EricinIkebukuro
Speeding Up
- Jan 30, 2011
- 414
- 16
On Sunday, I was knocked off my bike when a taxi suddenly changed lanes without checking his mirrors. His taxi bumped me and turned my front wheel sideways. We were doing about 25 k/m at the time and I landed on my shoulder first and then slide on my right side about 3 meters. Thankfully my brand new Fizik saddle didn't get torn up but I sure did. At first I thought I was ok, just a bit of road rash and some bruises but the second I tried to sit up I heard my collar bone snap and my right arm became useless. Thankfully a bystander was a nurse and he was able to keep me calm and collected until the ambulance arrived. I've broken fingers in the past but this was a lot scarier. The medics that came did a great job but the hospital they took me to was terrible. Basically 5 doctors and nurses came to me at different times all poking me to see what hurt. I told them all clearly in Japanese that my shoulder hurt and I knew a bone was broken. After hearing that they all proceeded to poke and grab my shoulder and collar bone to check if I was telling the truth. I swear if they were standing on the left side of the bed I would have hit them all. They weren't gentle about it at all. I felt like a test subject at a university hospital class. They let me out 3 hours later and I went to work ( a very bad idea). Either it was the pain killers, adrenaline or just being numb that got me through the day but once I got home, I was flooded with pain. Its been about 2 days but I can still barely move and I'm trying to deal with the insurance. Thankfully I read another thread earlier with a ton of great advice. Although I don't have insurance or legal representation, standing firm yet being polite has really gotten me far and the taxi company has agreed to pay hospital bills, bike repair and my taxi fare to work and back until I am better. It seems my summer ride around the Izu peninsula will have to wait until next year or maybe during fall. I'll keep you all posted about what happens.