big boy phil

I've heard that cycling is one of the most dangerous sports, and my trip to the E.R. Added to that statistic.
So I just got my swift for my birthday at the beginning of this month and have been enjoying the heck out of it ever since. Last night I decided to go for a ride but it was cut short by a driver who decided to turn right as I was going to cross through the intersection.
Suffice to say I was struck by a van and was thrown across 3 lanes of traffic. According to the witnesses, I flipped over several times. They were surprised that I was able to stand up and walk off to the side of the road. I guess I was in a bit of shock and my adrenaline was pumping, which got me going. I walked away with a lot of road rash to my legs, cuts scrapes and a lot of bruising in some tender areas and a severely sprained finger, that I swore was broken at the time.
Unfortunately my less thatn 3 week old swift did not fare so well. I'm sad to say that it is unrideable at this time. I don't know the exact condition it is in right now, but I had to drag it out of the intersection. Oh well, like everyones been telling me, the bike can be replaced, but I can't. Yeah I'm thankful for that, but I'm super bummed about my (ex)new ride.

willzz

glad you're ok..and you'll recover..
you did'nt say if the driver had insurance ?
it should cover the bike..
i've got hit also..and had the bike replaced..
good luck..

maunakea

BBP, glad you are still with us. The most common type of accident involving motorcycles (don't know if similar stats are kept for bicycles) is the left-turning driver. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation and govt analysis is that the left-turning driver does not perceive you. After my own trip to the ER and surgery, I stopped riding at night except when I have no choice, e.g., have to make the last ferry, etc. I now use an HID lighting systems on my velo. Cars think you are a motorcycle, which a step up in visibility, but there is still no cocoon of steel. Try this stuff on your road rash... works for me.
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...t%3A%20Therapy

kb5ql

Didn't you just get the bike? That sucks. (What happened to you ... not the bike )

14R 

that's why when I aproach a curve I usually take over the entire lane...

Sorry to hear about your accident. The driver should pay for your bike. Do you have a copy of the police report?

DaFriMon

Well, since you're okay, which is the main thing, were either of the motorists involved ticketed? I gather it was two of them, the car that cut you off and the van that actually hit you.

big boy phil

kb5gl - yeah, i did just get the bike. I think I received it on 4/7.

There was only one vehicle involved. The van that made a right in front of me was the one I hit, and bounced off of.
However, I don't have a police report. We called the police, but they said they do not send out officers for calls like this. Also, as I was sitting on the corner with witnesses around me, a police car drove by, the witnesses tried to flag him down, but he didn't stop. jerks. The lady at the police station said they would send paramedics if I needed them, but at the time, I felt I didn't need them.
I did get all the drivers information including insurance info. It was a company van as well.
I am thinking about stopping by the police station on my own, and seeing about filing a report, just so they have the information.
thank you all for the kind words and support. I hope to get this resolved quickly.

folder fanatic

I am very glad that you are all right. Your situation indicates to me that to gain any sort of credibility with the police, a pedestrian or cyclist must go to the emergency room even if he/she checks out ok. The reason is that the emergency room doctor must sign you off, there will be a record of your visit, and your bike would be more likely noted-man on bike-and taken more seriously by the police. I know it is all a big hassle, but that is the way this legal world works.

Shaymo

Sounds like a very close shave. Your a lucky man! You should buy yourself a new folder as a reward.

invisiblehand

Whoa ... good thing you still have all of your facilities. Please let us know when you are back on the road.

-G

invisiblehand

Hmmmm, I hate to say this so early in the process. But perhaps you should speak to a lawyer.

-G

LittlePixel

Glad you're ok Phil. I think this might have something to do with the little Swift-shaped voodoo doll your R20 has in the garage that it plays with when you're out with your new love

Seriously though - those side swipes are all too common. Hard to avoid sometimes. I recall banging on the side of said 'we-don't-need-no-rear-view-mirror' drivers when they do they same (on left hand turns) here in uk. I've never come a total cropper though; Many have.
I'm not a litigous person but if they don't come through at the very least with a new Swift for you then it's LawyerTyme™

Funnily enough I nearly literally ran into Sharon 'Pop Idol' Osbourne on the way to work last monday. She decided to step into the road (Euston Road - by the Planetarium / Baker Street) to hail a cab just as I was coming along silently on my Twenty. Just had enough room to swerve. Wish I'd hit her - imagine the compensation I could have wringed out of her!

Fear&Trembling

Glad that you're OK.

Definitely do this. You might also want to take photos of you injuries – particularly if you have ripe looking contusions/abrasions. It is also worth getting yourself properly checked out by a doctor. Talking from experience, shock tends to numb pain and, as such, you may have done more damage than you imagine.

I have third-party insurance and if anyone takes me down - I would be getting (free CTC) legal advice the very next day.

invisiblehand

CTC? Just curious ...

Fear&Trembling

Cyclist Touring Club

A venerable institution...https://www.ctc.org.uk/ but not much good if you're not in the UK...

@BBP - did you get the contact details of the independent witnesses? This will make your case a lot stronger if they concur with your side of the story.

I carry a small business card with me with a list of reminders of what to do in the event of an accident. Shock, pain and the strange euphoria of walking away (hopefully) from an accident can do funny things with your thought processes.

CaptainSpalding

Great idea. Also worthwhile to have a disposable camera, point-and-shoot digicam, or even a camera phone to get some photos at the scene.

Another reason to file a police report, beyond improving your odds of reimbursement for your ride, is to have the incident on file for statistical reasons. As the statistics rise, so may awareness.

Have you contacted the company that owns the van? Do they seem amenable to replacing your bike or are they going to play hard ball?

If their insurance company offers you a check, they may present you a form saying that the check represents "full and final" compensation for the incident. Don't sign it. . . .

invisiblehand

By the way, if you have not already seen this webpage ...

https://www.floridabicycle.org/messen.../winter036.htm

I thought it was quite informative.

-G

big boy phil

well, I have settled with the driver and his company. I did sign a release indicating that I would not pursue the issue any further beyond the settlement. I still have to cash the check though. Considering that I am still alive, well, and healthy I see no need to go any further. I would much rather just be on my way with the situation. Thank you all for the suggestions and kind words. I hope to get a swift back on the road soon. As for me, my abrasions are scabbing/healing, and the general soreness is slowy going away.

James H Haury

Sorry to hear of your mishap.I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Baldone

When a lawyer gets involved it is only the lawyer that wins.

It was good that the guy stopped that is more than many others do.

Did you have lights, bright clothing, or a reflector how dark was it?

What area do you live in? I'd like to know what police department doesn't go to auto pedestrian accidents.

Polaris43

unless the porn capital of the world has changed, he lives in the San Fernando Valley... or maybe the Inland Empire... or maybe the entire L.A. basin is the porn capital of the world...

Baldone

Very nice link.

juiceranch

wow, today i was riding and this guy was going right through a stop sign. it was like a T i was coming from the right and he was turning right, he clipped the back tire of my bike, which i just bought, then called me a f******g b***h and said i wasnt looking, so by instinct i followed him and i just happened to have a shovel, so i smacked the back window of the truck with the shovel and it broke then i just rode off like whatever. i never saw him again thankfully.

Polaris43

You were carrying a shovel on your bike...? A regular, long handled shovel?

big boy phil

porn capital is indeed the san fernando valley, in sunny southern cali!!
i had front and rear lights and it was almost 9 pm, pretty dark.
i'm glad he stopped too. besides i had a handful of witnesses to help me out as well.