Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

July 24th 2007

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

July 24th 2007

Old 07-24-08, 08:48 PM
  #1  
crash survivor
Thread Starter
 
tate65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Irving, TX
Posts: 654

Bikes: C-dale rush, Mountain cycle fury, Monocog 29er, Haro hard tail VX, Scattante R330

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
July 24th 2007

One year ago today, on July 24th 2007, I was hit from behind while riding home from work at ~3:30 PM on Forest lane, under the DART light rail. I thought I was doing everything right. I was in the far right lane, controlling the lane, keeping my line. Traffic was light, and it was a bright sunny day. I was wearing a safety vest and had a rear view mirror and no earphones. I saw the driver at least 1/4 mile back, along with one other vehicle in another lane. I was rolling about 24MPH; the speed limit is 35MPH. The next thing I knew I was looking up after hearing a large boom, and crash, and thinking something isn't right? My head hit something real hard and I then remember tumbling down the road, rolling onto my back with extreme pain in my left ankle, right knee and someone running up to me yelling "don't move." I then lay back down flat and was being told by a Care flight paramedic that I was just hit by a car and not to move.

As the medic took care of me he told me he couldn't believe what he just saw, a white Ford Escort had hit me from behind, no breaks, and no swerving, nothing. He said he and his partner felt as though they had jinxed me; they said they saw me almost 1/2 mile away, my vest was bright, and I was following all the road rules. They said they wished other cyclists were dressed like that. They thought if more did, they would have less work. Then they saw the car hit me, flip me up on his hood, and then toss me down the road. They literally pulled up to me as I rolled to a stop to aid me. They called Dallas' finest as they already had a patient in their wagon. After an initial assessment, a neck brace was applied and I was put on a back board. I called my wife while lying in the road and told her I was going to the hospital, but didn't know where. I told her I thought I would be ok, but wasn't sure. I then called my kids and told them the same thing, and also told them I thought our trip to Schlitterbahn the next day was cancelled. After being loaded in the wagon, making sure my bike was in, and letting them grab my hamburger looking arm to put in an IV, we rolled to Baylor Hospital. Along the way I called 2 fellow commuters, and my wife again.

At the hospital I was CT scanned, x-rayed, had initial wound clearing and debridement, pain killer applied, and had basically a crappy 5 hours of torture. I had a boot on my left ankle and I was told it was broken in 2 places and had been severely dislocated. They said my right knee most likely had at least one ligament tear, and I had 3rd degree burns to all 4 limbs, a hole in my right knee to the bone, a concussion, and abrasions to my head, back, and shoulder. But I could go home. They plopped me in a wheelchair, told my wife to bring my bike and sent me out the door. I called Dave to come help load me and my bike into the car, and went home. After 2 weeks in a wheel chair, I was told my right knee was just severally sprained, but my left ankle with two breaks, and ligament separations would be a long time in healing. I spent 2 weeks in the chair, 4 weeks on crutches, and 2 more with a cane. I had 10 weeks in rehab, 12 weeks of wound care, including 2 at home and 3x a week at the hospital where they took tweezers, needles, and scissors to my wounds to clean them. I had to get my 14 year-old daughter to help me shower and change my bandages; my wife to do that and more including listen to me whine and complain.

The police report told me I was hit by a 74 year old stoke victim (in Feb of 2007), who had "had a couple of beers" that day, and that he claimed he never saw me. I later found out he had had 3 other injury accidents in less than 4 weeks. I also found out the DPD never did any sort of sobriety test, no breathalyzer, and no blood test on the man. They did take his license, and per state law submitted him to the board of medical review - who took his license permanently. Our Insurance (we had the same carrier) took care of everything.... eventually, but my heath care insurance subrogated and got back much of the 'settlement." It took until December to see any money, as you get nothing until you get everything?

I was off work for 6 weeks, then did 2 weeks of ½ days, at 8 weeks I did my 1st commute after the accident and had a great group from my home site ride home with me, and have been hard at it every since. The pictures are still on my web site, I still have a slight limp on my ankle, swelling and stiffness every day. Some of the wounds have bad scars, and I think about that day every day I commute, but I won't stop,

The moral, be careful out there whether driving, commuting, or just enjoying the day. Wear your helmet when riding, make sure your insurance is paid up, and that you have enough to take care of you. But Most of All - tell your family you love them, and go on with your day.


Gross photos are here if you want to see them

https://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s...eck/?start=all
tate65 is offline  
Old 07-24-08, 08:58 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 13

Bikes: Norco VFR4 Disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
You are awesome.
lg33kt is offline  
Old 07-24-08, 09:06 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
d2create's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Houston we have a problem
Posts: 2,914
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Kewl photos and great memories! Even cooler that you are around to tell the story!

Wanna hear something crazy?
I was t-boned by a mustang a couple years ago. She made a left across traffic onto the street I was riding by and didn't seem me until it was too late. I went up over the hood, bounced off her windshield and landed on the other side of the car, all on my back. But I had my mess bag with clothes in it so that took most of the impact and I jumped up off the ground yelling. Other than a bruise inside my leg from catching the seat on the way off I was ok. Bike was totaled.
Then last year i was riding a recumbent (what are they... 6" off the ground?) and my front wheel got caught in an expansion gap in the road. It instantly through me down on my right side and I went sliding down the tarmac. Ended up dislocating my right shoulder and breaking my right ankle in two places. Had surgery on the ankle that night (two pins) and got put in a boot. 3 days in the hospital. Also had my arm in a sling. So for the next 8 weeks I had to use a walker! At 33 years old!
So get hit t-boned by a car and walk away... or fall down and totally eff myself up. What the heck?!
Man, there's just noooo telling. Crazy.

Anyhoo, thought you might get a kick out of that. I do.
d2create is offline  
Old 07-24-08, 09:06 PM
  #4  
Bike Commuter
 
MrRamonG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Anaheim California
Posts: 395

Bikes: Cannondale R700, Custom Cannondale Fixed, Research Dynamic Mountain Bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm glad your'e still with us. I'm glad your'e still able to ride. And I hope you never have to deal with something so horrible again.
MrRamonG is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 02:39 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 583
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The old lady give you a hard time about riding after the accident?

Crap. Now you got me all freaked out. I wear a safety vest. I wear a helmet. I follow the traffic rules. I look out. Am I next?
keiththesnake is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 07:30 AM
  #6  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 24
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
oh man, just goes to show even if you do everything right theres still no controlling what other people do wrong...glad you're getting along on the recovery road. Forgive me I skipped the pictures (just ate breakfast)
ReachHigher is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 08:15 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
thdave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,242
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Incredible.

Many, many congrats on your rehab and for getting back on your steed.
thdave is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 08:22 AM
  #8  
Who farted?
 
Ka_Jun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,287

Bikes: '06 K2 Zed 3.0, '09 Novara Buzz V

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Wow...just, wow...glad to hear you're on the mend and can still ride, and that the guy who hit you is off the road.
Ka_Jun is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 08:34 AM
  #9  
Nerd
 
girljen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Wheat Ridge, CO
Posts: 450

Bikes: K2 T-9 Crosswind

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
What an amazing story! Just goes to show that anything can happen...I'm going to hug my daughter a little tighter than usual when she wakes up from her nap.
girljen is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 12:27 PM
  #10  
crash survivor
Thread Starter
 
tate65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Irving, TX
Posts: 654

Bikes: C-dale rush, Mountain cycle fury, Monocog 29er, Haro hard tail VX, Scattante R330

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by keiththesnake
The old lady give you a hard time about riding after the accident?

Crap. Now you got me all freaked out. I wear a safety vest. I wear a helmet. I follow the traffic rules. I look out. Am I next?
No, and No. My wife was very supportive, tenative, but suportive. We rasied our underinsured motorsit, and my life insurance, but that was less than $50 a year. As for Am I next, I hope not I hoep as more and more of us hit the streets we start to be seen more, and garner more respect.
tate65 is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 12:41 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
nmanhipot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Woodstock, GA
Posts: 463

Bikes: 2006 Specialized Langster Comp, 2005 Schwinn DBX Super Sport, 2004 Trek 5900 Superlight

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
You're one tough cookie. You're a testament to how hard it is to break the human spirit.
nmanhipot is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 01:03 PM
  #12  
Neat - w/ ice on the side
 
dalmore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Big Ring. Little Cog.
Posts: 1,200

Bikes: 2005 Dahon Speed TR, 2006 Dahon Mu SL, 2000 GT XiZang, 1999ish Rock Lobster, 2007 Dean Animas CTI

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Touching story. Best Wishes going forward.
__________________
Current favorite bumper sticker: Wag more. Bark less.

Change you can believe in - Bigfoot Nessie 08
dalmore is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 01:14 PM
  #13  
Unlisted member
 
no motor?'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,193

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times in 297 Posts
Originally Posted by MrRamonG
I'm glad your'e still with us. I'm glad your'e still able to ride. And I hope you never have to deal with something so horrible again.
+1
no motor? is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 01:15 PM
  #14  
Hey let's ride.
 
pathdoc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Allen, TX
Posts: 2,002

Bikes: Torelli road bike, Tsunami tandem

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I'm getting ready to start riding in to work everyday. I doubled my life insurance.

Sad but true.

Glad to hear you are being seen and not viewed.
pathdoc is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 01:34 PM
  #15  
uke
it's easy if you let it.
 
uke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: indoors and out.
Posts: 4,124
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
You're hard core. We need more of us on the road; it's the only way to get police to take car-on-bike violence as seriously as they do car-on-car.
uke is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 01:42 PM
  #16  
POWERCRANK addict
 
markhr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: North Acton, West London, UK
Posts: 3,783
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Glad you're ok now. Keep riding, stay safe and have fun.
__________________
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
markhr is offline  
Old 07-25-08, 02:39 PM
  #17  
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 45
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Wow, what an inspirational story! Thanks for posting it.
-TPM
Thepurplem0nkey is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.