So, about an hour ago, I was biking along shattuck, past the intersection with center, when all of a sudden, I felt something massive brush against me, at high speed, and for a brief moment, I saw a white minivan pulling away, I think I yelled “JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!”, but I’m not really sure. I am sure that half an instant later, I was skidding about 2-3 yards along the pavement. I definitely said “Jesus Fucking Christ” as I was getting up. Bloody knee, torn shorts. No pain yet. Solicitous people asked me if I was okay. I responded “Well, I’m standing” with uncertainty, confidence, and relief. Shock is and was my friend. My bike was misaligned in the fall. Handlebars, gear shift, and right brake handle all in funky orientations, but nothing broken or bent, and I was in the process of realigning them when the driver came over. I told him repeatedly that I was fine, that there was no damage to me that time wouldn’t heal, and that the bike didn’t need a mechanic, with decreasing cold-shouldered-ness (though minorly increasing exhasperation). He kept saying that he wanted to pay for anything, and even said at one point, that he would like to pay for more than the damage.
But, really, what is there to say to that? “No, thank you. Your money won’t fix the damage you’ve done today. It was minor damage, time will fix it, get on with your life.” He gave me his card. The shock-numbness wore off on the walk back home. Injuries stung, I had a couple of almost starting to cry from aftershock moments, but all in all, I’m fine. A little more hardcore on my desire for better city planning with good transportation arrangements.
Injuries include scraped knee, and elbow, both hip and back also got hit through the clothing, and though abraded, are not bleeding. My biggest concern though is the tendon or ligament damage on the pinky side of my left hand. Still, not serious, I’m typing, after all.
Glad to hear you are alright after that. It will take a while to heal, that I know. Most important is you walked away.
No seriously, if you hit a cyclist in the bay area, you are one giant piece of walking lawsuit-bait.
If paying the guy right there and settling out of court is possible, it may save you a lot of headache down the road.
Soreness will develop slowly
Having just done that a month ago (albeit while avoiding a stupid pedestrian, and not getting hit by a car), you’ll get increasingly sore over the next two days. Get some advil (now) and some cold packs on anything that looks like it’s going to bruise or be sore.
Also, don’t be surprised if things that you never considered get sore suddenly. The strangest thing I think I spotted was a huge bruise on the knuckle of my left pinky (I fell on my right side).
Feel free to accept at least the price of the bike tune up and have that done so you can ride later. 🙂
dammit!
ouch. if your hip and back were struck by the minivan, you should see a doctor about that. luckily it wasn’t hit-and-run, though.
I’m so glad you weren’t seriously hurt!
*HUG*
=/
Much relieved to hear that you’re ok.
…now go fight for better city planning!