Has your life ever been thrown around by an accident?

I was riding my bike home tonight, going down a very quiet street, and I see two dogs on the sidewalk halfway up the block, one of whom is unleashed. I start worrying about being chased, since I’ve been chased by a dog before on this street (not one of those dogs, though). Of course, I was worrying about the wrong thing.

The dog is not exactly used to vehicular traffic, and not trained to look both ways before crossing (what could it’s owners have been thinking)? Two seconds before I pass it, it starts across the street, and I can’t stop in time, so bang! Hit the dog, fall over, road rash on my elbow.

The owners were very nice and solicitous. They took me in to their backyard, gave me water; cleaned my elbow, and tried to fix my bike. Then the other pains started—my hip (that I fell on), my upper back (opposite from the side I fell on), and my neck and the top of my leg on the side I fell on.

My bike was broken, but so was my new camera. I have to go see a doctor tomorrow. My wife pointed out that I could sue them for negligence (there’s a leash law) although she doesn’t think I should. They were nice people, and we got to know each other very pleasantly as we waited for my wife to come and get me.

For a moment there, I couldn’t remember the directions right after the husband told me them, and I was worrying I had a concussion. But I don’t think so. It was probably just a bit of shock. But now—I can’t ride until my bike is fixed. I have to go to the doctor. I have to deal with shit I had not intended to be dealing with. It makes me sick. Weirdly, it also makes me feel stupid and inadequate.

Have you ever had an accident throw you off balance like that? What happened? How did it change you (if at all)? Did you blame yourself in some way for the accident? Do you have any tricks for dealing with the emotions of events like this?