wbrownell9
New member
Just got out of the hospital. Two weeks ago I was on my way to work when I was nailed by a hit-and-run driver. I don?t remember it at all, actually lost the accident as well as about 2 miles leading up to it. It appears I was going about 45 when the other driver came over the crest of a hill, rear-ended me and punched the bike out from under me. He stopped, got out, looked around, saw my bike stuck under his truck then drove off and dragged the bike another 100 feet before it came free. Bike is totaled. Fortunately for me there was a certified first responder who saw the aftermath (me in the middle of the intersection) and did all the right things. I was taken to a hospital 5 miles away which has a level 1 trauma center. Turns out my gear did its job and protected me so I ?only? had bruises, a concussion, lacerated spleen, pneumothorax, 6 broken ribs, broken sternum, 4 cracked vertebrae, & 3 pelvic cracks. After 2 weeks I can breathe and cough without pain but I?m on a walker and will be off work for another month.
There were no useful witnesses or evidence at the scene, and no one died, so the police have moved on. I?m not at all pleased about that but understand their position and have let it go. My uninsured motorist insurance will make me whole (hospital, bike, and lost wages) and I have to say I?m glad I didn?t go for the statutory minimum ($10,000) because the first day or two would have consumed it in medical expenses alone.
Even though I?m ticked that the other driver won?t be brought to justice, the comment that upsets me most is the man who essentially said it was my fault for being on a motorcycle in the first place. Somehow in his mind the other driver had no role, even though I was hit from behind. I was too incredulous at his ignorance to say anything, but it?s got me stewing.
I suppose there are a few things I could have done that might have made it more avoidable:
There were no useful witnesses or evidence at the scene, and no one died, so the police have moved on. I?m not at all pleased about that but understand their position and have let it go. My uninsured motorist insurance will make me whole (hospital, bike, and lost wages) and I have to say I?m glad I didn?t go for the statutory minimum ($10,000) because the first day or two would have consumed it in medical expenses alone.
Even though I?m ticked that the other driver won?t be brought to justice, the comment that upsets me most is the man who essentially said it was my fault for being on a motorcycle in the first place. Somehow in his mind the other driver had no role, even though I was hit from behind. I was too incredulous at his ignorance to say anything, but it?s got me stewing.
I suppose there are a few things I could have done that might have made it more avoidable:
- Reflective strips on the bike (in addition to those on my gear)
- Brighter color (dark grey bike in light fog @ 5:30 AM)
- More attention to my ?six? although I?m not sure in this situation I could have foreseen it even if ALL my attention was in my mirrors.
- Other than that I?m at a loss.