So, I was hit by a car for the first time today.

Cut off at 26th and State by a CTA bus that passed me on the left and then pulled to the curb in front of me (not at an actual stop), I had to swerve around the rear of the bus to the left, where I was clipped by an oncoming car and dragged the length of the bus, pinched between the car and the bus. Incredibly, a police SUV pulled up to the intersection from 26th, and I was able to flag down the two officers, who were models of kindness and concern. The woman driving the car that hit me also stopped to see that I was okay. Here's the thing, though. As far as I was concerned, the woman who actually hit me was not at any fault, and I did not want to see her held liable for what I thought was the CTA driver's liablilty. But the bus driver just kept repeating "I didn't hit you. I didn't hit you." And it is true that he didn't. I waited around with the police and the woman who hit me for a while, thinking I needed some time to get a clear idea of whether I was seriously hurt or not and to make sure there were no serious damages to my bike. But in the end I decided not to file a police report, even though the police had taken the woman's information and the number of the CTA bus. I never gave them my name or information, in part because I didn't want the woman held liable, in part because it didn't seem necessary in the absence of injury or damages. I did the wrong thing, didn't I? I'm sitting here at home and I still seem okay, but the pain in my left knee is considerably more severe than it was immediately after I was hit and dragged. I'm pretty sure the only damage to my bike was to the bar tape, but I haven't had a chance yet to go over it in detail. I was able to ride it home after putting the chain back on and trying to realign the front fender, and it seems fine. But I am realizing that it is probably frequently the case that injuries or damages only become evident after some time has passed, and that I should have filed a police report in anticipation of that probability. This is the first time I have really been hit, and I have to confess that my impulse was just to let it go and move on, which was probably not the thing I should have done. I have paid much more attention to bike theft issues and "safety" concerns involving salmoning and sidewalk riding, and of course I never even considered that I would actually be hit and dragged by a car. Is there anything I can and should do after the fact--like try to contact the police who responded and complete a report, even though I also didn't bother getting their names or badge numbers (of course)? Or do I just serve as an object lesson for others and learn better what to do the next time this might happen? I stayed eerily calm throughout the whole ordeal, even though aware that it might not end as well as it did, but I guess I was rattled enough not to know what to do under what were pretty much the best circumstances.

The only real damage, I hope:

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 25, 2011 at 2:27am
I hope you don't need to.


Moc Artsy said:
Again, James, I have no intention of making a case or pursuing this through any legal channels.
Permalink Reply by John Wirtz on August 25, 2011 at 2:46am
From an engineering perspective, I would say you should always file a report because it helps us have more accurate data when we evaluate safety of roadways and come up with solutions.
Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on August 25, 2011 at 3:11am
Ok, so object lesson number two, I guess. Surprised to wake up in the middle of the night in pain on the left side of my pelvis, which I had not even realized was injured in any way, but which I suppose must have taken the worst of the impact. So, yes, injuries don't immediately become fully apparent. It doesn't seem to be serious, though, and I am otherwise OK, just a little sore in general. I am going to propose one serious post-crash imperative, though: Always complete a full police report, with complete information about yourself and the driver(s) involved. Do not assume that either you or your bicycle are unharmed based on your initial post-impact evaluation.
Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on August 25, 2011 at 3:17am
Thanks Dan, I didn't realize they had posted this. I think this should be circulated more prominently so that riders have this information also BEFORE they are involved in a crash. Having this as part of the crash support FAQ is not unlike finding out you should record your serial number only after your bike has been stolen.

Dan Korn said:
Permalink Reply by Dan Korn on August 25, 2011 at 3:35am
Moc Artsy said:
Thanks Dan, I didn't realize they had posted this. I think this should be circulated more prominently so that riders have this information also BEFORE they are involved in a crash. Having this as part of the crash support FAQ is not unlike finding out you should record your serial number only after your bike has been stolen.

Dan Korn said:
You're right, but I'm not sure how else it could be circulated. It's been in the Derailleur 'zine before.  Hopefully some of that will still help you.  And hopefully someone else will see it here before their first crash.
Permalink Reply by yaj 7.4 on August 25, 2011 at 3:52am
That Active Trans post-crash list is a great resource.  I never knew about it before.
Permalink Reply by S.Presley☠ on August 25, 2011 at 3:56am

This is good information...

Make a police report and seek medical attention are the two most important things to remember. I just hope I have the frame of mind to take this advise when it happens to me.

 

Dan Korn said:

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on August 25, 2011 at 4:34am

Just in case, Crash Support Hotline 312.869.4357(HELP), please do call us...free resource, we're here to help.

 

Ethan Spotts, Active Trans

Permalink Reply by S.Presley☠ on August 25, 2011 at 5:23am
I think that accurate Data is a very important thing as well. If these accidents go unreported, we can not get valuable statistics.

Cameron Puetz said:
One thing I’d like to add under “Insist that police come to the scene of the crash and file a report” is that if your bike is too damaged to be ridden then the police can not refuse to file a report on the scene. Some lazy officers will refuse to fill a report on the scene unless a tow truck or ambulance is called and direct you to file a report at the station. If your bike can not be ridden, then there is a disabled vehicle at the scene and they are required to treat the crash like a tow truck was called. If the officer still refuses to file the report, get a star number and have fun with internal affairs.

Dan Korn said:
Permalink Reply by Trish Finn on August 26, 2011 at 3:27am

I was hit earlier this year. Actually, I guess you can say I hit a car. I had just made my right turn with a friend just behind me. I head a car come along side me and just as she passed me, I notice her slowing and turning right into a parking lot, right in front of me. My friend yells "turning". I apply breaks and try to turn with her but she cut the turn so tight that I had no room and slammed right into her back quarter panel. She continues to go and rolls over my bike. Thank goodness I had all limbs away from her car. I limped away with a hole in my left shin from my pedal, a deep scrap on my upper right thigh and lots of bruising. Her excuse, "I didn't think you were going that fast". I chalked it up to her being 18 and not an experienced driver. I didn't press charges and had a heart to heart talk about watching out for cyclists, she did get ticketed and then had daddy pay to replace my bicycle.

 

trish

Permalink Reply by Davo on August 26, 2011 at 4:31am
You didn't hit the car the car hit you when it failed to yeld to your right of way. Im glad that you got your bike taken care of and that she got ticketed.

Trish Finn said:

I was hit earlier this year. Actually, I guess you can say I hit a car. I had just made my right turn with a friend just behind me. I head a car come along side me and just as she passed me, I notice her slowing and turning right into a parking lot, right in front of me. My friend yells "turning". I apply breaks and try to turn with her but she cut the turn so tight that I had no room and slammed right into her back quarter panel. She continues to go and rolls over my bike. Thank goodness I had all limbs away from her car. I limped away with a hole in my left shin from my pedal, a deep scrap on my upper right thigh and lots of bruising. Her excuse, "I didn't think you were going that fast". I chalked it up to her being 18 and not an experienced driver. I didn't press charges and had a heart to heart talk about watching out for cyclists, she did get ticketed and then had daddy pay to replace my bicycle.

 

trish

Permalink Reply by Ruby Red on August 26, 2011 at 5:20am
Good point! It's like all those date rape cases that don't get reported because of you know... awkwardness. The fact is, you were hit, dragged and there was damage. Knowing those statistics are helpful, especially when at CTA driver is involved. 

John Wirtz said:
From an engineering perspective, I would say you should always file a report because it helps us have more accurate data when we evaluate safety of roadways and come up with solutions.

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