Yuppie

This time, totally not my fault. Last time, I'll admit, I was half at fault. But this time, I got hit by a guy making a left turn. It was about 7:45pm in the middle of an intersection, no stop signs. I was in the middle of my lane, no cars behind me and he was coming in the opposite direction and just went left. He hit me square with the front of his car; luckily not too hard. I went down and sat there for a second to make sure I was alright. Started swearing at the guy because I was a bit shaken up and then assessed the bike. Not too much damage, a bent front rim. But the guy was like, "I think your bike is OK." To which I replied, "You're not a bike mechanic; I really don't trust your opinion." I got his business card and and his license plate number. Question is: why does this kind of thing happen to me? I'm still shaken up from the last debacle so I ride much more cautious and then this happens. Do I report this to the police? He's going to pay for any repairs. Why? Why? Why? There's other guys from Chicago on this board and I'm sure they ride much more intense than I do and they're fine on the road. Am I doing something wrong?

dolface

argh.
glad you're all right. you prolly DO want to report this to the police in case anything happens down the road.

HereNT

Report it to the police. Definatly.

That's the response that you would have from advocacy and safety. I'd agree with them. In fact, I would have been flagging down everyone I could to get someone with a cell phone if you didn't have one to do that.

The cops were called before I even got the contact info last time that I was hit (no injury), and there while I was getting info. Never went to court, but I got a new rear wheel. I would have gotten their insurance info too, not just card and number.

Why? Because you have not spent enough time brakeless. No fisheye to the world of traffic. Maybe.

No cars behind you seems more likely, especially if there wa one in front of you. The left turner probably saw a wide open space in that case. But you would have been invisible, blocked by the car in front of you. It happens. I always slow down and put space between myself and the car I'm following in that situation...

pitboss

Ahem...and there are quite a few gals that can smoke the bags of most guys on this board. so yes, the wrongness in which you participate is the assumption that all FX/SS riders here are male.

Glad you aren't dead, but it would appear the FD curse has found a new manifestation in you. Not sure a report would matter at this point - the police really couldn't care less. Unless of course you are related to Mayor Daley. Best thing - have the frame checked for alignment issues based on the angle of impact. Additionally, check your fork. Wheels can usually be re-trued (my MA3 has lasted 2 direct hits), but this will depend on the bend.
Smart move getting his info though. Keep this person up to date regarding what you are doing, etc and make it conversation. If this person becomes dickish, well...you know where he/she works now. I will leave it to your mind from that point.

Yuppie

Thanx for the support all. I really needed some info from people who have had this type of thing happen. I'm filing a report right now. To clear some things up, I use "guys" in the general sense; meaning people. Sorry to offend. Also, I was in the lane all by myself. No one in front, no one in back. And I'm on an SS, so I have a brake. But I got myself a KHS Flite 100 and MAY start riding that soon. I'm sure I'll be too shaken up to tackle that challenge right away.

I've been running it over in my head again and again, but can't really see how it could have been avoided.

By the way, what is the "FD curse"?

bostontrevor

Sorry about the lovetap. The left hook is the first step in the cager mating ritual. Just as with an all-car accident, you should swap insurance info with the other party. If it's a bad enough scene, call the cops on the spot.

Remember, when you're on a bicycle, there's such a thing as a running a green light. Everyone on the road in a car is potentially someone on the road who hasn't recognized what you are and may illegally cross your path.

Good job on not landing in the hospital or the morgue.

dolface

question: are you rockin' some kinda lighting system?
(i like HereNT's theory of the driver simply not seeing you)

SamHouston

I agree w/others too. 7:45pm in Chi in the winter = full dark night. Picking a front light is like any other accesory, fun fun fun. Don't waste your $$ on a light system that is to provide You with light to see by, you're in the city you can see fine, just get a front blinkie in white or green

BlastRadius

Glad your OK.
Most insurance companies want a police report. You'll be better off having one.
Definitely get a light or two if you don't have one already.

absntr

FD curse:

Fugazi Dave, twice -
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/62763-chicago-ride-accident-cursed.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/62028-today-s-crash.html

My turn - https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/76169-jesus-hit-me-his-car-long.html

(Salome also got hit, stickerguy also some time ago).

You might want to reference those.

I've been talking with insurance since - you should have filed the police report since they'll want that and it'll be easier to claim and can't be disputed. Gretchen (my beloved bike) is not okay despite initial overlook. Got a new ride already.

bostontrevor

For def with the light, I wouldn't be caught without one. Since the left hook is the most common car-bike collision, it stands to reason that a headlight is at least as important as a taillight (which I also strongly advocate).

Actually, whether to get the police involved is a local thing. For example, here there's a minimum amount of damage below which the police WILL NOT get involved. I think it's the $2000 no-fault limit. If you call them and there's less than $2000 damage (per vehicle), they'll help you swap information but that's it.