Out of my way - ooops too late - ouch (or similar words)

colfoster

Well, 4 weeks after selling my car to use my road bike full time for commuting as opposed to recreational riding, it happened this morning - some car pulled out without looking and then i learnt how to fly - or should I say - I learnt how much it hurts to hit a car side on.

knocked out, concussion and a cracked nose and cracked helmet.

I was thinking a few weeks ago about giving up the helmet for the commute cos of how warm I was getting - this has made me definately wear my helmet - once I get a new one.

Thankfully hopefully no lasting injuries.

Anyone suffered the same fate? Any advice?

Part of me is resisting the need to claim but then again my handlebars need replacing, my brake levers/shifters need replacing and my helmet is all cracked so why should I fork out for this when it wasnt my fault/

Eat My Dust

If they are at fault then it comes off of their insurance. Did you get details from them and report it to the police? It's no different from being in a car accident, although try explaining that the driver who has just wrecked your bike!!!

4 weeks in and your first crash, that's pretty crap. When you're commuting, you have to be very careful. I expect every driver to be a complete idiot, that way you don't get too comfortable!! Saying that, I was hit by a car at the start of the week!!!

domtyler

Bad luck mate. Unfortunately we need to be aware of these idiots, I always slow right down and establish eye contact with anyone waiting to pull out, always making sure that I can avoid hitting them if [or should that be when] they do the unthinkable. I pull right out into the lane to maximise my visibility at any kind of junction or side road too.
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Suzuki eiger 400 specifications

JustRidecp

Eat My Dust wrote:

When you're commuting, you have to be very careful. I expect every driver to be a complete idiot, that way you don't get too comfortable!! Saying that, I was hit by a car at the start of the week!!!

Totally agree with you there mate. I assume that every car driver isn't going to see you and every driver pulling out/ cutting accross the road isn't going to see you and go for it anyway, always having my hands hovering over the brakes in those situations just inc ase.

Teuchter

Bad luck mate.

I've been over a car bonnet once before (on a motorbike 14 years ago) - the experience made me quite a bit more cautious afterwards. Just a shame it takes something like this to happen to make us take that bit more care. Of course in an ideal world we wouldn't have to!

My brother-in-law was knocked off his bicycle a few years ago by a car pulling out on him. He woke up in hospital with concussion and a few broken ribs. Turned out he had lasting damage to part of his brain that has made a mess of his short term memory, meaning he has had to give up work as a computer programmer. He is now a house husband. Yes he got a sizeable insurance payout from the driver but it was a long time coming and that is no substitute for your mental wellbeing.

He wasn't wearing a helmet. I think of this whenever I consider not wearing mine.

h i r 0

JustRidecp wrote:

Eat My Dust wrote:

When you're commuting, you have to be very careful. I expect every driver to be a complete idiot, that way you don't get too comfortable!! Saying that, I was hit by a car at the start of the week!!!

Totally agree with you there mate. I assume that every car driver isn't going to see you and every driver pulling out/ cutting accross the road isn't going to see you and go for it anyway, always having my hands hovering over the brakes in those situations just inc ase.

I do this on my bike and in my car too. I just assume everyone else on the road is an idiot and drive accordingly. Most people seem perfectly happy to prove me right.

I think I'm a better driver for being a cyclist, and vice versa.

Hairy Jock

I done that was well, oncoming driver turned right strait in front of me, I was luck enough to be able to get up and walk away.

Did you get the drivers details? You should definitely try and make a claim against the drivers insurance, but be aware that the insurance companies will do their best to to avoid paying out. Also see if you can get some legal advice from the CTC or Citizens Advice.

fossyant

Same here, traveling about 25 mph in city traffic, two lanes. Transit driver passed me on outside and turned left, I took out his wing mirror as I sailed over the bonnet, and landed on my back about 10 metres away, in between scaffolding - I was lucky, got up with a fractured bone in my hand, bike hit the scaffolding - write off. Driver legged it !