"I have never hit anyone before!"

[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?

[Grog]

How are you today?

Surprisingly well, actually. I am not feeling sore at all. That bruise on my left thigh is something else though! Sort of small, maybe three inches long and two wide, but it looks *deep*. My neck and back are a little sore, but they were before the crash - I have done a lot of desk work/mousing in not-so-ergonomic position recently.

I'm off to ride to work now.

[gnGracie]

Thank goodness you're okay!

I'm amazed, reading some of these posts, how nonchalant some of these drivers seem to be after hitting someone. I would be HORRIFIED if I hit someone!!!

[singletrackmind]

Have that rear wheel checked for true while you're at it. Prolly ok or repairable, but might as well have that info at the same time as you're dealing with the helmet. Also check your gear, lycra's darned expensive to replace. If it's due to the accident you have no reason to feel bad. The driver's made a mistake, not you, and you shouldn't have to pay for that.

Glad you're alive and reasonably well despite being a more colorful character now!

[Grog]

Have that rear wheel checked for true while you're at it. Prolly ok or repairable, but might as well have that info at the same time as you're dealing with the helmet. Also check your gear, lycra's darned expensive to replace. If it's due to the accident you have no reason to feel bad. The driver's made a mistake, not you, and you shouldn't have to pay for that.

Funny you'd say that. I would have sworn the wheel was okay the first day I rode on it, and yesterday I noticed that the back wheel was definitely not true after all, and it's not getting any better so I'll have it inspected, trued, and fixed tomorrow.

No holes in the lycra or Gore jacket, though.

I don't mind being a "colorful character," there's something about it that makes me reconnect with my inner child. But I don't like being hit.