Flash: Carrera Hit By Car

Carrera

Yes, I'm afraid I'm still shaky and licking my wounds. The accident happened last night during a spell of heavy rain when a car hit me from the left, coming out of a large roundabout. I was sent flying right over the vehicle and then landed hard on the concrete while the bike was sent somewhere in another direction.
The driver got out of the vehicle very pale and looking pretty worried. He also admitted his mistake as I had right of way, although I did see him coming my way and my brakes let me down in the wet weather.
Other people soon got out of their cars to see what was happening.
The amazing thing is this was one hell of a knock and I have no broken bones or serious injuries that I know of. I am a bit shaky, however and my arms and shoulders feel pretty sore around the muscles - which must be bruised.
I suppose I should get a medical check-up but my instinct tells me no serious damage has been done and I just have bruising around the muscles and some shock to the nervous system. Moreover, I'm still cycling and don't intend to let any of this stop me.
Looking on the bright side, at least I don't have a broken collar bone which is so typical of cycling accidents. But let me tell you it's a painful experience to be tossed in the air like a rag-doll, only to land hard on solid concrete.

Chance3290

Enough about you...how's the bike?

OK, glad you are not seriously hurt. Surprising nowadays to have a driver admit fault. Was he on a cellular phone ?

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Eden

Wow - sorry to hear that. It must have been scarey! You may want to go get checked out just because it was an accident. I don't know about your laws, but around here if you don't get looked over right away your insurance - or the insurance of the driver more importantly may refuse to pay any bills if you have problems from the accident in the future. You guys have universal medical coverage though so maybe you don't have to worry about it? Better safe than sorry. Hope the driver pays for the damage to your bike!!

Carrera

My first thought was for the bike and incredibly it's fine. I suspect it was the front wheel and my body that took all the impact so while I flew in one direction, the bike shot off in another direction.
Had the driver been an arrogant SOB with an attitude, I'd have been pretty damned angry at the time. However, he appeared apologetic, upset, worried and willing to help.
In such cases, I tend to acknowledge accidents do happen. O.K. it was his fault but he admitted that and there was rain and a lot of traffic at the time. So, I put the guy out of his misery ( he looked devastated) and said there were no broken bones and I'd probably live. So, he left me his number and asked me to phone him and said he'll take responsibility for the accident.
I just hope he's learned his lesson, though and will be more aware in future. A car can kill a cyclist and he could have had that on his conscience for many years.

Carrera

I'm an aggressive cyclist who has no hangups over confrontation if a driver tries to ram me off the road. I mean, I get mad. But if a driver pulls over, apologises for his mistake, offers to help and looks white as a sheet, I tend to be more flexible. He ought to have seen me and, sure, he screwed up but with the rain and the traffic we have over here, these things sometimes happen.
Now Lance, when he got knocked down in France, was left lying on the road by a French driver who never even apologised and wouldn't even phone an ambulance.
Anyway I'm shaken but I'm O.K. The truth is I suppose I've been initiated into that particular group of cyclists who know how it feels to be pancaked. In some ways, I feel like, well, it ain't so bad. It won't stop me riding my bike even if my confidence has taken a bit of a knock.

Chance3290

Not to mention what it does to the cyclist.

And I agree with you on how to handle drivers. A while ago I posted on how I ran thru a field to catch a kid who threw something at me from a car. But I've cut people off (in my car and cycle) and, knowing I was wrong, offered a wave as a "Oops, my bad" gesture. If I'm cut off I handle it better if they show some acknowledge of fault.

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Please, don't MOO at the cows. It only confuses them.

davidmc

Glad to hear that you "came out the other side", as it were, unscathed. I commuted for @ 5 yrs and had @ 1 run-in/year. Thats riding daily, mind you. It is a mathematical certainty that two things will occupy the same space given one variable is a "constant", in mathematical terms, not to wax too philosophically. What were we talking about again Oh yes, you lived to ride another day

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EoinC

Glad to hear that you are OK, Carrera. I've been hit (and have hit) on numerous occassions. Over here, the 2 objects occupying the same space theory works with shortened odds. If they hit me and don't acknowledge it, I chase (assuming that it was my fault and that my bike and I are still functioning). If they do acknowledge the coming together of particles, I just smile and wave from the pool of blood that I'm lying in.
Get a check up, regardless (says he who doesn't practice what he preaches). No knocks to the cranium?

lwedge

Life affirming isn't it ?

Good to hear that you and your bike will be okay.

lw

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If your traveling to the LakeTahoe, Apple Hill, Folsom area ? Then check out Charles Lee's site for some great information on rides, maps and events in this Northern California area. .
http://www.beautifulvista.com
Great wine !
http://www.chevalierwinery.com/

ptlwp

My best wishes for a speedy recovery; physical or emotional.

I've not yet experienced this "honor" and hope and pray that I never will.

You were a brave soldier, in my opinion.

Folks here are very careful about bicyclers, why, they could lose their licenses to drive a car for life if they hit someone!!!

Good gracious, now wouldn't that be an inconvenience, eh?

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FredC

Careera is looking for 28 Moslems.

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The media is a self perpetuating publicity stunt.

stevebaby

[QUOTE=FredC]Careera is looking for 28 Moslems.[/QUOTESurely that would have been a "blue on blue".]

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bastard

stevebaby

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger...cyclists.Good that your bike wasn't busted up.you have enough on your hands with the boat.
Just think,if you had just a
little injury,you could have met some nice nurses.

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Drink!Feck!Arrse!Girls!
bastard

Carrera

Hmmm, had the driver been a moslem it wouldn't have made any difference. Neither would it have if the driver had been a Krishna, Jehova's witness or whatever. So long as the driver apologises, that's what makes a difference to me and religious belief doesn't play a part.