Bizarre night

stmol32

I've just gotten back from casualty after me first proper bike accident.

A car flew into the back of me and threw me a fair few metres at speed. I thiught I banjacksed me back permanently. I Don't know how but I got away with just bruised and sore.

I honestly thought me number was up when I was flying through the air. Me bike is totaled and I was carted off in an ambulance.

I don't really have a point to this post I just feel the need to share.



P.S. wear those helmets people.
If I ever have the balls to get on abike again then I'm definitely buying one.

Captain Havoc

I'm glad you are alright. If you made any errors such as lack of hi-viz or lights, there's a lesson to be learned. You are now a statistic, thankfully not a small % of the few who are killed. I really hope this experience doesn't put you off cycling, that would be bad Hopefully your road to recovery is on a bicycle Your experience sounds traumatic and I know other guys(myself included) have similar stories and the amount you gain vs the amount you lose is far greater. Get better soon.
Jersey

P.S. h*****s is a dirty word and should never be used here.

Lumen

stmol32 wrote: »

A car flew into the back of me and threw me a fair few metres at speed. I thiught I banjacksed me back permanently. I Don't know how but I got away with just bruised and sore.

There may be more damage. No doubt you'll feel much worse today when the shock has worn off a bit more.

Take it easy for a couple of days and see a back specialist if you can. Don't assume it will just fix itself.

Assuming the driver was wholly liable you should be able to get healthcare costs paid for by his/her insurer.

uberwolf

your body is designed to allow flight from a situation such as this, and the pain and issues will only arise over the days and weeks to come. Even if it's not covered, invest in the physiotherapy.

Beasty

Hope you are OK, and are able to get back on a bike soon.

Similar thing happened to me a few months ago - no car involved, but I ended up in hospital for a few days. Fortunately I have no memory of the "flying through the air" bit!

+1 on Lumen's advice. Take it easy, and if you are not feeling right, get specialist advice. The driver's insurance should also cover any damage to your property (bike/clothes etc) if it was the driver's fault. Depending on their nature, you may also be able to consider a claim for personal injuries.

Did the Gardai attend? If not, you need to report the accident to them, as a car was involved (they were not interested in mine because no motor vehicle was involved).

Pete4779

stmol32 wrote: »

I've just gotten back from casualty after me first proper bike accident.

....P.S. wear those helmets people.
If I ever have the balls to get on abike again then I'm definitely buying one.

There is always the first one, don't let it put you off. After my first accident it was a bit scary getting back on the bike at all but the sooner you do the better or else you will be put right off. It really made me angry about general ignorance of drivers and lack of proper A to B bike routes around Dublin, separate to vehicle roads.

Beruthiel

uberwolf wrote: »

your body is designed to allow flight from a situation such as this, and the pain and issues will only arise over the days and weeks to come. Even if it's not covered, invest in the physiotherapy.

This is especially true with your back.
Experience has taught me that it can be days before you know the real damage caused.

ednwireland

hope your ok, you did have lights didnt you ? (please say you did)

flickerx

+1 on the pain yet to come. Take it well easy on yourself in the coming weeks, and do the physio exercises that you're given.

What time did the accident happen at? I see your post is at 2.44am, my first initial thought was 'drunk driver' (any time I hear of any road incident after midnight, thats always my first thought) but then if you're only posting when you got home, I presume it happened a good few hours before that.

Rest up and get well soon. And get back on the bike when you can, you wont regret it.

poochiem

Hope you're alright. +1 on all the above re physio, doctor etc. Get checked, and don't forget a lot of medical professionals are just idiots who got through college, if you have pain keep getting it checked and demand xrays or scans. Even if the driver was not insured your medical bills can be covered by the group scheme.

Let us know how you feel after a day or two.

kerryscoob

Whats the story if the cyclist is at fault and there is damage to the car?.


PS hope injuries are not too serious.

stmol32

Thanks for the advice folks.

Just to clear afew things up, it happened at 7 Pm. I doubt the lady driving was under the influence and I was lit up like a christmas tree on a bright road.

What happened was I was on a cycle lane and I wanted to turn right into a street across traffic. Normally I stop and wait until a big gap in traffic comes. However I've gotten used to looking backwards and signalling and then cars usually slow to let you cross (still with a reasonable gap between us though I don't usually take silly chances).

I mustn't have taken a long enough look to see where all the cars where or something because as I popped into the right hand sie of the lane (in the middle of the road as there is still the oncoming lane where I would have waited for traffic to pass) all hell broke loose.

Once again thanks for listening folks.

tomasrojo

Do you mind me asking where the junction was? Not trying to apportion blame or anything. Just curious whether it's an unusual junction or has poor sight lines.

barrabus

kerryscoob wrote: »

Whats the story if the cyclist is at fault and there is damage to the car?.


PS hope injuries are not too serious.

ask... blorg .

If you caused it ur liable .
AFAIK if you have a CI licence and insurance. The insurance covers damage to cars.

OP - if injuries are in any way ongoing consider getting legal advice.

blorg

kerryscoob wrote: »

Whats the story if the cyclist is at fault and there is damage to the car?.

PS hope injuries are not too serious.

As barrabus states I have some experience with this.

The cyclist is liable for damage they cause. No different if a pedestrian causes damage to something, whoever causes damage is responsible for it.

Whether a motorist's insurance company would push it is another matter, if the cyclist did not face up to their responsibilities.

Most recently I went through a rear windscreen due to momentary lack of attention (looking at my GPS) in which time the person in front of me stopped.

The garda attending seemed to think as I was on a bike he presumed no insurance and we should both sort ourselves out...

I would hope any cyclist doing damage through their own fault would admit it and compensate the car owner. In this case my CI third party should be covering it but I would compensate the car owner out of my own pocket if it didn't.

Karma, I would expect the same in return if someone injuried me or damaged my bike.

kerryscoob

Another question! does the membership of CI go by calender year, as its near year end should I wait till Jan.

Is it best to join your local club first.

Chips Lovell

kerryscoob wrote: »

Another question! does the membership of CI go by calender year, as its near year end should I wait till Jan.

Is it best to join your local club first.

Yep, by calendar year, so it makes sense to wait. If you join your club you generally pay through the club at the same time as paying your membership fees.

mmclo

blorg wrote: »

I would hope any cyclist doing damage through their own fault would admit it and compensate the car owner. In this case my CI third party should be covering it but I would compensate the car owner out of my own pocket if it didn't.

The presence or absence of insurance will make a huge difference. Sad but true that the legal process follows the money train. Insurance is effectively a pot of money which is seen as more accesible as there can be a settlement as opposed to going after somebody's own money where they will be inclined to resist to the death. I would presume that CI insurance is more or less taken out by club riders and more "serious" cyllists...maybe there is a gap in the market with more people cycling for bike accident and theft insurance -not fire though :-)

blorg

Fair enough, I just think it's the right thing to do. I ran into a parked car once before, breaking the tail light, driver was not there, I left a note and paid for the replacement.

BostonB

You'll probaby be a lot more sore in a few days. So expect that.