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Message started by Killer Bee on Dec 21^st, 2009, 5:47pm

Title: Hit by a pick up
Post by Killer Bee on Dec 21^st, 2009, 5:47pm

While out on a training ride today, I was hit by a 2008 Chevy Silverado. I was riding north on Coit Rd(4 lane rd, 2 lanes north/south) at 1:30pm. I was riding along at 19+mph when WHAM, the pick up truck mirror struck my helmet & the front headlight/quarter panel hit my left shoulder.The truck was traveling at least 40mph. Despite wearing a bright yellow vest, & having a reflective triangle, the driver said he didn't see me. It was bright sunlight.

The driver stopped & a Fed-Ex driver(witness) also stopped(the driver called 911). I was taken by ambulance to Centennial Hospital in Frisco. I'm very fortunate to have just a contusion to my left shoulder & a little headache.

The CA 2.0 suffered a bent handlebar. Nothing else(as far as I know). The bike will be checked out by Plano Cycle tomorrow.

My helmet has a large black mark(from the mirror) , my riding gloves have 2 abrasions from the quarter panel of the truck. The impact bent the handlebars & knocked my Garmin 305(now in pieces) off the bike. Be careful out there. My Christmas came early, this was about 6" from being a lot worse.

I was riding against the right side of the curb. Here are some pics:

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww51/strada177/IMG_0508.jpg
http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww51/strada177/IMG_0512.jpg
http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww51/strada177/IMG_0514.jpg

Other than

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by Bud_Bent on Dec 21^st, 2009, 6:12pm

Dangit, glad you weren't hurt more seriously. That's way too close!

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by Killer Bee on Dec 21^st, 2009, 6:38pm

Bud, thanks. Thank God for my helmet. Yeah, that way too close for my liking. Not sure what that says about my shoulder be able to take a shot at 40mph from a pick up truck without any significant injuries.

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by aikigreg on Dec 21^st, 2009, 7:51pm

Hey are you home or still in the hospital? We can come by tomorrow, pal.

Thank god you're ok.

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by robert.j on Dec 21^st, 2009, 7:58pm

Wow, Steve. Sure glad you're OK.

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by evblazer on Dec 21^st, 2009, 8:11pm

Yeah it is good to hear you are back mostly ok and the bike isn't too bad to boot. 2008 Truck with those folding mirrors I hope? Still not what I want running into me at 40mph ouch.

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by Killer Bee on Dec 21^st, 2009, 8:44pm

evblazer wrote:

Yeah it is good to hear you are back mostly ok and the bike isn't too bad to boot. 2008 Truck with those folding mirrors I hope? Still not what I want running into me at 40mph ouch.

EV, yes folding mirrors, however, getting hit from behind by the mirror forced his mirror in the wrong direction(the mirrors fold inward, his mirror went the opposite direction), causing it to break off(in three pieces). Like I said, be careful out there.

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by AustinSkater on Dec 21^st, 2009, 8:53pm

Glad to hear that you're ok. If you need a spare 305 to train with, let me know (we've got 3 for the 2 of us).

Be safe everyone.

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by catroad254 on Dec 21^st, 2009, 8:55pm

Steve,

I'm glad you survived in one piece. Did the driver get a ticket?

If your helmet took a good whack you should get get a new one.

Heal quick!

Ken

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by Killer Bee on Dec 21^st, 2009, 9:47pm

Ken, not sure if any citations were issued
or not. I plan on following tomorrow
with the Frisco Police dept.

Hey Bryan, that's very generous of you,
I may take you up on that.

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by JimFPU on Dec 22^nd, 2009, 6:51am

Wow. Makes me not want to ride with my kids unless we have a trail or path. Glad you are OK.

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by shellenefoster on Dec 22^nd, 2009, 11:48am

I am so sorry about the accident! May you heal quickly, and may 2010 be a much better riding year for you and Peggy. I hope y'all have gotten all the bad stuff behind you for a while. (We missed you guys on Saturday :)
Shellene

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by diannalightning on Dec 22^nd, 2009, 11:24pm

Steve, sorry to hear that you were hit. Those dang mirrors are really dangerous. I'm glad that the driver as well as a witness stopped. I'm elated that you're not hurt worse than you were. Bikes can be replaced, but lives have a much higher replacement value. Take care out there.

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by Killer Bee on Dec 23^rd, 2009, 1:22pm

Thanks for all the well wishes. I hopped back on the bike today(battered & bruised, but time to do it anyway) with Peggy. 25+ mile ride with NO INCIDENTS! A huge thank you to Plano Cycle for getting the bike ready to ride(although more work needs to be done).

-Steve

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by Rawhide on Dec 23^rd, 2009, 5:06pm

Best wishes to you Steve & Peggy. You have demonstrated you are well on the road to recovery. Though your bike and body may have suffered some dents and dings, your spirit and willingness to get back out on the road speak well of your love of cycling. Have a great Christmas! DJ

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by aikigreg on Dec 23^rd, 2009, 5:10pm

attaboy, get back on that horse!

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Dec 23^rd, 2009, 5:52pm

Oh, wow, just now seeing this... VERY glad you're still with us, buddy....!!!!

Stay away from those curbs -- take the lane!

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by bent_eagle on Dec 24^th, 2009, 12:58am

Glad you're OK. You know, the police can get cellphone records to determine if the driver was texting or talking at the time.

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by Lrodshy57 on Dec 24^th, 2009, 11:03am

So you were headed North! You got hit from behind. It happened at 1:30 PM. He said "didn't see you, was too bright'!

He is LYING!

The SUN was on both of your right sides, bearly, since it was almost on top of your collective heads! He HAD to be distracted,(texting, etc.) as stated in other post, or was under influence of something. Get a copy of accident report. Not just for you, but , for all other cyclists' sake.

If report says nothing of possible influence, have supervisor take action for an incomplete report.
99% of my riding is in/on lake bike paths.

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by Killer Bee on Dec 24^th, 2009, 12:07pm

Hey Paul, I normally take the lane, but had I kept my position & not moved to right side, he would have run me over no question about it(instead of a glancing blow, I would have been under the pick up). I was taking the lane, but as the truck closed in , I moved over to the right to avoid as much of the collision as I could. The helmet, left shoulder & left side handlebars took the brunt of the impact.

I was talking to Bikin' Mike last night about the incident after his spin class, & he said the same thing. He cited some cycling class & lab that teaches the same thing you're talking about-take the lane. It's one thing to teach & write about it in class/lab, but when a 5,000 lb vehicle is barreling down on you,I'm doing everything I can do to get out its way. Theory vs reality.

I will follow up with the Frisco Police department to see if any citations were issued. Due to the holidays, an accident report will have to wait until Jan 4. I have spoken to another Frisco Police officer about the accident & he said I was the first cyclist that he is aware of that was able to walk away from a car/bicycle collision in the Frisco area.

I will give the driver some credit. He called me yesterday to make sure I was OK & he again apologized for the accident. Look, I'm not saying this absolves him from his inattentiveness, but that could not have been an easy phone call for him to make.

As far as the weather conditions, correct, the sun was to our right(behind my left shoulder), so the old "sun in my eyes bit" doesn't hold water. Again, I'm not making excuses for the driver,but everyone of us is guilty to some extent for driving distracted(not enough sleep, argument with friends.wife, bad day at work,etc...). Who knows what the driver was thinking(or not thinking). Only he knows.

Every time we head for a ride, we take a risk of something this happening. No one looks for it to happen, but that's the reality of the situation. I would rather not ride ,that do trail rides. I despise avoiding runners, dogs, strollers,etc...

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Dec 25^th, 2009, 5:34pm

Killer Bee wrote:

Gotcha, pal... I agree totally -- you hadn't mentioned that in your earlier post. Glad you had one eye on the mirror...!!! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Mike Schwitzgebel bailed once a couple years ago when he saw a guy drive onto the shoulder behind him on purpose...

Good defensive riding...

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by Killer Bee on Jan 4^th, 2010, 12:59pm

I followed up & received the police report for my accident. The driver was cited for "failure to give 1/2 of roadway". At least there was a citation.

Title: Re: Hit by a pick up
Post by Opus the Poet on Jan 9^th, 2010, 2:32am

When I saw the title to this thread all I could think was "not again". Glad to hear you survived.