While triathlon training on my tri bike, I was struck from behind by a car going 55 mph on July 5. Based upon my recent horrific experience, I recommend this level of insurance. Under one’s automobile insurance policy get $1,000,000 uninsured and under-insured motorist coverage. Under your home owner’s policy get a $1 million umbrella policy that specifically covers both the house AND lists uninsured and under-insured motorists so that it goes on top of the uninsured and under-insured auto insurance coverage. If one gets hit, is seriously injured and cannot work, $2,000,000 before attorneys fees are deducted from that sum, is not too much money. Medical care is expensive. My medical bills were $100,000 for the three weeks that I was hospitalized. This included a $22,000 full CAT Scan. Add to that the cost of my Cervelo P3, time off from work, pain and suffering, medical expenses beyond the first three weeks, future medical care and expenses, my spouse’s time, going a long time being celibate, future activities that I will never be able to do, legal fees, etc and it all adds up.
Damn, this is a major cautionary tale. So sorry to hear what happened to you! What sort of injuries did you sustain?
what type of automobile policy do you have that provides coverage to you while riding your bike? what state?
Solid plan for those who do not own a car or a home 
.
Damn, this is a major cautionary tale. So sorry to hear what happened to you! What sort of injuries did you sustain?
On Sunday afternoon July 5, I was struck on my Cervelo P3 by a car going 55 to 50 mph with an elderly driver distracted by her daughter’s two dogs in the cabin. My injuries include broken back with fractured and 30% compressed vertebrae in my back, 2 fractures in my left leg, opened pelvis with sprained pelvic ligaments, sprained knee, deep laceration to my left leg, multiple contusions, and other injuries. I write this from my hospital bed in an outer suburb of Chicago.
I was out doing final training by myself for a two man time trial race on July 12 on my new P3. I was riding on a two lane rural road about 18” off of the right white line. I had ridden 24 miles with 8 miles to go and I was in the tucked aero position going about 16.5 mph. I heard a very loud crash that sounded like a car crash bang right next to me. Instantly visually everything went from color to a black state where I was just mentally processing information. I remember thinking “What is that?” in response to the bang. Initially I didn’t realize that it was me. Milliseconds after hearing the impact I could then feel the impact and I then knew that I had been hit. My brain was processing this stuff like everything was happening in very slow motion. My bike was struck on the rear wheel. I had this sensation for milliseconds that the bike was starting spin sideways, with the bike still vertical. Milliseconds later I blacked out.
The accident happened in a sparsely populated rural area. The point of contact took place directly in front of a farmhouse set back 35 feet from the road. The male homeowner was in the yard at the time of the crash. He heard the crash followed by me yelling “Oh my God” three times then silence. I landed about 25 feet from where my bike landed.
The next thing that I remembered was suddenly lying face down on the gravel and earth shoulder of the road with my head about 12” off of the asphalt pavement. I knew that I had been hit by a car and that I had been in a life threatening event. I was totally numb everywhere and initially could not hmove anything . My left leg was angled off to the side at a weird angle and it felt very numb. I knew it was broke. It felt good just to lay there and not move. My next concern was the possibility that I paralyzed. Initially I could not move anything. Slowly I was able to move each limb and I tested my hands and feet slowly. After 10 minutes the ambulance arrived and I had bumpy, painful ride to the hospital. I have had extensive MRI’s, CAT scans, X-Rays, and ultra-sounds. The surgeons said that it was a miracle that I wasn’t killed or that my injuries were not even more severe. I am truly blessed that God spared my life.
My wife, Cheryl, has been incredibly supportive and spent two nights in the hospital with me. I never realized that my attorney cared so much about me.
Sorry you got hit and hope you get back to normal as soon as possible. I worry about that so much I’ve cut my road miles WAY back and ride off road, Towpath or paved bike trails for most of my miles.
One of the tri publications published an article years ago that I have still saved. Titled something like “getting creamed and lessons learned”. Several times in the past few years, after these kinds of posts, I’ve thought of mailing it to Slowman with a suggestion to update and republish the info on this site. Recommends just what you said, a million dollars worth of un/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage.
When I met my wife (25 years ago) she was an Allstate agent and I’ve been in the insurance business for the past 10 years. I’d guess that at least 90% of you have this coverage (but most of you don’t have a high enough limit) and it will cover you in an accident on your bike if it can be determined that the car driver was at fault. I’d also guess that most of you have NEVER actually read your insurance policy, thats why you don’t know you have this coverage. At a minimum go find your policy declarations page NOW and see what limits you have for bodily injury liability and un/underinsured motorist bodily injury. If it isn’t at least $100,000 per person $300,000 per accident call your agent or company and ask how much more that coverage will cost you. You may be shocked at how inexpensive it is.
With the avg household income of a triathlete being anywhere from $175,000 to $200,000 per year I would highly recommend umbrella’s in x of 3 to $5mil depending on your occupation. If you are a high profile person ie know business person or doc I would go for the $5 + mark. This is the “cheapest” insurance you will ever buy if something goes terribly wrong. Unfortunately I hear your story all the time, hope your 100% back soon!