kennj123

Was riding down one of my favorite stretches of road not far from my house. Its a slight downhill grade and i could have been going a lot faster. The road is wide and not much traffic and speed limit is 25 and cars don't go much faster. anyway a dumbass box truck comes toward me on my side of the road. I suspect he decided not to make a left turn at the last second and got on my side of the road before merging back on his side. Rattled me for a second, then all of a sudden the car behind him takes the left and i hit the side of the car (the car didn't see me because of the box truck). I got slowed down some, but i didn't have my hand on the rear brake and was only braking with the front and didn't want to brake too hard for fear of going over the handle bars and getting run over. Car had some slight forward speed, so my front bike wheel turned right along with the car and my left should hit the side of the car. Had an okay exchanged with the driver. Assured them i was ok (they thought that was it and they could go) but the front fork was bent and it would be 50-100 to fix. Got their phone and license numbers. I told them not to stress, max value of my bike is 250 or so and damage is way less than that. It probably was a best case scenario, minimal damage but very good time to realistically review all safety protocols.

dragoonO1

Don't be afraid to use the front brake. Learn how to use the front brake better and practice. I am glad that your first contact left you unharmed.

Braking and Turning Your Bicycle

CliffordK

Glad you're ok. A new fork, and maybe wheel isn't the end of the world. Also make sure the top tube and downtube aren't bent/crumpled just behind the head tube.

I'm still having troubles visualizing what happened. Why was the car left? Did you swerve left after passing the truck?

kennj123

Does this help? arrow heads indicate positions in sequence.

SHBR

Sounds like a double left hook to me, the first vehicle (truck) aborted, only to get cut off by a smaller vehicle (car) that was following close behind. This is a common tactic here in China, usually it becomes a stream of left turning traffic that blocks the entire intersection until the light changes.

Edit: The previous post has a diagram that explains it clearly.

kennj123

Very interesting write up. I'll go through in detail over next couple days. I did almost go over handle bars one time going down hill (not too steep) but too much front brake (i believe).

spdracr39

Even if minor ALWAYS get a police report. You think your damage was minor but when the car owner sends you a bill for his how will you prove he was in the wrong ?

kennj123

Given the damage to the vehicles, i'd love to hear their story about how they could hold me liable. I have never called the cops for a fender bender, only if a vehicle needs to be towed or someone injured, which has never happened. I'll take pictures of my bike this morning, insurance people love pictures. I'll start taking my phone with me all the time to take pictures. My damages is likely under 100$. Their damage is a dent on the door, which is best case scenario because door can easily be painted alone but still could approach 1000$ if the paint is a weird color or something. Of course they could claim more damage was done by me, but their story would become even more convoluted. I'm still willing to assume people are generally honest, at least when their is a threat that if they lie they can get in big trouble. I don't feel like wasting cops time, my taxes are already too high also they might not even come unless i really play up how bad the accident was.

10 Wheels

Please go to the police station and file a report.

bikecrate

I had someone do exactly that. She broadsided me during a left hook and then later told her insurance company that I hit her. Although the laws of physics would have to be totally convoluted to make that work, I did have a police report that spelled out the truth. It eventually worked out in my favor, but it took longer since it was "disputed". Unfortunately, people can be one thing at the incident, but later, when they have time to calm down, they can be cold and calculating to protect their own interest. I sincerely hope it works out for you.

FBinNY 

I consider this a variation on what I call a "stalking horse" accident. In busy intersections, I'll use a larger vehicle as a stalking horse to protect me from crossing traffic coming from that side. I might stay to the right of a truck going straight to protect me from a left hook, or might use a left turning truck the same way when making a left. The danger is if your stalking horse stops or accelerates suddenly find yourself popping out from hiding at a very bad time.

So while I'm using a stalking horse, I stay very attuned to what it's doing, and ensure that I won't get caught out.

In this case, the rider was unconsciously using a left turning truck this way, and was exposed when the truck driver changed his mind.

trailangel

$100 damage? You fool. Pain and suffering.
Never tell anybody you are ok... even you do not know.
Police report!

CrippledKonaBoy

Some people gotta learn the hard way. OP sounds like one of these.

Let OP learn.

RPK79

"Oh, I'm fine. Yeah, bike will probably cost $50 to fix. It's only worth $250. Hah, we don't need to involve the cops!"

I hope if I ever hit someone with my car they're as .... nice as you.

kennj123

I'm not legally bound to the statement i made. I could be in shock or disoriented. I just wanted to the other person to know i wasn't trying to set anything up for an unjustified claim.

kennj123

So there is no repercussions for the other party as far a filing a false claim or anything? It makes sense that people would make false claims if there is no consequence.

kennj123

I know what you mean, the car drive was assuming since the truck was in on-coming lane, no vehicle could be there. they forgot there was enough room for a bike to be there. What you call a 'stalking horse', I call a temporary wing man.

CliffordK

A police report is required with a certain amount of damages. Your PD will tell you.

And, yes, there are repercussions. The reports then are available to the insurance companies and can affect insurance rates. I don't know if a bike accident would affect your own auto insurance rates, but it is possible. It could affect the other driver's rates, and if they have liability only insurance, then the insurance company wouldn't have to pay for vehicle damages either.

If your damages are $50 to $100, then I doubt you'd be required to file the report. The other driver might be.

kennj123

One more lesson I learned was i need to have a something to write with and paper to write down stuff. What kind of small waterproof bag can something like that be kept in? i've been in downpours and have been drenched so i need something waterproof. Also, pens leak, lead breaks what to use to write with a? I don't want to be dependent 100% on a cell phone. Also, I take my medical insurance info with me, but what liability info do i need? does my auto or homeowners cover me if i'm at fault? Maybe i'll just have drivers license info with me and sort out liability later.

ltxi

Trail braking never to be ignored/underrated.

SloButWide 

Google "Rite in the Rain". It's waterproof paper. Weird, but it takes ink or pencil just fine. A 50 page pocket pad runs $4; tear out a few sheets and stick them in each saddle bag you've got, or one of your jersey pockets.

bikecrate

I was making the claim against her insurance so I don't know if she would face any penalties other than her getting dropped. Surprisingly, her insurance company was pretty good about it and I felt I was treated fairly.