Hit by a car in crosswalk
I was riding in a crosswalk going across the street in front of a SUV that was waiting at the stop sign. The traffic was going in the opposite direction that I was going and the driver was looking left. As I crossed in front of the vehicle it moved forward, hitting me and I went down and broke my knee. As a result I have a several thousand dollar medical bill. My lawyer said that it is a very difficult case and at best the driver’s insurance would pay half and may not pay at all. I am not rich so it would be very hard for me to pay my bill and I am not eligible for medical.
I learned that riding in the crosswalk on a bike is actually illegal and I know that many of you would say I should not have been on the sidewalk in the first place. I know what my failings were and at this time I don’t need to be reprimanded. What I want to know is why the driver should not have a portion of the responsibility because she FAILED to look right to make sure the crosswalk was clear before moving into it. If I had no bike I would have been considered a pedestrian and they would say it was her fault entirely, but because I was on a bike I had no rights. I was not riding fast and crazy like some do. To me there is something wrong with the traffic laws. I feel like a third class citizen. Not only did I go through a lot of pain and suffering and inconvenience, I must now bear the burden of paying hospital bills while the driver goes scott free?