rear-ended by motorist

I commute by bike. I don't own an auto.

On a clear-blue-sky morning, two-lane, rural highway, white-line with 6-12" of asphalt to the right of the white-line before ditches/earthen-banks/rocks/etc. I was struck from behind. I've worn a bright-orange/yellow-striped safety vest since day one. Six months of commuting 7-days-week without serious incident.

I went from ~5 m.p.h. pedaling uphill/laptop in lt. rear basket/waterproof saddlebag on rt. rear rack. to ~55 m.p.h. in under a second. Foot-pedal strap held my left foot while my body/bike went flying in different directions.. Left ankle/leg bones ripped apart by pedal strap. Minor bruises/scrapes to left body/back/leg.

Young male driver stopped, called 911, spoke to State Police while I was transported to local hospital. Says he "swerved to avoid me"?

I'm on blood thinners! Surgery to leg/ankle 3 days later when blood thinning abated via Vit.K./time.

Pins/plate to ankle. Screws to leg bones to be removed ~healing x 6 wks.

No income; I was working 7-days-week, paycheck-to-paycheck.

Comments? Other websites addressing accident victims of biking strikes?

Someone said Virginia has traffic law requiring cars to give 8' berth to cyclists? I've never heard same.

Driver cited with "reckless driving". What about "vehicular assault"?