Nine years ago I was involved in an accident where a man on his bicycle hit my car while I was driving (I was going about 35 mph). I usually tell people that and get eye rolls as if it weren't true. I used to have the police report that explains it but essentially he ran a red light and the car to my left was just enough ahead of me that I didn't seem him until it was far too late. He struck my car just at the center of the front driver's side tire and ended up across my windshield and then was thrown when I abruptly stopped. He skid across the asphalt for a good 6-8 feet. It was horrifying.
Initially I had some pretty severe PTSD that proved rather difficult when I moved to a college town full of bicycles. When I first got the police report I looked up his address and sent him a letter. I won't lie, I'm very quick to anger but for some reason I can't ever remember feeling anything but intense worry for "Philip the Biker". I never heard back from him and even now I wonder about him still. My PTSD is much more under control, i can't remember the last time I had to pull over abruptly to deal with a bicycle related panic attack. But even now I'm much more cautious in the car. I've moved past that summer but some of those feelings remain.
You altered that van driver's life. You didn't intend it and it may not be as extreme for him as it was for me but the moment a person's body is violently thrown on and then off the vehicle you operate, something changes. It's a split second, barely enough time to breathe…
I hope he doesn't feel anger toward you and I truly hope you both recover quickly & well. The moment I read your AMA heading I was flooded with questions for you that still aren't clear. I guess it all boils down to I just wanted to know if you are okay and how much ill will you've felt for the other guy.
It's easy to say that a person hit my car but even now it's a bit hard to accept. I've always felt guilt even though it wasn't technically my fault. I guess I've always just wondered how someone in your position feels about the other person involved in the accident.
Sorry this is rambling.
Positively_Pantless32 karma
Nine years ago I was involved in an accident where a man on his bicycle hit my car while I was driving (I was going about 35 mph). I usually tell people that and get eye rolls as if it weren't true. I used to have the police report that explains it but essentially he ran a red light and the car to my left was just enough ahead of me that I didn't seem him until it was far too late. He struck my car just at the center of the front driver's side tire and ended up across my windshield and then was thrown when I abruptly stopped. He skid across the asphalt for a good 6-8 feet. It was horrifying.
Initially I had some pretty severe PTSD that proved rather difficult when I moved to a college town full of bicycles. When I first got the police report I looked up his address and sent him a letter. I won't lie, I'm very quick to anger but for some reason I can't ever remember feeling anything but intense worry for "Philip the Biker". I never heard back from him and even now I wonder about him still. My PTSD is much more under control, i can't remember the last time I had to pull over abruptly to deal with a bicycle related panic attack. But even now I'm much more cautious in the car. I've moved past that summer but some of those feelings remain. You altered that van driver's life. You didn't intend it and it may not be as extreme for him as it was for me but the moment a person's body is violently thrown on and then off the vehicle you operate, something changes. It's a split second, barely enough time to breathe…
I hope he doesn't feel anger toward you and I truly hope you both recover quickly & well. The moment I read your AMA heading I was flooded with questions for you that still aren't clear. I guess it all boils down to I just wanted to know if you are okay and how much ill will you've felt for the other guy.
It's easy to say that a person hit my car but even now it's a bit hard to accept. I've always felt guilt even though it wasn't technically my fault. I guess I've always just wondered how someone in your position feels about the other person involved in the accident.
Sorry this is rambling.
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