Ben I.

Wow, as you said, lucky you weren't hurt more. Glad both you and the bike got out without any huge damage. Amazing how a little coolheadedness can ease a tense situation. Happy that the guy knew he was at fault and took you to the shop and paid for everything.

LAJ

Why?

cellery

Huh?? This is standard practice for fast cyclists who live in a city (what, are they supposed to drive to the booneys everytime they ride)? I ride at similar speeds all the time in rush hour traffic and have zero problems. You know how I was hit by cars twice? First time I was going 15 mph, next time I was going 19 mph - both on a traffic-dead low-speed road by morons who wouldn't know situational awareness and distracted driving if they were hit head on by a semi driving the wrong way. So how slow is slow enough to not blame the victim? We should no more be blaming a cyclist getting hit for going under the posted speed limit than a pedestrian for running in a cross-walk rather than walking when they have the signal and it's clear.

RALPHFELT

Glad your ok, could have turned out worse.

JTGraphics

Not going to lecture you about what you did or how to ride many have done that with some good advice.
But I will give you some advice on steps to follow in case it should happen again and you get up right away that may help after if needed.
1 Call police so they can write a report if needed later even if your OK, expect to wait for them to show if no one is injured.
2 Do not say your OK (Not Injured at all" even if you are if you need to file an injury report later it will not help you on record saying your fine.
3 Wait a day or 2 to make sure you are really not injured first. Then if you fill OK (you will be sore) but Ok then figure out what to do about the damage to your bike, this will leave the door open in case you do need to get insurance involved, at that point they will handle medical and repair needs.
4 After its all done try to work it out with the driver if they are willing to pay for repairs out of pocket that's fine, but do that after.

What you did was OK but if you did find out you had some kind of real injury it would be hard to say that since you got up went to a bike shop got your bike repaired rode away all at the same day.
I've been hit 2 times both times I came out OK but bike had injuries LOL which drivers did take care of, I'm not a sue happy person but don't close that door so fast in case you need to open it.
Ride with care and good judgement "Ride ON"

DXchulo

I disagree with those who say you should have involved the police. Seems like the guy who hit you was nicer than 99% of people would have been. Calling the cops is a good way to get things to turn ugly. I'd also be willing to bet that they would have found a way to determine that the accident was your fault. There are times to call the cops, but this wasn't one of them.

JTGraphics

If it was your fault then the driver has no reason to pay for your repairs.

DXchulo

The kid was willing to pay for repairs without the cops being involved. Add the cops and it might be a different story.

coasting 

wtf. the speed limit in city is usually 30. whats wrong with 27?

JTGraphics

That were your wrong cops do not get involved it that they do encourage settling as they did.
Having the police come out and make a report has nothing to do with someone willing to make repairs out of pocket.
I may even scare them into doing so to avoid a getting insurance company involved, as long as your not at fault. (Police do not contact insurance companies the parties involved do that.)

Sounds like your the type that will try to get something even if it was your own fault for not paying attention and hit someone.

lgp927

My son had a similar experience this summer he is 15, a lady right hooked him at an intersection, ambulance was called to get him checked out, as well as cops. the paramedics decided tthat the cops were not needed so they called them off. so I had son call cops again to do a police report, cops show up and right off away they sstart beign ******** to my son telling him that he should ride a beach cruiser and that he shouldnt be on the road. Filed a claim against the lady her insurance calls me and denies the claim becasue they claim that my son hit her. when all the evidence shows that she turned in to him as she hit him w her front bumper but the ******* cop in the police report stated that it was his fault. take in to account that my son knows how to ride on the road and he actually races for a Team so Iknow he wouldnt do something stupid on the road, specially on his way to practice.
So now im out about 5k for medical bills and bike replacement etc etc. I tried to get an attorney but becuause ther was not a seirious injusry they wouldnt even bother with it. BTW this is in California.

JTGraphics

Here's some info that may help others also.
On your auto insurance get the uninsured option if you ride a bike and a nice hi limit, the cost will not be to great to add it.
Reason is most drivers carry minimal coverage, if you are involved in a car verses bike accident and you are seriously injured and that drivers insurance coverage is maxed out you will be responsible for the remaining bill, this is were the uninsured motorist coverage will help you cover those cost even if you were on your bike.
The bills will climb very fast if your stay is several days in the hospital.

DXchulo

No need for a personal attack. (You're completely wrong, BTW.) Just sharing my opinion here.

I was envisioning a situation similar to what lgp927 mentioned above. I'd be willing to bet that no witnesses stuck around. Then it becomes your word versus his, and in my experience the cops tend to favor the automobile.

Stucky

For what, if his actual damages have actually been paid for already???

It's nice to hear of a bad situation in which the participants acted responsibly, and settled things like adults should. The negligent driver took responsibility; and the victim didn't try and turn an accident into winning the lottery. Win/win! Kudos to both, and I'm glad the OP is O-K, and that he was made whole without having to go through a big hassle. Sadly, such scenarios are becoming rare now-a-days.

JTGraphics

Sorry did not intend that to be an attack on you!
It's always messy when your invoived in a accident for sure how one goes about it is on a case to case situation no one fits all here. Have a great year and safe one!

SlowSpinner

I got sided swiped by a car. The driver stopped and she started giving me a hard time for being in the road. I was so shaken by the incident I just called the police and let them talk to her. I was ok. Her insurance company paid for equipment and kit damage. I hope you heal physically and mentally from the incident. I still have mentally problems at times about riding on the road.

chaadster

I was speaking in the context of the possibility of unknown injuries that may surface the next day, or oversights in the compensation, like a helmet, which was not mentioned.

Further, it is also the custom in the USA to compensate victims of accidents for hardship, missed work, pain, inconvenience, etc.

As someone who has been in traffic accidents before, I will attest that it can be difficult to clearly think of everything in the moment, and that merely acting in good faith does not absolve one of responsibility. We agree the driver acted responsibly, but we do not agree that the victim was necessarily "made whole." It seems likely he was, and no further action is needed, but it's not explicit or clearly true he was, and further resolution may be warranted.

As an example, a couple of years ago some ragin' cager brake-checked me off his rear bumper into a curb, taco-ing my front wheel. Without going into further detail, I'll just say that I didn't notice the damage that caused to my wristwatch until a few days later, and so it was not part of the compensation.

The point of that story is not the cops would ask you about your watch or whatever, but that their presence triggers a different type of accounting than that which might occur otherwise. I recall the officer prompting me to thoroughly examine my bike before he completed the report.

TheLoneWolf

Returning to bicycling after many years (when cycle helmets not used much back then!), I have always used a rear view mirror on handlebars. Feel more secure and expands my safety awareness zone helping me take pre-emptive action. In my younger days, never got in accident but some close calls. In these more congested & crowded urban surroundings now, there is just a little fear when I read stories like these. Ride EXTRA defensively!!

Stucky

Valid points, but in the OP's context, since the driver took responsibility and paid out-of-pocket, he was essentially admitting guilt- so if OP were to discover an injury or further damages, it would be a pretty easy deal to get those taken care of, as well. If I were in a situation where I was assuming my rightfull obligations for damage I had done, and the other person started talking about insurance and cops and all that, I'd probably at that point start thinking that they were looking for a pay-day, and then just let the insurance co. handle it completely.

It can be a tough call, thouhg. As a victim, you want to preserve your options and guard your rights; while the negligent party doesn't want to get reamed, even if he wants to do the right thing.

I'm just glad that this particular story worked out well for all involved. Being nice and reasonable trumps just about everything else.

chaadster

Agreed.

pallen

Why? In my experience going closer to the same speed as traffic is often helpful.

bronco71

Quick question, do you know if the uninsured option will improve coverage for hit and run incidents?

JTGraphics

That I do not know but I do know once the drivers coverage limit is used your uninsured motorist will kick in to help cover costs, ask your agent on details for specific details I am not an insurance agent but know a few that this has helped out with.

Here is some info on this https://www.longbeachinjuryfirm.com/P...un-Driver.aspx
I do not know this company just for information (ONLY) purpose so check out this info with your insurer.!

intransit1217

Glad to hear the op is ok for the most part and I hope he doesn't have any sudden or lasting injuries !

kbarch

One more note, regarding reports made to the police. They aren't a big deal. Remember: all they are is a record of what one party or another says, they aren't legal findings of fact, they do not, in themselves, constitute a claim or a charge, and they aren't always even made at the time of the accident. They are simply a matter of record. All that is required in the case of an injury accident is that a report be made. Nobody is required to make a claim for damages, or charge anyone with anything.

After my accident, I didn't file a report at the time, because I was put into an ambulance and the cops didn't come with. They didn't do an investigation, they just wrote down what the driver said happened. Later, I was shocked to learn that the driver reported that I had rear-ended him! I was at a loss, and if I hadn't been on drugs, I'd have been freaking out. But my attorney was all, like, whatever, file a police report your own self.... Of course HE knew why it was no big deal; I wasn't convinced until the trial was over.