I was crossing a crosswalk early this morning on my way to the bus stop for work, while the walk sign was on, and the driver turned left onto a main road from a stop light and smashed into my left side. I was later told that I โflew up into the airโ.
It was all very much a blur and I was pretty dizzy and out of it at first, but no head trauma. Some kind lady who said she was a nurse ran to help me up and to the side of the road, and the cops and ambulance came pretty fast (I think, at least).
I was taken to the hospital and was told that I fractured my humerus head (left shoulder). They told me I may not need surgery, but weโll see what the orthopedic surgeon says during my follow-up appointment in a few days. Other than that, I just have a bunch of scrapes and bruises.
Overall, while Iโm in quite a bit of pain, Iโm grateful because it couldโve been way worse. My SO and parents are pushing to sue for pain/suffering, which I was hesitant to do until I read (online) that I wouldnโt be suing the person who hit me, but their insurance company), so I guess thatโll probably happen. They already found me a lawyer.
I truly have no ill-will toward that person because shit happens, it was dark, and they got out of the car immediately to call 911, so itโs not like they didnโt do what was right when it came down to it. Iโm sure theyโre traumatized, and that their insurance payment will go way upโฆ which I feel a little bad about given the state of the US rn. But I guess I donโt have any control over that.
Honestly, while the whole thing was obviously pretty traumatic for me, tooโand I keep replaying that moment in my headโI think Iโd rather get hit by a car than hit someone with my car.
Iโm a bicycle rider whoโs also learning to drive - the one thing Iโve found is that itโs very easy to end up hidden behind a driverโs A pillar.
In driving lessons I try to move around in the seat more to see around them, and when Iโm riding my bicycle I try and position myself in areas where I can be easily seen, using lights whenever possible to additionally provide a reflection off the road in dark conditions.
Being hidden behind the pillar is really scary because youโre literally not seen at all