ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 04/11/2016 12:29 PM |
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Coworker was hit by a left-turning driver (at a driveway, not a controlled intersection). Broken femur in 20 pieces, wrist "pulverized" (will have to be fused, his writing hand), broken shoulder blade, and a bone in his pinky is "missing". Just so glad he is alive with head and spine intact. |
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SideBySide
Posts:444
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| 04/11/2016 12:36 PM |
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I heard a rumor about that, but not that much detail. That sounds brutal, I hope he heals OK. Did you really mean 20 pieces?
Do you know what road he was on? |
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ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 04/11/2016 01:08 PM |
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| Yep, 20 pieces. Woodinville-Duvall Road, heading down the hill into Woodinville. |
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SideBySide
Posts:444
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| 04/11/2016 03:15 PM |
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| If it was on the steep part above the warehouse district, he probably had no chance to react. I sometimes go part way up that hill, on the sidewalk, and right down toward Woodinville at the light by the self storage. |
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SideBySide
Posts:444
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| 04/11/2016 03:22 PM |
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| If it was on the stretch into Woodinville by the old QFC, I've had to put on the brakes to avoid passing a cop while in the bike lane at 30+. |
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smokey52
Posts:498
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| 04/11/2016 06:40 PM |
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| nasty. best wishes for a good recovery. |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 04/11/2016 07:05 PM |
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Stupid "left hook" Here's to a speedy recovery.
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Gonzo Cyclist
Posts:568
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| 04/12/2016 09:23 AM |
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Ouch......I hope your friend heals well, that sounds rough
I really think people underestimate how quickly a good cyclist can move on a bike, and they go ahead and make the move, not realizing that you are carrying as much speed as a car. They must think we are all children out there moving at 3mph, or like they ride when they are on a bike
Yup Dale, the dreaded left hook, soooo glad I no longer ride Motorcycles, that is your worst nightmare |
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ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 04/12/2016 10:21 AM |
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Sounds like in this case, (and in my left hook crash 20 yrs ago) that sunlight was a factor (or at least claimed). Driver said she never saw him. I know he uses lights and wears a big bright construction vest and is not the risk-taking type.
This crash, in addition to Phil Zajicek's crash are causing me to pause a little and look at how I ride and what I can tweak in my riding habits to hopefully avoid another bad accident.
This is also the 2nd crash of a friend or acquaintance resulting in really bad fractures and long rehab. How do we prevent this stuff as it seems like everyone has had an incident (or multiple)? I've learned a lot from mine and they have changed how I ride over the years. I'm definitely much more defensive than I used to be. |
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SideBySide
Posts:444
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| 04/12/2016 08:03 PM |
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| This has spooked me. I think he passed me going up the hill last week and we exchanged pleasantries briefly. I ride the same roads. It could be any one of us. I am now riding with my headlight on during the day and trying to be more aware of what the drivers are doing. I'm coming to a complete stop at signs and slowing more where I have the right of way, even if it means I make the cars wait while I get up to speed to get out of their way. |
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Spud
Posts:525
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| 04/13/2016 11:37 AM |
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Damn, that is a bunch of broken stuff. Hope he has a quick recovery. The roads certainly are getting more dangerous every day out there.
Gonzo, so true regarding how some drivers don't realize how fast some of us can travel on the road. |
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ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 04/13/2016 01:15 PM |
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| SideBySide is on the right track, be defensive, don't assume drivers are going to yield until they make eye contact or slow. Also my alarm bells are ringing when I'm going downhill in a bike lane, especially after a local death about 10yrs ago when a driver pulled out of a driveway into a bike lane. |
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Spud
Posts:525
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| 04/14/2016 03:21 PM |
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| They need to crack down on the allowable tint for cars windows. Here in AZ, you must have 33% allowable light into the car. I can tell you that isn't case. So many cars here where you can't see the driver at the wheel. Hard to make eye contact in that situation. |
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Nick A
Posts:625
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| 04/15/2016 10:29 AM |
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20 pieces? Wow. That sounds "pulverized" to me as well. I wonder if they even try to save a bone like that, or replace it with a rod? That just really, really, really sucks.
Nick |
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SideBySide
Posts:444
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| 04/15/2016 11:37 AM |
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| Spending two weeks in the ICU indicates how serious it is. I hope the people who hit him have good insurance. |
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