Last night, riding bikes on the way to meet up with Greg, I was hit by a car. Chris and I rode to work and were going to meet Greg for a drink . We decided to take the Franklin Bridge across to get to Silverlake. Crossing through the intersection of St.George and Griffith Park Blvd. I went through an intersection having the green light, and someone decided to make a left turn right into me. I heard from over my shoulder, Chris saying "Watch Out!" But there was no time to react or avoid.
It all happened so fast. The only thing I saw was this white car and it's headlights, bearing down on a collision course with me. At first, I thought there may be some way to avoid it, but in a flash realized that it was impossible. No way out. Brace yourself. I distinctly remember the glossy shine of the car, and the glare of the headlights. A dull, deep, cracking sound. The car hit me almost perpendicularly, lifted me, and sent me flying. Literally, I felt my body inverted in the air as I was flying across, hitting the hood of the car first, and being flung through the air to the pavement. The inertia was so intense, that all I could do was let my body go limp and give in to where it going. Ever go end over end in the snow while skiing / snowboarding? That's the kind of vertigo I felt. When I landed, the pain was immense and numbing. Too much pain to move at first, then shock, thinking about all the bones I probably broke.
Lying on the ground, I heard the car screech away, as I saw Chris take off screaming after the car on his bike, as two other cars also sped in pursuit. Asshole. After dragging myself to the curb, I realized that i miraculously hadn't broken anything, although in a lot of pain, and bloody. I could hardly move my left leg and ankle below my knee, and my right thigh was throbbing, not to mention my shoulder, which plowed right into the hood of that guys' car. I hope I left a good mark.
I must say that it was heartwarming to see all the good samaritans who had gathered, called 911, and were of utmost help. Chris was my savior and had it not been for him, I don't know how I would've gotten through this ordeal. He took care of my bike, my things, and sat with me the whole time, making sure I was allright, before going to the hospital. Apparently one of the cars that sped after the jerk was able to get a license plate number. I hope they catch that guy.
As for my bike, the fork is snapped where the car hit. If I had been any further into the intersection, that would've been my leg, no problem. I hope that guy has some sort of insurance. I don't really want anyone to go to jail or anything. I just want my bike fixed and my medical bills paid for. Oh, and maybe some sort of apology. But I doubt any of those things will actually happen...
It was by far the scariest experience of my life, and looking back on it while waiting in the hospital, I could only think of karmic retribution as being a fitting description to the course of events. Thank god I'm alive.
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