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I Was A Twenty-Something Road Pizza

Murray Hamhandler

18:54 / 13.09.02

Hi. Yeah. I just got hit by a car a couple of hours ago. Knocked me clean off my bike, it did. Other than a couple of scraped knees and elbows, everything seems to be okay. So. Should I have gotten the guy's insurance info anyway? I've got his phone number, at any rate. I dunno. I mean, everything seems cool now, but I hate to wake up paralyzed or something tomorrow morning, you know? Anybody have any advice here?

Ariadne

19:07 / 13.09.02

I'd say, go to the hospital, now. You don't know whether you've done damage, gone into shock - it's best to check, even if you feel okay. Is there someone who can take you? Where are you?

And yeah, it would have been better to get his license plate and insurance details but that's to worry about tomorrow.

Ariadne

19:09 / 13.09.02

(I've been lucky - the worst was someone opening their door on me. Luckily there were no other cars about. But even then, I felt okay afterward and the next day found I had strained just about every muscle in my body - couldn't move for ages. It's worth getting checked)

Trijhaos

19:09 / 13.09.02

I agree. Just because everything seems fine doesn't mean anything. Go to the hospital. Get checked out. If you're fine; great, but it'd be better to catch any problems before they become too bad.

I'd get the guy's info. I mean, he did hit you after all.

kagemaru

19:26 / 13.09.02

Get a check-up.
Even something fast, but from a pro.
Then check the guy's insurance if it's necessary.

And get back on your bike as soon as you can, or you'll have difficulties afterwards.
Was knocked off myself (by a guy running on foot!) last year and I've left the wheels hanging for about six weeks. Had really a bad time getting back afterwards.
Scared.
Falling is not pleasant - you are no longer in control.
So, back on the saddle ASAP.

Ariadne

19:29 / 13.09.02

Yeah, that's really good advice about getting back on. Luckily, the time I got knocked off I was a fair way from home and had to get back on and ride (once I straightened the bike out), but even so the next time I got on and rode on the road was really frightening. So be brave and ride again soon.

Is your bike okay? Be careful to check nothing's too bashed or bent.

Murray Hamhandler

19:33 / 13.09.02

Yeah, I got back on the bike immediately and I've been riding about all day. I dunno. It was a pretty slow impact (the guy was pulling out onto the street I was riding down and hit me, in the bike lane, no less...) and I really didn't hit the ground that hard. I don't think I even shed any blood. I've got a bag full of CD's and other easily breakable items on my person and nothing really got damaged. So I guess that could be an indication that it wasn't really that serious. But then again, maybe not. Is a check-up for something like this expensive? Because I'm not insured and I don't have a lot of money for a doctor bill. Eep. Unsure what to do now...

Ariadne

19:40 / 13.09.02

So you're in america? Jesus. I love the much-maligned NHS.

Well, I suppose if you didn't get hit all that hard ... have you got flatmates? or someone who can come round? Because you're probably fine, but it would be good to have somebody around if you're concussed or in shock.

Murray Hamhandler

20:03 / 13.09.02

Yeah, I've got a roommate. I'm sure he'll notice if I'm not up and about by noonish tomorrow. The bike's alright, my glasses survived... I don't think it was that big of a deal. My shoulders are feeling a little sore now, but I pretty much expected to have some muscle aches. I think I'll be okay, but I can't help but think about the kid from Short Cuts that walks home after being lightly thumped by a car and goes into a coma shortly thereafter. Yikes...

Murray Hamhandler

20:05 / 13.09.02

Oh, and yes. I am in America. Land of the overpriced health care. Actually, now that I think about it, I can actually go to the university clinic for free, if they're still open. Of course! How could I have forgotten that? My goodness...

Thanks to everyone for the advice, by the way. Much appreciated.

Ariadne

20:05 / 13.09.02

I'm sure you'll be fine. Sleep well.

Trijhaos

20:05 / 13.09.02

What about health services at school? I don't know what all they do or cose since I've never had to seek out their services, but they could probably check you out for concussions and the like.

Ariadne

20:06 / 13.09.02

University clinic sounds ideal. Off to bed now myself, but good luck.

Mourne Kransky

11:53 / 15.09.02

Thank the Lord you appear to be Unbreakable, DH. If you bump into Samuel L Jackson, just keep on going.

Glad you (seem to be) unscathed. Scary though. *Z launches into his usual anti-car diatribe*

Less searchable M0rd4nt

12:53 / 15.09.02

Bloody hell, Deric, that sounds unpleasant. Glad you're okay.

Shortfatdyke

16:20 / 15.09.02

Hoope you're still in one piece, Deric. Make sure your room mate knows you've been injured so can keep an eye on you. I only ever had two incidents when I was a bike rider - one, where I was knocked off by a bloke in a park and hit the ground with my mouth wide open, for some reason, so I hurt my nose and got loads of mud in my mouth. The other was when I damaged a car pretty badly by hurtling into it when very very drunk.

I won't mention the time I got tangled up in my bike and ended up in an undignified heap when I was trying to show off in front of two baseball playing dykes....

Murray Hamhandler

16:30 / 16.09.02

Thanks, everyone, for the well-wishing. Much appreciated. Everything appears to be in order. My triceps are achy, which I guess I can attribute to my having caught all of my body weight w/my arms, and one of my elbows is a little swollen. Other than that, I'm pretty well tip-top.

And yes, ZoCher, I have entertained the possibility that I will soon be seeing a Gumby-haired Samuel L. just on the periphery of my vision. I will avoid at all costs.

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