Originally Posted by
RigHty
i was returning home from work today and a car pulled out in front of me at a stop sign. i saw him stopped at a stop sign then he jerked foward a little and saw me coming but it was too late. i hit his fender and was leaned over the hood. i damaged his car and was not hurt in anyway. i was afraid he try and make me pay for the damage, but he didnt. i was just wondering if a similar situation ever occur (hopefully never) what should i do? like if i got hurt or my bike got trashed. do i call there insurance for the damages and hospital bills??
Of course he didn't make you pay! He was at fault! As a motorist in most jurisdictions you must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and bicyclists. If he hit you (and you were following the rules of the road, of course) he would be cited. As a cyclist it is essential to practice the bicycle equivalent of defensive driving at all times. If the unthinkable does happen and the motorist is cited then you would file a claim against their insurance. Plain and simple no different if you had been driving in a car..