Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Hit by a car

Well, it finally happened. Can't say much for legal reasons, hope ya'll understand, but I was finally hit by a car.

The helmet, without a doubt, saved my life.

I'll be off the bike for an indeterminate amount of time. This makes me sad, because I was just getting into prime form for the season too. Lesigh.

Hang in there bro. I hurt my back and it took me a year to get back into my old routine. The weeks will pass. When you are ready, try some swimming or gym work so you don't lose too much form.

Hang in there and keep up with the conversations here as much as you feel up to. Hope you are OK. We can wait for the full story when it is the correct time. Heal well....

You are ok? Take care!!!! And I am so sorry.

That sucks man. I hope you're doing ok and recover really soon.

I was finally hit by a car?

I hope your OK

It might be overstating the obvious, but we're all thankful that you're alive. You'll heal, and I'm sure the driver's insurance company will be buying you a new ride.

Heal well, and soon.

Dude are you okay? I hope you recovery fast. totally sucks you have been derailed form your training, get well soon. the positives are you are well enough to post here and now have a opportunity to get a fancy new bike.

Get well soon, car attack is my worst fear on a bike.

Don't get discouraged - time will fly and you'll be back on the bike and the accident will be a distant memory or a funny story.

I've been hit by six cars/trucks and knocked off my bike four of those times (in 40 years of daily riding). The worst one, in 1992, resulted in broken leg, thumb, and dislocated elbow. I was back on the bike in four weeks and have little residual problems. Another, 1986, was a head-on with a car turning left in front of me. Just bruises and a destroyed Bianchi - I was back on bike in a couple weeks with no residual problems.

Sometimes it took me a few months to mentally recover AFTER I started riding again but I now have no more sense of danger or apprehension than I did 30 years ago.

Legally speaking - a truck ran over me from behind while I was standing with my foot on the curb waiting for a RED light to turn so I could ride across the street. There were two pedestrians in the cross walk who testified that I was standing still waiting at the intersection. I sued for damages and won but then the judge reduced the damages 50% because "the cyclist should assume that vehicles on the road might not see them - he should get out of the road and stand on the sidewalk while waiting for the light" - that is contrary to state law and there was no sidewalk - just a curb and mud puddle. AND - he ruled that "since the injured bicyclist was back on his bike in less than a month it is apparent the damages were not serious" - despite me wearing a cast on my leg, a splint on my thumb and my orthopedic surgeon providing testimony to the extent of my injuries.

Another legal consideration - the guy who hit me head on was cited for failure to yield the right of way. I won several thousand dollars damages for the bicycle and medical expenses (both were way cheaper 26 years ago!) but the guy never payed me and I 'kinda forgot about the whole thing.

Three years later I got a certified letter from a state other than the one I live in. The drivers license people in that state told me the guy that owed me money had tried to get a new drivers license (he was a commercial driver) in their state and they saw that I had an unsettled judgement against the guy. They told me I could prevent him from renewing his license or acquiring a new license in any western US state if I wished.

They notified the guy of that fact - he contacted me and we settled on him paying me 50% of what he owed me. I then signed a release and he was able to get a new commercial license.

That renewed my dim faith in the legal and licensing system.

Wow. That's terrible news. I hope you are not hurt badly, and that you heal quickly.

that sucks bro. I am sorry!

I hope your bike is ok! Really, get better soon, cars always win unfortunately. PEACE...

Thank you for the support!

The bike is being appraised. My helmet, mirror, and glasses are absolute toast. There's a scary huge section of the helmet missing, and the paramedics outright stated that had I not been wearing it, I would be brain damaged or dead right now.

I will be retaining a lawyer in order to make sure I do everything properly and am well defended in case the offender decides they do not want to pay for the damage they have caused.

I truly wish I could write more about this but it is not in my legal interests to do so at the moment.

bummer - I've been there 5X 4X-bike 1X on foot

First, really glad you are ok, or ok enough to be posting.

Second, i can tell you that the only person who wins in any legal battle on average is the lawyer. I suggest you see if the other party is willing to play nice prior to hiring anyone. You always have the right to do so later if things are not going your way.

I'm sorry you were injured and the bike damaged. I hope you have a swift and full recovery.

Oh my!!! We're rooting for you to heal quickly.

I hope you recover quickly and everything works out well for you.

Can't say much for legal reasons, hope ya'll understand....


I would not have said that. It can be made to sound like you didn't want to give details because it was your fault. That's how I would try to characterize it if I were an insurance defense lawyer. And I would ask where you made any written statements regarding the accident and whether you destroyed or deleted any such statements. Just sayin'.

Get well soon.

Very sorry you had this happen, and very happy you are here to tell us about it.

I would not have said that. It can be made to sound like you didn't want to give details because it was your fault. That's how I would try to characterize it if I were an insurance defense lawyer. And I would ask where you made any written statements regarding the accident and whether you destroyed or deleted any such statements. Just sayin'.

Get well soon.

I disagree. Hes not saying anything for legal reasons - end of story. One of the more savvy victims IMHO. A dumb thing to have done would be to write every detail of the incident and delegate who was responsible. I dont see where he destroyed or deleted statements either.

Speedy recovery!

I hope you recover quickly. And that the legal stuff goes in your favor.

Maybe someday post a picture of the helmet to help settle some of the "you don't need a helmet" arguments. If nothing else, it may sway people on the fence.

oh no. And like others, I hope injuries are not serious and you can get back on the bike soon. Your 2012 was going so well!

Sorry to hear about this. This is why I dont like riding on streets.

@szewcykm, I'm in Fox Lake, How's the riding around Woodstock?

I know where you are at, regarding not saying too much.
I had a incident a couple years ago when I wrote a detailed statement for the police before I had talked to a lawyer. The lawyer didn't say anything when I gave him a copy, but judging from his facial expression, I had not helped my case.

Sorry to hear that. I Hope everything works out for you.

Glad you survived to write about it. I was off the bike for 9 months in 2011 due to an accident. Feels good to get going again. You will be soon.

Argh! I hate hearing these stories. I am VERY glad you are well enough to post. I you heal quickly and comfortable.

And hang that helmet in the man-cave. It'll be a great conversation piece!

Glad to hear you are doing okay.

Maybe I just have a funny sense of humor, but when I saw your screen name and that you had been hit by a car, the first thing I pictured was Gandalf on a bicycle telling a car "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" lol