I had a bicycle accident

[awakenedsoul]

Thanks again everybody. ToomuchStuff, I did take a photo of the sign on the ground at the time of the accident. I also took photos of my injuries at the hospital. The first thing the paramedic said when he arrived was, "Her front wheel hit the sign." It was very obvious. I was about to enter the bike path that crosses under the highway. (It runs perpendicular to the highway.) You have to go on the sidewalk to enter the bike path. The entrance has a tight u type turn with a railing. This part of the highway is just before a freeway on ramp.

Two police officers came to talk to me at the hospital. It seemed like they felt badly that the sign was there. They didn't say it, but their body language was kind of sad and sheepish. (they had gone to a "priority call" instead of coming to me, because at first I thought I could walk to the bus stop and go to Urgent Care, since I could stand. Then I realized I was falling asleep on the cement and I called 911 back.) The emergency team was amazing. I was so impressed with their work. I'm going to write them all thank you notes. It's a very noble calling. They're very compassionate and conscientious.
I wouldn't have fallen if the sign wasn't completely down. I never thought to look at the ground when I ride. From now on I will scan everything in front of me. I had taken the bus on the stretch of the highway near my house that does have a bike path. I just feel safer on the bus. I wouldn't have my child ride a bike on that highway, so I don't.

I'm sure glad I have my stockpile. I have enough food and water to stay home and rest. Thank God I had just gotten some emergency cash at the credit union. From now on, I'm always going to carry cash with me. The cab from the hospital was $30.00.

[pinkytoe]

I hope you feel better soon. Very scary! We have bike lanes on a busy street near my house and at least once a week I see an "incident". Humans on bicycles seem so fragile compared to all the obstacles they meet in a big city.

[Spartana]

Awakenedsoul - So sorry to hear about your crash. Glad you are OK. I agree with keeping some sort of health insurance coverage as you never know when it'll be needed. Doesn't matter how healthy a person is if they get into an accident. I also ride a lot around here (Orange County) and dealing with traffic is terrible. Few bike lanes and crazy drivers. I often ride on sidewalks myself even though it is illegal to do so. But it's safer. I don't know what the laws are in your town (they seem to vary from city to city in LA metro area) but check out this blog for some info. http://ladotbikeblog.wordpress.com/2...-riding-part1/ Not sure you could justify a legal suit over your accident unless your city allows bikes on the sidewalk - in most cases they don't.

[frugalone]

Oh goodness! I just saw this now. I am so glad you're OK.
I used to work in the legal field, and yes, definitely take some pictures of the scene.

[awakenedsoul]

Hi again. My brother is going to get me a good deal on a used car through Enterprise. He's a district manager there. I'll probably get another Kia, with a 100,000 mile warranty. This time I won't put in a new engine.

I'm going to see if the City will settle and pay my deductible. I called the hospital, and so far the bill is nearly $20,000. She said it could be more. My deductible is around $6,000. I taught for the City for several years...(Parks and Rec, City Hall, and the Senior Center...) They might agree. If not, I will try Small Claims. I've done a lot of research and have won a business case in Small Claims before. It involved an issue with the city. The documentation was key. I have the cash in savings, either way.

I'm looking forward to getting all this healed so I can do some swimming and yoga again! The lesson I learned was, "If you have a bad feeling about something, don't do it." I always hated riding on that piece of the highway. It just felt so dangerous. Several people asked me, "Aren't you afraid someone is going to hit you when you're on your bike?" It's made me much more cautious.

[SteveinMN]

I just saw this, awakenedsoul. I'm so sorry!! I'm glad it wasn't very serious and I hope you heal soon.

If you get another Kia through your brother, be aware that, unless Enterprise has some kind of deal with Kia, second owners do not get the 10/100,000 warranty. I think it's 4/50,000, but it's definitely shorter. However, a 2013-2014 Kia is a significantly-better-built car than an early-2000s Kia.

[pony mom]

Hope you're feeling better soon and aren't afraid to ride again. And thank goodness you were wearing your helmet!!! Things could have been much worse. Even though you didn't hit your head, you might have.

[Packy]

The pain of getting that hospital bill--that would hurt! I hope you get reimbursement. Anyway, in this city, it's in violation of the city ordinances regarding bicycles to use the sidewalk directly in front of retail businesses. At the same time, it's statistically proven to be more dangerous to ride on sidewalks than the street in residential areas. Nevertheless, there are times---such as crossing on a viaduct or overpass, when it seems using the pedestrian walkway is the best option. Last time I had a bike crash, it was an "endo" at very low speed. I rode into a narrow, grassy culvert and my front wheel dropped into it, and I went over the bars and landed on my head. I was wearing a helmet, so my neck took the punishment. I did manage to ride home, and called my chiropractor, described what happened & asked for an appointment on short notice. He worked me in, and X-rayed my neck. I felt like it could possibly have a fracture, but was reluctant to go to the E-room, because my insurance at that time was $4,000 deductible. So, the D.C. clinic X-rayed it for a couple hundred bucks, and it turns out I was okay--but sore for upwards of a month. But, I don't ride across grassy terrain on my road bikes, because a pothole or hidden culvert can really trip you up.

[ToomuchStuff]

I never thought to look at the ground when I ride. From now on I will scan everything in front of me. I had taken the bus on the stretch of the highway near my house that does have a bike path. I just feel safer on the bus. I wouldn't have my child ride a bike on that highway, so I don't.

That is a statement I wouldn't repeat, It won't help you any and makes people (I certainly did when reading it), wonder. (Did she just learn how to ride a bike, is she crazy doesn't watch for holes/things that could puncture tires, etc.?) Made me wonder if you were just looking away then didn't have time to stop when you looked back, or are you riding with your head in the clouds?
Riding a bike, isn't different then driving a car in the fact you are in control of a moving object that can affect your well being and you need to be aware of what is around you, while maintaining control of it at all times.

[thinkgreen]

awakenedsoul, how are you feeling today?

I've been thinking about you and hoping your teeth are OK and that you feel better soon...
sending healing thoughts your way