I got hit (right hand turner)

[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....

[buddha_bellies]

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

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

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.