and chest at about 25mph and rammed my lower jaw back into my ears, snapping off the condyles (round parts that fit inside the joint). The best treatment is 'no treatment' so I'm learning to deal with my new situation and appearance. My specialist informed me yesterday that my type of injury is usually associated with severe neck injuries as well, so I feel lucky to be alive and whole. It could be a lot worse for both of us! I remind myself of this daily while trying to stay Positive. My situation was posted in the bike mechanics section because I initially wanted to know about why my front brake locked up. My bike was uninjured...
Hang in there!
Carol
ChroMo2
10-15-05, 04:53 PM
well I hope that little bit of exploitation makes you feel better. People should put that much effort in what their doing in the first place. don't show those pictures around to too many people. they might detect the anger you harbor. those aren't the types of memories we wanna share when we look back on our bicycling lifestyle
Somebody will explain how this is good for cycling here in a minute. I'll scratch my head and move on. I wish you all the best, but have always felt this forum is far too full of these horror stories. It does not one single thing to promote safety or advocacy.
It does create a lot of fear however. I have to admit that it makes me shudder. But i will ride tomorrow, just like today. THe OP got ran over from behind. I don't think there is much that can be done about that. What we can control, is this continuing current of fear that gets perpetuated by said stories. THese instances ARE rare.
John Wilke
10-15-05, 08:27 PM
THe OP got ran over from behind. I don't think there is much that can be done about that. What we can control, is this continuing current of fear that gets perpetuated by said stories. THese instances ARE rare.
Well, _someone_ didn't have his car in control that certain day! If these crashes are so rare, why do I have a $65,000 hospital bill?
Over 500 cylists a year are *killed* each year. I was almost one of them and still have daily pain 2 1/2 months after. It's my hope that maybe, just maybe, someone will see my picture, think a little more about driving or riding more safely and avoid a crash. No one will even know it happened, they will simply all go on their merry way. Excellent.
I have no desire to reduce the enjoyment people have in cycling, it's a great sport, but it's important for more people to have a respect for others on the road, and behave in a safe manner.
John Wilke
Milwaukee
John,
Don’t worry about the people that want to bury their heads in the sand. Understanding the mechanics of mishaps, as well as the statistics of how rare they are, is a part of safety and mishap prevention.
Thanks for the information.
Well, _someone_ didn't have his car in control that certain day! If these crashes are so rare, why do I have a $65,000 hospital bill?
Over 500 cylists a year are *killed* each year. I was almost one of them and still have daily pain 2 1/2 months after. It's my hope that maybe, just maybe, someone will see my picture, think a little more about driving or riding more safely and avoid a crash. No one will even know it happened, they will simply all go on their merry way. Excellent.
I have no desire to reduce the enjoyment people have in cycling, it's a great sport, but it's important for more people to have a respect for others on the road, and behave in a safe manner.
John Wilke
Milwaukee
Perhaps you missed my point. I think we agree. There was nothing you could do about it, so what can be gained in terms of safety information? I contend....NOTHING. I read several people say that you should have done something different in your original thread. I disagreed.
I am sorry you had this happen but still contend that nothing can be gleened from your accident to promote safety. All it can do is promote the notion that cycling is dangerous. Of course, from your perspective it is. I can see why you feel that way.
John Wilke
10-16-05, 04:17 AM
Perhaps you missed my point. I think we agree. There was nothing you could do about it, so what can be gained in terms of safety information? I contend....NOTHING. I read several people say that you should have done something different in your original thread. I disagreed.
I am sorry you had this happen but still contend that nothing can be gleened from your accident to promote safety. All it can do is promote the notion that cycling is dangerous. Of course, from your perspective it is. I can see why you feel that way.
The hit and run driver that mowed me down didn't act in a safe or responsible manner at all. Seems like some behavior modification is called for there ! Grrrrr..... :mad:
John Wilke
Milwaukee
humancongereel
10-16-05, 12:57 PM
Somebody will explain how this is good for cycling here in a minute. I'll scratch my head and move on. I wish you all the best, but have always felt this forum is far too full of these horror stories. It does not one single thing to promote safety or advocacy.
It does create a lot of fear however. I have to admit that it makes me shudder. But i will ride tomorrow, just like today. THe OP got ran over from behind. I don't think there is much that can be done about that. What we can control, is this continuing current of fear that gets perpetuated by said stories. THese instances ARE rare.
well, we could pretend like it never happens. come on, either way, people get hurt and will continue to do so regardless of whether or not people share their crash stories. it doesn't help, but it doesn't hurt, either. <BR> i also strongly suspect that in addition to alerting friends of recovery, there's also a bit of pride...i got f...ed up pretty badly once myself, and i saw the road rash and chipped teeth and bloody wounds on my limbs as battle scars to be proud of. i'm a dumb young buck, though, full of pi$$ and vinegar, you might say...
bullethead
10-16-05, 01:18 PM
Thank you very much for posting your pictures. If they make one cyclist a little more cautious on the road it is worth it. It is a healthy reminder that "This could happen to you". I personally hope that everyone that experiences such an incident will share it, whether or not it causes injury. Complacency Kills.
77Univega
10-16-05, 05:48 PM
One picture shows the road where I was hit, looking back. --- The shoulders on that road seem plenty wide enough to accomodate a paved bike lane. If your local bicycle advocacy group lobbied the county/state to fund such a project, it could prevent another cyclist from suffering a "Rash Badge of Courage".
thats gotta hurt real bad :eek: :eek:
There are many a cyclist can do to help prevent SOME accidents. Bright clothing, blinkers front and rear, etc.
The real problem is trying to get driver awareness. Although the road looked quite narrow, I've been grazed by a driver while commuting on a 4 lane blvd. Plenty of room for Mr Driver. He just was't paying attention.
The sad truth (at least in my area) is that we still aren't promoted enough. Wouldn't it be cool to see some articles in the morning paper about cyclists, commuters, how buses have bike racks on them, about the new signage installed warning drivers to be careful, about how we are trying to save gas, about how we are trying to be healthy? Wow! What a concept!
John Wilke, sorry about your accident. I hope it doesn't keep you off your bike. Get well soon!
Has there been any progress on identifying the motorist, John?
I dont like some drivers somtimes they honk at me for nothing and its all the driver fault :mad:
Some people use this helpful tool to manage speed and distance
A BIKE COMPUTER :) :D
I dont like some drivers somtimes they honk at me for nothing and its all the driver fault :mad:
Some people use this helpful tool to manage speed and distance
A BIKE COMPUTER :) :D
OT
Those bells? Not seen a bell bike comp in ages.
I just got a topeak 140 yesterday. Was nice to know just what my cadence is and speed. I hit 148 cadence in 52 25 yesterday and 26 mph with avrage of 14 and 79 for cadence.
If any one is looking for a decent bike comp with cadence for a cheap price check ebay for topeak 140 and buy from bens cyling. Thats where i got mine. Was shipped out on friday afternoon around 4 and got it yesterday at 3. $22.99 shipped.
Treespeed
10-18-05, 11:01 AM
Somebody will explain how this is good for cycling here in a minute. I'll scratch my head and move on. I wish you all the best, but have always felt this forum is far too full of these horror stories. It does not one single thing to promote safety or advocacy.
It does create a lot of fear however. I have to admit that it makes me shudder. But i will ride tomorrow, just like today. THe OP got ran over from behind. I don't think there is much that can be done about that. What we can control, is this continuing current of fear that gets perpetuated by said stories. THese instances ARE rare.
Not everything that gets posted on these forums has to be "good" for cycling. Or do you only want to be exposed to the sanitized version of life and cycling. Guess what people crash, cyclists doing everything right get nailed by inattentive drivers, and if folks can't share their experiences good and bad on this forum then the whole thing becomes a useless sham.
Cyclists need to have a healthy dose of reality based fear when they move amongst cars and trucks that could end their lives. Believing yourself to be invincible is just as bad as being too fearful to go riding.
If you only want to talk about the happy side of cycling stay in the general cycling thread.
ChroMo2
10-18-05, 08:06 PM
Thank you very much for posting your pictures. If they make one cyclist a little more cautious on the road it is worth it. It is a healthy reminder that "This could happen to you". I personally hope that everyone that experiences such an incident will share it, whether or not it causes injury. Complacency Kills.
YEAH! anybody got any bloody pictures of themselves or family members, so we can refresh our memorys of what happens if we got hit by a car. WOW! What if you fell off a cliff or something! :lol:
Cyclaholic
10-20-05, 08:28 PM
Perhaps you missed my point. I think we agree. There was nothing you could do about it, so what can be gained in terms of safety information? I contend....NOTHING. I read several people say that you should have done something different in your original thread. I disagreed.
I am sorry you had this happen but still contend that nothing can be gleened from your accident to promote safety. All it can do is promote the notion that cycling is dangerous. Of course, from your perspective it is. I can see why you feel that way.
What makes you think there is nothing to be learnt here regarding safety? A man was almost killed, I would say that there is an opportunity to learn. How do you think safety principles like "it's dangerous to ride on the sidewalk" came about? certainly not by dismissing accidents with "...nothing can be gleened from your accident to promote safety" all you are promoting is IGNORANCE
Your position is as dangerous as it is ignorant. :mad:
some idiots dont wear helmets :mad:
John Wilke
10-21-05, 09:14 AM
some idiots dont wear helmets :mad:
??
I had a helmet and sunglasses on during that crash, both thoughoughly demolished. :(
John Wilke
Milwaukee
ChroMo2
10-21-05, 12:53 PM
some idiots dont wear helmets :mad:
some idiots drink alcohol and ride their bike.
some idiots think they have the right of way.
some idiots think "learnt" is a word.
Some idiots think putting on a helmet will put a force field around you and nothing bad will ever happen to them. The OP got ran over by a several thousand pound car. He is only here by the grace of God.
Quit being an idiot!
77Univega
10-22-05, 11:14 PM
No pictures of the bike ... the sheriff still has it and I haven't seen it yet.
--- John Wilke, please keep us apprised of the results of the investigation.
OnYoLeft
10-23-05, 08:19 PM
John,
I'm glad to hear that you are a survivor and not another statistic. I hope that your injuries aren't permanent, you get well soon and aren't afraid to get back on the bike to enjoy what you like doing. As mentioned earlier in this thread, if you have any intention of lobbying for a wider shoulder, or bike lane, please let me know and I'd be glad to help you on this matter. I don't understand how a driver couldn't see you on such a long straightaway unless the weather wasn't clear or he was tailgating another vehicle.
Please keep us informed on your recovery and I wish you all the best.
John Wilke
10-23-05, 09:57 PM
if you have any intention of lobbying for a wider shoulder, or bike lane, please let me know and I'd be glad to help you on this matter..
Thank you very much.
This is essentially a country road in farm country. Nearest town is about 1 1/2 miles away and that is about 30 miles from my home, so I can live without a bike lane there. :rolleyes:
No progress on finding the hit and run driver.
I did put my old bike on the trainer and was able to get the pedals around 10 times today before it felt 'bad'. Last week it was only two times around.
Ahhhh ... progress. :p
Back to work in 3 weeks !
John Wilke
Milwaukee
OnYoLeft
10-23-05, 10:08 PM
Excellent progress John!
Keep it up. Don't push yourself too much and make sure to give your body rest and recooperation time. You'll be back on the bike by Spring.
Take care.
fit24hrs
10-23-05, 10:09 PM
John, I just moved here to Milwaukee for school and I'm saddend by all the hit and run incidents I hear about. Just on the news today, some poor boy scout was just killed by a hit an run. I biked EVERYWHERE when I was living in Hawaii and swore I'd do the same here. Cold I can handle. This, unfortunately, I can't...
budster
10-23-05, 11:42 PM
Thanks for sharing your experience with us, John. Maybe it'll help prevent an accident in future.
I hope you'll recover soon! :)
ChroMo2
10-24-05, 05:18 PM
Thanks for sharing your experience with us, John. Maybe it'll help prevent an accident in future.
I hope you'll recover soon! :)
Accidents will never stop happening. Neither will the wrath of serial killers and rapist etc. It's just another statistic, brought to your morbidly courious attention via the internet. There's more people on this planet and the crimes will only appear more heinous in the young persons mind. We can't live in a bubble, but if your wise enough to gather data as facts, you'll also realize that people are limited to a capacity in what they can accomplish in life. It's like a wannabe syndrome. Do you know how many people wanna ride motorcycles, because they think it'll make 'em cool? That's why so many people get mangled on motorcycles, because they don't have the full mental and/or physical capabilities. Or like guitar players. People wanna play guitars and be rock stars, most of 'em never get anywhere. I wish you well John. Of all the ways people get screwed over, getting trashed while biking is way uncool. I just hope you aren't preying off of peoples sympathy if that accident happened because you weren't at your full mental capabilities (by alcohol or something) Maybe bicyclist should wisen up a little bit and realize that "after the fact" isn't gonna help anybody who suffered injury enough to cripple them somehow. You can forever wonder and be in turmoil, or you can learn now. Unfortunately some people will never have enough comprehension to take themselves through life without "them" being the ones who make up the statistics that all us "lucky" people get to learn from.
torqd76
10-24-05, 05:42 PM
John,
Glad that you are recovering! Sorry to hear about your accident. What road is that that you were hit on? I live in MKE as well, and that road looks familiar to me. Maybe North of town toward Port Washington. Heal up quick!!
Aaron
John Wilke
10-24-05, 08:49 PM
... I just hope you aren't preying off of peoples sympathy if that accident happened because you weren't at your full mental capabilities (by alcohol or something)
Did I read this right? Perhaps because I drank too much and went bicycling, I got run over from behind by a hit and run driver? (By the way, I don't drink ... period).
Maybe bicyclist should wisen up a little bit and realize that "after the fact" isn't gonna help anybody who suffered injury enough to cripple them somehow....
So the person that ran me down shouldn't learn something from this? or that people driving can't learn "after the fact" that inattentive driving can seriously hurt or kill a cyclist on the road?
I'm confused, must be too many knocks to my head.
John Wilke
Milwaukee
ChroMo2
10-25-05, 05:28 PM
i know what it's like to hit someone. it's the scariest thing that can can ever happen to you, because you could've killed someone,and if that happens to a person who is good, it severely messes with their head, to the point of plauging him/her, and if he "runs-n-hides, he has no one to talk too. the person who hit you is probably scared outta his shorts. you may never know who hit you. What would a victim want other than their health back. If your looking for vengeance you'll be miserable for the rest of your life. from the picture (if it was me, because i'm an excellent biker) I would've been riding in the left lane going towards oncoming traffic, listening and watching for cars and if I heard one get prepared and if I see one, get off the road! Cars are the first thing to watch for, trees are next. So if this information helps anyone, then thanks for the thread man! -Peace- ...oh yeah, and if you ride on bluffs or cliffs, ROCK ON!
Cyclaholic
10-25-05, 07:32 PM
i know what it's like to hit someone. it's the scariest thing that can can ever happen to you, because you could've killed someone,and if that happens to a person who is good, it severely messes with their head, to the point of plauging him/her, and if he "runs-n-hides, he has no one to talk too. the person who hit you is probably scared outta his shorts.
This load of garbage is even worse than your previous clueless post. If the hit-run driver needs someone to talk to the investigating officer will have all the time in the world to listen. So why doesn't the driver come forward? why didn't the driver stop? (assuming it really was an accidental hit) because s/he is a gutless lowlife coward that couldn't care less about the victim, has no conscience, is nothing more than a criminal that society is better off without.
John Wilke
10-26-05, 01:04 AM
..... the person who hit you is probably scared outta his shorts. you may never know who hit you. What would a victim want other than their health back. If your looking for vengeance you'll be miserable for the rest of your life. ....
If he/she is scared ... then good.
I don't want vengeance, but justice would be nice ... I'm not holding my breath though.
Well, we have bluffs here, but they're right on Lake Michigan ... too COLD !
John Wilke
Milwaukee
(2am ... time for bed ... not that I have to go to work or anything tomorrow)
ChroMo2
10-26-05, 01:48 PM
This load of garbage is even worse than your previous clueless post. If the hit-run driver needs someone to talk to the investigating officer will have all the time in the world to listen. So why doesn't the driver come forward? why didn't the driver stop? (assuming it really was an accidental hit) because s/he is a gutless lowlife coward that couldn't care less about the victim, has no conscience, is nothing more than a criminal that society is better off without.
you see, the person didn't want to become a "gutless, lowlife, coward" as you say. Just like John, wasn't he out that day just being a good person? That! is why it's called an accident.
John Wilke
10-26-05, 02:26 PM
you see, the person didn't want to become a "gutless, lowlife, coward" as you say. Just like John, wasn't he out that day just being a good person? That! is why it's called an accident.
... people involved in accidents don't keep driving after they mow you down. That's called 'leaving them for dead' ... *THAT* I cannot forgive. If you drop your cigar in your lap and then run over a cyclist, you STOP and render first aid !
:mad:
John Wilke
Milwaukee
trayer350
10-26-05, 02:41 PM
... people involved in accidents don't keep driving after they mow you down. That's called 'leaving them for dead' ... *THAT* I cannot forgive. If you drop your cigar in your lap and then run over a cyclist, you STOP and render first aid !
:mad:
John Wilke
Milwaukee
Thank Heavens you are recovering. Is there anything you can think of that would help a cyclist from avoiding this criminal in the first place?
sbhikes
10-26-05, 02:48 PM
What I want to know is how did you get the poison ivy?
budster
10-26-05, 02:52 PM
Right on, John.
Even if the accident was unavoidable, driving off and leaving a cyclist for dead was a gutless, cowardly act. Doesn't mean the person who did it isn't a "good person" (whatever that is), just that they did a Very Bad Thing in this instance.
If you're religious, you believe they'll pay eventually through some form of Divine retribution. But I'm with John -- swift earthly Justice would be nice.
As for some of the other things said in this thread... blaming the victim? Defending the criminal? Assuming nothing can be learned from this?
WTF???
We're all cyclists here (aren't we?). We all have to deal with problems like bad driving. We can either surrender, or work together to find solutions. For me, surrender is not an option. I'm with Ted Turner: lead, follow, or get out of the way.
I hope I'm not just feeding a troll here....
pricklycommute
10-26-05, 04:59 PM
Wow, I am glad that you even survived. We should all be counting our blessings.
I have been seriously commuting for several years now, and have gradually developed as a rider. Don't take this the wrong way (the driver is completely at fault), but I have gradually become more safety conscious too. The best things I have bought in the last few years are solid high-viz jerseys (lime yellow or hunter-orange). I can easily tell a difference in driver behavior when I am wearing them - so now I always do. Even regular jerseys with bright colors often almost look like camoflauge to me when driving my car around and watching cyclists that wear them. Solid, bright jerseys are now all I will ever wear. Next I bought a third-eye mirror, and feel naked when riding without it now. It is great to know when a car is coming up on you long before you can hear it. It has saved me a couple times from getting buzzed. You can watch each vehicle as it is getting close - you should be able to see it gradually moving out from the shoulder as it closes - when they don't I get ready to veer off the road if necessary. I also use it daily to actually move toward the road when I see a car coming up on me and then veer back over as it passes. This ensures a little more space when they actually do pass. I also have a bright colored helmet now - didn't see a difference in motorist behavior, but it can't hurt. Finally, I run the new Cateye taillight (10-LED) when needed, even during the day if in shadows, and have put reflective tape on my wheels. Now I just need some brighter gloves, and maybe some bright socks too (I ride in sandals).
All of these things make a difference, but sometimes an accident is unavoidable. Thanks for reminding all of us to do our part for our own safety - if we didn't get stories like this from time to time complacency might set in.
Good luck healing.
As for some of the other things said in this thread... blaming the victim? Defending the criminal? Assuming nothing can be learned from this?
WTF???
I made the point that there could be more harm than good come from posts like this. It looks like most disagree. There is no way to measure the fear that is created by such horror stories. It looks like most here agree that it is irrelevant.
No. Everything doesn't have to be good for cycling. I just ask if there aren't potential or current cyclists that avoid the sport because of reading, and hearing such stories. Again, apparently that isn't an issue. I stand corrected.
My best wishes to John. I can't even begin to imagine how upside down your world has been turned. Good Luck!
Lecterman
10-26-05, 08:18 PM
John, thanks for sharing your experience with us. Nevermind the people who think this thread does no good. It is essential the we get visibility of things like this to help us "keep on our toes" when we are riding. I hope you have a fast recovery and get back on the bike.
And excuse my language but I hope the nail the F&%#er who hit you.
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