Metal Man

Glad you're OK, but you're fine with her driving without insurance and running into people? What if she kills the next one she hits?

hiyer1

It was a sunny morning, so no lighting at the time of the accident

hiyer1

praying that she's not stupid enough to make the same mistake twice

jeffpoulin

I'm guessing she's not only an undocumented worker, but probably doesn't even have a license to drive (which could also explain why she doesn't have insurance). I know those are big assumptions, but then again, this isn't really an uncommon situation. You do what you want wrt filing a police report, but I wouldn't be shy about asking for damages simply because her employer is paying for it out of pocket. I'm pretty sure both she and her employer knew the risk they were taking with her driving.

AdamDZ

Yeah. Glad the OP is OK, could have been ugly, and it's refreshing to see that people take responsibility for their actions like this.

So yeah, that makes me think if they're doing this out of fear of having the lady and her employer exposed: driving with a license and without insurance is a pretty major offense.

justadude

If you're hit by a car or whatever, and your head is affected, especially the helmet damaged, or worse no helmet, please do not get back on the bike. Don't go anywhere except the nearest hospital ER, preferably in an ambulance, to get checked out. People with head injuries like that sometimes have internal bleeding or neck injuries. Timely medical care in that situation may save your life.

Spld cyclist

I'm not anti-immigrant by any means, but I would have no hesitation in filing a police report on this. You need it to protect your interests in the case (in case her boss doesn't come through with the money), and driving without insurance is a serious crime IMHO. I would feel bad too if she got deported, but you are taking a big risk to help her.

canyoneagle

Hmmmmm. No blinkies?

urban rider

Today I was hit by a car. The car came too close to me while I was riding straight on the street. It suprised me. I did not stop riding and there was no damage to me or the bike. I think that due to scrapping sound I heard I think there was more damage to the car. Make a police report? The police did not come to my home when I experienced three home invasions in six weeks.

TornadoCAN99

Very true.
There was the tragic account of Liam Neesom's Wife after hitting her head in a skiing accident. She refused to go to hospital and just wne to the hotel room for a rest. Ended up with her dying due to a serious brain injury.

Bovice

I always assume the worst when it comes to drivers. I remember once this 18 wheeler was taking a right turn on a red light and I'm next to him in the bike lane, waiting for the light to turn green. 3 of guy's wheels protrudes into 70-80% of the bike lane. Had to jump onto the sidewalk and pull my bike up not to be crushed. @.@

gerv 

I'm glad you're OK too.

Please don't be in a rush to settle with the insurance. I hope you went to an ER to get checked out.

But even if you did, there's a chance that injuries might appear in a few days.

I was hit last year and I was in worse shape three days later. Nothing broken, but still hurting six weeks after.

Also make sure that you get your lost time and a new bicycle.

Good luck with all this. I just finished the last detail of my accident a days ago... 6 months after the hit (which was a t-bone like yours.)

cod.peace

Wait until you send him the bill for the bike, medical costs, and the costs of any long-term medical issues. Best get his insurance info and contact them...

Leebo

I run my front blinky day and night.

billyel

Sound like things are working out acceptably, I hope you stay well.

Interestingly; driving to dinner last night with my wife at twilight (~6PM) I saw three commuters traveling home in about 2 blocks of road.

My wife saw ONE...he had a light.

We then discussed this occurrence, as I never want to have her involved in such a situation as the one you are in. Though, the best laid schemes of mice and men go often askew...

hiyer1

Hope she wasn't the one driving!

canyoneagle

Sadly, even the best of drivers has to deal with the constraints of being inside a vehicle, and unless they are extremely keen, bicycles and pedestrians tend to be small details that are easily overlooked. I do not drive very frequently, but when I do, I am reminded of how difficult it is to stay aware of everything going on. As a cyclist, I do not make any compromises and make myself as visible as possible. Bright clothing, lights day and night, and methodical route choices all help me to <knocks on wood> minimize my risk. I feel far safer on a bicycle than in a car, and the statistics support that.
From my own experience as a driver, I know that many of the details of the environment fall into the background, and I am frequently startled by the "sudden" appearance of things (pedestrians, bicycles, etc) that were there all along. This, despite my willful intent to be aware (especially as a cyclist).

I notice blinkies before I see hi-vis clothing. In fact, I can see blinking lights from quite a distance, before I even see the form of the source.

When folks ask me why I choose to run my active lighting during the daytime, I ask them if hi vis clothing and/or some blinkies would make this video any different:

ottawa_adam

Hi sincerely hope you're doing well.

I'm not one to pass judgment but I don't agree with not reporting this collision. You're potentially allowing non-licenced, non-insured drivers to continue operating motor vehicles in your community. It also sounds like the business owner doesn't want his business practices to be aired publicly.

In my province this past month, there was a large passenger van full of migrant workers killed. The driver blew a stop sign, which caused a collision with a tractor trailer. The truck driver was also killed.

I wonder how many minor driving incidents the van driver encountered in the past, prior to massive loss of death?

Not exactly the same situation but this amplifies the need for reporting unsafe activity.

I'm not convinced your forgiveness will make her a better driver.

cehowardGS

Glad you okay, and here telling us about it.. Anytime bicycle riders come in contact with a cager is usually a bad show for the bicycle rider. We don't have steel around out, and air bags. All we got is our butt up against the steel and hard ground, and the steel be moving too.

Again, glad you okay. Tell me this, DID YOU HAVE ANY LIGHTS???

When I ride in the daytime, I got no less then two foward lights and a helmet light and two rear lights blinking at all times. That gives me more chance of being seen..