Crash on Connecticut Ave., Cleveland Park

[Guus]

I’m sorry to hear that — all around awful experience.

[jrenaut]

We were just talking about this on Twitter – it’s so hard to judge how badly you’re injured when you get hit like this because the adrenaline masks a lot of the pain. It sounds like the police did a pretty crummy job, but you can still go get the report and follow up, though I don’t really know how to do that.

Also, take your bike to the shop and have them check it out. It’s unusual for an aluminum bike to survive getting hit by a vehicle without some structural damage. It probably won’t be fun to try and collect, but that driver owes you a new bike.

[Steve O]

This is just a reminder that everyone needs to read Surviving the Crash by Bruce Deming. He will send you a free copy.

Read it before your crash (apologies to the OP).

[Sunyata]

@LooseFur 162340 wrote:

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.

This makes me ANGRY. As a trained medical professional, who currently works in emergency services, this is absolutely unacceptable. Please PLEASE report this to Chief Dean’s office: info.fems@dc.gov.

I am so sorry that this has happened to you. With a dented helmet, please go get check out as soon as possible. Concussion is not something to take lightly. Also, please get the driver’s insurance information and file a claim ASAP. The company should pay all medical bills and should pay for any property damage (your bike). Definitely take it to the shop you purchased it from and have them provide you with a quote to repair it (even if it is just a new frame due to the scraped paint). Treat it just like you would if you had been in a car when the guy hit you and dented your bumper.

I hope you are not too sore today and heal quickly.

[Crickey7]

First of all, I’m really sorry to hear about your accident.

For cycling abrasions, I have found that hydrocolloidal bandages, available at any drugstore, are unsurpassed. I’ve had serious abrasions heal in about a week using them. The larger bandages run about $1 each, and for the first two days you will run through a lot of them.

[huskerdont]

This really sucks, and I’m sorry. Might not be enough to worry about, but you might think about contacting a lawyer, such as Bruce Deming (mentioned by Stevo), if your general feeling is that you might end up needing medical attention or you’ll need to spend $ on your bike (and the dented helmet will need to be replaced). It sounds like the police, while not especially supportive, issued enough of a citation for you to go on.

This illegal U-turns right on top of a cyclist I’ve come to expect, though mostly from cab drivers. I assume that they see me and don’t care, but it’s incomprehensible to me that people can act this way.

[wheelswings]

Oh good grief what a miserable experience. Such reckless driving (an “illegal turn”?!) and it must have felt almost insulting to be offered a bandaid for your gushing wounds. Sorry. Glad you had a witness. Good wishes sorting through the repairs, liability issues, etc. Heal fast, sending hugs. w&w

[Brett L.]

I am so sorry this happened to you! Please go to the hospital and get properly assessed right away! There are potential problems that don’t show up until days later that could easily be determined by xrays and the works. I would also consider contacting someone like Bruce Demming (DC Bike Lawyer). And unfortunately, it’s also time for a new helmet. It did it’s job, potentially saved your life, but it’s done.

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