I was rear ended by a car and thrown over my handle bars. I landed on the pavement and got some scrapes and bruises, but that was it. I got up and walked my busted bike home. I was 12 years old at the time so this was a long time ago. The driver was nice... offered to take me to the hospital. But I was fine and that accident was my fault anyways as I jumped in the lane unexpectedly.

Whether or not a person should, I rarely wear a helmet riding on the road (I do on the mountain trails though). **** happens. I can think of much worse ways to die than being hit by a car... my personal worst fear is dying slowly in a hospital bed of old age.