Whip lash is real
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,075
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From: Maumelle, AR
Bikes: 2012 Scorpion FX trike, 2016 Catrike 700
Whip lash is real
At 64 I have been very liucky through the years in that I have never been hit from behind in a car crash. I actually thought the "whip lash" injury was somewhat made up. That changed last week.
Oh, but it is true. At a full stop while waiting for a turn signal for a left turn on a blvd with my wife in the car a four wheel drive pick up hit my MX-5 from behind. I had no idea what happened for a few seconds. When I decided to get out of the car I had problems. My wife was not injured. After a while it did not hurt as much and I thought I was OK. A few days later I knew I was hurt. The pain would not go away and I was having headaches. I finally, after a week, went to my doctor. He said my timing was normal in that it takes about this much time for active people to realize the whip lash is real. I start thearpy on Tuesday and I am now on a couple pills of some type. Doc said "Do not ride the bike.". Not sure how long, but a number of weeks to start.
The young man driving the truck was fully at fault and was given a citation. One man's careless few moments is another man's nightmare, or anyway that is the way I now see it.
Oh, but it is true. At a full stop while waiting for a turn signal for a left turn on a blvd with my wife in the car a four wheel drive pick up hit my MX-5 from behind. I had no idea what happened for a few seconds. When I decided to get out of the car I had problems. My wife was not injured. After a while it did not hurt as much and I thought I was OK. A few days later I knew I was hurt. The pain would not go away and I was having headaches. I finally, after a week, went to my doctor. He said my timing was normal in that it takes about this much time for active people to realize the whip lash is real. I start thearpy on Tuesday and I am now on a couple pills of some type. Doc said "Do not ride the bike.". Not sure how long, but a number of weeks to start.
The young man driving the truck was fully at fault and was given a citation. One man's careless few moments is another man's nightmare, or anyway that is the way I now see it.
#2
Ouch,
Hope that you heal quickly. Sending good vibes your way.
Hope that you heal quickly. Sending good vibes your way.
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"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2013
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From: SW Fl.
Bikes: 1999 DAHON Mariner, Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
Good that your wife is OK but sorry about your injury.
#6
Seat Sniffer


Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,903
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From: SoCal
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
Unfair or not, that was my thought too.
I look forward to the day when instead of just shrugging our shoulders at that sort of thing, there is an investigation to see if that was indeed the case, and if so, the motorist is called to task for reckless driving ... and enhanced for causing a serious injury.
Cuz that's exactly what it is ... reckless driving.
Sorry to hear about your injury ... hope you recover soon.
I look forward to the day when instead of just shrugging our shoulders at that sort of thing, there is an investigation to see if that was indeed the case, and if so, the motorist is called to task for reckless driving ... and enhanced for causing a serious injury.
Cuz that's exactly what it is ... reckless driving.
Sorry to hear about your injury ... hope you recover soon.
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Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 464
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From: Fort Wayne, IN
Bikes: No. 22 Bicycle Great Divide, Lynskey R260, Salsa Colossal Ti, Litespeed T5, Lynskey Peloton, Bianchi Vigorelli, CAAD 10, Giant FastRoad CoMax 1, C-Dale Quick 1
Sorry about your injuries and like all, hope you recover quickly. My 24 year old son was involved in a similar incident in June of 2012. Classic whiplash injuries. It was a long process but with many sessions of therapy and working out on his own, he has finally just recently fully recovered. It did inspire somewhat of a lifestyle change for him, he now works out regularly at a gym that has instruction and therapy on site. so in the long run he has turned the incident into a positive.
fight through the "down" times and focus on getting healthy again. Good luck.
fight through the "down" times and focus on getting healthy again. Good luck.
#8
Beicwyr Hapus

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 43
From: Caerdydd
Bikes: Genesis Equilibrium, Genesis Datum, Whyte 901, Dawes 701,1973 Harry Hall, 1989 Orbit America
I had a pretty bad whiplash incident when driving my mini-car 40+ years ago. I've always had trouble with my neck ever since and riding drop bars is very painful.
I got enough compensation to have a leather jacket designed and made for me
which was a big deal at my age then, but being young and foolish never did any therapy. I regret that now.
I got enough compensation to have a leather jacket designed and made for me
which was a big deal at my age then, but being young and foolish never did any therapy. I regret that now.
#9
alpine cross trainer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 289
Likes: 21
From: Central New York
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Quintara Roo Sendoza, DaVici In-2-Ition Tandem,
Hope you recover soon!! Will you replace it with the current model or wait for the new MX5 (ND) that's due to be reveled next September? I know that if they get the new model right, it'll be in my garage!
#10
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,075
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From: Maumelle, AR
Bikes: 2012 Scorpion FX trike, 2016 Catrike 700
THe insurance company is repairing mine. That is OK. The shop is one of the best. However, I am thinking of the new one if they come out with the turbo model.
#11
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 97
From: South Hutchinson Island
Bikes: Lectric Xpedition.
Unfair or not, that was my thought too.
I look forward to the day when instead of just shrugging our shoulders at that sort of thing, there is an investigation to see if that was indeed the case, and if so, the motorist is called to task for reckless driving ... and enhanced for causing a serious injury.
Cuz that's exactly what it is ... reckless driving.
Sorry to hear about your injury ... hope you recover soon.
I look forward to the day when instead of just shrugging our shoulders at that sort of thing, there is an investigation to see if that was indeed the case, and if so, the motorist is called to task for reckless driving ... and enhanced for causing a serious injury.
Cuz that's exactly what it is ... reckless driving.
Sorry to hear about your injury ... hope you recover soon.

Driving while chatting on a cell phone is legal in KY. Wish it wasn't. It's enough to give me a case of The Fear.
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Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#14
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,940
Likes: 363
Sorry to hear you got an injury but glad you and your wife are still with us and not hurt worse. Whiplash is very real, I know many like to put everyone in an auto accident that claims it as an injury as faking and trying to get a settlement, it happens though it hurts badly and isn't a light matter, as you now know.
Bill
Bill
#15
Full Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 272
Likes: 5
From: Jupiter Florida
Bikes: 2003 Trek 5200, 2015 Trek X-Caliber 8, 2018 Trek Domane SL 6
OP, glad it was not worse.
I got hit in the side 12 years ago, a small Ford Tempo pushed my full size truck 90 degrees facing oncoming traffic and my truck was totaled. Had whiplash, but side to side, hurt like someone was holding a 500 pound weight down on my head. Ended up with 3 discs messed up in my neck and 4 in my back, therapy went a long way to helping heal. Guy was drunk, speeding, and ran a red light. All it takes is a fraction of a second to have your life change. Doing much better, neck still bothers me on the road bike. Had to sue our insurance for the uninsured motorist coverage we have, so of course lawyers got 40%...........
I got hit in the side 12 years ago, a small Ford Tempo pushed my full size truck 90 degrees facing oncoming traffic and my truck was totaled. Had whiplash, but side to side, hurt like someone was holding a 500 pound weight down on my head. Ended up with 3 discs messed up in my neck and 4 in my back, therapy went a long way to helping heal. Guy was drunk, speeding, and ran a red light. All it takes is a fraction of a second to have your life change. Doing much better, neck still bothers me on the road bike. Had to sue our insurance for the uninsured motorist coverage we have, so of course lawyers got 40%...........
#16
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,230
Likes: 363
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
"Whiplash is a non-medical term covering a range of injuries to the neck......" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiplash_(medicine)
Whiplash is probably attractive to scammers because of the non-specificity of the term.
Glad your injuries were not worse and that your spouse came through it ok. Good luck with recovery.
Thank goodness no bicycles were damaged!
Whiplash is probably attractive to scammers because of the non-specificity of the term.
Glad your injuries were not worse and that your spouse came through it ok. Good luck with recovery.
Thank goodness no bicycles were damaged!
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#17
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
I was hurt pretty bad when someone rear-ended my car at a red light 4 weeks ago. She was going full speed when the car hit mine, and it was larger. She got out with a cell phone in her hand. Pain crept up on me slowly. I felt some arm pain and lower back pain at the accident, before the police left. I saw a chiropractor who checked me out that afternoon, he ordered an MRI and it showed I have bulging and herniated discs in my back, mostly at my neck and lower back - caused by whiplash. I'm off my bikes for months, but it affected my head, also. Getting the neuro results today. Whiplash can cause some brain swelling when the brain violently hits the skull. My head hasn't felt right since then and I'm not walking as well. I'm getting therapy 3 times a week. I also went to an orthopedic specialist that concurred with treatment. My back was also sprained from the injury. Everyone I see says, you look okay, but I'm not. I'm getting around a little because of anti-inflammatories and therapy. If I go out a little one day, I'm home the next. I really miss riding my bikes.






