I was on the shoulder for some moronic reason, when another cyclist who was driving her car at the time, did practically the same thing that happened to me in 2007(that driver tried to pass me in the same lane and drifted towards the curb then claimed they didn't see me despite my being in front of them only moments before the crash).

The difference between today and 2007 is, the driver today, was profusely apologetic. Also the police took the ins. info and will be filing a report, which did not happen in 2007. In 2007, the police just blew me off.

I am a little sore, but no broken bones or damage to my bike.

I'm sorry to hear that you were in a crash (or another one) I am glad that you got away with very little in the way of injuries and/or damages to your bike. Were EMTs called to the scene to check you out? I'm also glad to hear that this crash went better with the police than the last one.

I told the police that I didn't feel like I needed to be examined by EMTs even though the closest firehouse, was just a half a block away.

While I told the police that, I am keeping an eye on my left arm, to see if there is any swelling over the next twenty-four hours(from the time of the accident).

If there is any swelling, I will be contacting the driver's ins. co. about any needed treatment. But I am going to be guarded about when I call the ins. co. and, what I tell them. In the 2007 accident, that ins. co. quickly said it was my fault. So I will not be so easy-going with her ins. co..

Just me, but the EMT's can go thru their routine, whether they take you to the ER or a local urgi-center is what they'll ask you, but at least documents any injury(ies) that'll make it easier to prove later if it develops into trouble.

Chris,

It's always a good idea to allow the EMT's to be called and to allow them to check you out. If for not other reason than to have a verifiable paper trail that the injuries occurred when and where you say that you were injured. If you don't get checked out than, but instead wait a couple of days than the drivers insurance can always claim that you were injured before or after your claim.

If you're involved in a collision with a car and are knocked to the ground do not jump up and start walking/running around as if nothing has happened, particularly if you should hit your head, or think that you might have hit your head. Sit tight and let the EMT's check you out, if it is not safe to stay where you are move to the sidewalk/edge of the road.

I was talking with the owner of the LBS the other week and he was telling us about a crash he was in, where he did just that i.e. popped up as if nothing was wrong. He realized that he would be better served by staying put and sat right back down and waited for the EMT's to show up.

Exactly, that paper trail can mean all the difference in the world in proving when, where, and how one was injured. Without it, it can be argued that it's just your word against their.

Yes, I should have. The decision-maker for me, was the lack of pain. Compared last year when I broke the same that I broke in 2003, when I received a hair-line in my right wrist. My pain was much more physically obvious.

The "I didn't see you" excuse should ALWAYS result in at a minimum a careless operation citation.

Definitely

+1,000

It should also result in the driver having to ride a bicycle for transportation as part of their punishment.

I was thinking of telling the driver who claimed to be a cyclist, that she needs to ride more often and in traffic. Then she would have a better appreciation she did.

That they would, which is why so many of us advocate that as a part of the driver's ed process that new drivers have to ride a bicycle as a form of transportation. So that they will know what it is like to ride a bike for transportation.

As if they knew what we have to deal with (sometimes on a daily basis) they might be inclined to be better drivers when they finally got their license.

You're like most of us, no pain, we must be alright ? I figure a car hits me on the bike, pain, bike damage or not, at the very least, I'm going to need some time to collect myself before trying to continue on. I figure the car driver that hit me at least owes me a few bucks for the inconvenience and if his insurance company doesn't think so, maybe a lawsuit will convince them not to be so cheap.

Scrawling "MURDERER" in your own blood across the car's hood can also help if you're planning to claim emotional distress and/or PTSD.

"i didn't see him" and "he came out of nowhere" are typical statements made by people who weren't paying attention. of course there are legitimate reasons why an attentive motorist may say these things, but most often it's an admission of not paying attention to the road and what's on it.

a co-worker broke two different bones and he popped right up and was walking around. Shock will do that for you

My brother's a paramedic, and he says they have a HELL of a time getting people who have just been in accidents to lie down and accept medical attention. He's seen people walking around with broken ankles without realizing it.

Those are really some of the magic words a lawyer wants to know the negligent party uttered after an incident. It frequently negates any argument the other party was responsible or even partially responsible. How can the negligent party have any credibility in later claiming the other party was at fault when they already admitted they were not paying attention. Opens the door to repeating each allegation then asking, "so, at what time were you lying."

Not just shock, but adrenaline as well. As I would imagine that after having been hit that the "fight or flight" reflex is in full swing. Not to mention the disbelief that one has been hit.

Yep, as does "riding the horn" or revving their engine while behind a cyclist. I mean if they didn't "see" us then who were they either blowing their horn or revving their engine at? I mean there had to be a reason for them to do either act, right?

that's why, when i was an EMT, i paid attention to those types of statements and noted them in quotes on the report

Driver of vehicle A stated "I never saw the other car until after I heard a loud bang."

It's nice to hear that it was recorded in someone's official report about the crash. It'd be nice if both the LEO's and the court system took it as the admission of guilt that it is that the driver was too distracted by whatever was happening inside their little steel (yes I know that not all cars are made out of steel) cocoons. And weren't paying attention to the road or their driving.

Absolutely!!!

I will keep that in mind.

Agreed. Isn't that the definition of inattentive driving?

I'm glad you're appearantly at least okay. Get back on that horse as soon as the pain allows!

I'm also glad the person at least stopped and st least claimed responsibility, which is rare these days. Also, congrats on the bike being okay...well kind of. A new bike from the insurance company might have been nice!

I think so, if it isn't it should be.