LOWRACER VK2 RECUMBENT NAILED BY NISSAN TITAN TRUCK. WHO IS ATFAULT? IS IT TOO LOW?

bryan.balls@yahoo.com

I've got two nurses pulling my shorts off...could you please repeat
the question?
I had a wonderful commute to work yesterday...at least the first 1/2
mile. Then, I was hit by a Nissan Titan! Before I go any further, let
me assure you that I am relatively fine, with a broken collarbone and
some bruising and stiffness, but quite happy that it wasn't worse.

I debated for two days whether or not I even wanted to share this
story, as I was afraid it would turn into a "lowracers aren't safe"
argument, or a "helmet" argument. FWIW, I will present my
thoughts...if this thread turns into either of these, I will delete
the entire thread immediately.

I wanted to bring the situation to everyone's attention, because,
quite frankly, I could have been the one driving the Titan. I was
riding down Oxnard, approaching a supermarket on the right. There was
a truck pulling out of the supermarket, making a left. I judged the
distance, and realized that as I approached the driveway, the truck
would be out of my lane and I could continue. What I didn't see was
the Titan making a left turn into the same driveway - it was hidden
behind the truck pulling out, and thus neither of us could see the
other. I rode my VK2 right into the right front corner of his bumper,
he pushed me up the driveway and off to the side, where I came to a
stop.

He stopped after parking when he realized that he had actually hit a
person! I guess from atop the left side of a Titan, you can't see the
lower front portion of your vehicle too well - he told the police
officer he thought he had hit some garbage in the driveway (if you've
been to my neighborhood, you would realize that isn't such an
unrealistic assumption). He was very apologetic, and I was wisked away
to the hospital strapped to a board (because I hit my head and my
helmet cracked, it was definitely considered a possible head trauma -
damn glad I was wearing the helmet!).

Aside from asking lot's of repetitive questions in the ambulance and
the hospital, I just felt sore. I could tell something was wrong with
my shoulder, but didn't know what. I asked if Nixon was still
president, which got a laugh...

The ER is an interesting place when you can only see what is directly
in front of you (the ceiling). Most of the doctors were very good
about approaching me to talk to me, although I could tell that there
was alot of activity going on around me. The nurse told me she was
going to cut off my jersey...no problem. The docs kept asking the same
questions. Then I could feel the two nurses pulling my shorts
off...huh? What was the question again? Excuse me doctor, it's been a
number of years since I've had two women pulling my shorts off, what
were you saying? I tried to stay mellow the whole time, knowing that
this could have been much worse. Do whatever you need to do so I can
go home and see my kids/wife tonight...

After mulitple x-rays, a CT Scan and two ultrasounds (I'm having
twins), I was given some food and release into the wonderful care
of...well..nobody. My wife had gone to pick up the kids so I moped
around waiting for my grandmother to pick me up.

Got home, had dinner with the family, took a couple Motrin and went to
bed. Had a panic attack trying to get out of bed to pee, and spent the
rest of the night on the couch. Back to work today with some Motrin
and feeling damn lucky that the worst part of this is that my early-
season ultra racing plans are ruined.

Folks, wear your helmets. Mine saved me today from either (a) a good
concussion, (b) brain damage, (c) death. No, a helmet won't save you
in every situation, but it will in some.

It didn't matter what kind of bike I was riding...I would have been
hit. Being 10" higher off the ground still wouldn't have helped me see
over a truck that was blocking my view.

Keep focused on what's really important to you. It isn't the bike, the
$400 GPS, the new jersey, the cool sunglasses....if it is, I suggest
you re-assess your priorities. My wife was absolutely amazed at how
patient I was at the ER, despite feeling like we were abandoned for
about 4 hours. My priority was getting home to my kids...it didn't
matter how long it took as long as that was the end result.

Ride safe.
__________________
Dana Lieberman

bryan.balls@yahoo.com

On Jan 20, 6:41 pm, bryan.ba...@yahoo.com wrote:
> I've got two nurses pulling my shorts off...could you please repeat
> the question?
> I had a wonderful commute to work yesterday...at least the first 1/2
> mile. Then, I was hit by a Nissan Titan! Before I go any further, let
> me assure you that I am relatively fine, with a broken collarbone and
> some bruising and stiffness, but quite happy that it wasn't worse.
>
> I debated for two days whether or not I even wanted to share this
> story, as I was afraid it would turn into a "lowracers aren't safe"
> argument, or a "helmet" argument. FWIW, I will present my
> thoughts...if this thread turns into either of these, I will delete
> the entire thread immediately.
>
> I wanted to bring the situation to everyone's attention, because,
> quite frankly, I could have been the one driving the Titan. I was
> riding down Oxnard, approaching a supermarket on the right. There was
> a truck pulling out of the supermarket, making a left. I judged the
> distance, and realized that as I approached the driveway, the truck
> would be out of my lane and I could continue. What I didn't see was
> the Titan making a left turn into the same driveway - it was hidden
> behind the truck pulling out, and thus neither of us could see the
> other. I rode my VK2 right into the right front corner of his bumper,
> he pushed me up the driveway and off to the side, where I came to a
> stop.
>
> He stopped after parking when he realized that he had actually hit a
> person! I guess from atop the left side of a Titan, you can't see the
> lower front portion of your vehicle too well - he told the police
> officer he thought he had hit some garbage in the driveway (if you've
> been to my neighborhood, you would realize that isn't such an
> unrealistic assumption). He was very apologetic, and I was wisked away
> to the hospital strapped to a board (because I hit my head and my
> helmet cracked, it was definitely considered a possible head trauma -
> damn glad I was wearing the helmet!).
>
> Aside from asking lot's of repetitive questions in the ambulance and
> the hospital, I just felt sore. I could tell something was wrong with
> my shoulder, but didn't know what. I asked if Nixon was still
> president, which got a laugh...
>
> The ER is an interesting place when you can only see what is directly
> in front of you (the ceiling). Most of the doctors were very good
> about approaching me to talk to me, although I could tell that there
> was alot of activity going on around me. The nurse told me she was
> going to cut off my jersey...no problem. The docs kept asking the same
> questions. Then I could feel the two nurses pulling my shorts
> off...huh? What was the question again? Excuse me doctor, it's been a
> number of years since I've had two women pulling my shorts off, what
> were you saying? I tried to stay mellow the whole time, knowing that
> this could have been much worse. Do whatever you need to do so I can
> go home and see my kids/wife tonight...
>
> After mulitple x-rays, a CT Scan and two ultrasounds (I'm having
> twins), I was given some food and release into the wonderful care
> of...well..nobody. My wife had gone to pick up the kids so I moped
> around waiting for my grandmother to pick me up.
>
> Got home, had dinner with the family, took a couple Motrin and went to
> bed. Had a panic attack trying to get out of bed to pee, and spent the
> rest of the night on the couch. Back to work today with some Motrin
> and feeling damn lucky that the worst part of this is that my early-
> season ultra racing plans are ruined.
>
> Folks, wear your helmets. Mine saved me today from either (a) a good
> concussion, (b) brain damage, (c) death. No, a helmet won't save you
> in every situation, but it will in some.
>
> It didn't matter what kind of bike I was riding...I would have been
> hit. Being 10" higher off the ground still wouldn't have helped me see
> over a truck that was blocking my view.
>
> Keep focused on what's really important to you. It isn't the bike, the
> $400 GPS, the new jersey, the cool sunglasses....if it is, I suggest
> you re-assess your priorities. My wife was absolutely amazed at how
> patient I was at the ER, despite feeling like we were abandoned for
> about 4 hours. My priority was getting home to my kids...it didn't
> matter how long it took as long as that was the end result.
>
> Ride safe.
> __________________
> Dana Lieberman

I called the insurance company yesterday, and the guy who hit me had
already filed a report. Nothing like someone taking a little
responsibility for their actions! I need to see my Sports Med doc this
week to figure out how to keep my fitness level up so I can still do
the Solvang Double on March 29 (it's my birthday and I don't want to
miss it). Death Valley Double is out, though...

Yes, I am consulting an attorney.

I don't know if they cited the driver...I will push for it, but
ultimately he knows he screwed up.
__________________
Dana Lieberman

Tom Sherman

Edward Dolan wrote:
> <bryan.balls@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:588384ee-ef64-4033-a417-d2892afec777@21g2000hsj.googlegroups.com...
>> ...
>> Ride safe.
>>
>>> Dana Lieberman
>
> Who is this Dana Lieberman guy? I see the name Bryan Ball at the top and
> that is all I need to see in order to go berserk! Now if only old Larry
> Varney, an erstwhile gentleman from Kentucky now residing on BROL, would
> also show up here on ARBR my day would be complete.
>
Hey Ed - Note the "s" at the end - "balls" versus "ball".

In all likelihood, this post is by a "monkey" and not Bryan Ball of
'BentRider Online.

Furthermore, it is in part, a reposting of something written by Dana
Lieberman in a different forum.

Please pay attention.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"And never forget, life ultimately makes failures of all people."
- A. Derleth

Tom Sherman

Edward Dolan wrote:
> ...
> Bryan Ball only comes to mind when others bring him up. Otherwise, I never
> think of him.
>
Well, at least you are no longer mistakenly calling him "Byron Ball".

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"And never forget, life ultimately makes failures of all people."
- A. Derleth

Tom Sherman

Edward Dolan wrote:
>
> ...
> I only dealt with those who posted to ARBR and never visited the Monkey
> Island website (blog)....
>
The "Monkey Island" message board (in its "Spider Monkey" incarnation)
and the "Highracer Recumbents Suck) blog were distinct entities.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"And never forget, life ultimately makes failures of all people."
- A. Derleth

Harry Brogan

On Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:41:54 -0800 (PST), bryan.balls@yahoo.com wrote:


>
>Folks, wear your helmets. Mine saved me today from either (a) a good
>concussion, (b) brain damage, (c) death. No, a helmet won't save you
>in every situation, but it will in some.
>
>It didn't matter what kind of bike I was riding...I would have been
>hit. Being 10" higher off the ground still wouldn't have helped me see
>over a truck that was blocking my view.
>
>Keep focused on what's really important to you. It isn't the bike, the
>$400 GPS, the new jersey, the cool sunglasses....if it is, I suggest
>you re-assess your priorities. My wife was absolutely amazed at how
>patient I was at the ER, despite feeling like we were abandoned for
>about 4 hours. My priority was getting home to my kids...it didn't
>matter how long it took as long as that was the end result.
>
>Ride safe.
>__________________
>Dana Lieberman


I was hit last year on a regular bicycle. Woman that hit me was too
busy, evidently, talking on her cell phone to pay attention to
traffic. In any case I ended up with a few minor injuries. Her
insurance company played games for the better part of six months but
finally came to a settlement. YES, I was wearing a helmet, long
pants (Jeans as I was on my way to work), shirt and gloves. Gloves
helped when I hit the pavement. I hate road rash.

Now I ride a trike. But I still wear the same saety equipment when I
am out riding. I often get asked why I wear a helmet on a
recumbent....but I think the answer is obvious.

Here's a photo.

Harry Brogan

Peter Clinch

Harry Brogan wrote:
> On Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:41:54 -0800 (PST), bryan.balls@yahoo.com wrote:

>> Folks, wear your helmets. Mine saved me today from either (a) a good
>> concussion, (b) brain damage, (c) death. No, a helmet won't save you
>> in every situation, but it will in some.

<snip>
> Now I ride a trike. But I still wear the same saety equipment when I
> am out riding. I often get asked why I wear a helmet on a
> recumbent....but I think the answer is obvious.

I used to wear one thinking it might help me in some cases... but when I
read the literature I found out the net effect of helmets on serious
injuries is pretty much zero. I was surprised, but the harder I looked
the more there didn't seem to be any measurably useful change to serious
head injuries wearing helmets. So I save some money and improve my
comfort and don't wear one any more.

Wear one if you want to, but do be aware that your chances genuinely
don't seem to be altered if you do. See http://www.cyclehelmets.org for
considerably more detail.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

gotbent

"Harry Brogan" <hbrogan57@NOSPAM.YAHOO.COM> wrote in message
news:mnflr35cma8dmujajghiscjnkcbu8b04tn@4ax.com...

Nice photo Harry, but this ISN'T a binaries newsgroup so if you want to post
photos, you should store your photos on a site like Photobucket or similar
and then post a link to the image here. That is how Usenet is supposed to
work. Binary newsgroups can be identified by the name "alt.binaries.yyy.zzz"

gotbent, aka frvt rider

Freedom is NOT just another word.



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Harry Brogan

On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:54:02 +0000, Peter Clinch
<p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk> wrote:

>Harry Brogan wrote:
>> On Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:41:54 -0800 (PST), bryan.balls@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>>> Folks, wear your helmets. Mine saved me today from either (a) a good
>>> concussion, (b) brain damage, (c) death. No, a helmet won't save you
>>> in every situation, but it will in some.
>
><snip>
>> Now I ride a trike. But I still wear the same saety equipment when I
>> am out riding. I often get asked why I wear a helmet on a
>> recumbent....but I think the answer is obvious.
>
>I used to wear one thinking it might help me in some cases... but when I
>read the literature I found out the net effect of helmets on serious
>injuries is pretty much zero. I was surprised, but the harder I looked
>the more there didn't seem to be any measurably useful change to serious
>head injuries wearing helmets. So I save some money and improve my
>comfort and don't wear one any more.
>
>Wear one if you want to, but do be aware that your chances genuinely
>don't seem to be altered if you do. See http://www.cyclehelmets.org for
>considerably more detail.
>
>Pete.


Thanks for the info and the web site. It has me rethinking things
about riding with and without it. I appreciate the information!!!!

Tom Sherman

Harry Brogan wrote:
> On Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:41:54 -0800 (PST), bryan.balls@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
>> Folks, wear your helmets. Mine saved me today from either (a) a good
>> concussion, (b) brain damage, (c) death. No, a helmet won't save you
>> in every situation, but it will in some.
>>
>> It didn't matter what kind of bike I was riding...I would have been
>> hit. Being 10" higher off the ground still wouldn't have helped me see
>> over a truck that was blocking my view.
>>
>> Keep focused on what's really important to you. It isn't the bike, the
>> $400 GPS, the new jersey, the cool sunglasses....if it is, I suggest
>> you re-assess your priorities. My wife was absolutely amazed at how
>> patient I was at the ER, despite feeling like we were abandoned for
>> about 4 hours. My priority was getting home to my kids...it didn't
>> matter how long it took as long as that was the end result.
>>
>> Ride safe.
>> __________________
>> Dana Lieberman
>
>
> I was hit last year on a regular bicycle. Woman that hit me was too
> busy, evidently, talking on her cell phone to pay attention to
> traffic. In any case I ended up with a few minor injuries. Her
> insurance company played games for the better part of six months but
> finally came to a settlement. YES, I was wearing a helmet, long
> pants (Jeans as I was on my way to work), shirt and gloves. Gloves
> helped when I hit the pavement. I hate road rash.
>
> Now I ride a trike. But I still wear the same saety equipment when I
> am out riding. I often get asked why I wear a helmet on a
> recumbent....but I think the answer is obvious.[...]

Yes, having worn a bicycle foam hat will look good in front of the jury
if you have to sue the offending motorist. The police at the scene are
also less likely to assign blame to the cyclist if he/she is wearing a
foam hat.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful

Peter Clinch

Harry Brogan wrote:

> Thanks for the info and the web site. It has me rethinking things
> about riding with and without it. I appreciate the information!!!!

nae bother... On the one hand it's a shame realising the things are as
ineffective as they are, but on the other one finds out that cycling
turns out not to be nearly as dangerous as popular myths suggest, which
is nice!

On the 'bent I find I get a "WTF Factor", which gets me noticed and
responded to rather than just factored out of motorists' thinking, which
helps not being in a prag in the first place.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/