50+ Cyclist and Good Friend Hit by a Truck
11-30-08, 11:05 AM
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50+ Cyclist and Good Friend Hit by a Truck
Darn, darn, darn............
One of fellows I ride with the most and "train" with was hit by a truck Friday while out riding solo. He is in the hospital with serious injuries to his left hip, knee, lower leg and hand.
The truck was coming in the oncoming direction on a two lane road and turned left right into him while attempting to turn onto a side street. The truck driver said he was worried about a vehicle that was tailgating him and was trying to get off the road quickly and didn't see my riding buddy. My buddy didn't see the truck until it was on top of him. My buddy indicated that if someone had been on his wheel they probably would not have survived. On the other hand had there been two riders maybe the driver would have seen the two of them???
This happened on a rural road, a long straight stretch with very light traffic and in literally as good a cycling area as you could find.
My buddy called me from the hospital and was really out of it as you might expect from the pain medication and lack of sleep -but we were able to talk briefly. His wife is disabled plus he has his own business where he has several projects that are at a very critcal point that need action. I reassured him we'd do what we could to help him and his wife out.
I've picked up his bike and will take it to the LBS for "processing". There might be a few parts salvageable but not a lot......
Darn, darn, darn............this one is really is way, way too close to home.
One of fellows I ride with the most and "train" with was hit by a truck Friday while out riding solo. He is in the hospital with serious injuries to his left hip, knee, lower leg and hand.
The truck was coming in the oncoming direction on a two lane road and turned left right into him while attempting to turn onto a side street. The truck driver said he was worried about a vehicle that was tailgating him and was trying to get off the road quickly and didn't see my riding buddy. My buddy didn't see the truck until it was on top of him. My buddy indicated that if someone had been on his wheel they probably would not have survived. On the other hand had there been two riders maybe the driver would have seen the two of them???
This happened on a rural road, a long straight stretch with very light traffic and in literally as good a cycling area as you could find.
My buddy called me from the hospital and was really out of it as you might expect from the pain medication and lack of sleep -but we were able to talk briefly. His wife is disabled plus he has his own business where he has several projects that are at a very critcal point that need action. I reassured him we'd do what we could to help him and his wife out.
I've picked up his bike and will take it to the LBS for "processing". There might be a few parts salvageable but not a lot......
Darn, darn, darn............this one is really is way, way too close to home.
11-30-08, 11:10 AM
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Sad to hear this. I hope he recovers quickly and fully.
11-30-08, 11:26 AM
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I hope your friend has a speedy recovery. Way too much of this going around..
11-30-08, 12:13 PM
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Darn, darn, darn............
One of fellows I ride with the most and "train" with was hit by a truck Friday while out riding solo. He is in the hospital with serious injuries to his left hip, knee, lower leg and hand.
The truck was coming in the oncoming direction on a two lane road and turned left right into him while attempting to turn onto a side street. The truck driver said he was worried about a vehicle that was tailgating him and was trying to get off the road quickly and didn't see my riding buddy. My buddy didn't see the truck until it was on top of him. My buddy indicated that if someone had been on his wheel they probably would not have survived. On the other hand had there been two riders maybe the driver would have seen the two of them???
This happened on a rural road, a long straight stretch with very light traffic and in literally as good a cycling area as you could find.
My buddy called me from the hospital and was really out of it as you might expect from the pain medication and lack of sleep -but we were able to talk briefly. His wife is disabled plus he has his own business where he has several projects that are at a very critcal point that need action. I reassured him we'd do what we could to help him and his wife out.
I've picked up his bike and will take it to the LBS for "processing". There might be a few parts salvageable but not a lot......
Darn, darn, darn............this one is really is way, way too close to home.
One of fellows I ride with the most and "train" with was hit by a truck Friday while out riding solo. He is in the hospital with serious injuries to his left hip, knee, lower leg and hand.
The truck was coming in the oncoming direction on a two lane road and turned left right into him while attempting to turn onto a side street. The truck driver said he was worried about a vehicle that was tailgating him and was trying to get off the road quickly and didn't see my riding buddy. My buddy didn't see the truck until it was on top of him. My buddy indicated that if someone had been on his wheel they probably would not have survived. On the other hand had there been two riders maybe the driver would have seen the two of them???
This happened on a rural road, a long straight stretch with very light traffic and in literally as good a cycling area as you could find.
My buddy called me from the hospital and was really out of it as you might expect from the pain medication and lack of sleep -but we were able to talk briefly. His wife is disabled plus he has his own business where he has several projects that are at a very critcal point that need action. I reassured him we'd do what we could to help him and his wife out.
I've picked up his bike and will take it to the LBS for "processing". There might be a few parts salvageable but not a lot......
Darn, darn, darn............this one is really is way, way too close to home.
11-30-08, 12:24 PM
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I am sorry to hear about your friend. It sounds like he is lucky to be alive. Now is the time to get over the luck and get a good lawyer. It is sad to me that a lawyer is necessary, but I would not trust the drivers insurance one bit.
11-30-08, 02:29 PM
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They're all too close to home to someone. Sorry to hear of his misfortune. Hope he heals quickly without too much damage to his quality of life (give work and home demands).
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11-30-08, 02:56 PM
#8
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JPPE...what was he wearing?
Something like this seems to be a point for hi-viz clothing and daylight flashers on the front of the bike. I use a flasher in addition to twin Dinotte's for early AM and night rides, but I don't always use a front light in town during the day.
I think a left turn in front of you by the unseeing car or truck is every cyclist's nightmare. I wish your friend a full recovery.
Something like this seems to be a point for hi-viz clothing and daylight flashers on the front of the bike. I use a flasher in addition to twin Dinotte's for early AM and night rides, but I don't always use a front light in town during the day.
I think a left turn in front of you by the unseeing car or truck is every cyclist's nightmare. I wish your friend a full recovery.
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Last edited by Monoborracho; 12-01-08 at 11:57 AM.
11-30-08, 03:29 PM
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Keep us posted. Any friend of yours is . . . . . .
This is very similar to the only time I was hit by a car. I was in college, heading down a hill. A Triumph sports car turned in front of me and I hit it, or he hit me. I did a couple of summersaults over the car and landed on the road, mostly unhurt. He put what was left of the bike in his trunk and closed it. Drove me back to school. I got $140 from the insurance compnay.
This is very similar to the only time I was hit by a car. I was in college, heading down a hill. A Triumph sports car turned in front of me and I hit it, or he hit me. I did a couple of summersaults over the car and landed on the road, mostly unhurt. He put what was left of the bike in his trunk and closed it. Drove me back to school. I got $140 from the insurance compnay.
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11-30-08, 03:45 PM
#10
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I hurt just thinking about it. I hope everything turns out well, good luck on a fast recovery.
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11-30-08, 04:10 PM
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It hurts when it is this close and to a dear friend. Doesn't matter how much we try to protect ourselves- we cannot cater for the idiots out there.
Even yesterday on my ride- I had to avoid a car---again.
Even yesterday on my ride- I had to avoid a car---again.
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11-30-08, 05:47 PM
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Arrggh! Very sorry to hear, I'll keep you all in my prayers.
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11-30-08, 05:55 PM
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Sorry to hear about your buddy. Hope him a speedy recovery. What hospital, I work at a hospital and if it is the same I will see if I can visit him tomorrow.
11-30-08, 06:03 PM
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You gonna eat that?
I hope your friend recovers quickly. I started riding again this February after not riding for many moons. When I first got on the streets, I rode under the assumption that no one could/would see me. I'm a little less timid now, but still there are a lot of situations where I know that as a cyclist, I'm not as visible in traffic as I am vulnerable. I think it's important to keep that in mind when navigating in traffic.
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11-30-08, 06:50 PM
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Thanks for everyone's concerns. My fellow cyclist is a very experienced, cautious and very strong rider-this type of accident just doesn't seem to make sense......I picked up his bike today and after seeing the damage to the left side of his bike I can only imagine the impact to his left leg.
Good advice. My brother has been involved in cycling/vehicle accidents and used an attorney and we have passed the suggestion on to my buddy. I bet the driver is way underinsured for this situation. We're looking at an extended hospital stay, transportation between hospitals, multiple surgeries, possibly multiple joint replacements, physical therapy, a high end road bike not to mention the potential impact on a business
[QUOTE=Monoborracho;7939854]JPPE...what was he wearing? QUOTE]
I'm not sure what jersey he had on Friday but I know what he wears 90% of the time. It was a pretty well lit day and would think that anyone would be able to see a cyclist.........at least if they were looking in that direction.
He's been transferred to CMC in Charlotte.
Don't "process" anything untill the insurance company and your buddies laywers weigh in. Very often, the offending drivers insurance is not going to be enough for his medical let alone a reasonable return on the bike. This size accident is not scratch and dent......its laywer time.
[QUOTE=Monoborracho;7939854]JPPE...what was he wearing? QUOTE]
I'm not sure what jersey he had on Friday but I know what he wears 90% of the time. It was a pretty well lit day and would think that anyone would be able to see a cyclist.........at least if they were looking in that direction.
He's been transferred to CMC in Charlotte.
11-30-08, 07:05 PM
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Very sorry to hear the bad news--and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Stay safe and visible out there, everyone.
Stay safe and visible out there, everyone.
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11-30-08, 07:52 PM
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Sorry to hear about your friend and I wish him a rapid and total recovery.
11-30-08, 11:24 PM
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That makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I hope your friend makes a complete recovery and is back on his feet (and his bike) very soon.
While out riding I never assume a driver sees me... I have my hands poised near the brake levers while riding in traffic, ready to stop.... always looking around, checking, re-checking. Accidents can happen at the least expected times, in the least expected ways.
While out riding I never assume a driver sees me... I have my hands poised near the brake levers while riding in traffic, ready to stop.... always looking around, checking, re-checking. Accidents can happen at the least expected times, in the least expected ways.
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12-01-08, 11:49 AM
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God bless you for being the kind of friend who offers practical help in a situation like this. It hits very close to home and I wish your friend the best. It sounds like his head is fine, which would be my main concern, though orthopedic injuries can be very serious too.
12-01-08, 01:28 PM
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Here's wishing your friend a speedy recovery. And one for you too, these accidents always hurt more than the victim. Keep on being a good friend, but don't forget to take care of yourself.
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12-01-08, 01:51 PM
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He is lucky that he is not one of these stories, from the past few days:
https://news.google.com/news?hl=en&fk...nG=Search+News
https://news.google.com/news?hl=en&fk...nG=Search+News
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12-01-08, 02:39 PM
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Sad news indeed, I hope for a complete and speedy recovery.
Having just driven 700+ miles in the last 36 hours I can readily attest to the potential for making terrible mistakes when concerned about tailgaters. I missed two turns to avoid being rear-ended. In my opinion the tailgater shares as much blame in this as the truck driver does. None of this will help your buddy heal any faster.
Having just driven 700+ miles in the last 36 hours I can readily attest to the potential for making terrible mistakes when concerned about tailgaters. I missed two turns to avoid being rear-ended. In my opinion the tailgater shares as much blame in this as the truck driver does. None of this will help your buddy heal any faster.
