"I have never hit anyone before!"

[OakLeaf]

The point of filing a police report is not for them to "do anything," it's so the insurance company has your sworn statement on file and an easy third party way to have you prosecuted if you're defrauding them. That's why in the USA they insist on a police report. As I said, I don't know about Canada.

[badger]

I honestly don't think she'll get anywhere by reporting, and in fact, I don't even know if they'll take the report. Things do work differnently here. Minor fender benders don't require police reports.

When I was mowed down, police wasn't involved at all, nor was it necessary for me to file the insurance claim.

[Zen]

I once witnessed a car slam into the back of a tractor-trailer that was stopped at a light.
Well, not so much saw it as heard it.
What a noise! She obviously was not paying attention.

[Tri Girl]

Oh my goodness! I'm so glad that you're mostly unhurt. I know you'll be in more pain tomorrow, but I'm glad it wasn't any worse. What a goofy thing to say "I've never hit anyone." He's lucky he didn't hurt you worse.
I hope everything works out for you. Take good care of yourself!!!!

[bmccasland]

One of the reasons to file police reports is that it add to the statistics for accidents at certain locations. When Hwy departments do studies one of the things they look at is the accident rates, based on the paper trail. If there are no reports, then there are no accidents. Could have been one last week, but if there's no report, then it didn't happen. Must be a paper trail.

Besides, I pay taxes, and dang it, they're going to come out and file a stinking report.

[Serendipity]

Grog, glad to hear that you are okay. I tend to agree with those who recommend filing a police report. I know you said that you weren't injured, but there is always a chance that something may start bothering you several days down the road. A police report would be supportive in case you ever needed medical treatment at some point.
I live in Ontario, not B.C. so I don't know about filing a report post-accident, but I'm sure it wouldn't be the first time they've (police department) seen that!

[Grog]

Ok, I checked this in more depth.

This is what the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia says:

"Do I have to call the police?

Answer: You may be required to report an incident to the police if the combined property damage appears to exceed $1000 ($600 for a motorcycle).

You must report to the police in any of the following cases:

* Injury or death occurred
* A hit-and-run accident. Please note, police reporting requirements for hit-and-run claims may vary among police detachments around the province. You may be asked to contact ICBC directly for further information.
* A break-in or vandalism to your vehicle
* Your car is stolen

Make your police report within 24 hours if the crash happened in the city; within 48 hours if it happened in a rural area."

There is definitely no injury detectable with 24 hours. The lady at ICBC said that when I visit on Thursday to have them inspect my helmet, we can reassess how I'm feeling and file that as needed. (Ex: was I to need PT or something.) I have a claim on file already so this is sufficient.

I believe - although I still need to verify it - that the stats are provided by the ICBC in this province. That's what I recall from some news article about pedestrian-automobile accidents (the highest rate in Canada is in this province). ETA: I have checked. It seems that the police keeps track of people killed, injured, and of heavy damage as above. The ICBC counts all claims. So I'll be in the stats.

Insurance and roads are a provincial matter, so this might be different in other Canadian provinces...

And, for the record, if I was in the USA, I would definitely file a police report, and recommend everyone in a similar situation to do the same.

[kfergos]

That is so awful! I have no input on the police report comments, but I'm glad to hear you walked away OK -- and that your bike didn't get too much damage. Did you fall on the drive train/derailleur side? I know when I slipped on ice last Feb I fell derailleur-down and the "road customization" meant it never shifted quite right.

Speaking of drivers not seeing you: Last night I was riding home in the dark, with my usual super-bright flashing rear light on. A minivan came up behind me and passed so close it brushed the straps on my messenger bag, and let me say -- those straps don't stick out much at all. I heard the strap scrape along the side of the car, and it felt like something touched my leg (might've been the slipstream from the car; not sure). It was utterly terrifying. I can only assume that, like the person who almost turned left into me that morning, the driver didn't see me at all despite copious reflectivity and bright lighting.

[Aggie_Ama]

Blind or comatose drivers: My husband being sick is isolated but another scary thought.... My 76 year old Nanny recently was moved to assisted living. Before my dad made the choice for her she got lost on a road she drove everyday for the last 40 years, got stuck in her car when the alternator went out (didn't realize she could pull up on the power locks), drove on the wrong side of the road ("it was okay, there was no traffic") and left her keys hanging in her front door numerous times. She told me after moving into the home "I wish K(dad) hadn't sold my car, I wasn't going to go far but it would be nice to go for a drive sometimes or to get a few things". The scary thing is the number of commuters/cyclists (including me!) around her home. I try not to think to hard about the nutbars driving the cars.

Another scary case in point. My eye sight has gotten less than favorable, I can now not drive safely without my contacts. I got a letter from the license office saying I could just mail $24 and renew my license as is, with no vision restriction. I wonder how many people get to do this who actually need to be declared unfit to drive because they went legally blind? Sorry, big thread jack.

How are you today?