I got hit (right hand turner)

[suzieqtwa]

Friday night I was riding home from work around 4;30, It was almost dark. For those of you that live in Beaverton, I was in the bike lane on Murray ,and I crossed the entrance way to K-Mart. Its a very scary intersection ,and I always told my husband if I get hit ,it will be there. Anyway as I was crossing the entrance ,an SUV turned right into me....It knocked me off my bike into the street. I was shocked ,but got up , and the guy in the van just kinda sat in his car. When he got out I told him I was Ok ,but he seemed more concerned that I dented his car. It was weird. I felt scared ,and at the center of attention on a very busy street. Everyone was staring at me. 2 people got out ,and gave me their #. I didn't know what to say ,so I said I'm not going to the Dr. ,but will you at least pay for the damage to my bike. He just stared at me ,and said "I had my blinker on ,it was your fault". At that point I felt stupid for not being as aware as I should have. I told him well maybe you did ,but pedestrians ,and cyclist always have the right of way" It was very awkward. Then the ambulance ,and fire truck came. I asked the ambulance driver to tell him who's fault it was ,and she said it was his...he said " Oh, so I have to look to my right even when I have my blinker on"
ANYWAY , I just wanted to go home ,so I told him I was sorry I dented his car ,and he said he was sorry he hit me. The police didn't show up till after I was sitting alone in the K-Mart parking lot waiting for my husband to pick me up. I never filed a report. It really was just an accident. I was in his blind spot ,and he didn't see me.
I never went to the doctor. I just feel beat up as I always do when I crash on my bike...no broken bones or anything.
I'm just sitting here getting madder ,and madder :mad:,at his reaction to the whole thing. My bike was fine...just jammed my chain. I'm sure he had a couple of hundred dollars damage to his Van. I just feel like I got into a fight.
How would you have reacted had it been you?

[Blueberry]

That sucks:(

Generally speaking, it's best to always file a report. Sometimes it can take a day or 2 for injuries and damage to show up, and it's much easier to get a report up front. Given his reaction, I'd also want him to have been written up. I know you feel like it was an accident, but car drivers are responsible for looking and not hitting anyone or anything, even if it's in their blind spot. If you change lanes, and hit a car that's in your blind spot, you're still getting the ticket. I can't believe he *#$%$# yelled at you for denting his van!

That said, when you're in that kind of situation, it can be really hard to think straight and figure out what you should do. So, DO NOT beat yourself up for it. You probably still have the option to file a report, if you want. And take care of yourself!! That's a tough thing to go through.

CA

[Zen]

if it had been me and I were still able to stand after being hit I can tell you without a doubt I would have come up fighting and teaching sailors how to curse.

But that's just me.

Very glad you're ok and remember this rule of driving - put your signal on, close your eyes and turn! It's ok, you've got your signal on! what a friggin'moron.

[lph]

He behaved like a moron. But people do behave like morons sometimes, especially when an accident happens, and even (or especially) when they're in the wrong. Some people need careful reasoning at a quiet moment to see that their thinking is off. So you might have got a reasonable answer later, you never know.

But you have every right to be mad - and scared! Glad you're ok.

[Mr. Bloom]

Glad you're OK. You're not at fault.


he said " Oh, so I have to look to my right even when I have my blinker on"? Umm, YES! Between mirrors, windows and head movements, there are NO blindspots.

[Irulan]

At the minimum the other driver should have waited for the cops, too.

[lunacycles]

Drivers are living in an entirely separate field of awareness, I swear. I remember the adage to always make eye contact with drivers if you are turning, changing lanes, passing them when they have their signal on...any opportunity for an accident. Yet, I have made FULL eye contact with drivers in all those situations, and it is as tho they STILL didn't see me. I ride seriously defensively these days.

You were absolutely not at fault. I hear you about just wanting to go home after an incident like that--I would too!, but if you were to file a report with the police (you might still be able to), even if it didn't lead to any legal action, the hassle that creates for the driver might at least make him slightly more aware of cycling commuters in the future. Or not:(

Anyway, so sorry. Hope you are okay.

[Susan Otcenas]

Suzie,

I'm so sorry you had a bad experience, and hope you heal up soon!!

There are very few "accidents". This was a collision, caused by a motorist who failed to yield the right of way to another road user, namely YOU. The driver could have been cited for failure to yield to a cyclist in a bike lane, at a minimum.

I'd suggest you get a copy of Ray Thomas' book explaining your rights as a cyclist in Oregon. Contact the BTA (Bicycle Transporation Alliance - bta4bikes.org) and they can get you a copy. Ray also does periodic FREE legal clinics for cyclists down at the BTA office. You DO have rights, and it's important for you to know them (as well as your responsibilities).

Finally, even though it's after the fact, please call the Beaverton Police Dept and report the incident. Even though you are not injured (or at least you think you aren't) traffic and collision data is critical to the police and community activists when trying to assess the safety or danger of our streets. If these types of collisions do not get reported, our streets appear safer than they are, and fools like this get away with this sort of maneuver repeatedly.

One last thing - this wasn't your fault. Don't beat yourself up over it.

Susan
(BTA Board Member)

[suzieqtwa]

I didn't wait for the cops...they found me 20 minutes later in the parking lot. I had so many close calls with right hand turners I always thought my reaction would be like ZEN ,but when he said he had his blinker on (didn't I see that) I felt small ,and stupid. He mostly just stared at me ,and then rubbed his car dent. He had a 15 year old kid in the car with him (Good example huh!!!) I didn't react well ,but its over ,and no real harm done. I was not thinking straight. But yes he was a Moron .

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You really should have filed a report with police. Injuries can show up later. Always file a police report if you are hit by a car.

Biking lanes can be very dangerous places where they cross over car pathways. I believe the most common location of bike vs. car injuries is where bike paths cross over car roads. Bikers feel somewhat safe because they are riding in the official biking lane, and drivers never expect any vehicle to be on their right side, because there is no car lane there. A deadly combination.
Yes it sounds like you had the right of way... but just because you have the right of way doesn't mean the other person is going to give it to you. Or even see you. It's dangerous out there and drivers don't always look or think straight, or they're distracted...and guess who always loses when a car and bike collide? :( you are very lucky you weren't badly hurt.

I often get off my bike and walk across scary intersections such as the one you describe. Yes it's a hassle, but you are much safer stopping, getting off your bike, waiting for a big opening or waiting or for cars to stop for you and signal you to cross, and crossing as an official pedestrian than you would be trying to ride across quickly on your bike. Oddly, cars will often stop to let someone walk across before they will stop for someone biking across. It also makes you more visible to cars for some reason. And you may have to even get up on the median to cross like a pedestrian with your bike.
All these hassles are well worth it to not be killed by a car while biking.

I'm so sorry you went through this! You seem to have more than your fair share of biking accidents and injuries, Suzie. :(

[SouthernBelle]

It's pretty much impossible to see a blinker that's behind you! Was there actually damage to your bike?

[Bruno28]

I'm really sorry you went through this and the driver acted so badly. I think you should still file a police report and explain that you weren't thinking clearly after the accident.

[PamNY]

I am so glad you are okay physically. Sounds like a very unpleasant experience. I understand why you didn't file a report at the time, but I agree that you should file one now if you can.

Pam

[Biker Jo]

Maybe I'm confused, but wasn't this guy behind you at some point before he turned in to you? If so, he should have known that you were in the bike lane and waited for you to cross the entrance before turning.

You did nothing wrong. He was at fault.

I'm glad you're okay.

[greycoral]

when he said he had his blinker on (didn't I see that) I felt small ,and stupid. He mostly just stared at me ,and then rubbed his car dent.

Big deal. Turning your blinker on doesn't magically clear the road of any other cars, cyclists, or pedestrians. It also doesn't automatically give you the right of way. He should have waited until you passed before making that turn.


Maybe I'm confused, but wasn't this guy behind you at some point before he turned in to you? If so, he should have known that you were in the bike lane and waited for you to cross the entrance before turning.

You did nothing wrong. He was at fault.

I'm glad you're okay.

exactly.

[DebTX]

I'm so glad you're okay - and I CANNOT believe that this man did not get ot of his vehicle horrified that he'd hit someone. I'd be hyperventilating if it were me behind the wheel. Even if the cyclist was ok, which thank god you were, my mind would run amuk with what-if scenarios.

So I think he's an absolute jerk!

Ditto what everyone's said on filing a police report. See if it's possible to file one now. The purposes are many - first, it's useful if you later have to file an insurance claim for your bike. Also, who's to say this guy doesn't do this twice a week? With no reports on file, the police could never see the pattern. We've got some wierdos in Austin who I swear are looking for opporutnities to hit cyclists.

Bottom line - thank god you're ok. It's a big deal to get hit, so allow yourself time to settle down. If you feel frazzled, it's normal and it will pass.

I'm so sorry this happened to you!
Deb

[pardes]

It's completely outrageous that many motorists consider bikers and pedestrians as almost subhuman things there to make their life difficult and that all fault lies with anything but a big metal container on the road hurling itself through space and demanding to be recognized as the ultimate thing with any rights.

The guy is a jerk and his photo should be posted in the dictionary as defining the word, "JERK."

I'm so glad you are not hurt in a serious way but that doesn't mean that the spirit of all human beings hasn't been injured by this atrocity of human idiocy. I suppose all we can do is continue to ride the roads in a lawful, polite way and hope our positive energy is contagious to all vehicles.

[suzieqtwa]

Thanks for everyone's concern.
Susan , obviously I don't know my rights as a cyclist. I guess if I commute in such bad traffic all the time knowing my rights should have been something I knew. I will get on that sight ,and get the book sent to me. Thanks
Lisa...ya ,for as old ,and skinny I as I am, I'm sure lucky that I haven't been hurt more seriously in all my accidents.
Biker Jo...as far as the blinker ,and him passing me ,I'm not sure he did, as the traffic really gets backed up. I was just thinking right before I got hit ,that I would probably be getting home quicker on a bike than if I drove. Plus it was twilight (not dark ,and not light)...the worst time to see someone.
Yes, there is a false sense of security when you are in your bike lane. I have had so many close calls where the driver didn't even know that he almost ran into me.
I could always file a report with the police ,but it was dark ,and the only info I have is the piece of paper on which the guy un willingly gave me his address ,and #. He didn't even come close to me...mostly stared ,and when I asked for his information he just stood there. I do wish I could have done things different ,but Ill just chalk it up to experience. Its done ,and there is no damage to the bike ,or me. I'm not going to beat my self up about it anymore.

[Grog]

I'm SO glad there's no serious harm done to you.

Definitely do NOT beat yourself down for that.

How pathetic: "I had my signal on." Based on what he said after ("So I have to look to the right even if I have my signal on?!"), I'm thinking it's totally possible that the signal was not even on but he thought it was a good defense for himself. "I had my signal on." So?

Not that it would have helped with this air-head, but in the near future I would encourage you to have lights on your bike and to have them pretty much at all times in the winter, especially here in the PNW. And a lot of reflectors. It seems that we're taken more seriously by law-enforcement personnel if we are pushing diligence to new limits. :)

Heal well and take it easy...

[Trekhawk]

Sorry to hear about your accident. The girls are right dont beat yourself up about your reaction after the accident Im sure you were in shock I know I would have been.

Glad to hear you are ok but take things easy for awhile and get plenty of rest.

[OakLeaf]

Yikes. What a !@#$%.

Besides "failure to yield," how about "hit-skip." He's supposed to stay around until the cops get there, not just until you get up.

Glad you're OK.

[gnGracie]

YIKES! Thank goodness you're okay and shame on that idiot driver for his reaction/response!!

[buddha_bellies]

I'm glad you're okay too. I was almost hit by a car while riding on a busy road when a driver opened his door without looking one time. Good thing I was on the further edge of the road. At the time, like you, I wasn't sure what to think or how to react. I just swore and rode on since nothing was damaged to me or his car. But it made me think twice on how to ride even more aggressively.

I agree with Grog that you might want to get a good set of lights. I keep mine rear lights on at all times during this time. And my headlights is always blinking during the day now too. It might seem like a lot of money to spend on good lights but man... your life is worth it.

And ditto with everyone here... file a report. This is the only way any politicians would do anything about it. They need data and pressure from cycling groups.

Take care.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Always good for another read:
http://bicyclesafe.com/

Buddha bellies- be sure to read about the "door zone" there.... :o

[buddha_bellies]

Always good for another read:
http://bicyclesafe.com/

Buddha bellies- be sure to read about the "door zone" there.... :o


Thanks! This is definately a good read. I've learned quite a bit since signing up with TE forum. Thanks to all of you gals.

[channlluv]

Hang on. You get hit. You get abused verbally by the driver. Someone calls the ambulance, thank goodness, and the police, but the driver leaves before they arrive. Didn't they ask you for his information? Holy cow. What kind of an investigation is that?

If it were a hit-and-run SUV-on-car accident, I'm guessing they would have investigated a bit more and butthead driver would have an APB out on him for leaving the scene of the accident.

I'm glad you're not seriously hurt, and I'm not sure I would have reacted any differently in your place. I'm very anti-confrontational, too, but that's when the police should have stepped up and asked you for the information and pursued it on your behalf. You might very well have been in shock. And you're sitting there alone in a parking lot, post-accident, after this guy abused you and left? Grrrrrrrrr.

I just shared your story with DH, an avid cyclist, and he said the SUV driver was absolutely at fault, and yes, he should have looked to his right, blinker or not, because HE was merging into your lane, in this case, the bike lane. Anytime you merge into another traffic lane, you as the merge-er are responsible for doing it safely and yielding the right of way.

File a report. Seriously. File a report. File charges. Nail the ba$tard.

Roxy

[beccaB]

I got hit when I was running over 20 years ago. I was pretty young(22) and it scared me so bad I ran away. It looked to me like the people in the car were laughing, and it was a small Virginia town. Think "deliverance". I got harassed all the time. I think it was their fault because I had the light in my favor at the intersection. I should have chosen stunt work because of the way I saved myself from serious injury. I think a person can react very much unlike themselves in a situation as stressful as hitting someone, but I would personally be mortified if I hit someone even if it wasn't my fault.

[solobiker]

Maybe I'm confused, but wasn't this guy behind you at some point before he turned in to you? If so, he should have known that you were in the bike lane and waited for you to cross the entrance before turning.

You did nothing wrong. He was at fault.

I'm glad you're okay.

I compltely agree. How could he have missed seeing you?? I know I would like to think if this happened to me I would file a report and not back down when he said " but I had my blinker on" but in all honesty it would catch me off guard and I would be probably stunned that I was even hit so I have don't really know how I would responded. So glad that you are okay

[redrhodie]

I think there were a lot of things working against you in this situation, suzieq. The bike lane, the twilight, the traffic congestion, the stressful holiday season. You're right to not beat yourself up over it. It's one of those things that makes you realize how lucky you are to be alive!

I think you should forgive yourself and the driver for your peace of mind. This sounds like an accident, not an on purpose.

[Norse]

I am with zen. Years ago I surprised myself by jumping out of my tiny little 2-door Japanese econo car, which had just been rear-ended by a Mack truck, and swearing a blue streak against the big, burly Mack driver, who went mute.

I also would have filed the report if nothing else but to give this moron pause. So freakin what if he had his blinky on? Legally, he has no right to go wherever he wants just because he puts his blinker on - he is responsible to look first and you were riding properly and did nothing wrong. Glad you're ok.

[fidlfreek]

Suzie thank goodness you're ok! Couple of things:

1) A few years ago I was in a car accident (other guys fault) where he turned into me. (Kinda like you on the bike)...He totalled my car, injured me bad enough to have to take a semester off college, and was SO awful (that and his terrible insurance company) that I felt I had to protect myself and hire a lawyer. I think that in any situation like this it never hurts to have an attorney. Mine saved me endless anxiety and it felt like I had a bulldog in my corner. So. If and when I get hit I will have an attorney simply because of the peace of mind it gave me.

2) I thought that at an intersection you're supposed to put your bike in a place so you never have someone turning right in front of you. At intersections (even with a bike lane) I aggressively take up the middle of the car lane so that these Texans in their huge trucks don't miss the little lady in the funny hat and shoes. It means that the cars going straight along with me have to wait, but it also means that I'm not in a position to be hit. Does this sound reasonable to anyone else? I don't remember where I heard this.....Does this sound more dangerous than the alternative?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

2) I thought that at an intersection you're supposed to put your bike in a place so you never have someone turning right in front of you. At intersections (even with a bike lane) I aggressively take up the middle of the car lane so that these Texans in their huge trucks don't miss the little lady in the funny hat and shoes. It means that the cars going straight along with me have to wait, but it also means that I'm not in a position to be hit. Does this sound reasonable to anyone else? I don't remember where I heard this.....Does this sound more dangerous than the alternative?

This is usually the safest thing to do- at an intersection where you are going straight, take the lane and act like a car to get through the dangerous part....then you can get back to the right hand side of the lane after you are through the intersection and safe.
However, this situation was a bit odd since Suzie was in a bike lane on the ride side, and the 'intersection' was apparently an exit/entrance to a store/mall or something, as far as I can tell. That would make it amore like a busy right hand driveway rather than an intersection. I suggested she get off the bike and temporarily become a pedestrian when she crosses over that entrance road rather than breeze through the trouble spot in the bike lane. It's hard to know what to advise when we can't see the actual traffic layout there.

[eclectic]

Suzi - thank goodness you are ok and no lasting harm done.
People can be jerks and react differently in different situations (not to excuse the drivers bad behaviour

As I was reading this I thought what lessons can we all learn from this.

#1 - Be VISIBLE as I think it was Grog said - light clothing and lots of reflectors and lights. Dusk and dawn are horrible times - also oftentime people are tired, in a hurry and not focused.

#2 - if at all possible look for routes that avoid busy or dangerous intersections even if it means you have to go out of your way

#3 - The read that Bleeker street girl sent is good for everyone to read because it covers a lot of scenarios. We use it in our bicycle safety classes

#4 know your rights as a cyclist according to your state laws - here a cyclist over 12 is not allowed on the sidewalks and cyclists are treated as vehicles following those rules of the road. (a fellow group rider got cited and fined for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign - he thought of fighting it but everyone said just pay it - you were wrong according to the law)

#5 - realize no matter what rights we have - cars are bigger and heavier and are going to win every time.

#6 be sure to have your bikes listed under your home-owners ins policy


Take care and How is your bike?

[Biciclista]

Suzie thank goodness you're ok! Couple of things:
hit I will have an attorney simply because of the peace of mind it gave me.

2) I thought that at an intersection you're supposed to put your bike in a place so you never have someone turning right in front of you. At intersections (even with a bike lane) I aggressively take up the middle of the car lane so that these Texans in their huge trucks don't miss the little lady in the funny hat and shoes. It means that the cars going straight along with me have to wait, but it also means that I'm not in a position to be hit. Does this sound reasonable to anyone else? I don't remember where I heard this.....Does this sound more dangerous than the alternative?

and you never know from WHERE someone is going to turn. we were going down 2nd avenue, a 1 way street, in the center of the left lane at about 18 mph on our tandem one day. Some lady in the center lane decided suddenly that she was going to turn LEFT which would have taken her directly across our path. Fortunately Raleighdon has a big loud voice and he let them know they'd better NOT turn from the center lane. they changed their mind and sped up and turned on the next block, but they could have killed us both.

YOu can never assume anything about another driver.

[OakLeaf]

YOu can never assume anything about another driver.

Actually I do. I assume that most of them don't see me, and the few who do, are trying to kill me on purpose. :( If they want to pleasantly surprise me, then fine.

That goes for the m/c too, although avoidance strategies are obviously quite a bit different.

[Resi]

I am glad you are ok!

Always file a report... the reason, maybe in the future the whole country will have better driving education and make drivers more aware that there are pedestrians and bikers on the road.

Take care and be careful

Resi

[fatbottomedgurl]

Same thing happened to my DH this time last year- almost dark, he was merging to the left because his lane turned into a right-turn-only, and a yahoo in a pickup passed him and moved over to turn right, knocking my husband to the pavement. No one stopped to help him as he dragged his bike out of the street. The driver walked back and chewed my husband out, saying it was all bullsh*t. Then he left. Someone called the police. By the time they showed up he was having a hard time breathing. He ended up in an ambulance and to the hospital with a broken rib and punctured lung. He ended up needing a chest tube because the lung continued to collapse through the night, and was in the hospital for five days. They never found the driver. But we did file a claim against our uninsured motorist policy and received a settlement from them.
The interesting thing is no one stopped except a homeless guy on a bike. Everyone else drove by. We joked that if it was a dog someone would have stopped, but no one likes cyclists.

[OakLeaf]

Ugh. Since I'm a motorcyclist I do keep my uninsured motorist coverage very high. I never thought about having to keep it high because of being a bicyclist. :( It's so expensive in some states (where they'll let just anyone drive... and have a ludicrously low minimum insurance requirement) and it would s*ck to have to buy sky-high UIM for times when you're not even on a motor vehicle. What are people supposed to do if they don't own a car or mc???! :mad::mad:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

maybe in the future the whole country will have better driving education and make drivers more aware that there are pedestrians and bikers on the road.

As the economy continues to suffer, we all see more and more people out there walking and biking the roads. I see about twice as many bikes being used in my rural town this year up from last year....and many of them are people carrying things and doing errands, as opposed to previously my mostly seeing only 'roadies' in their TDF training outfits. ;)
The more bicycles out there on the roads, the more car drivers start becoming aware of them. Sadly, the roads have been designed completely in favor of cars for many decades now, as though other vehicles don't even exist, and it will take a while for better designed roads and more aware drivers to take effect. Until then- ride very defensively, and assume the drivers do not see you.

[Eden]

I think its more about attitude than anything else.... When we were cycling in Spain we never had a motorist bother us - in fact they were super polite - even the semi-truck drives who had to pass us on narrow roads (they were cheering us up the mountain even..) or the guy that I accidentally slid out in front of at a four way stop once when it was raining. No one ever passed too close or became impatient, even though the roads were small. In the small towns few streets had sidewalks (pretty much only the main streets or larger modern towns), but I recall no conflicts between pedestrians and cars. They never developed the idea that cars are superior to everyone else - they accept that there will be all types of road users from weekend cycling teams, to granny or grandpa with a mule even!
Heck when there was a bicycle race the people in cars all stopped to watch... they were pointing down in the valley - bicicleta! bicicleta! (they knew we were foreigners... cycling is a huge pastime in Spain, but touring is and odd thing to them - touring pretty much = foreigner) We were wondering if we'd done something wrong and we had to go back down in the valley until we saw the front of the race....