T-boned on my bike by a car

[Selous Scout (aka LegTrap)]

I was nearing the end of my early morning cycle last Thursday and going over/through a roundabout when a car came from my left and didn't stop, resulting in t-boning me.

I was concussed etc and rushed to hospital.All xrays,ultrasound etc were clear but I have been feeling very battered and sore AND have had a dull headache ever since.It could have been so much worse.

The repairs to my bike cost R7500 and as my helmet was split, I had to buy another one.The driver's insurance will get a claim for this plus all my medical bills.The driver visited me that evening and said he simply did not see me (impossible ! ).

I have to give a huge thank you to the 2 witnesses on the scene, as well as the nursing sister that stopped to help.The ambulance and Greenacres hospital staff were all excellent.

The police advise me that the driver has been charged with "reckless & negligent" driving.

This is a timely reminder to everyone that we need to be extra vigilant when cycling out there,too many motorists simply don't seem to see us !

[Tuxstir]

glad your are ok.. helmut and bike can always be replace.

i'm also glad to see the driver visied you.. that says alot.. had it where i was hit and the driver never even stopped.

and yes you can never be to visible.... even then your not visible enough. i find that think for the motorists helps big time..

[Tumbleweed]

Are you on medical aid?

[Danger Dassie]

Feel you pain man, glad you're alright otherwise. Heal up chop chop.

Hope the motorist gets dealt with proper, these things happen, but if he or she can't apologise or take responsibility then they must suffer the consequences.

Vice versa too obviously.

[Swim.Bike.Run]

I must admit since I started cycling I'm much more alert towards "non-motorized" road users. It does seem that most road users only focus on threats towards them and that unfortunately only accounts for other motorized road users. Fortunately I've never been in an accident but there have been MANY close calls - some measured in centimeters.

 

So the only way to run or ride your bike on the road is to "believe" you are invisible and act accordingly. Always assume that drivers are not seeing you. (A friend once had a lady wave him by and then proceeded to drive straight into him!)

 

Anyhow, hope you heal quickly and fully!

[Ratty]

Guy at my work also got hit on Friday. Lady said she didn't see him. However she was overtaking on a bend where she shouldn't have been. Luckily he is ok and just got a sprained and bruised ankle.

[reteid]

my motto is like when you put a helmet on you become invisible.amper soos die man van intersek baie jare gelede met sy horlosie.

[davetapson]

Sorry to hear that. This stuff concerns me all the time.

 

Hope you recover quick.

 

Dave

[Velouria]

I was nearing the end of my early morning cycle last Thursday and going over/through a roundabout when a car came from my left and didn't stop, resulting in t-boning me.

Exactly the same thing happened to me, except the car was leaving the circle at the first exit, and I was leaving at the second. T-boned from the right. Driver claimed it was my fault, even though I had entered the circle in front of her. She just didn't see me.

 

I'm now quite nervous about cars that are in my "space".

 

Hope you recover soon.

[LeTurbo]

Hell's bells, that's a nasty one, but glad you're OK. However, I'd seriously go back to have that headache checked out, especially if it has lasted since Thursday. And maybe change your avatar: you could have had a LegTrap.

[Help.Me.]

Hey LT recover soon.........sorry to have missed you at the Mpact.

[Seeker911]

Exactly the same thing happened to me, except the car was leaving the circle at the first exit, and I was leaving at the second. T-boned from the right. Driver claimed it was my fault, even though I had entered the circle in front of her. She just didn't see me.

 

I'm now quite nervous about cars that are in my "space".

 

Hope you recover soon.

 

Exact situation except I got sandwiched between double decker bus and a mini. Fortunately it was the mini that went over me

[FC&P2C]

go and see dr andy branfield at the rosebank sport clinic. he specialices in concussion. 0117885110

expect to feel kuk for 4 weeks

['Dale]

Sorry to hear that. This stuff concerns me all the time.

 

Hope you recover quick.

 

Dave

 

Recover quick-quick like Wolverine, Legtrap.

Sorry to hear, man.

['Dale]

my motto is like when you put a helmet on you become invisible.amper soos die man van intersek baie jare gelede met sy horlosie.

Yeah...

Before I cycled, as a motorist, I did not 'see' two wheelers until now.

[Java001]

Guy at my work also got hit on Friday. Lady said she didn't see him. However she was overtaking on a bend where she shouldn't have been. Luckily he is ok and just got a sprained and bruised ankle.

 

"I did not see you" has become somewhat of a standard response, used by motorists who think they can get away with out accepting responsibility for their actions - almost as if not seeing the cyclist entitles or justifies them to hit him/her !

 

Cyclists can in many instances do much to improve their visibility, but in a sense visibility, as motorist defence, is of no relevance. Should a motorist hit and kill a pedestrian crossing the road, it's more than likely going to be a culpable homicide case; to have noticed someone "visibly"crossing the road and reacting accordingly by stopping or slowing down, is very much what the Court is going to be expecting from a reasonable and responsible motorist.

 

In daylight conditions there should be no excuse and at night the cars headlights should make everything in the road visible - more so cyclists with lights than the average pedestrian that is not compelled by law to have lights fitted! Whilst their can be mitigating circumstances, there is really no excuse that should let the motorist off the hook by not paying all costs !

 

When a motorist drives into something or someone, it will be an accident, if he did not cause it intentionally i.e. the "I did not see you" defence, but he should still be held responsible for the accident caused and must be prosecuted for reckless and negligent driving.