One year after my Cycling Buddy was Hit by a Car
#1
Let's do a Century
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,316
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 651 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times
in
408 Posts
One year after my Cycling Buddy was Hit by a Car
He was hit the day after Thanksgiving last year while riding solo. A car turning into a driveway on a 2 lane rural road slammed into my buddy resulting in devastating damage to his left leg, hip and knee.
I can still recall how I felt when I got the phone call while out town-flushed, shocked, speechless, confused and emotional. He and I had shared lots of roads and miles together helping to push each other to be better riders. We talked about a lot of different things out on the rides-I certainly learned the things he was passionate about.
The memories of the many hospital visits-the good days and the bad days-moving him to rehab-comforting his diabled wife-and taking him for doctors visits are still very fresh-too fresh. I recall the various surgeries, and repeated surgeries but lost count of all those.
Seeing his emotions after the local bike club built a ramp in his garage so he could get in and out of his house in his wheelchar was priceless. Hearing and seeing his conviction to get healed and to get back on the bike was inspiring. However there were many, many days where I wondered if he would even walk again.
He continued to revise and push out his goal to ride again as his progress was no faster than a snail's pace-and a snail that might back up before it moved forward again at that.
After a year at least he's walking again, but only with the assistance of a cane. He has a terrible limp that will probably always be his trademark until he can't walk anymore. He's come to grips that he's probably not going to be doing any more time trials, hilly century rides, etc. The only riding he's done has been on the trainer in his house and some spinning classes.
His lawyer and he are still trying to figure out how he can be compensated for thousands of dollars of out of pocket expenses-not to mention all the things he now has to hire someone to do for him. The driver does not have a lot of assets nor much insurance.
He's talked about at least getting out and doing a ride for a few miles the day after Thanksgiving-maybe even just in the neighborhood where he lives, if nothing more than an act of defiance against his misfortune. I know he's changing his focus and preparation the next few years away from cycling to other interests and needs.
I sure wish and would hope with all I could hope for that this would be a story of an injured cyclist recovered and finishing a challenging ride to cheers from a joyful and appreciative crowd. Unfortunately that doesn't look to be the script for my cycling buddy-not this year nor probably the next. However he's alive, his mind is just as sharp as ever, he still can be passionate and he has a caring community supporting him.
For that we can be very thankful!!
I can still recall how I felt when I got the phone call while out town-flushed, shocked, speechless, confused and emotional. He and I had shared lots of roads and miles together helping to push each other to be better riders. We talked about a lot of different things out on the rides-I certainly learned the things he was passionate about.
The memories of the many hospital visits-the good days and the bad days-moving him to rehab-comforting his diabled wife-and taking him for doctors visits are still very fresh-too fresh. I recall the various surgeries, and repeated surgeries but lost count of all those.
Seeing his emotions after the local bike club built a ramp in his garage so he could get in and out of his house in his wheelchar was priceless. Hearing and seeing his conviction to get healed and to get back on the bike was inspiring. However there were many, many days where I wondered if he would even walk again.
He continued to revise and push out his goal to ride again as his progress was no faster than a snail's pace-and a snail that might back up before it moved forward again at that.
After a year at least he's walking again, but only with the assistance of a cane. He has a terrible limp that will probably always be his trademark until he can't walk anymore. He's come to grips that he's probably not going to be doing any more time trials, hilly century rides, etc. The only riding he's done has been on the trainer in his house and some spinning classes.
His lawyer and he are still trying to figure out how he can be compensated for thousands of dollars of out of pocket expenses-not to mention all the things he now has to hire someone to do for him. The driver does not have a lot of assets nor much insurance.
He's talked about at least getting out and doing a ride for a few miles the day after Thanksgiving-maybe even just in the neighborhood where he lives, if nothing more than an act of defiance against his misfortune. I know he's changing his focus and preparation the next few years away from cycling to other interests and needs.
I sure wish and would hope with all I could hope for that this would be a story of an injured cyclist recovered and finishing a challenging ride to cheers from a joyful and appreciative crowd. Unfortunately that doesn't look to be the script for my cycling buddy-not this year nor probably the next. However he's alive, his mind is just as sharp as ever, he still can be passionate and he has a caring community supporting him.
For that we can be very thankful!!
__________________
Ride your Ride!!
Ride your Ride!!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,054
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm sorry to hear about his accident, but am glad he survived and can walk again, albeit with a cane. Do you think there is anyway he could ride a higher-sitting recumbent trike with electric power assist? If so, do you think your cycling club could pull off getting such a bike for him? The reason I ask is that I just read a post in another forum by a 68-year-old gentleman injured in a hit-and-run. He's surprised everyone by surviving and then pursuing physical therapy; he is now a recumbent trike rider (his trike has a Bionix power assist kit). Just a thought. Try to think of positives. I'm sure your moral support, help and friendship is a great joy to you buddy.
P.S. It took 2-years of recovery for the 68-year-old to get on the trike but he's back on a bike. Don't give up hope for your friend riding again.
P.S. It took 2-years of recovery for the 68-year-old to get on the trike but he's back on a bike. Don't give up hope for your friend riding again.
#3
STFD
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: North Bergen, NJ
Posts: 778
Bikes: '80 Windsor Carrera Sport, '02 Specialized Sirrus A1, '10 Giant Escape 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Is liability insurance not required in your state?
Or was the driver driving without insurance?
Or was the driver driving without insurance?
#4
Old Fart Racing
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Draper UT
Posts: 1,347
Bikes: 2015 Trek Domane 6.9 disc D/A Di2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Posts: 74
Bikes: Trek 620, Trek 560. Trek 830
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thank you for the post. As tragic as your friend's accident was, it is reassuring that he survived and is trying to find his way back to his bike.
He must be an inspiration to all those around him.
Thank you again, give him our best.
Dan
He must be an inspiration to all those around him.
Thank you again, give him our best.
Dan
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Triangle, NC
Posts: 1,480
Bikes: S-Works Tarmac
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 182 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Lets hope and pray his progress towards recovery continues, and that he continues to get stronger. With injuries like he sustained, it will probably take well over an year as mentioned above. And I hope he does get out tomorrow for a short ride. Just getting back on the road will greatly benefit his mindset.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Space Coast, Florida
Posts: 2,465
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Among other things, this story is a cautionary tale about how you should insure yourself not only for cycling, but for driving as well.
HIs hospital bills are certainly enormous, even after insurance. The hospitals have liens on any recovery from the at-fault driver. While some of that is negotiable, low insurance limits from the driver's insurer will guarantee that the whole recovery is taken up by medical bills. If the driver does not have substantial other assets, or jppe's buddy lacks the will to spend years fighting an uncertain battle to get them, an injured person can only look to himself for relief.
The only way you can protect yourself is with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or an umbrella policy. Too many people, when trying to save money on insurance, are advised to cut out the UM coverage. That coverage is probably the most valuable coverage in your auto policy.
HIs hospital bills are certainly enormous, even after insurance. The hospitals have liens on any recovery from the at-fault driver. While some of that is negotiable, low insurance limits from the driver's insurer will guarantee that the whole recovery is taken up by medical bills. If the driver does not have substantial other assets, or jppe's buddy lacks the will to spend years fighting an uncertain battle to get them, an injured person can only look to himself for relief.
The only way you can protect yourself is with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or an umbrella policy. Too many people, when trying to save money on insurance, are advised to cut out the UM coverage. That coverage is probably the most valuable coverage in your auto policy.
#8
gone ride'n
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 4,050
Bikes: Simoncini, Gary Fisher, Specialized Tarmac
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Among other things, this story is a cautionary tale about how you should insure yourself not only for cycling, but for driving as well.
HIs hospital bills are certainly enormous, even after insurance. The hospitals have liens on any recovery from the at-fault driver. While some of that is negotiable, low insurance limits from the driver's insurer will guarantee that the whole recovery is taken up by medical bills. If the driver does not have substantial other assets, or jppe's buddy lacks the will to spend years fighting an uncertain battle to get them, an injured person can only look to himself for relief.
The only way you can protect yourself is with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or an umbrella policy. Too many people, when trying to save money on insurance, are advised to cut out the UM coverage. That coverage is probably the most valuable coverage in your auto policy.
HIs hospital bills are certainly enormous, even after insurance. The hospitals have liens on any recovery from the at-fault driver. While some of that is negotiable, low insurance limits from the driver's insurer will guarantee that the whole recovery is taken up by medical bills. If the driver does not have substantial other assets, or jppe's buddy lacks the will to spend years fighting an uncertain battle to get them, an injured person can only look to himself for relief.
The only way you can protect yourself is with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or an umbrella policy. Too many people, when trying to save money on insurance, are advised to cut out the UM coverage. That coverage is probably the most valuable coverage in your auto policy.
#9
Bikesman
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Northern Clime
Posts: 364
Bikes: Giant Seek 1 IGH; Specialized Roubaix On Order
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cannot understand why there are hospital bills at all.
Certainly hope your friend's condition improves.
Certainly hope your friend's condition improves.
#10
Senior Member
The only way you can protect yourself is with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or an umbrella policy. Too many people, when trying to save money on insurance, are advised to cut out the UM coverage. That coverage is probably the most valuable coverage in your auto policy.
Years ago I decided to *raise* my deductibles on my auto insurance policies and spend the savings on increased coverage for UM coverage and an umbrella/personal liability coverage. To me the purpose of auto insurance is to protect against catastrophic losses (liability if you hit someone, medical, catastrophic loss of vehicle, theft), not minor fender scrapes.
BTW, in some states *well over 20% of the drivers on the road* are driving around without auto insurance, legal or not.
#11
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
Wishing your friend the best.
#12
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,798
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1393 Post(s)
Liked 1,326 Times
in
837 Posts
Best wishes to your friend, who still has much for which to be thankful, including friends like you.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#13
You gonna eat that?
I can remember the first post of the accident, jppe. I feel terrible for your buddy. From your descriptions, I think he will, eventually, ride regularly again, though maybe not competitively. I wish him all the best.
#14
cycling fanatic
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 1,162
Bikes: Cannondale T800
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I remember you telling us about the accident. A year is a heck of a long time but it sounds encouraging. I agree that it would be good for him to get on the bike as an act of defiance.
#15
The guy in the 50+ jersey
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Davidson, NC
Posts: 715
Bikes: Specialized S-Works Roubaix, Litespeed Tuscany Road, Specialized Allez Epic lugged carbon frame Road,Giant Anthem 29'r, Klein Hardtail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As someone who had the privilege to meet jppe's friend by way of him, I also wish that he continue progress toward recovery. My personal experience with that gentleman is that he was a skilled, passionate and dedicated cyclist, who went out of his way to help other riders, regardless of their abilities relative to his. I only hope that someday he can join jppe and others in our area to ride again. I look forward his company.
Last edited by PAlt; 11-26-09 at 03:35 PM.
#16
Recovering mentalist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: On the Edge
Posts: 2,810
Bikes: Too many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Thanks for this report and please forward my best wishes to your friend from someone in a similar situation, after being mowed down by a red light-running pickup driver, in July.
The damage is to my right side -- mostly lower leg, but also knee, hip, shoulder and neck.
I'm lucky to have both public medical and insurance system that is taking good care of me so far.
Here's hoping he can get back on the bike in some capacity. I'm trying to ready myself for the eventuality that I'll likely not be able to return to the long-distance events that were such an important part of my life. I guess we must count our blessings that things aren't worse, huh?
The damage is to my right side -- mostly lower leg, but also knee, hip, shoulder and neck.
I'm lucky to have both public medical and insurance system that is taking good care of me so far.
Here's hoping he can get back on the bike in some capacity. I'm trying to ready myself for the eventuality that I'll likely not be able to return to the long-distance events that were such an important part of my life. I guess we must count our blessings that things aren't worse, huh?
#17
Surly Girly
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 4,116
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thank you for sharing his status, Joe. There is a lot of hope for much more recovery. My best wishes for his continued progress.
Everyone should have at least one great friend like you.
Everyone should have at least one great friend like you.
__________________
Specialized Roubaix Expert
Surly Long Haul Trucker
Specialized Roubaix Expert
Surly Long Haul Trucker
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 1,673
Bikes: '06 Bianchi Pista; '57 Maclean; '10 Scott CR1 Pro; 2005 Trek 2000 Tandem; '09 Comotion Macchiato Tandem; 199? Novara Road; '17 Circe Helios e-tandem:1994 Trek 2300
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Liked 93 Times
in
61 Posts
Joe, I'm pleased your friend is making progress, albeit slow.
It is yet another example of why the US needs a universal health care system like in other developed countries so that one can not be saddled with enormous hospital bills.
It is yet another example of why the US needs a universal health care system like in other developed countries so that one can not be saddled with enormous hospital bills.
#19
Don't mince words
Thanks for the update. I remember reading your first report of this terrible accident, and was hoping you'd bring us current as to your friend's situation.
And as others have said, everyone needs 1 good friend like you in their lives.
My continued best wishes for your friend's progress.
And as others have said, everyone needs 1 good friend like you in their lives.
My continued best wishes for your friend's progress.