My closest friend, Joey, who is like a brother to me, was riding his road bike today when he was hit by a woman in a car making a left turn. He landed on his face and broke his jaw. His mother called me and told me this news earlier, and I was completely shocked. (I was relieved when I learned that it was ONLY a broken jaw, because from her tone of voice I was fearing the worst.)
He is going to have surgery on the jaw tomorrow, and I was told that he will not be able to eat solid food for several weeks following the surgery. I’m really glad that he escaped more serious injuries, but I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be injured like that - the worst I’ve ever been through is a fractured wrist, even after years of contact sports, biking, and jumping out of trees as a kid - I guess I’m lucky.
I don’t know the details of the accident, and I have no idea who was at fault. I’m hoping that Joey will become a more careful rider after this accident - he never wore a helmet and unfortunately, like many cyclists here, obeyed traffic laws sporadically. Just a few days ago I advised him to get a helmet, and he said that he didn’t like wearing them but that he would think about it. I hope he comes away from this incident with that lesson, at least.
Anyway, he has his surgery tomorrow and I hope he recovers quickly. To all you fellow cyclists (and motorcyclists) here - ride safe!!!
That’s awful Argent Towers. I can imagine that a broken jaw wouldn’t be much fun. Here’s to hoping your friend is on the mend soon. And that in the interim, he gets the good stuff.
I came the closest I’ve come to a serious accident for a very long time on my bike yesterday. I came far far too close to a head on collision with stupid young girl driving her car the wrong way down a one way street. I kid you not. And she was giggling at her little whoopsy. Oh what a lark. No need to take chances as a cyclist to have close calls.
Sorry about your friend, by the way, AT. And of course it doesn’t sound like a helmet would have made any difference anyway, if his injuries were facial.
Here’s wishing your friend a quick and full recovery.
I’m with Pixiesnix. I just don’t get why so many people ride bikes without helmets. I always wear my helmet, but I’m in a definite minority around here. Especially bad are some bikers I see almost daily. Riding a bike, without a helmet, against the flow of traffic on a very busy one-way street. I’ve had to swerve almost in front of a bus to miss these morons. Gaaah!
My son was hit by a car while riding a bike, by a guy from a garage who was test-driving a repair. He was on crutches for a bit, but nothing serious. I also know two other people who were hit by cars, but both were pedestrians. It happens a lot more often than you think!
Glad to hear your bud will be ok.
(I hope they don’t have to repair it with shaved hip bone, which is quite common. Otherwise, he’ll be a dude with "the jawbone of an ass!)
I’m sorry to hear about your friend’s accident, but as has been said it’s a blessing that the injuries weren’t more severe. I’m kind of a paranoid biker in that I’d be too afraid of exactly that sort of thing happening not to wear a helmet and whatever other protective gear is reccommended. As they say, it’s always the other guy you have to watch out for.
Accidents, particularly common ones caused by simple negligence, do have a way of providing the minor epiphany that maybe ignoring those precautions you scoffed at might have been an ever-so-slightly dumbass thing to do and a little wising up might be prudent.
On Wednesday, August 30, at 4:10 in the afternoon my son was riding his bike to his job at McDonald’s and got hit by a car that ran a light. He’s just fine - he had a broken finger and a bunch of scraped up skin and a whole lot of bruises, but he’s fine. And he says he won’t ride his bike (at least across Rt. 14) again. Ever.
Argent, I’m sorry to hear about your friend - my thoughts will be with you both.
Yes, I remember the exact time - I don’t think I’ll ever forget.
I just got a call from Joey today. He is speaking although his jaw is wired shut and he claims that he can’t really open his mouth. His surgery went successfully and he is now resting at his parents’ house (he normally lives with myself and another friend.) He won’t be back for a few days, so the big party we had planned for the weekend will be pushed to next weekend.
Maybe he can get a medical marijuana permit for this?
Here’s to hoping your friend is on the mend soon. And that in the interim, he gets the good stuff.