Originally Posted by
Univega
Two pieces of advice.
1) try to make eye contact. Even if you do, that is no guarantee they will not turn in front of you.
2) You didn't mention if you have front and rear lights. Some of these front lights are very bright and will help with visibility. I say this based on your comment " He jumped out ran over to me and was just in total shock." So he didn't see you. There are many other posts that are safety related like "wear bright clothes". Maybe that will help.
Just speaking for myself, but trying to make eye contact might distract me from looking for other threats to my safety, e.g., cars running stop signs from side roads.
Can't argue with making yourself visible, only caveat is don't aim bright lights directly at oncoming drivers, day or night.