So.. I got hit by a car

[Woosta]

It was another casual morning - I biked to the metro train station and was locking up my bike when my key jammed in the u-lock. I couldn't get it out, so I had to go purchase a new lock. I came back from the shop, and as I'm biking through a passanger walkway with an obvious stop sign, this old lady fails refuses to stop and collides with me. My bike was knocked away, and I ended up on the car. The lady gets out and asks me if I'm okay. I make sure to feel my body to check for any damage, respond with "ok". Some random bystander also came over and asked if I was okay. He had me move my arms in weird positions as evidence. He gets his wife to provide some wipes for my bruises, but she was out.

We talked for a bit and then less than 5 minutes later I continued on my way to work.

CLIFFNOTES:

1. Just another casual morning, I bike to train station and my key for my lock gets jammed
2. I head to bike store nearby to get a new lock. I come back and drive through this passenger walkway.
3. I collide with the car, which didn't stop per the sign.
4. Lady gets out, asks if I'm ok, I didn't get injured just minor bruises

IN RETROSPECT:

This is my first accident of this sort - I don't drive a car ( too lazy to get a license ) so I didn't bother calling the police or asking for her information. I probably should have?

It's funny how you think these things won't ever happen to you and when they do they're so sudden you have no power over "the moment".

 

[gorcorps]

Should have gotten her info at least. You never know when you find yourself needing money... I mean you may be more hurt than you realize.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

what was her excuse for not stopping?

 

[moshquerade]

Definitely should've got her info., and went to the Doctors to get checked out.

 

[darkxshade]

Old lady probably ran over a kid after you parted ways because you failed to call the cops... That kids blood is now in YOUR hands!!!

 

[MJinZ]

Funny, I've been hit by cars (rear ended in my own car) and the first thing I do is get extremely pissed off, get my camera and start grilling the guy for information. I either call the cops immediately or not if it's not a huge problem.

 

[ElFenix]

a few years back a guy here got into an accident, climbed out of his car and into the walled-off middle divider to exchange info. when he tried to go back over the wall, his head came out of alignment with his spine as the accident had broken his neck, and he became paralyzed and ended up in the middle divider. somehow his car was towed away without anyone looking over the wall. he was found still alive a couple days later. but just goes to show you may think you're fine when you're really not.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

should get info. you are gonna be pumped full of adrenaline at the time and won't be able to realize the extent of your injuries. plus with something like that its good to have an official report. at the very least get compensation for bike damage

 

[summit]

why were you biking on a pedestrian walkway?

 

[darkxshade]

why were you biking on a pedestrian walkway?

To get to the other side!

 

[Woosta]

why were you biking on a pedestrian walkway?

This is what I meant:

 

[Soundmanred]

Did you remember to take a towel?
You always need to take a towel.

 

[JM Aggie08]

The mental image of bicyclists getting hit by cars always cracks me up.

 

[Woosta]

The mental image of bicyclists getting hit by cars always cracks me up.

I'll still laugh to those videos.

 

[dank69]

a few years back a guy here got into an accident, climbed out of his car and into the walled-off middle divider to exchange info. when he tried to go back over the wall, his head came out of alignment with his spine as the accident had broken his neck, and he became paralyzed and ended up in the middle divider. somehow his car was towed away without anyone looking over the wall. he was found still alive a couple days later. but just goes to show you may think you're fine when you're really not.

I could have gone my whole life without ever hearing that story. :\

 

[ThePresence]

Old people should not be allowed to have driver's licenses.

 

[bignateyk]

This is what I meant:

Was there an actual stop sign? Or is it just one of those things that technically cars have to yield to pedestrians, but most people never actually do?

If it is the latter, I guess I could see her just driving through it assuming you were going to wait for her.

 

[mmntech]

The mental image of bicyclists getting hit by cars always cracks me up.

That's worth100 points. :awe:

In this case it was the driver's fault but I've seen so many cyclists cutting off cars and running red lights/stop signs. It's a wonder there aren't more collisions.

 

[summit]

bike does not equal pedestrian. stay off sidewalks and ride like you would if you were in a car.

 

[BoomerD]

bike does not equal pedestrian. stay off sidewalks and ride like you would if you were in a car.

Agreed. In most places, it's illegal to ride your bicycle on the sidewalk, and you're USUALLY supposed to walk your bike through a crosswalk, not ride through.

However, as much as parodies usually suck, this thread is SCREAMING for a good parody.

 

[Woosta]

and ride like you would if you were in a car.

And increase the chances of getting hit by a car by being near cars?

 

[Saint Nick]

I find that at some points riding your bike like you are a car is unreasonable, especially going up hill. You just cannot keep up with a 30mph car up hill (unless maybe you are a professional cyclist, but I doubt they can do that either).

Usually going up hill, I will get on the sidewalk, I am going slow anyways. Going downhill and riding on flat ground is another story.

 

[CRXican]

Bikers need to pay more attention...

 

[Woosta]

Bikers need to pay more attention...

And drivers need not stop in front of a crosswalk?

 

[bignateyk]

Bikes should only be allowed on roads with a speed limit of 25mph or less, and no more than 1 lane of traffic in each direction.

Bikes should not be allowed on sidewalks.

Other than that, they should be on bike paths.

If they can't get to where they need on bike paths or 25mph roads, then they should find another means of transportation.