Knocked off by a car this morning

glasgowbhoy

I've come down in a chaingang and in a race but to be hit by a car from behind and propelled into the kerb was a much more frightening experience.

I was knocked off my bike this morning on the way to work from behind, sending me flying into the kerb and over the bars. The driver was a surgeon enroute to a procedure (creating patients on his way it seems). My helmet and right side took the brunt of it and I think it was pure adrenalin and shock that got me up. There were witnesses and although the driver said he couldnt see me for the low sun light ( poor excuse) as there was no sunlight issue at the bottom of the hill where he would have clearly seen the Dayglo back back cover and two bright rear lights flashing on me/ the bike before he took me out midway up the single carraige B road climb.

Anyway its all with BC lawyers and I'm (stupidly probably at work) and awaiting a doctors appointment as I feel a bit queezy now and may have a bit of whiplash/ concuscion along with some standard issue road rash. It's mostly muscle pain though- ouch!

The commuter bike is in a sorry state and will need a helmet, shorts, gloves etc all replaced soon.

I was very lucky but it seems it's happening more and more now.

diamonddog

Hope the doc finds nothing untowards when you have your check up. Perhaps the surgeon is on piece work.

shortcuts

Sorry to hear that. Glad you are still around to tell the tale. Get well soon.

markhewitt1978

I assume you've called the police? You were in a traffic accident so they need to be made aware. Especially important if he hasn't called them.

slowbike

Glad to hear you're ok. Hope that BC manage to sort out the financials quickly and easily for you.
I doubt there is - but do you think there's anything you could've done differently that would've lessened your chance of being taken out? Short of a flame thrower on the back rack that is!

Mikey23

Thank goodness you are ok. There have been three cyclists taken out around here in recent weeks and they weren't so lucky...

I certainly wouldn't wait for a gp appointment... You have no idea what damage has been done. I had an ambulance, full nee nah and theatre team awaiting. First thing they did was neck in brace and checking for brain damage. Low sunlight isn't an excuse ... If you can't see then you should slow down. As someone says above, we're police involved? IMHO they should be, sounds like careless, reckless or dangerous driving. Don't really see why this guy should get away with it whether he's a surgeon or a roadsweeper

adr82

"Low sun"... lol. I'm betting he was on his bloody phone. Expect to be very sore and stiff tomorrow, so don't overdo it trying to go to work or anything. And definitely see a doctor at the very least - I got hit by a car back in February and told the ambulance guys I felt OK afterwards, so I just went home... then could barely move my back for the next 3 or 4 days. Nothing serious in the end but I really should have just gone to A&E and gotten checked over.

sloppyschleckonds

Mikey23 wrote:

Thank goodness you are ok. There have been three cyclists taken out around here in recent weeks and they weren't so lucky...

I certainly wouldn't wait for a gp appointment... You have no idea what damage has been done. I had an ambulance, full nee nah and theatre team awaiting. First thing they did was neck in brace and checking for brain damage. Low sunlight isn't an excuse ... If you can't see then you should slow down. As someone says above, we're police involved? IMHO they should be, sounds like careless, reckless or dangerous driving. Don't really see why this guy should get away with it whether he's a surgeon or a roadsweeper

What Mikey says

cougie

Low sun can be a bitch. A driver blinded by the sun killed one of my clubmates. You think if they couldn't see - they'd slow down a bit eh ?

Now if I'm out on a road with low sun I'll change the route if I can. That might not work if you're commuting though.

Get photos of all of your injuries and damage to bike and kit.

Hope you feel better soon.

bernithebiker

Mikey23 wrote:

Thank goodness you are ok. There have been three cyclists taken out around here in recent weeks and they weren't so lucky...

I certainly wouldn't wait for a gp appointment... You have no idea what damage has been done. I had an ambulance, full nee nah and theatre team awaiting. First thing they did was neck in brace and checking for brain damage. Low sunlight isn't an excuse ... If you can't see then you should slow down. As someone says above, we're police involved? IMHO they should be, sounds like careless, reckless or dangerous driving. Don't really see why this guy should get away with it whether he's a surgeon or a roadsweeper

Good post!

patrickf

As a car driver as well as a cyclist low sun is a pain.

Simple rules to follow:

1. Lower sun visor until you can see.
2. If you can't see after that and/or after fitting sunglasses to face, stop driving.

The same applies if you have a steamed up windscreen. If you can't see enough, don't drive.

There's no way you should just slow down if you can't see in front of you. If it was just a temporary blinding, which can obviously happen, then you say he had plenty of time to see you before, so he should have already known roughly where you were.

As already said above, make sure it's recorded by the police, visit your GP or A&E if it gets worse, and good luck!

kiwimatt

That's scary stuff especially with the rear light and pack cover. Which road were you on?

Hope you on the mend quickly and +1 on the med stuff - had an off about 6 weeks ago and thought the whole thing was a bit of a faff until I was being shoved into the MRI scanner a week later to check for scaphoid break (happily not but better to be checked out than have ongoing problems)

Brian B

Sorry to hear about your incident Glasgowbhoy and hope you get better soon. Seems like you had a lucky escape

IanLD

At this time of year (and again in spring), I'm heading in to the sun on the way in and then when coming back.

I try to minimise my time on the road by extending the train journey on the way in and when possible time my return journey to avoid as much riding in to the sun as possible.

Gets pretty scary knowing how little I can see sometimes with a totally cleaned windscreen and then thinking about the smeared/streaked version that many other drivers have.

Hope you are OK and bike not too bad.

kentphil

I found witness statements essential when claiming against a driver who knocked me off my bike, so pleased to read you had witnesses. Hope you recover soon.

StillGoing

markhewitt1978 wrote:

I assume you've called the police? You were in a traffic accident so they need to be made aware. Especially important if he hasn't called them.

He doesn't have to call the police. It's a misconception around reportable RTCs that they all have to be reported to the police within 24 hours. If the driver has exchanged the relevant details with an interested party, they have complied with the regulations and do not need to report the RTC to the police.

170 Duty of driver to stop, report accident and give information or documents.

(1)This section applies in a case where, owing to the presence of a [F1mechanically propelled vehicle] on a road [F2or other public place], an accident occurs by which—
(a)personal injury is caused to a person other than the driver of that [F1mechanically propelled vehicle], or
(b)damage is caused—
(i)to a vehicle other than that [F1mechanically propelled vehicle] or a trailer drawn by that [F1mechanically propelled vehicle], or
(ii)to an animal other than an animal in or on that [F1mechanically propelled vehicle] or a trailer drawn by that [F1mechanically propelled vehicle], or
(iii)to any other property constructed on, fixed to, growing in or otherwise forming part of the land on which the road [F3or place] in question is situated or land adjacent to such land.
(2)The driver of the [F1mechanically propelled vehicle] must stop and, if required to do so by any person having reasonable grounds for so requiring, give his name and address and also the name and address of the owner and the identification marks of the vehicle.
(3)If for any reason the driver of the [F1mechanically propelled vehicle] does not give his name and address under subsection (2) above, he must report the accident.
(4)A person who fails to comply with subsection (2) or (3) above is guilty of an offence.
(5)If, in a case where this section applies by virtue of subsection (1)(a) above, the driver of [F4a motor vehicle] does not at the time of the accident produce such a certificate of insurance or security, or other evidence, as is mentioned in section 165(2)(a) of this Act—
(a)to a constable, or
(b)to some person who, having reasonable grounds for so doing, has required him to produce it,the driver must report the accident and produce such a certificate or other evidence.
This subsection does not apply to the driver of an invalid carriage.
(6)To comply with a duty under this section to report an accident or to produce such a certificate of insurance or security, or other evidence, as is mentioned in section 165(2)(a) of this Act, the driver—
(a)must do so at a police station or to a constable, and
(b)must do so as soon as is reasonably practicable and, in any case, within twenty-four hours of the occurrence of the accident.
(7)A person who fails to comply with a duty under subsection (5) above is guilty of an offence, but he shall not be convicted by reason only of a failure to produce a certificate or other evidence if, within [F5seven] days after the occurrence of the accident, the certificate or other evidence is produced at a police station that was specified by him at the time when the accident was reported.
(8)In this section “animal” means horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog.

Bobbinogs

Agree with the advice about taking it easy for a few days. Your noggin is soft and squishy and doesn't like being rattled about. Take a couple days off and rest up.

Personally, I would report the accident to the police even if you don't technically have to. If the idiot driver does it again then at least there will be a record somewhere to build a case up.

Best of luck in your recovery.

kwi

Police in my neck of the woods don't like accidents being reported unless some one was hurt.

markhewitt1978

kwi wrote:

Police in my neck of the woods don't like accidents being reported unless some one was hurt.

He was hurt.

kwi

markhewitt1978 wrote:

kwi wrote:

Police in my neck of the woods don't like accidents being reported unless some one was hurt.

He was hurt.

Didn't deny that.

jordan_217

Hope you get this sorted. Get well soon.

Team4Luke

philthy3 wrote:

markhewitt1978 wrote:

I assume you've called the police? You were in a traffic accident so they need to be made aware. Especially important if he hasn't called them.

He doesn't have to call the police. It's a misconception around reportable RTCs that they all have to be reported to the police within 24 hours. If the driver has exchanged the relevant details with an interested party, they have complied with the regulations and do not need to report the RTC to the police.

but if said driver was guilty of several facts how will the Police be able to check and prove and prosecute, so if driver, was on the phone, had no sunglasses on, had no visor down, been drinking, said driver can give his details and be off and away. This is not right.

shortcuts

Team4Luke wrote:

philthy3 wrote:

markhewitt1978 wrote:

I assume you've called the police? You were in a traffic accident so they need to be made aware. Especially important if he hasn't called them.

He doesn't have to call the police. It's a misconception around reportable RTCs that they all have to be reported to the police within 24 hours. If the driver has exchanged the relevant details with an interested party, they have complied with the regulations and do not need to report the RTC to the police.

but if said driver was guilty of several facts how will the Police be able to check and prove and prosecute, so if driver, was on the phone, had no sunglasses on, had no visor down, been drinking, said driver can give his details and be off and away. This is not right.

You do have to report, or the police are obliged to take a report if there is an RTC involving personal injury and/or allegations of driving offences.

Slo Mo Jones

Mikey23 wrote:

Thank goodness you are ok. There have been three cyclists taken out around here in recent weeks and they weren't so lucky...

I certainly wouldn't wait for a gp appointment... You have no idea what damage has been done. I had an ambulance, full nee nah and theatre team awaiting. First thing they did was neck in brace and checking for brain damage. Low sunlight isn't an excuse ... If you can't see then you should slow down. As someone says above, we're police involved? IMHO they should be, sounds like careless, reckless or dangerous driving. Don't really see why this guy should get away with it whether he's a surgeon or a roadsweeper

How on Earth do you know if it was reckless or dangerous driving? No details have been given.

jonomc4

?If you are involved in a crash and there is a personal injury you must report it to the police + the fact it is reported means you pay off will be greater. His insurance firm will send you to a doctor to be checked over and this can often be a few months later - sop starting today - keep a diary and pictures of your injuries and how you are each day - if you don't do this then you will loose out on potentially thousands of personal injury fees.

You need to picture all things broken on your bike - but it is best to take it to a bike shop and have them draw up a list of all things damaged and the cost of replacement. They are keen to help as they will then get the business of mending your bike and selling you the parts. You need a picture of the things on your bike pre accident as well.

Mikey23

I absolutely don't know that which is why I think it should have been reported...

Druidor

Don't wait for a doctors appointment, personally I would go straight to the A&E and get seen at the hospital.

Have done this before when in a car accident and hurt my neck & back.

Slo Mo Jones

Druidor wrote:

Don't wait for a doctors appointment, personally I would go straight to the A&E and get seen at the hospital.

It's this sort of attitude that clogs up A&E departments.

It's not an emergency.

Mikey23

@smj ...Can you be serious? I see no smiley. The OP has been hit from behind by a car, thrown over his handlebars and into the kerb. His helmet is wrecked, he is feeling queasy and thinks he might have concussion and whiplash. He may have internal bleeding, major trauma to his brain and/ or internal organs, broken bones and all manner of issues that might lead to an early demise or problems for the future. He needs to be properly checked out by medical experts and quickly. I wasn't there and have no real input on his condition but... I hope you will excuse me for saying this but quite the stupidest and most irresponsible post I have seen in my time on BR...

glasgowbhoy

Thanks for all the replies.
I'm still quite sore but on reflection possibly lucky to be alive after being rammed at 30mph into the kerb!
I was referred to the local hospital yesterday afternoon and have a full medical report and advised to rest for a few days and update them on the headaches and dizziness I'm experiencing. My neck, hip and wrist are still all very sore.
I contacted the police and it has been recorded as an incident. As I was hurt then it will lead to a charge after the witnesses have been contacted. If a careless driving conviction for the driver and the site of me lying by the side of the road that scores of people would have seen on thurs morning makes them all aware of the fragility of cyclists when faced with their cars then it is a good outcome.
I hope the claim through BC goes smoothly and it's not too long before I get onto the roads again as I'm conscious it will be psychological barrier to overcome after the physical pain has healed.

Mikey23

Well done .. It looks as though you have done all you can have done in the circumstances. Heal quickly and make it back on the bike when you are ready. Thanks for sharing...