Bike vs Car : Cars still undefeated

Immy,

Welcome to the Ambulance Club!  Sorry to read this but glad that it sounds like you're okay. You'll probably be sore for the next few days and then you'll be a little skittish for your first few rides now that you've been hit. I commuted by bike for many years and have had more than my fair share of run ins with vehicles but I got smacked pretty good about twelve years ago. I'm not a huge fan of taking advantage of an accident to make silly cash, but I do believe in making things square. It sounds like yours was a hit and run but other than that, our accidents are pretty similar.

I'm not a lawyer, just an average joe so take my humble opinion with a grain of salt. Definitely get the police report. Definitely get names of witnesses. Definitely try to track down the driver then just get insurance info from them and keep it at that. Contact their insurance. FYI - their insurance will probably be scared ----less that you're going to sue so you'll have some power behind you...its the only time I've ever had a positive experience with an opposing insurance rep.

Driver's insurance (if insured) should cover your ambulance, e/r & follow up visits and brand new bike with any candy you had on it so you'll need to get an estimate from your LBS. Because the driver smacked you AND took off, there should be a modest settlement involved unless you want to do the court/lawyer/sue thing. I think I got about 2 grand after bike, hospital, two weeks work, etc. I was in my 20's and that seemed like a lot of money then but looking at the xrays of my back now, I should have held out for another couple of grand or not signed on the dotted line for a few months (=I've had back issues and a few chiropractor bills since then). But the driver stopped, knew he made an honest mistake and felt bad. That made a difference in how I felt and I based my actions on the way I hoped someone would act against me if I had made same mistake. I think we can all admit, its hard to see cyclist and motorcyclist and I almost tattered a motorcyclist about four years after this because I didn't see him. If they were jabbering away on their cell phone...take them to the cleaners (kidding but I hate that). But don't feel too bad because thats why we're all supposed to carry insurance and insurance companies seem to be the stingiest folks in the entire world.

I broke 3 ribs in my transaction and it took about a year before my back stopped having point numbness due to the new slight twist in my spine. If you think about the force vectors involved, its easy to understand why you're sore as everything went from going one way to going another = quick. Up to that point, I had just worn my helmet just because and not all the time. I'll pedal back home now whenever I find I've spaced it.  I'm a believer now and every time I go out to do battle against the clueless motorists of the world, I suit up accordingly with lights, reflective tape and bright clothing, especially during the twilight hours.

Heal up man but whatever you do, get back on your bicycle ASAP - if only just for a quick spin in order to reaffirm that riding a bike is the coolest thing you can do in the world!

Thanks for the input!

Just to be clear: It was not a hit and run. The police did interview the driver as far as I know... I'm on my way now to get a copy of the police report.
I'll keep your experience in mind - thanks for sharing.

I would go out for a ride as it's beautiful today, but I'm still a bit dizzy, and my bike is busted. :-(

Tough to climb back on a broken horse.

Damn Dave, that sucks!

Let me know if there is anything I can do (from 800 miles away).  Hopefully the person's insurance will cover everything as needed.  Get some cash out of them!!  Replace the bike with something nice and treat the wife to a nice dinner out.

Heal quickly my friend!

Jeez, I'm so sorry.  I have no sage advice or anything, but just wanted to pass on my sympathy and well-wishes.

I hope that you heal quickly and that you get this resolved fairly.

Best wishes!

Sorry to hear Dave.  But I am also in the same camp as the "contact a lawyer" group.  My wife was sitting in her car, waiting at stoplight, completely stopped for at least a minute, when a tractor trailer hit her from behind and totalled the car.  She went to the hospital to be checked out but was uninjured.  Still, a year later, the truck driver's insurance agency was trying some fancy legal dancing with our insurance company, claiming it wasn't "totally" his fault.  Oh yeah, like my wife had something to do with it...sitting STOPPED at a traffic light!  Contact a lawyer, you're dealing with personal injury here!