Road Cycling - Driver runs stop sign; my leg broken in 3 places

Well, it's great to be sitting up at the computer again! Last Monday, March 29, I was broadsided by a car. It was in a quiet intersection four-way stop a mile from home. The driver did not stop at the stop sign. My bike and I went up on the hood and the next thing I can remember is being on the ground seeing my lower leg bent at weird angle. There was a witness who was on the phone calling 911. He also phoned my partner. I was only a mile from home. The driver was there, too. She admitted immediately that she ran the stop sign and that she is uninsured.

The ambulance was there within a couple of minutes. The paramedics were great, God bless them. They got that morphine in me fast. I went first to emergency here in Watsonville, where I was tended to by two cyclist nurses and the on-call orthopedist, who is also a cyclist. Since I am a member of the Kaiser Health Plan, I was transfered to a Kaiser hospital in San Jose. Another great group of paramedics in the second ambulance.

I had my surgery on Tuesday afternoon: rod and screws. I was able to go home Wednesday afternoon. The past few days have been very painful, but I had call after call coming in at the hospital and at home. Made me feel how strong my roots in this community are. I am a yoga teacher and I had several students volunteer to demonstrate the postures, while I do the talking. I and my students want me to get back to teaching ASAP, and the club owner has been very supportive. But getting back is going to take a while.

What's really sad is that my new Mondonico frame arrived on the Thursday before the collision. The next day I went up to the shop in Santa Clara to see it. Sooooooo beautiful, sooooooooooo light. I ordered all the components and personal details. I was so happy that I would be riding my dream bike in a couple of weeks. Well, the frame and my Ouzo Pro fork are safely in the box and will be there for at least another two months. So now after a six-month wait on the frame, here's yet another three added on. The Kaiser physiotherapist (did I mention that she is a roadie, also?) said I should take the frame home and hang it up in my room to inspire me through tough times. :)

The physical pain eased up a bit today, so that emotional pain could surface :( The sense of loss is tremendous. Since I retired, much of my life has been spent riding, surfing, and teaching and practicing yoga. (My yoga teaching pay was the extra funds above my pension that helped pay the expenses of cycling and my health insurance premiums, so I have to get back to work soon). I will soon be 59 and I fear that I might not be able to do those things again, at all, or even on the level that I could less than a week ago. I know that this thinking about the worst case scenario, but it is an emotional feeling that I have to deal with. In any case, thanks for reading this far, it helps me work through some of this stuff.

I still don't know the condition of my bike because I cannot negotiate the steps down into the garage. Once I can do that, and when the police report is ready I can start the process of trying to get some payment for my losses. Anyone got any experience with that?

My helmet is gouged and cracked, thus my head, neck and back are fine. Wear your helmet and ride with care, please!

Rich

Oh, Rich, I am glad you are alive! Get healed up fast, boyfriend! And call me if you need any TLC (Trollie Loving Care).

:love:

that sucks man. feel better soon. yeah, hanging the new frame in your bedroom is a great idea. get some cycling vids too. or have one of your cycling buddies mount a camera on a helmet and have them go out and record some footage.

My sympathy goes out to you. I feel sick just reading about it. All I can say is hang in there and keep posting.

Look on the bright side, what if the new frame had come in a week earlier?

All the best to you for your recovery. Sounds like a nasty accident, but I'm sure a positive attitude will help you get through this and get back to yoga, cycling, surfing, and enjoying life to the max!

Very sorry to hear about your accident. It sounds terrifying.

Take care in your recovery process and do come onto bikeforums and post and share with us. We'll all be thinking about you.

I'm glad to see at least that your new bike wasn't ruined.

Good luck with it all.

Koffee

I will soon be 59 and I fear that I might not be able to do those things again, at all, or even on the level that I could less than a week ago. I know that this thinking about the worst case scenario, but it is an emotional feeling that I have to deal with.

First off Rich, as difficult as it may seem, you have to be thankful that you're still among us! It's a real bummer to be off the bike for an extended period - I've been there, and it's no fun. However, you WILL BE BACK, and as good as new! Now go hang that frame up, and think how great it will be when you cimb back in the saddle.

Hang in there!

I wish you the best recovery possible!

Good luck with getting that driver off the streets permanently...

yeah, glad you're still with us
it's no fun goin on top of a car, been there and didn't like it
I was thinking the same thing about the new bike; glad it didn't come earlier
I'm betting since you're probably in great shape from the cycling, yoga and waveriding, your rehab will be easier and you'll be up and runnin in no time.
meanwhile, enjoy some down time watchin waves at pleasure pt. or fending off gulls from your pizza on the esplanade.
isn't it great that fellow cyclists came out of the woodwork when you were being treated? (ha! we're everywhere)
keep us up on how the healing goes and take care

Sorry to hear about the accident Stinger and I wish you a speedy recovery. The first week is the most painful then you'll ride the emotional roller coaster with the level of the ups and downs contingent on your attitude. I had knee surgery, ACL,MCL,miniscus in Dec. I am now riding with little pain or swelling...up to 3 hr. rides. Because of the time off the bike I appreciate it more and am motivated. I am sure you'll experience the same thing...make lemonade from those lemons. Imagine the first good one hour ride on that new bike...you will be so stoked and inspired...it will all be worth it.

No sweat; you'll be healed and ridin' again soon!
In my 40+ years of riding have had some run-ins. Lost both front teeth (caps look OK!), lotsa roadrash, 6 years ago busted six ribs/punctured a lung (got blown over on my racing bike by a gust of wind while starting a big descent), last year crashed at 30+ mph coming down a canyon road in Utah and busted shoulder in 2 places. Have been struck twice by pickups, thrice by a car (they hurt the same!) and did not suffer any broken bones in those encounters.
Hey, I'm only 71 and still have lots of ridin' left to do!
Pedal on!

Best wishes to you I have had many close calls and know the fear the goes thru me so i can only imagine what u are going thru. get well so u can get back out there!

Rich,

Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you have a speedy recovery. Just keep thinking about how great that Mondonico is going to be when you get a chance to ride it! I agree that hanging it on the wall will be a great inspiration.

SteveE

Get well soon. Look forward to riding the sweet new bike.

emotional pain??!!! No way....U have us here to give ya some company if you wanna share some post thoughts. Don't worry you have about a thousand plus cyclists here to back you up!!! Heal up and rest well.

Sorry to hear of your accident Rich. I wish you all the best for your recovery and hope that you can be back on two wheels before too long.

Ed

Be strong buddy !!!.

Sorry to hear about your accident, that really sucks! As others have said, be strong. At least it wasn't your new frame that was destroyed in the crash. And please do try not to get too addicted to morphine! ;)

So sorry to hear about your mis-hap, Hope you get better soon, dont give up. You will be riding before you know it.
Example: watch last years TDF, recall Lance going cross country. I dont remember the other guys name, BUT he was thrashed when he wrecked. He is already racing this year and he already wrecked again (saw it on OLN the other night). But he got back up on his bike and finished the stage.
So YOU will also be riding again, and I mean soon. Not to mention you will have a brand new Bike.
Make it a goal, talk to your Drs, find out when they expect you to be on two wheels again and prove them wrong by getting there sooner, You can do it...
Not to mention the threads in the forum for emotional support AND if I was you, I would take up A.troll on her offer, sounds like something that would be hard to refuse......
Get well !!!!!

Rich,

what they all said.
The Yoga will help/has helped in your recovery. Your more limber than most,
and in better shape than most cyclists (I mean really how many of us
practice yoga?).
The Nico will still be there waiting for you.
You have about 600 fellow cyclists willing to listen, and if no one has
said it yet if you need anything send me a PM.
I got hit by uninsured motorist back in the early 80's, no major damage
so the situation is a bit different.
No one has said it yet, but you need to get a good lawyer. The motorist's lawyer
(and you can bet she has one by now), is gonna try to get you to settle, and they
will probably make what appears (for now) as a generous offer. DON'T DO IT.
While I really find our litiginous (is that a word? sounds good) society distasteful,
this is one place where it may be warranted. You will have pain/suffering and a
long rehab (gee I'm just the voice of cheeriness huh?), loss of income etc.
and it all has to be taken into account prior to your making any agreements.
Get a lawyer now (ok, wait a day or so, but find a lawyer who handle cycling related
cases).
Heal quickly, heal well

Marty

I read in a magazine a few weeks ago, that are two group of cyclist, the ones that was hit by a car and the others that will be hit by a car.

This is a very nice sport, but a bit scary.

Stinger I wish you the best. Get well soon.

These are the occassions that to some bring cliches to the surface. To those that know they bring truth. Life is short and can be over or changed drastically in an instant. THat is merely a cliche to those that have cruised along without any bumps in life.

Those that have faced tragedy and death know that it is the truth. Sorry to hear about your mishap. Life is a gift from God. Look at each day as a blessing and find something that brings you joy. It may not be cycling for awhile but fortunately for you life is so full of wonderful things to learn and explore. I would focus on those things for now. Cycling will always be there when your body is ready for it. Good Luck!!!

Is the driver going to pay anything? The bike must be unfixable.

Get well soon.

Get well soon!!!

If the driver has no insurance I doubt they will have $$ to hire an attorney. And if they have no money, any judgement will be hard to collect.

Sorry to hear about your accident Get well soon.

Hopefully you will get some help from her financially for the medical bills...it's only right. As for pain and suffering...it's part of life...everything shouldn't be financial. Imagine if it were you who just made a mistake, I make em all too often. I hope someone isn't always trying to get money for mine...I'd be broke. If it was done intentionally I'd feel different. Make some lemonade from those lemons!

Glad to hear your ok. Make sure you go after her legally. Get the judgement in place so that if she comes into any money you can collect. I wonder if the Police cited her for no insurance in addition to failure to yeild?

Get well soon, man.

Sorry to hear about the crash, that really blows. I, too was hit by a motorist rolling through a stop sign in Sept. BUT I was much more fortunate.

I agree with everyone else on here:

Keep the spirits up even though it will be hard.
Hire a conmpetent attorney and don't settle out early (sounds like a dick move but trust everyone on here)

Be strong and motivated!

Stretch (yoga anyone?) the other muscles you can to stay flexible
Think positive- you could have been...glad you're not though.
Visit the forums...none of us actualy "work" (we all surf the net from our day jobs.

Good luck with the recovery and be strong.

PJBAZ
P.S.- Years ago I was at work about 35 miles from where I lived and saw a friend of mine riding his Mtn. bike around with a broken right leg braced on the front fork...he RODE all the way from the town we lived in because he had an appointment and never owned a car.

Get well soon. Hope that you'll be riding again soon.

By the way, don't expect much from an uninsured motorist. As almost any lawyer will tell you, "It's impossible to get blood out of a turnip." You do have some good news, however. Your uninsured motorist policy may cover the damage to your bike and other expense. For that you may need a lawyer, since insurance companies are notoriously loathe to part with their money.

Thank you, everyone, for the good wishes, good ideas, and true inspiration. Please excuse my short response because I will try to to tell you more in the coming days. However, there's just so much time I can spend at the computer without my leg elevated before I'm real uncomfortable. I'm really glad I spent this morning reading and thinking about your posts. I have already started some very adapted gentle yoga and next week I am going to ask my surgeon when I can start some spinning on my trainer 30x19 or so. It sounds so great to be sitting on the trainer in the garage, door open, breathing the spring air, and just moving. So, now I'm back to bed to read Graeme Obree's The Flying Scot. My friend lent it to me to inspire me while passing the time. Good idea, huh?

Rich

Rich,

First I am sorry for what happened to you and that the person who hit you has no insurance. That is the real bummer, no way to recover the loss.

The bright side is you must be in fantastic shape, being a yoga instructor and your recovery should be quite fast. My doctor keeps pounding into me to keep active, keep exercising, as that is the best way to combat injury and illness.

My guess is that you will bounce back, stronger than before and very soon.

By the way, my oldest son has had a steel rod in his leg for amost ten years and there have been no complications at all. He was on his first - and last - skydive!

My younger son has had a steel plate and four screws in his ankle for 12 years and a steel plate and several very smalls screws where they rebuilt his eye socket three years ago. Both are injuries sustained from playing football.

No problems whatsoever. In fact, the younger one is in better shape now than before all the "work." His orthopedist impressed on him not to sit around and mope, but get out get exercising! We were thinking of magnetizing him and using him to find coins, but the doctor advised against it! Kill joy!

Terrible accident! Lucky the bike is okay and that your injuries will heal. WHenever I hear of bad accidents I always thing, thank god he isn't crippled! You'll be okay when it heals. Think of all the other great comebacks from injuries, if they did it so can you. Just follow the doctor's orders and don't rush it. Lucky you live in CA where you don't have to worry about missing the whole season.

By the way, is that the same Watsonville where they grow all the strawberries?

Get well soon, but don't push it. Take your time and heal completely.

By the way, is that the same Watsonville where they grow all the strawberries?Since Rich isn't getting to the 'puter too much, I'll take the liberty of answering for him --- Yes, that's the same Watsonville. There's a Century ride --- Strawberry Fields Forever on May 16th -- that starts in Aptos, CA and goes through Watsonville. Strawberries dipped in chocolate is one of the items they serve as dessert at the end of the ride. I'm not doing this Century, but my wife and a couple of her friends are.

Sorry to hear about your accident but glad your damaged body will heal. You'll probably heal quicker than your doctors think given your fitness level. Keep your spirits high, put yourself on that favorite ride in your mind.
JC

Glad you are on the mend, get well soon! You should get legal help & obtain some kind of judgment at least. You may not be able to collect now but it may be possible in a few years. The judgment will let you file a lien against property. You were damaged so you might as well make this driver into "damage goods" financially.

Terrible news about the crash.

I had a crash 2 years ago and had 6 fractures. But the damage was all upper body so I was able to get out and walk or use a trainer pretty quickly. I hope you recuperate quickly.

I think you can collect your damages. According to some stuff I read at the Cinncinnati Bike Club's web site (they have a lot of legal stuff there), when you are on a bike, you are covered by your auto insurance (you ARE a driver). If you have insurance against uninsured drivers, your auto insurance should pay for it. Now you might want to sit down and calculate if you want to make a claim because it could boost the cost of your auto insurance. By the way, even hit and run drivers are covered by you insurance because all hit and run drivers are "uninsured" by definition.

Good luck on the recovery.

So sorry to hear about your crash. I hope it's true that breaks heal faster and cleaner than ripped ligaments and pulled muscles. It has something to do with being in a cast. In a couple of weeks, you are going to be getting up and trying to push the limits, but the cast will keep the injury safe from you. Best wishes on a speedy recovery.

I read in a magazine a few weeks ago, that are two group of cyclist, the ones that was hit by a car and the others that will be hit by a car.

Can you provide some additional details on what you read? What publication did it appear in? Who wrote it? Is it on line?

What I'm interested in is putting that statement in context. Was it just an off-hand "quote" from "a guy on the street" submitted to an internet-based poll or part of a more detailed article that included research or statistics to substantiate the claim.

If it was an article, what message was the author trying to convey? Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt in cyclists in an effort to move more of them off of our roads? Angst to feed the anti-car crowd? Increased awareness by cyclists in an effort to make them take steps to sharpen their skills? Or?????

My concern is that you write:

This is a very nice sport, but a bit scary.

Do you find it scary because of what you read -- in print or on forums like this -- or your own personal experiences? Just curious.

Rich,
Your story hits close to home as I was hit much the same as you. Fortunately I got acl and "soft tissue" damage.
It took 4 months and loosing my spot at nationals but I came out the other side ok. The knee still doesnt feel right but it's 90% which is good. I'll probably get arthritis in it when I'm older but doctors say the exercise helps alot.

I hope your recovery is speedy and efficient.

The motorist that hit me also had no insurance. I had to have my insurance cover all medical. I sued the motorist personally for property damage and easily won my case and got paid. It took over a year but I got my money. I got a bum knee and some scars you could make a ham sandwich from too.
I keep my frame (bent in a 90 degree angle) and look at it every once in a while.

Stories like yours though, make me feel very lucky.

Please provide the lady's name & address. There is something called street justice for arrogant a__holes who are audacious enough to drive an automobile without insurance.

Glad you are still with us and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I was nearly in an accident with these four way stop signs. I find they often confuse the situation than help in many ways. Here's what happend.

When I approached the four way stop sign, the cars often stop or simply yield. More often then not, there's always one driver who tries to take advantage of the four way by junping the stop sign beating the other cars to the center where the other vehicles will HAVE to yield. You often find cars stopped at the light wondering who's going first thus creating a dangerous situation.

Well ... As you can imagine, I was in a situation where a woman knowing the other cars were going to stop decided to run the sign to get a jump on the others and nearly hit me. I now treat these four way stop signs as a four way GREEN LIGHT!

What happened sucks but look on the bright side ... it could have been a lot worse!

You will recover and be back out before you know. Good Luck.

Get well soon..One thing amazing about here...Each morning on the traffic report. So many hit and runs. Amazing anyone - anywhere stops.

Rich, drop us a line when you're feeling up to it and let us know how you're doing.

Are you able to get back to teaching your classes anytime soon, btw? I hope you have that covered...

Koffee

Hey, folks. Thanks for all your good wishes. I am coming along pretty well. I don't have very much pain any more and the road rash scabs get fewer and fewer each day. I am reading a lot and really enjoyed Graeme Obree's The Flying Scotsman. His account of healing a broken femur seconds what most of you have been saying about being in good cycling condition helps healing. Obree has had a very troubled life, but many people were very kind to him and helped him when he was in need, even if it seems that Hein Verbruggen was really out to get him. I have been similarly blessed. The offers of help come every day. One of my yoga students is the manager of the finest gourmet pastry and food shop in the Santa Cruz area. She called Saturday morning to ask if I wanted her to bring over some food for the weekend on her way home. Wow!

Koffee, my yoga classes are covered. All four are being taught by someone I know and I am relieved that my students are in good hands. Wednesday, I have my follow-up appointment with the surgeon and I'll probably have a better idea then when I can start coming back to class. I have student volunteers who want to demonstrate the postures, so I just have to be in good enough shape to get over to the club, give the instructions and hobble around a bit. We'll see.

Saturday, I got down into the garage and got a look at my bike. The fork is wrecked. However, the front wheel seems to be good shape for having flown across the road. Rear wheel also seems OK. For the frame I will need professional consultation. The STI levers seem a bit battered and it will be a while before I know if they work. I am pretty sure that I am going to need new bars.

I still do not have a police report yet, even though the accident was two weeks ago. I will call the CHP again today. Then I can get the process against the driver going. I still don't know if she was even cited. She might even be out there still driving without insurance. I know that this is a very important matter, but I just have to not let it upset me so I am taking it in my stride.

Right now, I am very focused on my Wednesday appointment. I hope that I will be x-rayed to see if the bones are healing right. I'll let you know the news soon after I get it.

Thanks for all your support--it really helps the healing.

Rich