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-   -   50+ Cyclist and Good Friend Hit by a Truck (https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/490636-50-cyclist-good-friend-hit-truck.html)

jppe 11-30-08 11:05 AM

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.

oldride 11-30-08 11:10 AM

Sad to hear this. I hope he recovers quickly and fully.

BengeBoy 11-30-08 11:26 AM

I hope your friend has a speedy recovery. Way too much of this going around..

Louis 11-30-08 11:44 AM

Sad news indeed. I hope he pulls through this well and gets back on the bike. He's lucky to have a friend like you to help him.

maddmaxx 11-30-08 12:13 PM


Originally Posted by jppe (Post 7938805)
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.

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.

RoMad 11-30-08 12:24 PM

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.

NOS88 11-30-08 02:29 PM


Originally Posted by jppe (Post 7938805)
Darn, darn, darn............this one is really is way, way too close to home.

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).

Monoborracho 11-30-08 02:56 PM

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.

Mojo Slim 11-30-08 03:29 PM

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.

George 11-30-08 03:45 PM

I hurt just thinking about it. I hope everything turns out well, good luck on a fast recovery.

stapfam 11-30-08 04:10 PM

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.

smoore 11-30-08 05:47 PM

Arrggh! Very sorry to hear, I'll keep you all in my prayers.

Steve

dguest 11-30-08 05:55 PM

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.

Doohickie 11-30-08 06:03 PM


Originally Posted by Monoborracho (Post 7939854)
Something like this seems to be 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 a front light in town during the day.

If I'm going to be out in traffic at all, I've gotten into the habit of leaving my front and rear lights on in flash mode. Steady on doesn't attract attention I don't think, but I get the sense that people notice flashing lights during daylight hours.

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.

jppe 11-30-08 06:50 PM

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.



Originally Posted by maddmaxx (Post 7939132)
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.

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.


Originally Posted by dguest (Post 7940689)
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.

He's been transferred to CMC in Charlotte.

Jet Travis 11-30-08 07:05 PM

Very sorry to hear the bad news--and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Stay safe and visible out there, everyone.

howsteepisit 11-30-08 07:52 PM

Sorry to hear about your friend and I wish him a rapid and total recovery.

billydonn 11-30-08 08:01 PM

So sorry to hear about that!

Siu Blue Wind 11-30-08 11:05 PM

Glad that he was able to be okay enough to call you. My best wishes for him to be out of pain and on the road to healing and a quick recovery.

Yen 11-30-08 11:24 PM

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.

Red Baron 12-01-08 06:35 AM

Good luck to your friend jppe - may you be ok also.

momof4greatkids 12-01-08 11:49 AM


Originally Posted by jppe (Post 7938805)
. I reassured him we'd do what we could to help him and his wife out.


Darn, darn, darn............this one is really is way, way too close to home.

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.

Jean Beetham Smith 12-01-08 01:28 PM

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.

Tom Bombadil 12-01-08 01:51 PM

He is lucky that he is not one of these stories, from the past few days:

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&fk...nG=Search+News

cranky old dude 12-01-08 02:39 PM

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.

Kai Winters 12-01-08 07:33 PM

I hope he recovers fully and quickly.
Make sure he gets a very good lawyer...this is when you want a very hungry shark on your side.
Good advice to not do anything to the bike except keep it somewhere safe. Perhaps have the shop just evaluate the condition of the frame, etc. Under most insurance that is a separate settlement than the physical/mental injuries.
When it happened to me I received full compensation to replace my bike within 30 days while the law suit took over 2 years to settle.

Digital Gee 12-01-08 07:54 PM


Originally Posted by Red Baron (Post 7943225)
Good luck to your friend jppe - may you be ok also.

+1

I never know quite what to say to threads like this... :(

Red Rider 12-01-08 07:56 PM

Just want to add my condolences; tell your friend that we're keeping good thoughts for his speedy recovery.

It's really a shame that he's laid up, even worse that it's happening during the holidays.

Take care of yourself, too.

Allegheny Jet 12-01-08 09:51 PM

I'm thinking of the both of you. Hope for a quick recovery for your buddy. I am trying not to think about what it would be like if it was myself and one of my riding buddies going through the same, even though the thought keeps surfacing.

maddmaxx 12-02-08 05:02 AM

For those who cringe when they think about this, there have been some really good articles in the last couple of months of Velo News' "Legally Speaking". Its available online. Interesting information there on how to boost your insurance coverage and how unlikely it is that the drivers insurance is enough to cover you and your medical. Several recient articles have documented the recovery process (medical and legal) and give an excellent insight into how much is involved.

When at the Velo News online page, go down to the bottom in the contributing authors colums and click on Bob Mionsky to see a listing of past comumns.


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