Sunflwrgrl5
10-27-2009, 11:01 AM
Hi,
I was riding yesterday and was stopped at a "T" intersection in the left lane waiting for the light to turn to make a left turn. A minivan ran their red light to make a left hand turn and cut it so sharply that they ended up in my left hand turn lane. Thank goodness he saw me and was able to avoid a head on collision but he hit me with the rear of his van and knocked me over. Luckily a witness saw the whole thing and called 911. The thing is the driver didn't even brake - he kept going then pulled over down the road aways - my witness thought he was just going to keep going. He ended up giving her his name and number and then left the accident. I did go to the ER and I have some whiplash and a pulled hamstring. Really it could have been a lot worse. I am not sure about the bike yet - but it was a brand new bike - my first ride on it. The handlebars are scratched up pretty good and part of the frame but there doesn't appear to have any major damage. I am bringing it to the bike store though to look over more thoroughly. So my question is where do I go from here? Besides wanting my bike fixed like new and feeling sore I do have a lot of anxiety about riding now, especially at intersections. Even though what happened couldn't have been prevented it it really scares me. I keep replaying it over and over in my head. The thing that bothers me is that he never apologized, never helped me or said anything to me - and left before the police got there. They pressed charges for leaving the scene without providing insurance information and he got a citation. I have never sued anyone but find myself considering it in this case. To have my bike repaired and because I do feel some serious anxiety over biking now, not to mention the guy that hit me wasn't remorseful even though he admitted to police that he ran the light and cut his turn so short that he was in my lane. Anyway - I am sure I am not making complete sense just wondering what anyone else did after they were in an accident. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Sunny
I was riding yesterday and was stopped at a "T" intersection in the left lane waiting for the light to turn to make a left turn. A minivan ran their red light to make a left hand turn and cut it so sharply that they ended up in my left hand turn lane. Thank goodness he saw me and was able to avoid a head on collision but he hit me with the rear of his van and knocked me over. Luckily a witness saw the whole thing and called 911. The thing is the driver didn't even brake - he kept going then pulled over down the road aways - my witness thought he was just going to keep going. He ended up giving her his name and number and then left the accident. I did go to the ER and I have some whiplash and a pulled hamstring. Really it could have been a lot worse. I am not sure about the bike yet - but it was a brand new bike - my first ride on it. The handlebars are scratched up pretty good and part of the frame but there doesn't appear to have any major damage. I am bringing it to the bike store though to look over more thoroughly. So my question is where do I go from here? Besides wanting my bike fixed like new and feeling sore I do have a lot of anxiety about riding now, especially at intersections. Even though what happened couldn't have been prevented it it really scares me. I keep replaying it over and over in my head. The thing that bothers me is that he never apologized, never helped me or said anything to me - and left before the police got there. They pressed charges for leaving the scene without providing insurance information and he got a citation. I have never sued anyone but find myself considering it in this case. To have my bike repaired and because I do feel some serious anxiety over biking now, not to mention the guy that hit me wasn't remorseful even though he admitted to police that he ran the light and cut his turn so short that he was in my lane. Anyway - I am sure I am not making complete sense just wondering what anyone else did after they were in an accident. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Sunny