Crash on Connecticut Ave., Cleveland Park

I was struck by a commercial van on Connecticut Avenue in Cleveland Park this morning probably around 8:00 a.m., throwing me to the sidewalk. The incident was witnessed and a citation (improper turn) was issued to the driver. I was sort of evaluated at the scene by emergency personnel.

While headed south on Connecticut Ave., N.W. on my morning commute, after proceeding through the light at Ordway (green) at 16-20 mph, a white van stopped in the opposite direction facing north began to make a U-turn from the far opposite lane under circumstances that I would think nothing but he has to see me (clear conditions, my blaze yellow T, turning directly toward me). Apparently he looked right through me, because he — incredibly — just kept going until he ran right into me, with body impact somewhere between the passenger door and the front bumper. Keep in mind that he traveled across 6 lanes (2 north 4 south during rush hour) that were clear of traffic except for me, so he headed right into me, wholly within his field of vision and there was zero reason for him to drive all the way into the far right lane. Meantime, I was pressed toward the curb, yelling loudly at him, until he hit me on my new ride (purchased Sunday, a Cannondale CAAD12 105 that is beautiful), throwing me and my bike from the street to the middle of the sidewalk just short of in front of the Cleveland Park Post Office. I hit on my right side, roughing up my body and denting my helmet at the right rim. Fortunately I did not hit a nearby tree or signs while I was in flight.

The driver got out, apologized, and tried to help me and/or my bike up — to which I responded please leave me alone, as the witness, incensed by what he saw, started yelling at the driver — how could you do this? Didn’t you hear him screaming out at you? Were you wearing ear buds? What’s wrong with you? etc. (prior to impact I observed as I had yelled that the passenger window was partially open and never expected for a moment he could not hear me or that he would keep proceeding). A police officer pulled up almost immediately and took everyone’s information. Then a fire truck made the journey 175 feet from the Cleve Park station to me. After determining that I was not knocked out they asked that I sign a form declining treatment.

I had serious abrasions on my right knee and shin, right elbow, and just below the right shoulder on my back — the sort of abrasions you expect in a cycle crash, though deeper at the knee and with more bleeding. The fire crew asked if I needed first aid and I said sure, how about washing out the wounds? At which point the guy handed me a tiny band aid. Really. I assume these folks are trained EMT’s and couldn’t grasp why they wouldn’t have or offer basic wound care first aid. I declined the tiny band aid as it would fit zero of my wounds. I also had a very sore wrist. After I resumed my ride I also realized my ribs front, side, and back, were significantly hurt and that I had back pain as well.

The police officer finally finished processing the scene and gave me his card and report number, and he issued a citation to the driver for illegal turn. I told him he really should have issued a citation for reckless driving or negligence of some kind because that’s what got me hit and injured. But honestly at that point I just wanted to get to work, particularly after this taking more than a half hour, and not get into an argument. In hindsight I wish I had gotten further information from him on the scene about the contents of his report and citations. I left it to later to get the ID and contact info of the driver and the witness, so I’m not feeling great about that either. It will probably all be there but the lesson is to get that stuff straight yourself at the time, particularly the witness and driver info, but also the basics of the report.

All police and emergency personnel were fairly uncaring about me or my ride except for one female officer who arrived later and chatted me up about cycling and offered concern. My new bike is scuffed — I don’t know yet whether there is further damage, but for a 4 day old fine bike that sucks too. Upon arriving at work I procured some real first aid, antiseptic wound wash, Tagaderm (great stuff), scrubbed and shaved the wounds and surrounding skin, and applied the Tagaderm to the abrasions. Then I got sorer by the hour. It will be a painful ride home.