Originally Posted by
California Crow
No report. I was so relieved that I was unhurt, and so close to home, that all I wanted to do was get there ASAP. I did get the guys contact info, license number, etc. I'd told him he'd be hearing from me after I checked out the bike more fully. He couldn't have been more apologetic and concerned. Had his response been anything else, I'd have probably pressed the issue further. On reflection, I probably at least should have notified the police, just to cover all the bases.
If there was no police report, this accident didn't happen. If he's dishonest he can just walk away from this. People are act nice and honest exactly for that reason: they know they're guilty, to avoid a police report, that relieves them from any responsibility. If you are ever in an accident, call the police and get a report written, always. You may have internal injuries that won't be apparent until your adrenaline wears off hours later, or next day.