The accident occurred during the night of December 12–13, 2014, at the roundabout on Zgorzelecka Street, near a petrol station. – I was crossing the road lawfully – „ii” Stanisław Baryluk recounts. – Now I remember it as if through a fog. Everything happened so quickly.
First, the Bolesławiec resident, who was then 30, was hit by a passenger car. Mr Stanisław fell onto the road. Then... a van ran over him. – I was really unlucky then. It’s a good thing the van wasn’t loaded. Maybe that’s why I’m alive – the injured man adds.
After the accident, he was taken to the intensive care unit. His pelvis was fractured in eight places, and he had a spinal injury. He was in critical condition. Doctors gave him a 2% chance of survival. A priest had even come to see him. – It was something terrible – the man recalls.
He spent more than 10 days in that ward. He survived. However, he did not leave the hospital until the end of February last year. He still has problems with his left hand (paresis). And unfortunately, he is left-handed. (It was with this hand that he drew the portraits that decorate the walls of his home).
He then underwent three weeks of rehabilitation. At that time, he used a wheelchair. When it ended, he was already able to move around on his own. – As far as my health is concerned, I’m well enough to walk – he says. – I’m a stubborn person; when I set my mind to something, I can sometimes force myself to do it.
However, his legs still cause problems. But the worst is his hand. Another operation was necessary.
Being hit
To this day, it is not known who was driving the passenger car. Attempts to establish this using surveillance footage were unsuccessful. (The incident occurred after 4 a.m.; it was dark, and sleet was falling.) A compensation claims company took up the case, followed by a law firm. Without result. Now a lawyer is helping the Bolesławiec resident free of charge Arkadiusz Krzemiński.
To make matters worse, the court ruled that the injured man was at fault. – I had no witnesses – the man says sadly. He adds: – I absolutely disagree with this ruling. It hurts me deeply, because it makes it look as if I had deliberately lain down in the road.
It is worth adding that when he was admitted to hospital again (for another hand operation; because of inflammation, he says, he lost a piece of muscle), a man who had been in the adjacent room for a very short time told the injured man that he had witnessed the accident mentioned above. And that it was not Mr Stanisław’s fault. – In the turmoil of events, I didn’t take down his details. It’s a shame, because he could have helped me a great deal – the Bolesławiec resident recalls. However, if this man is reading these words, please contact the editorial office.
What next?
Stanisław Baryluk is now receiving social benefits. Because of the paresis in his left hand, it is difficult for him to find work. Further rehabilitation is necessary, but the Bolesławiec resident cannot afford it (he is waiting for free appointments, but the waiting times are long). – This hand swells and is cold, as if blood were not reaching it – he adds.
You can help
You can allocate 1% of your tax to Mr Stanisław. The details are as follows:
Stowarzyszenie Ziemia Bolesławiecka
KRS 0000163366
In the specific-purpose field, enter “Stanisław Baryluk”.
Alternatively, you can transfer money to the Ziemia Bolesławiecka account (82 1240 1473 1111 0010 0175 6262), entering “Stanisław Baryluk” as the transfer title.