Accident's involving Bicycles....

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For a good starting point; Think of the accident as if the biker was a car. Who would be at fault. It might be your fault, but don't beat yourself up. As someone who rides over 6500 miles a year with many of those miles in urban commuting settings, defensive bike riding 101 is watch out for swinging car doors, and look inside every car window you pass. Its in every book written about bike commuting.
As others have said. You have insurance, you will be fine.
 
Should be fine??? Not so fast what insurance company do you have and more important what are your limits? I guess you live and this happened in P.A.
What happens if this guy is hurt bad or even pretends to be and sues for say 1 million will he get 1 million probably not but he can get $100,000 or more with the right attorney.
I know nothing about P.A. Law but i see this in nj all the time.
 
Lots of bike hate. To be expected on an oil website? So every cyclist is a law-breaking road lice d-bag. Wow. Yes, some of them break laws, just like some Harley riders, some pickup truck drivers, some sport bike riders, some import drivers, jeep drivers...etc. Like it or not the majority of road bike riders are following the rules just like anyone else. Everyone has a bike ran a red light story but forgets to mention the double-trailer semi that blew the red light because there was no way he could get stopped.

A bike in the middle of the lane gets [censored], a bike along the side gets [censored] even when he gets doored. No win.

About "bike trails", they aren't built for road bicycles, they're built for families with kid trailers and dog walkers and joggers.

For some reason the thought of having to slow up for a few seconds for a bike rider causes a testosterone dump in lots of guys driving 2 or 3 tons of steel. Pretty safe bet that the bike haters don't follow the letter of the motor vehicle laws either.

I rode on the roads for a lot of years, obeyed the laws and had my share of close calls and encounters with people who hated me just because I was riding a bike. Yelled at, stuff thrown, the close pass then swerve right.

crazyoildude, you don't have a clue how insurance or damages works.
 
Elderly guy doing 20-30 mph on a flat city street? That's really booking. It's not easy to get up to 20 mph on a bike except for short bursts, unless you are quite accomplished. It was probably more like 12-16 mph. Professional pelotons typically move at upper 20's to 30 mph.
 
I ride trails whenever possible, however, even with my 130db horn, joggers with their headphones or earbuds on will not hear you. They tend to weave unpredictably while running. Trails are also filled with people who do not put their dogs on leashes and let them run into the path of bikers. Large groups of serious runners feel they have the right of way. I try to show the utmost respect for motorists when riding and sometimes yield to them even if I have the right of way. I also make it a point not to impede traffic. I leave to work at 5am even though I have to be at work at 8am to avoid traffic. In well over 100,000 miles of riding, I have never had a collision with a motor vehicle. I have had four accidents on the bike trails. One of them rather serious. I'm sure there are others with similar stories.
 
Originally Posted By: AZjeff
I rode on the roads for a lot of years, obeyed the laws and had my share of close calls and encounters with people who hated me just because I was riding a bike. Yelled at, stuff thrown, the close pass then swerve right.
You're minority, majority bike riders don't follow traffic laws.

I was walking my dog on sidewalk suddenly a bicyclist came out of parking at speed above 10-12 MPH cut me off, hit my right arm and continue his way crossing the street without looking out for traffic, 4-5 cars had to brake very hard to avoid killing him.

As far as I know pedestrian has the right of way on sidewalk. If it is unsafe to walk on sidewalk, where can we walk ?
 
You bring a good point. Cops don't enforce the laws on bike riders. I've seen bikes roll reds in front of a cop and nothing happened. Cops even give bad advice to cyclists bout riding. Adults shouldn't be riding on sidewalks, it's not legal in most areas and sidewalks with their driveway cuts, handicap ramps etc aren't good for commute or fitness riding. The other problem is, do you want your 10 year old riding on the road instead of the sidewalk?
 
Originally Posted By: AZjeff
You bring a good point. Cops don't enforce the laws on bike riders. I've seen bikes roll reds in front of a cop and nothing happened. Cops even give bad advice to cyclists bout riding. Adults shouldn't be riding on sidewalks, it's not legal in most areas and sidewalks with their driveway cuts, handicap ramps etc aren't good for commute or fitness riding. The other problem is, do you want your 10 year old riding on the road instead of the sidewalk?


Yup, see bicyclists breaking the laws all the time. Running red lights are very common. Should kick the bikes off the road, they are a nuisance and a hazard.
 
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Car was parked, cyclist was moving, if the cyclist was riding near an area that is designed for cars to be parked HE will be found liable. You did your due diligence by looking before you opened the door.

Also you clearly asked the rider if he was OK repeatedly and
HE DID NOT CALL FOR EMS RESPONSE....Frankly as the driver I would have insisted that he wait for EMS to check him out on scene, and if he left before they arrived and then cries wolf, he hasn't a leg to stand on so to say....I think his refusal to have EMS arrive on scene and check him out is your ticket out of any future litigation for injury...I wouldn't be surprised if he is faking this possible knee injury....Make sure to inform your insurance company that the cyclist did NOT have EMS respond to check him out and he stated he was OK.....bye bye windfall.
 
IME, motorists are too lazy re situational awareness.

Ive been cyclist vs. motorist multiple times now, including having a door opened into my face, having a elderly lady overtake me and turn left at the same time, but the best one was a learner driver who went through a red light and turned across the front of me! 76 facial stitches later and I'm still here but I wrote her car off with my face
smile.gif


All of the above incidents were wearing a high visibility yellow vest and with flashing lights on the front and back of the bike.

As if we didn't already know that the majority of road users are inept detritus...
 
Unfortunately it probably deemed your fault overall probably not. This posts remind me not to ride too close to parked cars, been a bit lax on that lately. The cyclist shouldn't of been riding in that zone and been paying attention a bit more. Put over 1k miles last year riding and 2k overall I haven't had any major issue's or accidents. Hate to say I consider all vehicle drivers idiots until they prove otherwise, I'm significantly surprised both ways on a daily basis!
 
I have been hit once by a driver who went right for no reason to take a left turn and squished me between granite car and curb.

It resulted in plastic surgery however a few crowns and about $30k settlement from her insurance in 1992. Before I blew threw half that at age 19 my dad held and put into down payment for first home.
 
A lot of strange responses from people who don't seem to know the laws but feel a need to show the internet how much they hate bikers. One of the reasons I don't come around here much, it's become just like every other internet forum.

Anyway, sorry to the OP. You doored a cyclist. You'll absolutely be held liable to whatever damages he sustained. Even though I bike a lot it's a mistake I could see myself making as well.

It's a difficult situation on a bike since riding further out into traffic (than a door could swing open) really irritates drivers and is probably less safe. He should have seen you in the seat, but who knows maybe you have tinted windows or for some other reason that wasn't possible.

And yes I've seen all manner of irresponsible reckless actions on bicycles. That's not to say they can't be correctly or safely ridden. I've seen the same with dogs and motorcycles, and don't get me started on parenting or diy electrical work....
 
Opening a door into traffic and causing an accident is the door-opener's fault in NY, not so sure in PA. (NYS Traffic Law Article 33 S 1214 ) What law was the cyclist breaking ? Would it be different if it was another car that clipped your door ?

Yes - cops do write bicyclists tickets. 50 in a 30 for a friend of mine. He did it, he paid for it.

Both sides of this argument break the law and cause harm. Both sides also can have big egos and cause harm too. This is why things get out of hand.

We need to try better to get along out there...
 
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: WhyMe
reguardless of reality, almost all ped and bike accidents the cars driver will be found at fault.

a guy i know stopped at a light and a bike hit him in the rear and the bicycle rider did a cart wheel over the car and ended in front.

so you would think its the bikers fault no? he went to court and sued saying its the drivers fault and won. the judgement was for 85k.

with bikes and ped you are wrong even when you are right.


I think the douche bag on the bike should've been found liable and been made to pay for any damages done to the car.


Can you explain what makes a guy riding a bike an automatic "douche bag"?
 
Originally Posted By: Nate1979
Originally Posted By: AZjeff
You bring a good point. Cops don't enforce the laws on bike riders. I've seen bikes roll reds in front of a cop and nothing happened. Cops even give bad advice to cyclists bout riding. Adults shouldn't be riding on sidewalks, it's not legal in most areas and sidewalks with their driveway cuts, handicap ramps etc aren't good for commute or fitness riding. The other problem is, do you want your 10 year old riding on the road instead of the sidewalk?


Yup, see bicyclists breaking the laws all the time. Running red lights are very common. Should kick the bikes off the road, they are a nuisance and a hazard.


Hardly. Just another thing to watch out for.

You live in Portland and you have such disgust for bicyclists? Probably be better on your blood pressure to move or take transit. Portland has a love affair with bikes.
 
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: WhyMe
reguardless of reality, almost all ped and bike accidents the cars driver will be found at fault.

a guy i know stopped at a light and a bike hit him in the rear and the bicycle rider did a cart wheel over the car and ended in front.

so you would think its the bikers fault no? he went to court and sued saying its the drivers fault and won. the judgement was for 85k.

with bikes and ped you are wrong even when you are right.


I think the douche bag on the bike should've been found liable and been made to pay for any damages done to the car.


Can you explain what makes a guy riding a bike an automatic "douche bag"?


By being a dumb [censored] rear ending a car and then boo hooing about it.
 
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: WhyMe
reguardless of reality, almost all ped and bike accidents the cars driver will be found at fault.

a guy i know stopped at a light and a bike hit him in the rear and the bicycle rider did a cart wheel over the car and ended in front.

so you would think its the bikers fault no? he went to court and sued saying its the drivers fault and won. the judgement was for 85k.

with bikes and ped you are wrong even when you are right.


I think the douche bag on the bike should've been found liable and been made to pay for any damages done to the car.


Can you explain what makes a guy riding a bike an automatic "douche bag"?


By being a dumb [censored] rear ending a car and then boo hooing about it.


Not to offend you or the OP...but why is the cyclist the "dumb rear end" when the OP didn't look back before opening a car door on a street? A vehicle can just as easily hit the door as the cyclist did. And he didn't "rear end" the car. A door was opened up on him and he didn't see it in time to react.

I've rode bicycles most of my life, until recently. Too dangerous on the roads anymore and I have knee and back issues anyway. But I know enough about riding to know how easy it is to get hit by an opening car door.

Have you ever ridden a bicycle? Why all the disgust when you don't even know the guy that got hurt?

Maybe as a Texan, you'd be more sympathetic if instead of a bike....it was a guy on a horse???
 
Andrew,please re-read whyme's post,then mine,then your response to me. The bike moron rear ended the car because he had his head up his [censored]. As to the horse comment,why does everyone think all Texans live on ranches and ride horses,although I wish I had a ranch and owned a horse
smile.gif
.

As to opening the car door in front of ANY one,the one who does the door opening is completely at fault imo.
 
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