Originally Posted by
Leinster
Cops don't come to the scene of a traffic accident unless there's a major injury or major property damage, and I don't think this incident in the OP qualifies. By all means exchange phone numbers, and in this case there were witnesses so get some details for them, but if the worst result was a slightly out of true front wheel, then other than getting the driver to pay for the LBS to fix it, I don't see what else could be done.
Really? I was struck by a car 12 days ago, and four cops responded. One was a detective who happened to be in the area, and showed up just to make sure that I was OK, OK as in not lying in the road with broken bones, or blood coming out of my ears, or spitting up blood. He told everyone to leave my bike and everything that came flying off it and me in the road, right where it landed, until the uniformed officers arrived and took pictures. And radioed the ambulance to slow it down because I was up and walking. A witness had already called 911. Drivers say the damnedest things when they're rattled. Like admitting liability. Stuff like that.They even say that to the cops. Even if the cops don't interview witnesses, or the driver, they take down their names and contact info.
Even where they don't interview the driver, they take down information from him so the information exchange between the parties is documented. That includes the driver's insurance carrier. If the driver doesn't notify them, you can.