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Bad day on bike !

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Bad day on bike !

Old 05-08-03, 08:10 PM
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Bad day on bike !

Oh man,

I probably should have just turned around while I was ahead today !!

I was only three blocks from home when I reached an intersection at which we had a red light. I was behind a car as he was turning right and I wanted to go straight. Anyway, I was a good couple feet behind him and he suddenly threw the car into reverse and back up into me and my bike. Before I knew it..I was on the ground !!

He jumped out and was very apologetic like " are you okay, is your bike okay, do you need an ambulance..is there anything I can do "
I was not really hurt besides a couple of minor cuts and stuff and my bike was fine so I got up and told him it was okay.
He asks again if I'm sure and then leaves.

Then only 20 minutes later, I get doored...by a van and it clips me in the side of the head on the helmet. Again, no major injuries - just jarring.

I decide to go home and get my bearings and had a kid suddenly runs directly into my path and causes me to veer off to the side into a garbage can which knocked my fender off.

Anyway, I went home and decided to have a little break before venturing out again. The rest of my day was uneventful...but god....I had some kind of black cloud hanging over me !!

I hope you all had a better day !

Justen
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Old 05-08-03, 08:18 PM
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I am always leery of rides that start off bad in one way or other. I will turn around and go home many times.

I am glad to hear you are ok after all those incidents. Whew!
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Old 05-08-03, 08:24 PM
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Originally posted by SamDaBikinMan
I am always leery of rides that start off bad in one way or other. I will turn around and go home many times.

I am glad to hear you are ok after all those incidents. Whew!
Hey there,

Yeah...it is almost like an omen or something. I should have turned around after the first one but it was such a beautiful day and I didn't want to spend it inside. I had a great bike route planned today !

Glad I didn't get hurt though.

BTW...I love that icon of the guy bashing his head on the desk..that is what I felt like when I got home !

Justen
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Old 05-08-03, 08:53 PM
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Originally posted by Justen
I was only three blocks from home when I reached an intersection at which we had a red light. I was behind a car as he was turning right and I wanted to go straight. Anyway, I was a good couple feet behind him and he suddenly threw the car into reverse and back up into me and my bike.
As a cyclist, you operate a lawful vehicle and you must learn to think of yourself that way.

If you were driving a car and someone backed into you, what would the law say? You would have to report the accident and stay at the scene until the police arrive to make a proper report.

Don't let another motorist take off after hitting you, it's illegal and you might need the law on your side later. (Get the tag number if they jump the scene.)

:thumbup:
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Old 05-08-03, 09:16 PM
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Hi Pete,

Actually, the law here does not accept any accident claims under $1,000. The only time you report is if the damage is clearly over $1,000 or if there is injury to anybody. I did not really get injured - the guy did not take off and there was absolutely no damage to my bike so I figured it was okay. I guess I should have taken down his plate number but no damage so I let him go ...oh well !

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Old 05-08-03, 09:45 PM
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At least you're ok! That's what's important!
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Old 05-08-03, 09:56 PM
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I know the law here is if accident is under $500 you don't have to file a accident report. Since no damage or anything why file one?
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Old 05-08-03, 11:49 PM
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I am curious - did you have a hydrogen peroxide with you to treat your minor cuts? Did you dress your cuts with some bandage?
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Old 05-09-03, 06:50 AM
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Glad you were not hurt.

Whether you have to report an accident or not, it's a good idea to call the police and report it. The driver acted recklessly when he backed up without looking to see if anyone was behind him. He could have seriously injured you. That you were not seriously injured is more a matter of luck than of anything else. Reporting the accident and making the driver wait around until the police come will cost him, if nothing else, some time, and during that time he will have an opportunity to think about the potential consequences of his recklessness.
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Old 05-09-03, 07:56 AM
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Originally posted by Justen
Hi Pete,

Actually, the law here does not accept any accident claims under $1,000.

Justen
Justen,

Where are you located? I am not a lawyer but I can relate the following case to you which is based on personal experience.

In this case the auto driver was at fault and the only purpose the law served was to determine "fault" in the incident. Once fault was determined the case becomes an insurance claim issue.

My brother was traveling east on a major street in Athens, Ga(1990). A MG Midget passed him on the left and almost immediately after passing him turned right into a commercial parking lot striking my brother's bike. He was not seriously injured but his bike frame and crank were damaged beyond reasonable repair.
The police charged the driver with a couple of infractions, turning without a signal, failure to yeild the right of way and maybe another that I don't remember. My brother was going to write the accident off as bad luck but I refused to alloy him to do so. I went to the drivers insurance agent in Athens and informed him that I needed to file a claim ( with a copy of the police report) for the replacement of my brother's bike. I obtained two estimates of replacement from the two bike shops in Athens and filed the claim. Three days later I got my brother a check for almost $900.
He purchased a new frame and replaced all the damaged parts. all I had to do was sign a release saying we would not pursue any further action against the company or the driver.

If the driver did not have insurance it would have been a "small claims court" issue (amounts less than $3000, I think) and it would have been a little more difficult but as long as I have a police report faulting the driver or the drivers admission of fault, I will persue it and anyone else should also.

The moral: If the driver is at fault call the cops. Get a police report.
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Old 05-09-03, 09:37 AM
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Having a day like that, I'm glad your OKAY Justen. :-) I know the feeling. Hmmm.. what else could go wrong? :-)
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Old 05-09-03, 09:51 AM
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Given the way your day was going... I'd say it is just as well you didn't call the cops. You might have been run over by the police car.

Go home and rest ... but stay out of the bathroom and the kitchen, and watch those stairs.

Seriously though, I'm glad your OK.

Dan
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Old 05-09-03, 05:56 PM
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Justen, I am sorry if I sounded like I was saying you did something wrong. You were wronged and I was (in my strange way) trying to encourage you to stick up for your rights.
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