fubar5

I got hit by a car for the first time today. It wasn't a bad hit, the driver made a left turn across the bike lane and cut me off. I could see he was slowing down, but I thought it was because of the car in front of him, and he didn't have his blinker on. All that happen was me handlebars got twisted and my shifter turned sideways(I was on my road bike, so it was my STI shifters). It kinda ticked me that the driver didn't stop to make sure I was OK, but lifes a beach, so I hopped back on my bike and continued on my way to school.

Viper

Good to hear you're ok. Bummer about the driver!

Grendel

Wait a minute -- the driver hit you with his vehicle but didn't stop? Even if it was a minor thing, the law still requires that a driver stop and render aid if needed. Got any witnesses or a plate number? If it was the fault of the driver (which it sounds like it might have been) then you probably can file a claim against his insurance for damage to your bike, provided you have some way of tracking him down. If it's worth pursuing, I suppose you could stake out the place at the same time during the next few days and see if he shows up again and get a plate number.

MediaCreations 

Glad to hear you're OK. I hope you can get the bike back to A1 condition soon.

wabbit

That's a lot like what happened to me a few months ago, same damage to the bike- also need new wheels. Driver didn't stop, etc. And I was injured as well. Glad to hear you're okay at least and none of the repairs sounds terribly expensive. It seems that if you aren't dead, most drivers will just take off rather than deal with the hassle. Mind you, even if you are dead, some of them still take off!

D*Alex

Geez! I'd file a police report. If he hit you bad enough to twist your bars.shifters, then there is evidence on his body, as well. Even if all you get out of it is a new package of bar tape, I'd still nail the b@st@rd!

VegasCyclist

I agree, if you got his plate, get him busted for making an illegal turn (no blinker) and failure to yeild, and anything else you can think of.

good thing you are ok though.... you commute to college?

urban_assault

Glad to hear you're ok.

ahuman

glad you are ok!
wish you had gotten his plate number the money could have helped with your school fund. hit and run is a no no in this country

Hunter

Good to hear that there was no lasting damage done. It is never good to join the HBAAD club. however in most every state in this country the incident is now a felony.

uciflylow

Glad you'r not hurt!

I had an ole gal to pull almost the same stunt on me this evening. Turned left in front of me then slamed on the breaks so as not to scuff the front bumper on the low street transistion. I almost took the rear quarter panell before I could slow down enough to make a swerve to the left my self.

Just remember, we are invisible!

caloso

Glad you're okay. And I hope you find the guy. Sounds like he or she owes you the cost of repairs.

newmtb

The same thing generally happened to my brother while on his way to school( he was at university at the time) A lady cut the bike lane off without even looking. She drove right over his bike bending the frame and breaking his hand. Worst thing was she continued on her way. He went around later that day after getting medical attention and eventually found her car on campus. Well her mistake was she left. It cost her one year tution cause my brother couldn't do any of his lab work. And she got to buy him a new bicycle. Hit and runs are unexcusable even if the cyclist isn't hurt.


It pisses me off when people think that the cycling lane is an extention of there lane. somewhere they can drift in and out of. To coin seinfeld " they are not leisure lanes"

Chris L

Glad you're OK, fubar. I'm going to add my voice to those who say that you perhaps should have called the cops. Although I don't really blame you for not doing so. It's easy to forget about things like that in such a situation.

Pete Clark

Firstly, Matt, let me say I am so relieved you are not injured.

Secondly, I want to point out that here in Georgia, leaving the scene of an accident is illegal. Here is what a quick Yahoo search uncovered about New Jersey laws about it (which are probably similar to Georgia's and yours: )

(b) The driver of any vehicle knowingly involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle, including his own vehicle, or other property which is attended by any person shall immediately stop his vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as possible, but shall then forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of such accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of subsection (c) of this section. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. Any person who shall violate this subsection shall be fined not less than $200 nor more than $400, or be imprisoned for a period of not more than 30 days, or both, for the first offense, and for a subsequent offense, shall be fined not less than $400 nor more than $600, or be imprisoned for a period of not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days or both.

In addition, a person who violates this subsection shall, for a first offense, forfeit the right to operate a motor vehicle in this State for a period of six months from the date of conviction, and for a period of one year from the date of conviction for any subsequent offense.

Get the tag number and witnesses next time, if you can, my friend.

ChipRGW

Wow,
Must be the moon or something.
I almost got nailed the same way tonight too.
Sad part was I WAS going 22 mph at the time. The dirtbag wouldn't have had to wait too long for me to be out of the way, but noooooo, BAM... Right Hook. Just dodged him tho. The car behind him was honking like crazy when the van started his turn.

Oh, well... glad to hear we both made it out ok.

shokhead

I almost get it every sat and sun by the paper delivers on the wrong side of the street driving and cutting every which way,they are a hazzard.

cyclezealot

Last July a driver making an illegal turn took me down.. Slightly twisted my handlebars.. Took off after a very quick stop..
I do not think we should idly take this crap.. I think it might be a good strategy to carry at all times a disposable camera to get these ******** since they are almost always hit and runs.. And almost never do we get a license plate..

detrieux

In Ohio if you are in a hit and run and you have a witness you can collect on your uninsured motorist coverage on your car insurance if you have it. You might want to check with you insurance agent if you have one.

fubar5

Well, once I realised what was happening, I grabbed my brakes and tried to prevent the crash. After that I on the ground with my bike. When I got up to check out my bike he was gone, but remember it was a green might max long bed pick-up. I might be able to spot him some other time.

Vegas, my college is only 12 miles from my house, so I've been commuting by bike since it is so close. Next year when I go to a bigger college my commute probably won't be so long if I can get on campus.

Prosody

Glad you're ok.

lotek 

Fubar,

Glad to hear you're ok.
I believe (but I'm not a lawyer so it don't count) that
Hit and Run is a felony if it includes injury (at least
that was the law in Virginia).
I concur with all of the above posts that suggest you
contact the police. Even if nothing comes of it
you still have it on record.

Again, glad you're in one piece.

Marty

Greg

Good to hear you are ok Matt.

Go to the police and report the incident right away. You could save a bikers life down the road a bit.

Be responsible.

Dannihilator

Hit and Run with a side of Assault if you were injured.

RonH

Glad you're ok Matt.
Any bruises or cuts from going down with the bike?


There shouldn't be very many green Mighty Max trucks around there. I haven't seen one around here in a while.


I hope you find the S.O.B. so you can prosecute or at least give him hell for what he did to you and your bike.