BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

This was likely the same crash mentioned in the local news thread. http://localhost/mb/topic/local-news-stories-lte-2016/page/7/#post-328749

This was likely the same crash mentioned in the local news thread, in this post.

This was likely the same crash mentioned in the local news thread, in this post.

This was possibly me, but it was on Liberty before 40th. Light blue bike with pannier. Cut off by SUV turning left into a lot, couldn't stop fast enough and ended up against the side, then, of course end over end in the road. Miraculously no broken bones, no ruptures, didn't hit my head. Bike is totaled. Police report filed, but I never got to speak with the driver because of the medical attention at the scene.

Jeez. Heal up fast. Glad to hear you're (relatively) okay.

Jesus. Scary. Glad you are ok!!! Ive been lucky enough to never be involved in something like that, but the more I ride, the more chance something like that will happen. If you don't mind, could you tell us what happened afterward, with the police, ems, etc. Not nitty gritty details, but from the point of view of what to expect in an unfortunate and scary situation? And looking back would you carry anything on your person or bike that you didn't? For instance , a lot of times I ride without my wallet. I figure no reason to. But now im thinking this is a good reason to carry at least ID at all times. (If I'm knocked out or worse). Hope my question makes sense and isn't out of bounds. Not wanting to retraumatize you. Just wanting to be better prepared for something that may happen.

Please carry ID. It is really irresponsible not to. An example, told to me by a cop. Several years ago a cyclist crashed (hit a tree branch I think) on Beechwood. The police had no way to identify him (he died). No id, nothing (they put out a request for help in the newspaper story, too). Eventually, a police cyclist returned from vacation, and remembered that the cyclist's bike probably had ID stuck inside the frame, to help with recovery in case of theft. They found it, and that allowed them to contact the family. At the very least, put some ID inside your helmet, or under your seat, something like that.

Glad you are ok, and good job on filing a police report. I'd like take the opportunity remind everyone that importance of filing a police report. There's a good chance that you might be too injured to make a statement to the police on site if you are involved in a crash with a motor vehicle. The police do not have the duty to track you down and take your statement afterward, and the only witness might be the driver involved in the crash. I've heard there were instances that police charged the injured cyclists based solely on drivers' words. The right thing to do is to write down as much details regarding the crash, and go to the police station to ask to append your statements to the report. The police must include your statement according to the law. And if you have dash cam on your bike, it'd be even better to submit your videos of the crash. REF: "Bicycling and the Law: Your Rights as a Cyclist" by Bob Mionske - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1931382999

<3<3<3 SO glad to hear you are ok!!!!

Really glad to hear you're in one piece. Hopefully dealing with the driver's insurance to get your bike replaced isn't too much of a hassle. Please feel free to come back here to vent or let us know how that process goes. (I'm genuinely curious because I've only heard one cyclist's dealings with an insurance company. But, if you plan on taking the driver to court, you probably shouldn't post details here.)

@baklavabalaclava - You may want to keep a lid on sharing details on an online message board. I would absolutely make sure that everything you remember about what happened does get written down, but then shared only with an attorney and/or the police. IANAL, so do get in contact with someone with the proper background for handling cases like this. My own suggestion is to start running video both front and rear. Cameras are getting smaller, better, and cheaper. I'd be happy to help you configure a new set of wheels with the proper equipment for doing that, as well as what off-bike tools you would need to process all the data you get. I'm glad that you appear to have come through this without too much injury, at least well enough to talk about it.

@rr, I had no problem with the insurance company in my crash a few years ago. Of course, the driver admitted responsibility, and the police report confirmed it. Basically all they wanted was for me to sign a thing agreeing to the settlement, and they paid me what I said my bike was worth, around $1000.

After it happened I was able to get to the sidewalk. A nurse was nearby and kept me laying down. Was very close to fire station at 40th street so they arrived quickly. Asked lots of questions, all answered. I was alert the whole time and had ID, phone, etc in my bag. They would not let me get up and kept me occupied enough that I never interacted with the driver, even to see him. Called my husband and notified work, which is where I was headed. Police arrived either while I was in the ambulance or afterwards. Not sure, never saw them at the scene. Went to presby, all kinds of scans, then police came to get my statement and give case number. Luckily they spoke with the driver and 2 witnesses. a few hindsight things: I like the shoe ID thing. I had a daylight visible front blinky and was wearing orange... but my helmet is grey. Next one won't be as dull a color. Also, definitely would make sure any helpful witnesses get the drivers info and send it to hospital with me. And finally: check if your phone has an emergency unlock method and clearly labeled emergency contact. I'm lucky I was conscious and uninjured enough to be able to unlock my screen to get some contact info for numbers I didn't have memorized.

This is great. Thanks for everyone's advice. Supposedly first responders look at contacts for an ICE entry-in case of emergency. As it takes 30 seconds to set up might as well do it even if never used. I got hit biking when I was 7. The auto insurance wanted to pay $50 for my bike, but as it was a cheap 7 year olds bike and my dad was a lawyer he tried to use the "pay us more as the statue of limitations doesn't even start until he's 18. We could sue you for millions decades from now for something that may not show up for years." They saw right through him and told him to take a hike. But in the 70s another cheap bike w a banana seat and pedal brakes was probably $25, so he just got me a new one. (I guess us 70s kids were the original hipsters riding almost fixies) I put a nice sized dent with mucho scratches on the side of the car (car cut me off turning into a shopping center driveway) as that bike was terribly heavy and made of basically steel. And no helmet of course. Oh, the 70s.

Glad to know you are ok, B! I've often worried about becoming separated from my ID/Phone in the case of a bike crash (or kayak upset, or well, the list is endless...) so I spent $20 on a Road ID bracelet. It has all my contact information on a rubberized band. Shoe options are also available. Good luck on the healing! Sending good vibes your way to help with that!

Road Id app has a nice tool for creating a wallpaper for your iphone lock screen (I think this works on android too). I have it set with my name, and 3 emergency contacts. So if my phone is readable, all they have to do is look at the lock screen to get some basic info. It's also free.

Thanks for that heads up, Benzo! I'll probably load that app on my phone too. But, I am still afraid that in some circumstances (kayaking, etc) I may be separated from my phone when I am most in need of such information. (Bag floats away from kayak, purse gets snatched from damaged bike while I lay injured, I get separated from damaged bike with ID and phone still in rack, etc.) My primary concern is also different from some others. My contacts include my petsitter, so the pets are taken care of in case of an overnight hospitalization (or worse). My "injury" contacts are out of state family members.

Thank you so much, everyone, for the kind words and the suggestions for my lessons learned. I've been mending nicely (and turning SO many beautiful colors in the process) and have been in contact with both my insurance provider and the driver's. Things are progressing. I'm eager to get back on 2 wheels again... Have been eating my feelings since last week!

Baklavabalaclava. Good to hear you are doing OK. Post pics of the pretty colors?