[turbo6bar]

Update for anyone who has a bicycling accident:
I was finally able to get in contact with the driver at fault. He gave me his insurance information. I called his agent, but no return call. I think this is called the "Shooo Fly" response. Unfortunately, they aren't getting off so easy.

My shoulder is still quite sore. Being so stubborn, I have still not seen a specialist. The family physician gave me anti-inflammatory drugs, but the joint is still swollen after just over 2 weeks. Tomorrow, I'm calling a local orthopedic/sports medicine specialist for an appointment. It looks like this injury is not going away anytime soon.

2 local bike shops urge me to write off the frameset after this accident. The experts state there is no way to be sure the carbon frameset is still safe to ride barring destructive testing. So, I'm reluctantly shopping for a new bike, after pounding out a lot of miles on ye ole Trek, and finally getting the bike set up just right. The downside is Memphis, TN is an abysmal place for bicycling. The bikes comparible to my Trek are not on the floor, so more than likely the replacement bicycle will be purchased sight unseen and never test ridden. The upside is I will strengthen a relationship with a local bike shop.

The past 2 weeks I have been patient. I want to be a nice guy, but I now realize no one is watching out for my best interests. The responsible driver is no longer the apologetic gentlemen seen at the accident scene, and I venture to guess his insurance company will be just as complacent and indifferent. The lack of empathy is disappointing. With each passing day, the damages only grow. Each day is another day without a bike. Each day is another day of working at sixty or seventy percent, instead of my usual 110%. At this point, reasonable money cannot compensate what I've been through. No, I'm not disabled and in a wheelchair, but this accident has dominated my waking hours. Sure wish many times this had never happened.

I think my best course of action is to get help with my shoulder. Then, I will pay all medical bills and buy a new bike from my own savings. Getting my life back in order is very important, and I shall take the quickest and easiest path. Then, I'll worry about settling with the insurance co., either personally or through an attorney(last resort).

Moral: Sometimes being a nice guy means you get sucker punched anyway.

C'est la vie.

Jürgen