Crash on W&OD Trail – 9/7/2016

[bobco85]

Location: W&OD Trail (in crosswalk) at intersection next to Barcroft Fitness Center in Arlington, VA
Time: ~8:30 am on Wednesday, September 7, 2016

A female cyclist was riding eastbound on the W&OD Trail (towards Shirlington). As she was in the crosswalk with a walk signal, a driver heading westbound on Four Mile Run Dr turned right across the crosswalk, hitting her in the process. A male cyclist was there who had witnessed the event, and the driver had pulled over.

As I was riding westbound on the W&OD Trail, I came across the situation. As the male cyclist helped her onto the grass to sit down, I called 911 and stayed while the ambulance arrived. An ACPD officer arrived shortly before the ambulance and fire truck, and he started taking interviews with the victim, driver, and witness.

The cyclist appeared to be injured on her right side with pain in her right shoulder, side, and some minor cuts on her right knee. She was leaning to her left side while sitting on the ground due to the pain (the male cyclist gave her a backpack to lean on while sitting). She was conscious and seemed calm but was understandably a little in shock at the whole situation.

Once it looked like everything was being handled as the medics lifted her onto a stretcher, I decided to leave. I talked briefly with the witness before giving the police officer my phone number. I later submitted a report on WABA’s crash tracker.

I’ll update if I learn any more about this.

Topic

[KLizotte]

Thanks Bob for helping everyone out. Seriously responsible and cool.

With respect to the driver, wow, just wow.

[PeteD]

Yea, I rolled up and was just a bystander as Bob & JB helped out the female cyclist. Waited around until paramedics showed, but I have to say:

You guys are awesome.
–Pete

[Mariner]

Good work everyone.

[KLizotte]

According to Bruce Deming, the bike lawyer, a bystander can do a world of good by taking lots of photos of the entire scene, taking down contact info of any witnesses, and perhaps even finding a way to keep the bike safe till the owner can retrieve it (police and ambulance workers don’t see that as their job). You can also offer to contact co-workers and loved ones. Also, look around the area for any personal or bike property that may have gone flying in the crash (wallet, phone, keys, lights, etc.). A person that has been hit will be dazed, confused, possibly upset or angry and not thinking clearly.

Give the injured person (or their companions) your contact info and ask if you can get the injured party’s name/number so you can follow up with the info you acquired. These actions may be critical to a civil or criminal investigation as well as seeking compensation from insurance companies.

[bobco85]

I have an update to give on this.

While preparing for my Chicago trip last night, I moved all the footage off my camera onto my computer. I was curious to see what the camera picked up of the crash, and to my surprise, I have an albeit very zoomed out proof that the stoplight was green with a walk signal. It also showed the driver as having moved from the left into the right lane by nearly cutting off the person in the right lane before getting to the intersection where the crash occurred.

I’m out of town, so my options are limited, but if anyone can find the cyclist, this could help.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KLizotte]

I would contact the police and tell them you have the video footage. They must have the cyclist info on their report. At a minimum, that should be enough evidence to charge the driver.

[TheBikeLawyer]

@bobco85 145645 wrote:

I have an update to give on this.

While preparing for my Chicago trip last night, I moved all the footage off my camera onto my computer. I was curious to see what the camera picked up of the crash, and to my surprise, I have an albeit very zoomed out proof that the stoplight was green with a walk signal. It also showed the driver as having moved from the left into the right lane by nearly cutting off the person in the right lane before getting to the intersection where the crash occurred.

I’m out of town, so my options are limited, but if anyone can find the cyclist, this could help.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bobco85, I represent the injured cyclist and would appreciate the chance to speak with you about the video footage. Would you kindly ring my office or email me at bruce@brucedeming.com ? Office # is 703-528-4669. Many thanks for your help! Bruce Deming

[bobco85]

@TheBikeLawyer 146584 wrote:

Bobco85, I represent the injured cyclist and would appreciate the chance to speak with you about the video footage. Would you kindly ring my office or email me at bruce@brucedeming.com ? Office # is 703-528-4669. Many thanks for your help! Bruce Deming

PM sent. I will call you later this morning.

[Author]

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