New to the forum – crap first post though

[Greenbelt]

Whoa — glad you’re OK (mostly)! -Jeff

[Mikey]

WABA has some information for when you get in a crash that will help to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything, and to know what to do next.
It’s at this link.

[acc]

Terrible news. I am glad you weren’t injured more seriously. Doesn’t sound like there is anything you could have done better, you were well lit, riding within the law, and luckily you noticed he was headed in your direction. Hope you recover quickly. And by the way, welcome to the Forum.
ann

[jrenaut]

Glad to hear it was nowhere near as serious as it could have been, and welcome to the forum. Hopefully post #2 will be for a happier occasion.

[RayDC]

Thank you all for the kind words and info. I did register the crash on the WABA site Thursday evening and called them yesterday, but didn’t get through to anyone. I’ll try them again Monday. The police report should be ready for pickup Monday.

What is running through my mind now is although I’m happy to know he got a citation for failure to yield, when it’s between two cars, typically it’s just body damage to the vehicle… the at fault driver gets the ticket and the insurance companies hash out getting the vehicles fixed. When a biker gets hit by a car, it’s a human body that takes the direct hit. No doubt I was very very lucky, but it is still a traumatic experience that could have ended up very differently with any change of variables. I guess my point (or confusion) is hitting a biker and getting the same citation as hitting another car doesn’t seem to be in the same category…

[mstone]

You’re incredibly lucky there was any citation at all–there often isn’t, even if someone is killed.

[RayDC]

I agree, and I am very thankful there were witnesses that vouched for what happened. The driver was actually very calm, apologetic and cooperative, although I’m sure in shock a bit as well. Had he not had the windshield damage he had, who knows if he would have stayed.

[JorgeGortex]

@RayDC 31096 wrote:

When a biker gets hit by a car, it’s a human body that takes the direct hit. No doubt I was very very lucky, but it is still a traumatic experience that could have ended up very differently with any change of variables. I guess my point (or confusion) is hitting a biker and getting the same citation as hitting another car doesn’t seem to be in the same category…

You are unfortunately correct. The laws and view of cyclists are still behind the times. The reaction of police officers to a given situation can vary greatly from officer to officer as well. Bikes and cyclists are still not taken seriously as part of the transportation infrastructure and not as merely a toy. Things are changing, but slowly. I think continuing to follow up with WABA is your best bet because they will be able to offer the best advice as to how to pursue this further. Having the police report and witness statements I think will be important. And certainly let your insurance company(ies) know about what happened so they can earn their keep and support you.

Again, glad your OK, relatively speaking. Take it easy over the next few days and really monitor yourself and give yourself time to heal. Injuries that may not have been discovered on the first pass at the hospital may appear later on when the body tries to relax more. You could even have micro fractures that don’t show up on x-rays. Not to try to scare you, just be aware. Lastly, props for mangling his windshield.

G.

[RayDC]

Thanks G.

I actually haven’t contacted my insurance company yet (USAA), well I did yesterday but it was after hours to speak to someone, but you’ve reminded me, so I’m to call now and hope they have people there on weekends.

Real quick, my other half and I walked to the intersection where the accident happened (only 3 blocks from home) because he remembered there being skid marks… CSI kicked in and he hopes that maybe they can help determine the speed of the car. BUT the interesting part is, I saw the car parked on the street! New windshield of course, but I got to see more body damage to the car, where initial impact occurred and stuff. So the guy must work at the VA building there at 4th and “Eye” St NW! I guess that makes me a bit more nervous knowing that he will be driving 4th St daily to get to work, but I certainly hope he has become much more attentive now.

[Arlingtonrider]

I’m so sorry this happened to you! I hope you’ll be alright long term. As far as having this driver in your area, I might worry more about the other folks. This one must know that it could have been much worse.

[RayDC]

Thanks again everyone, I do appreciate it. I got to see my bike up close and personal today, it’s totaled as bike’s are concerned. Front shock is snapped on one side and the entire front brake mechanism was separated from the shock fork as well. The left pedal is completely bent inward. My local bike store, BicycleSpace, will be giving me an insurance estimate this week. Just ordered a new helmet, another Uvex (FP3). I suppose I’ll Cabi until I get a new bike.

[Rootchopper]

RayDC, if you have car insurance you have coverage of your own, in the event that the driver does not or if his insurance company becomes problematic. Seems weird that car insurance covers you as a pedestrian or cyclist, but it does.

[RayDC]

I learned that today when I opened a claim with my insurance company. They asked which vehicle the accident was with and I had to clarify that it wasn’t a claim with one of the vehicles on my policy. It was slightly humorous, but they took all the info, I uploaded a few pics, and I’ll get the police report to them Monday.

[Amalitza]

Ray, wow, glad you’re ok.

@Rootchopper 31129 wrote:

RayDC, if you have car insurance you have coverage of your own, in the event that the driver does not or if his insurance company becomes problematic. Seems weird that car insurance covers you as a pedestrian or cyclist, but it does.

This is interesting and something I’ve been meaning to clarify with my current insurance. I’m glad to hear it — it’s the uninsured motorist that covers it?

A couple years ago, I sideswiped a parked car while on my bike. (shut up). Totally, 100% my fault. Put a little scratch on the car. Gave the girl my number so I could take care of repairs but she (or her parents) never called me, so I guess they either didn’t bother repairing or their own insurance covered. But it prompted me to call my car insurance at the time to see if I was covered, and they said no– suggested I try my homeowner’s. That of course would have been liability not uninsured motorist. I also asked if I could *buy* a policy that would cover me on the bike and they said no that doesn’t exist. I now have an umbrella policy which (I think) should cover any liability on my part, but I’ve been meaning to ask what happens if someone hits me and runs or doesn’t have adequate insurance.

[RayDC]

Thanks acl,

Well I don’t think the driver is uninsured, but I don’t have the information in hand yet. It’s supposed to be in the police report though. I have an uninsured rider in my policy though, I’m not sure if it matters though in the case that I was on my bike, not in a car on my policy. Barring that, USAA took all the info and opened a claim and said they would seek the damages from the driver’s insurance, especially that I’ll have a police report that clearly states he was at fault. I’ll definitely keep you posted on the this.

[Author]

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