Bicycle Mechanics - Skated on XT help!

Today was a good day. Today, I was dumb. Today, I learned to not show off for skater kids. Today, I tried to bunny hop a curb but instead caught my back wheel and skidded, on my deraileur and back wheel, for about ten feet before I flipped head first into the wall. I believe I injured my rear derailuer.. I was wondering if there was anything I can do for it. It wants to overshift and I can't seem to adjust it properly. the chain seems to want to leap off the bottom guide. It also now sits at a very odd angle and I don't know what to do! I managed to flip it over and adjust it enough so I could limp back the 15 miles home. Any suggestions? I don't know what the other adjustment screw do, although I tend to be mechanically inclined.. Just not about bike stuff, apparently. Mostly because I haven't a clue what I am doing. Any pointers? I really don't want to replace my deraileur.

Thanks!
-David

Sounds like you bent your derailleur hanger, take it to a shop and they'll have the tool to realign it.

:) thanks

How picky are you?

I'm pretty sure that seely's right. If you have a steel frame, you can usually just bend it back with your hand and get it straight enough to ride home. Generally, you're looking to get the derailleur arm to hang straight down. Be sure to leave the derailleur bolted onto the frame when you bend it or you may deform the threaded hole that it bolts onto.

If you have an aluminum frame, the first question to ask yourself is: "Can I possibly ride it the way that it is?" If the answer is "Yes," make do and be on your way. If the answer is "No," you don't have anything to lose do you? Go ahead and try to bend it back. If the hanger snaps off that might be God's way of telling you that your bike should be a single speed.

Good luck.