Getting over an accident
09-07-16, 01:09 PM
#26
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That's what I don't understand. There were no physical or financial injuries as a byproduct of the event. There was neither suffering nor witnessing of suffering, so I don't see it as a traumatic event.
That's not meant as a put down of the OP. His/her experience is just something I have difficulty understanding.
That's not meant as a put down of the OP. His/her experience is just something I have difficulty understanding.
That's like saying if I walk up to someone, put a gun to his or her head, pull the trigger, and it misfires ... what's the big deal?
09-07-16, 01:09 PM
#27
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
When I have crashed on bicycles and motorcycles and was uninjured and the machine survived undamaged, I was pleased to not have to go to the ER or write a check for repairs, and rode off with a smile. I try not to stress out over "could haves". YMMV.
09-07-16, 01:14 PM
#28
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+1, an accident can easily spook you, but you have to keep it in perspective and get past it, maybe with a lesson learned that may (that's MAY - there are no guaranties).
One thing to consider is the number of years you''ve ridden without an accident, and consider how much more likely it is to not have an accident.
A daylight strobe headlight may help, as might riding a bit farther out into the lane to improve sight lines, but the reality is that it's easy for drivers to miss seeing bicycles because we present a small profile and can easily hide at the edge of sight lines. So it's up to you to be as alert as possible, especially riding along parked cars, or approaching intersections.
So, my advice boils down to learn what you can from this, then put it out of your mind and move on as if it never happened.
One thing to consider is the number of years you''ve ridden without an accident, and consider how much more likely it is to not have an accident.
A daylight strobe headlight may help, as might riding a bit farther out into the lane to improve sight lines, but the reality is that it's easy for drivers to miss seeing bicycles because we present a small profile and can easily hide at the edge of sight lines. So it's up to you to be as alert as possible, especially riding along parked cars, or approaching intersections.
So, my advice boils down to learn what you can from this, then put it out of your mind and move on as if it never happened.
Yes, riding in a group, with its greater mass and bright colors/bright lights, helps a great deal. So does trying to avoid heavily trafficked streets and roads.
Just enjoy and be safe.
Best regards
09-07-16, 01:15 PM
#29
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09-07-16, 01:18 PM
#30
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Particularly because this was a first for the OP ... probably many of us after several close calls and a few minor scrapes are quite complacent about the fact that we are often inches from death, but the OP had never had it thrust in his/her face before.
Even I after ... dozens? or crashes, some quite severe, was spooked for a whole after breaking my shoulder ... though I oput that down mostly to not having been riding enough lately, and also knowing that i was not fully in control of my bike--not to the millimeter precision as usual---because my shoulder wasn't fully healed, and I didn't trust myself to move the bike as quick as usual---but I still had to convince myself to let it go and just ride like usual.
That's sort of what I would advise for the OP ... tell your brain, "I am Not going to entertain fear and worry based on one near-miss. I know how to ride, I like to ride, and I have always ridden safely, even to this day .. I am Still riding ... and I reject the notion that I am not safe."
We can program our own minds if we make the effort. or we can let our more primitive brain portions dominate our conscious minds ... which is foolish IMO, but until someone says "Hey, stop that" some people don't know they can stop.
09-07-16, 01:20 PM
#31
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I agree wholeheartedly. A light will certainly help, but we all should realize that to motorists, we are what I call "psychologically invisible." The driver's brain is on the lookout, especially when using his or her peripheral vision, for other cars. Quite often the driver simply doesn't "see" a bicycle approaching.
No matter who is "at fault" legally, if you get hit you lose. Always expect the car to pull out, or to pull over into you, or to not even be aware of you, even if the driver makes eye contact and waves. Drivers' minds tend to function with a "car, truck, empty space" triad, and if you are there, you count as "empty space" because you are not a car or a truck.
Know this, and don't give them a good target.
09-07-16, 01:25 PM
#32
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To the OP: You walked away shaken by the experience, but unharmed. THAT is a good thing!
Your bike wasn't totaled, and most importantly you weren't injured. HooRay!!
Get back on your bike and ride it. Period.
Getting over something like this, the sooner you go ride the better.
Cyclists and Motorcyclists will tell us all, NEVER assume they can see you, ALWAYS assume they do NOT see you.
Experience is the best teacher. Take this event, and become a more aware rider.
It can be a reminder to the rest of us not to get complacent, to stay vigilant out there.
Always have an out. At any given moment, ask yourself, "if this car cuts me off, what will I do, where will I go?" Where will I bail out to if needed?
My vote is to get on your bike and go ride it.
Your bike wasn't totaled, and most importantly you weren't injured. HooRay!!
Get back on your bike and ride it. Period.
Getting over something like this, the sooner you go ride the better.
Cyclists and Motorcyclists will tell us all, NEVER assume they can see you, ALWAYS assume they do NOT see you.
Experience is the best teacher. Take this event, and become a more aware rider.
It can be a reminder to the rest of us not to get complacent, to stay vigilant out there.
Always have an out. At any given moment, ask yourself, "if this car cuts me off, what will I do, where will I go?" Where will I bail out to if needed?
My vote is to get on your bike and go ride it.
09-07-16, 01:25 PM
#33
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
I'm not being argumentative for the sake of being argumentative. And full respect to Vets. Nobody should have to experience the horrors of war. But your statement is way off the mark. PTSD is an extremely common disorder.
EMTs, fire fighters, r a p e victims, family members of murder victims or kidnappings, parents of missing children, detectives in child abuse divisions, etc etc. There is plenty of horror off the battlefield.
(PTSD), once called shell shock or battle fatigue syndrome, is a serious condition that can develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic or terrifying event in which serious physical harm occurred or was threatened. PTSD is a lasting consequence of traumatic ordeals that cause intense fear, helplessness, or horror, such as a sexual or physical assault, the unexpected death of a loved one, an accident, war, or natural disaster. Families of victims can also develop PTSD, as can emergency personnel and rescue workers.
Victims of trauma related to physical and sexual assault face the greatest risk for PTSD.
09-07-16, 01:27 PM
#34
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Crashing and winding up on the hood of a car when you were trying to be out on a bike ride is very much a negative outcome. It's not the negativeist outcome possible, but it's something we all try to avoid.
Humans have a "fight or flight" response to danger, and the OP saw the car coming, and tried but was unable to warn the driver or avoid the collision, like Cassandra in the legend. You say you've been in accidents before, you know the oh sh*t! moment. A lot of fear right before the crash. It's a physical and emotional roller coaster. Takes a while after the crash to figure out how bad the damage is. Am I hurt? Am I in shock? It's a traumatic experience, even when you get the best you could possibly hope for.
Humans have a "fight or flight" response to danger, and the OP saw the car coming, and tried but was unable to warn the driver or avoid the collision, like Cassandra in the legend. You say you've been in accidents before, you know the oh sh*t! moment. A lot of fear right before the crash. It's a physical and emotional roller coaster. Takes a while after the crash to figure out how bad the damage is. Am I hurt? Am I in shock? It's a traumatic experience, even when you get the best you could possibly hope for.
09-07-16, 01:36 PM
#35
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09-07-16, 01:42 PM
#36
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In a former life I was an instructor for a large corporation and also did a few accident investigations.
A vast majority of people get caught up in "who was at fault?"
That was a very difficult thing to purge even from the minds of professional drivers. Like the accident was OK because they weren't at fault.
What we looked for was could our driver, within reason, have prevented this accident? Period. In our documentation, the accident was either preventable or non-preventable.
The best concept out there for us cyclists is: "Always leave yourself an OUT"
Bike vs. Car? Car ALWAYS wins.
09-07-16, 01:43 PM
#37
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
I am very familiar with that "OH SHAT" moment when we see our lives pass before our eyes. Right before we crash and we KNOW we are going down. "DAMMIT how bad is this one gonna be?"
Like I said before, when I get up, unhurt, I'm so happy that I am actually in a better mood because I cheated death and won. I have the opposite experience of the OP. I feel joy because the outcome is good. It's like, "I could have died, but I didn't even break a bone. Take that world! Celebrate!"
09-07-16, 01:56 PM
#38
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The last time I had that "OH SHAT" moment, it was followed up with some CT scans. I don't know how I'd react today.
09-07-16, 02:29 PM
#39
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
I've had traumatic crashes too. Broken ribs, punctured lung, leg in two places, collar bone, internal bleeding, helicopter ride to hospital, motorcycle destroyed, all in one crash.
Maybe that's why I feel the way I do about the "good" ones.
09-07-16, 02:34 PM
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Heli is something I've never been through. MTB?
09-07-16, 02:36 PM
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Hindsight is 20/20, but i think if the car pulled out in front of me, and I ended up on his hood, I would have done a RiverDance on his hood with my SPD cleats, ya know, give him something to remember me by.
09-07-16, 02:40 PM
#42
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
09-07-16, 02:41 PM
#43
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
He'd remember to be more courteous to bikers in the future. Excellent public service work.
09-07-16, 02:49 PM
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09-07-16, 02:56 PM
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Getting over the accident, if it's something you want to get over, the best way is to get back on that horse, the sooner the better. And repetition. Every time you choose not to, reinforces the fear.
There is nothing that says you have to. If you look at it rationally, and you decide that the risks are too great, then the fear or reluctance from whatever other cause is basically irrelevant. But if you choose, then you must act. IME.
There is nothing that says you have to. If you look at it rationally, and you decide that the risks are too great, then the fear or reluctance from whatever other cause is basically irrelevant. But if you choose, then you must act. IME.
09-07-16, 03:42 PM
#46
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09-07-16, 04:27 PM
#47
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Not a fair accusation! Nor was it correct for another poster to related be scared in traffic to the trauma suffered with PTSD. YOU... should take the time to read the posts you comment on.
The OP was scared. I understood that and gave a somewhat lengthy, serious, and hopefully helpful post early on. I don't understand you outbursts. Unless...of course your comments of trolling... are introspective.
The OP was scared. I understood that and gave a somewhat lengthy, serious, and hopefully helpful post early on. I don't understand you outbursts. Unless...of course your comments of trolling... are introspective.
09-07-16, 04:31 PM
#48
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Like I said before, when I get up, unhurt, I'm so happy that I am actually in a better mood because I cheated death and won. I have the opposite experience of the OP. I feel joy because the outcome is good. It's like, "I could have died, but I didn't even break a bone. Take that world! Celebrate!"
09-07-16, 04:38 PM
#50
Calamari Marionette Ph.D