First day, first fall. Thought I could get away faster on an uphill start, stalled, and then the slow-motion Timmmbbberrrr! No serious damage - bruised left hand and knee. The most severe injury sustained was to the ego.

I think the OP's main point was not to say YOU MUST FALL, just that it may happen, don't worry about it, get right back on the horse so to speak. Advice to beginners is to not make it a bigger deal than it really is.

Back to thread topic (kind of): what do people think of one-sided pedals? Are they harder to get into?