SSP

re: collarbones

I broke my collar bone on June 1st in a bike race, and wasn't given approval to get back on the bike until July 15th. Even now, two months on, the bones have not fused - and mine was a simpler break than yours. Unfortunately, as we age we heal much more slowly (damnit!).


re: dogs

As for the dog - if it chased you in the past, shame on you for not dealing with it. Dogs that chase cyclists are a hazard, and need to be disciplined and reported to the authorities. If you'd done that before, the dog might have been properly restrained and not allowed to chase you.


re: insurance claims

You may be able to collect substantial damages, since the dog owner is wholly at fault. At the very least, you should be compensated for all of your medical bills, your bike, and lost time at work. If the dog owner has insurance, you may also receive a shockingly large offer for "pain and suffering and contingencies" (expect something in the $10-20,000+ range). That's to cover them, in case there are undiagnosed injuries that show up later - you may have other injuries that have not show up yet (I've been dealing with bicep tendon impingement pain in my shoulder as a result of my clavicle break).

Starting right now, take photos of all your injuries, and your bike. Get your bike to a good shop to have it assessed for damage (or declared "totalled"). Take more photos of your injuries as they heal over time. Save all your med bills. The more documentation you have, the easier it will be to deal with the insurance claims.

And, as others have suggested, contact the police and file a report. Also file a report with local animal control.

Best of luck, and hope you heal well.

BLIZZ

Sorry, Hope you heal quickly.
I'm half way through my second week on crutches for the exact same thing. I hit hip first at high speed on my road bike when a dog took out my front wheel.
The last time I broke my collarbone {on the mountain bike} the doc said 6 weeks, but I was riding the road bike in 4 weeks. I could push down, but it felt like my shoulder was comming off when I tried to pull up.
As I get older though, I find the healing process takes longer and the pain lasts longer as well.
If this is your dominant arm, you will get very good at using the nondominant arm before getting back to normal.

Pat

Your injuries sound unpleasant, inconvenient and downright nasty. I hope things come out fine. Recovering from an injury can be trying. Best luck to you.

Bud Bent

Dang, sorry to hear this. I hope you heal well. A couple of years ago, I was right behind a rider who hit a large dog and had to be carted off by ambulance. This dog came out from behind its owners just before we reached it, and the rider didn't see it until it was too late. It's another reminder for all of us that biting is not the only hazard from dogs.

RoMad

Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you heal quickly and can get back to doing what your enjoy. On my way home from work tonight on a country road a large black dog ran along beside me barking. I yelled at him and he stopped. After reading what happened to you I think I will stop and ask his owners to keep him from chasing me.

sknhgy 

It actually happened within B'town.
There are lots of people around here who simply let their dogs run free. Like I said, I had my Halt with me because I had been chased that morning.
The doctor said it would heal, but there may be a bump and that's when they would consider surgery.
I talked to the sherriff and he said they don't file police reports on bicycle accidents.
I haven't spoken with the people who own the dog since immediately after the accident. Guess I don't know where to go with it from here.

seenoweevil

+1. It's their responsibility as a pet owner.

JanMM

Are there any Animal Control agencies where you live?
As previously suggested, perhaps a lawyer should be consulted.

BluesDawg

What**********??

Yen

Yikes! I hope your recovery is swift and complete. It might be a good idea to have a talk with the neighbors and mention that some dogs have been killed by chasing bikes. Maybe that will sink in.

It could have been a LOT worse. Someone where I work ran into a deer (or swerved to avoid it), flipped over his bike and took a terrible fall in the street. He died from his injuries.

Dellphinus

Like I said, Illinois sucks as far as animal control ic concerned. In my county (one over from sknhgy), if a dog harrasses you, you have no recourse (unless it actually bites you, then it has to happen twice). If it chases a cow or chicken (or any livestock), you can shoot it. Listen closely- can you hear the banjos?

BlazingPedals

Ask him if they file police reports on dog attacks.

Dellphinus

Did a little research back when I had my encounter. From the Illinois Animal Control Act- https://www.animallaw.info/statutes/s...cs5_1_72_1.htm

I think I'd talk to the Sherrif- find out who the animal control Admin is. Also, talk to the village board. If you can get the animal declared Dangerous (not due to attack, but due to your injuries), it might wake some people up. Also- make sure the dog had it's shots. You're insurance company might have soem, ideas too... Also- don't know if the League of Illinois Bicyclists still has a link to a bicycling lawyer- they used to.

§ 2.05a. "Dangerous dog" means (i) any individual dog anywhere other than upon the property of the owner or custodian of the dog and unmuzzled, unleashed, or unattended by its owner or custodian that behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to a person or a companion animal or (ii) a dog that, without justification, bites a person and does not cause serious physical injury.

§ 15.1. Dangerous dog determination.

(a) After a thorough investigation including: sending, within 10 business days of the Administrator or Director becoming aware of the alleged infraction, notifications to the owner of the alleged infractions, the fact of the initiation of an investigation, and affording the owner an opportunity to meet with the Administrator or Director prior to the making of a determination; gathering of any medical or veterinary evidence; interviewing witnesses; and making a detailed written report, an animal control warden, deputy administrator, or law enforcement agent may ask the Administrator, or his or her designee, or the Director, to deem a dog to be "dangerous". No dog shall be deemed a "dangerous dog" unless shown to be a dangerous dog by a preponderance of evidence. The owner shall be sent immediate notification of the determination by registered or certified mail that includes a complete description of the appeal process.

sojourn

Get well soon!

sknhgy 

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. You have all been a big help. I'll follow-up where I can. I'll try talking to the Sherriff again. Right now I'm still dealing with getting myself back on my feet. Got another doctor appt. today.

Txtigah

I sympathize with you two years ago a squirrel ran out and got lodged in my fork throwing me over the bars and as a result I have a third degree seperation of my collar bone. Then I developed frozen shoulder syndrome that required physical therapy. Hang in there in about a month you will be feeling OK.

papedaler

Well, since no one else has asked I guess I have to. What happened to the dog??

The Smokester

Sorry to hear about the accident.

I had a similar one many years ago out in the country in N. Carolina (near Durham) when a little hound dog ran out from some bushes and I hit him square on . The lady with the dog made good on all the damage...I couldn't help feeling a little badly for her and the dog but I was a starving (more than her) post-doc and needed the financial assistance to get my only means of transportation back in operation.

I ride in a club that has a lot of serious 50+ riders. I have been surprised that a significant number of the long-term riders have permanent collar bone or shoulder damage from bicycling accidents. Yes. I'm one of them and a lot of people will come up and inquire about the asymmetry in my shoulders and then show me theirs!

I'm just thankful that none of us have broken our fool necks and become paralyzed (as happened to a friend of a friend).

Hope you are back riding again soon.

George

Man, I can feel your pain from here. I think I see a new bike in your further. Hurry and heal up before the snow fly's, good luck.

phillypino215

damn if thats what happened to you...i cant imagined what happened to the dog if you hit it going 25+...

sknhgy 

This Friday I'll be having surgery to have the bones lined up and pinned or plated together. The bone was broke in two places so there is a free piece that needs to be dealt with. The specialist said it should heal faster and better this way.
I'm still trying to re-contact the sherriff. Last time I talked to him he said they don't do anything about bike accidents. I want to discuss that with him. Costs for medicines, copays, etc. are starting to pile up.

Paniolo

I think it is pretty well established in rural areas where live stock is loose on the road and causes an accident that the owners are liable. You may have more sucess pursuing it from that angle.

Do you have med insurance? Contact them, their lawyers would be happy to pursue reimbursement. Or see a local personal injury lawyer ... that would probably be the best as he would pursue your interests for your bike damage, loss of work and pain and suffering.