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Just treturned from the e.r.

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Just treturned from the e.r.

Old 08-03-08, 10:28 PM
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Just returned from the E.R.

There is a dog in my part of town that likes to chase me. This evening I was going for an 8-10 mile ride on my MTB. A quarter mile from home I'm doing about 20-25 mph down a hill and this dog jumps out of a cornfield to chase me. Only he jumped right out in front of me. The dog appeared out of nowhere. All I could do was hold on and crash right into him. My front wheel came to a dead stop and me and the bike flipped over the dog. I landed hard on my right shoulder and hip. After getting over the shock I stood up. I had very bad road rash on my shoulder and shoulder blade. I had a can of Halt in my right side pocket and it burst open from the impact, so my thigh and side began to burn like heck. Handlebar was bent, chain came off, and lights, bottles, etc. were all over the road.
The owner came out after hearing the commotion and asked if I was ok. She wanted to give me first aid but I went home to get cleaned up. They came over to check on me when I was in the shower.
Wife and I went to the E.R. and got x-rays. My collarbone is broken and there is a free piece broken out and floating around in there. They put a brace on me that looks like a pistol shoulder holster. It holds my shoulders back. I am home now and I'll go see my doctor tomorrow.
This sucks and now I hate dogs. I have never done anything to antagonize that mutt. In the past when he chased me I would just ignore him and keep riding. I was carrying the Halt because I got chased by another dog this morning while riding out in the country. I squirted that dog with my water bottle, but that's a tricky thing to do when you're pedaling as hard as you can to get away.
Anyway, I have to wear this thing for 3 weeks. Right now I'm pissed at people who let their dogs run loose, and I'm going to bed.

Last edited by sknhgy; 08-03-08 at 10:35 PM.
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Old 08-03-08, 10:35 PM
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Sorry to hear about this. I broke my collarbone once it was not something I would like to do again. Did the owner say anything about "I'm so sorry and I will see to it you are taken care of? Hope it heals soon.
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Old 08-03-08, 10:36 PM
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That sucks...sorry to hear this.

I hope you send the dog owner your medical bills, so she can get the full effect of her irresponsibility, and you don't have to bear the brunt of all those payments.

Heal well and quickly...and take your pain meds. They work.
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Old 08-03-08, 10:43 PM
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The dog owner may have some legal liability.

I don't envy your recovery period, but am glad that you didn't suffer more serious injuries.
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Old 08-03-08, 10:43 PM
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Ouch. I hope the doctor has the best possible news. Like, it won't be too long before you can get back in the saddle. Heal quickly.
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Old 08-03-08, 11:00 PM
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That sux . It does however sound like you live in a very rural area. I assume people who have cornfields are not walking there dogs on a leash. Sounds like bad luck . Also the owner sounds like a conserned party in this . Some would have told you to F off , not check up on you. This is a tuff one. I live in NY and if a persons dog was off the leash , i'd be whipping them both. Again , this is a tuff one. Hope u feel better ASAP.

Does your insurance cover this ? If not they should pay for your med bills. Is the dog dead ?
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Old 08-03-08, 11:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom Bombadil
The dog owner may have some legal liability.
+1

If you have trouble collecting on the damages you've suffered, it might be worth talking with an attorney.

Very sorry to hear about this; I hope you heal quickly.
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Old 08-04-08, 12:15 AM
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If you have insurance don't hesitate to file your claim. Be sure to mention that the claim was caused by the dog and the particulars about the dog's owners. your insurance company will take care of them. Won't do much for the suffering; but it will at least make you whole financially.
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Old 08-04-08, 12:41 AM
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Three weeks isn't going to do it. You may come out of the backwards bra but you aren't likely to feel a lot like riding for about 6 weeks. The bone piece will cause a small lump if they left it in place. Don't bother asking how I know. But it will heal and at least you will get some warning about when the weather is going to change.

The worst part is sleeping on your back I believe. Unless you can sleep in your recliner.
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Old 08-04-08, 03:58 AM
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Judge Judy ruled for the cyclist in a similar case!
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Old 08-04-08, 04:05 AM
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I like dogs. I have a dog. Dog owners do not have an entitlement to inflict their dog's actions on others. These folks have a responsibility for your injuries.
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Old 08-04-08, 04:17 AM
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sknhgy, so sorry to hear this! Speedy recovery, but I suspect it'll be a while.
As for the dogs- yes it's a rural area, and Illinois has no leash laws. It REALLY sucks riding in some areas.
I agree with the others on the legal fees; it'd be worth a shot. (no pun intended...)
Where did this happen- I ride in your neck of the woods sometimes (or at least I used to, maybe not anymore).
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Old 08-04-08, 04:24 AM
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A lawyer up front would be a good idea.
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Old 08-04-08, 04:38 AM
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It's still negligence even without leash laws. We got a nice law against dogs "at large" just before a similar thing happened to my wife - really helps!

Start with an attorney before notifying your insurance company. The insurance company may start to list all billings at full freight figuring they'll collect from the defendant eventually. Doesn't help your co-pay bottom line in the meantime.
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Old 08-04-08, 04:47 AM
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I hope you heal quickly! Ouch!
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Old 08-04-08, 04:59 AM
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You are lucky that you won't have longer in the splint. Sometimes shoulder injurys can take 6 months. I sure hope you heal up soon. I would make the owners life as miserable as she ha made yours
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Old 08-04-08, 06:34 AM
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Best of luck with your recovery. Yeah we see an awful lot of this type injury come through out ER as well. Lane Lp
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Old 08-04-08, 06:49 AM
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0dzMp61G5w

Dogs are the wildcard of road biking...even during the TdF.
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Old 08-04-08, 06:51 AM
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aBD1oLKpQ4&NR=1

And another....
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Old 08-04-08, 07:08 AM
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You should have called the police just so that an official report could be filed and documentation produced as to the cause of the accident, the dog involved, the circumstances, and ownership of and responsibility for the dog. It doesn't sound to me like your medical bills will be insignificant (If you've got a disarticulated piece of bone floating around in there, well, sorry, but I'm betting on surgery.), and although I'm not a big fan of getting compensation for "pain and suffering", the dog owner should bear some responsibility for those medical expenses.

I bet that most places in the country these days have some sort of leash law. But now, if the sleazeba.......err......lawyers get involved, then all the dog owner has to say is that "fluffy was laying in the family room dozing in front of the fireplace at the time. Sorry, wasn't my dog - and if it was, prove it!"
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Old 08-04-08, 07:26 AM
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Originally Posted by sknhgy
In the past when he chased me I would just ignore him and keep riding. I was carrying the Halt because I got chased by another dog this morning while riding out in the country.
Sorry to hear about your unfortunate incident.
I have mentioned this on other threads, so hope it's not a repeat for too many of you.
I bike to work, had one dog who never seemed real vicious, but did chase me every day. Then one day, he ran out to chase, just as a car came from the other direction, and "SMACK"! Killed him instantly. I felt really bad. Now, I use my Halt spray on any dog that runs out. I figure I'm doing the owner (and dog) a favor, perhaps breaking the dog from his bad habit. I've even told a few of my neighbors what I'm doing, in case they see me spraying their dog. All have seemed grateful.
After you spray one a couple times, you can usually just extend your hand and he'll think you are about to get him!
Might, or might not have worked in your situation.
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Old 08-04-08, 07:49 AM
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Real Cyclists have broken their collarbones at least once. (I'm not Real)
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Old 08-04-08, 09:27 AM
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Heal quickly. Broken collar bones can hurt (like you don't now know this). And remember, the dog was just being a dog. It's the owner who has a responsibility to either control or train the dog to behave differently.
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Old 08-04-08, 09:48 AM
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Here's hoping you get well soon. Try not to hate the dogs for having stupid owners.
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Old 08-04-08, 10:03 AM
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You have got to see an attorney to protect yourself.

It is amazing how stories can get changed around - somehow it will turn out to be your fault.

That happened to me in my last auto accident. I failed to properly protect myself, and what had been a person totally rear-ending me became a scenario where I hit the car in front of me, causing the car behind me to hit me.

PLEASE!

And file a report with the sheriff - it is not too late. You don't know WHAT complications you might have from this a year from now - or longer.

When it comes to money and blame, principles and ethics and "being a nice dog owner" get thrown out the window.

PROTECT YOURSELF.

Last edited by DnvrFox; 08-04-08 at 10:06 AM.
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