Got hit by a truck from behind on the highway, and can't believe how little damage was done. They always say that people who ride bikes a lot have weak bones in their lower bodies (especially old guys like me), but they took a bunch of x-rays and didn't find anything. The sensation when I got hit was like a brick wall slamming into me at high speed. I knew what had happened and didn't know if I'd be alive when I hit the ground. Luckily I landed in tall grass, so all the damage happened in the initial impact. I was fully conscious... didn't hit my head hard. I thought for sure my left pelvis and leg would be broken. Figured I probably shouldn't try to move just to be on the safe side. First thing I did was call my wife and tell her where I was, because I didn't know if the guy would stop and didn't know how long it would be before someone noticed me laying there (I was in a rural area). I wanted to make sure somebody knew in case I passed out . The driver did come back around though and called an ambulance, and some other people stopped and put some blankets on me... it was raining a little and ~60 degrees.

It didn't seem like he made any evasive maneuvers and didn't put on the brakes... he didn't know I was there until he hit me. I was wearing a bright green and orange jersey, and the visibility was pretty good, so I'm not sure what he was doing. He didn't even know what part of his truck or trailer might have hit me. I had a piece of orange plastic stuck in my hip though, so there should be some corresponding damage on the truck.

He was very apologetic and was obviously torn up about it, and didn't try to make excuses... nice guy. He also looked like someone who would be well insured...

The relative speed was at least 30mph and it seemed like a pretty solid hit on my left hip, and then my left arm and lower leg. There is a big bruise on the inside of my left knee that probably corresponds to the busted top tube on the bike. I really can't believe I didn't break anything. The most worrisome issue is a sharp pain in my lower back when I move... but I can hobble around well enough. I keep thinking that I've been more debilitated than this when I've had a bad back spasm, but this will probably take a lot longer to heal. I'm feeling pretty sore all over the left side of my body, but also super lucky at the moment... it could have been a lot worse.

1. Buy a lottery ticket
2. Get all the legal stuff lined up
3. Do NOT fixate on when you can get back on the bike
4. Kiss your wife
5. Take your time getting well

Glad you are still with us rruff.

Wow. Congratulations on surviving!

I figure the odds of me getting slammed from behind by a truck someday are 50%
or higher. It would be good to make it through the experience as well as you have.

(And don't assume that they've found everything that might be wrong. I once had a series of x-rays and they didn't find the break until a week later.)

Glad you're alright. How did the bike fare?

Good Lord, glad you're here to regale us with the story. Heal fast and thorough and hope it all works out.

Hey, you just stole that story from some guy also named rruff on slowtwitch! Hack.

https://forum.slowtwitch.com/Slowtwit......__P2928394/

Damn happy your alive and kicking. Heal quick and take care of business. Enjoy life!

Glad you're doing well enough to tell/type the story. I'm wishing you a speedy recovery - for whatever that's worth. You've already cleared the biggest hurdle.

That's not terribly uncommon. I'm not sure if it's swelling, or inflammation, or what, but I've heard from doctors that some bone fractures don't show up immediately.

Wow, glad you are (relatively) ok. Riding on the freeway today my mind wandered into the"what would happen if I got hit" scenario and got stuck there for a while (much to my dismay).

The frame is broken and the rear wheel is toast. Other than that I'm not sure... but I sheltered it pretty well with my body. The carbon seatpost, bars, fork, and cranks might not be trustworthy anymore.

Wow. I don't know what else to say.

Gawd yes! My mind went from "I'm probably dead" while flying through the air, to "I'll probably never be able to ride again" while lying on the ground, to "should I try to ride the trainer today, or wait for the swelling to go down?" currently.

This is definitely a "rruff's gonna get a whole new bike" event! I can tell from here that it's toast. Yes, that' my professional opinion as an internet expert.

Heal well, and keep good company, to make it go quickly.

Glad your injuries weren't worse and that the driver did the right thing and came back. It's not every day you get hit by a truck and live to tell the tale, so at least you have that going for you. Good luck in your recovery and here's to getting back on the bike once you're healed.

WOW! Glad you're ok and able to type about it! Heal up quick!

Glad you're okay, pretty dang lucky to have not broken anything. Hope you heal up fast.

Glad you are OK. And glad my wife doesn't read this forum.

Scarry stuff but glad to hear you made it through better than most. I wish you a speedy recovery!

Your upbeat tone under the circumstances is amazing. A+++

You're my hero now. Glad to hear you're "okay!"

When I get hit, I hope it turns out like this.

You are truely forunate. Sorry you had to go through this at all, but the ending turned out much better than it could have. Take your time to recover but I hope you do not let this stop you from riding.

I was in a motorcycle accident many years ago and for a few years afterwords, I was afraid to get back on the bike. I eventually did and rode my motorcycle for many more years. Now, I only ride bikes that have pedals on them.

That is always a problem with inattentive drivers. Wouldn't wish that that you've been trough to anyone, but it is good that you came out relatively ok. For the future consider two things I never ride on the road without - a rear view mirror, and a good strong rear blinky. Both of them can help to avoid situations like that - blinky to make sure drivers see you - by attracting their attention, even in the middle of a sunny day - and a rear view mirror to spot those that do not seem to notice you, so that you can get off the road quickly if needed. I wish you a quick recovery.

Heal well and fast!

Glad you're alive!

Please take this advice, coming from someone who had a similar accident to yours, but I actually broke my pelvis:

1. Get a lawyer (a good one).
2. Don't try to let the insurance companies (i.e. your insurance company and the driver's insurance company) settle this.
3. Don't sue until you're completely healed. You could be injured in such a way that you may not notice until a month or two later. If you have to have medical attention for that (even if it's month's down the road) and it is directly related to this accident, you can be compensated for that.
4. Plan on your case being settled out of court.
5. Start shopping for a really nice bike
6. After you settle and you buy said really nice bike, ENJOY IT!!!