Had a hit and run last night on my scooter last night :/
17Any tips on getting through a hit and run accident? An idiot pulled out in front of me while I was riding my scooter (30-35 mph), and I couldn’t stop in time and had to lay my bike down.
After waiting 2 hours (well, 1 hour and 55 minutes to be precise) for the police to show up on scene after calling 911, they were extremely unhelpful and said that I couldn’t do anything since I don’t have a license plate # or anything (I guess I was more worried about not dying). I know what building the guy came out of (small four-plex), so he would likely be easy to find.
Well, off to the instacare to check out my wounds that are worse than they felt last night. Luckily I was wearing a brand new leather jacket that I just picked up in Japan. Otherwise I would be in a lot more pain. But now my beautiful jacket is toast. And my nice slacks are ripped to shreds. And brand new riding gloves. And leather shoes. And a pair of socks that I bought on our honeymoon back in the day (my shoe somehow flew off in the process of sliding…). The helmet saved my head from grinding on the ground though. Bike still works, in need of a couple small-ish fixes (other than cosmetic damage). Luckily I tipped the bike instead of flying through his back windshield, it could have been MUCH worse.
Is there anything I can do other than knock doors and hope the guy fesses up? I have 2 witnesses (that the police didn’t even take a statement from after they waited around for 2 hours with me).
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Ouch! I hope you heal quickly. (I think perhaps a personal injury attorney would be who you call?)
@Thumperchick @therealjrn
I’ll look into that, thanks! This is one of those things that I never thought would happen to me, “only other people get involved with stuff like that”. Because of that, I’ve never thought of what to do after that.
@luvche21, @tHumperchick beat me to it. First, very glad you weren’t hurt badly. Second, those attorneys will often work on contingency, so no money out of you pocket up front.
Does anyone have a security camera around there?
@sammydog01 not that I could find. It’s a relatively safe community, so security cameras are not too common. I’ll walk around and do a more thorough check later though. I’m to the point of knocking on doors trying to find out who it was if that doesn’t work.
@luvche21
If you watch the lot, you might recognize the car and the driver. Then you can get a plate #.
Just hero the witness contacts.
And I’d get a lawyer. Ask around if you do that. Get someone decent.
@f00l I might do some door knocking as well in the apartment complex there, I think there were only 4 or 5 doors.
I’ve never hired a lawyer before, that sounds so scary!
@f00l can’t prove it was that car without even a partial to match it to. It’s just their word against the car’s owner’s word.
@jbartus
The witnesses might corroborate.
@f00l yeah but from what I’m reading the hit and run was more like a ditch to avoid so there’s not even going to be accident damage on the car to provide a distinguishing attribute to demonstrate that “‘that’ blue Chevy” isn’t ”‘some’ other Chevy”
@luvche21 They’re used to dealing with people that have just been through a scary even like you. And when the lawyer is working FOR you, he’s no longer scary.
@jbartus Yea, no contact between the vehicles changes the situation some. No contact - no paint swap nor corresponding impact points.
@jbartus
The lawyer sorts this out. Lawyers know when there is a case and when there is not.
What’s is needed an ID on the car or driver and all the evidence including witnesses.
If the client takes what they have to the lawyer, the lawyer will tell the client whether there is any likely gain.
Sometimes there is nothing to be done.
Sometimes the lawyer can write a letter and get something, for the costs of writing a letter or three
Also, with an ID and witnesses, it is possible the police would take an interest. I dunno. Have little contact with all that area.
The driver may be potentially guilty of stuff other than strictly “collusion” violations.
While you may be sore today, tomorrow and next day will reveal a whole new world of pain. Please- go to your regular doc and get a thorough going-over. With that much clothing damage, more bruising and strains will show up even though you think you’re okay. I’m glad you laid the bike down properly and are safe.
@OldCatLady I’m at the doc right now
I’m always one to feel like I’m doing OK amd I’ll get over it, but it was a rough night and I’m in pain. Fingers crossed for nothing wrong with my ribs and back.
@luvche21
2nd and third day pain worse than when it happens.
Wait to say you are ok until you have been pain and discomfort free for a few days or a week.
If you need to see a physical therapist, do that. The layer might arrange for you to do that at no expense to you.
Keep track of all medical expenses. And other expenses. And witnesses. Write out your memories so that you have lots of detail for later, jic.
If you make a claim, with a lawyer, typically 2x-3x medical and personal losses world be included in final settlement.
medical and other personal expenses (lost work and other damage) Possibly your riding clothes figure in that.
Final settlement 1/3 to the lawyer. 2/3 to you.
The vehicle expenses are covered by insurance, not by a legal settlement. Usually. Around here.
Ask around. I haven’t been thru this in way more than a decade.
@f00l Good advice from f00l, I’d pay close heed.
@f00l I’ll look into this some more, thanks for the advice! I’m hoping I can even find the guy first since I couldn’t get a license plate #.
How was the doc appt?
I was also in a hit and run with me on a bicycle being hit by a van running a red light. Tons of witnesses and the cops still did nothing!
San Francisco had an excellent victim protection program and maybe your city does too. They paid for all medical expenses including chiropractic, acupuncture and therapy.
Hopefully you got the names of the witnesses and can get statements as well as write down everything you can remember and taking pics of all the damage. I had worked with a police complaint dept on another issue and found them useless but you may have more luck in your city. It might be best to contact that lawyer before the police again but I don’t have any experience there.
Take care and good luck.
@fjp999 Thank you. Just got back from 4 hours at the “instacare” since I couldn’t get into the normal doctor’s office.
It’s looking like bruised ribs, but they’re not fractured or broken, so that’s excellent news. The rest is just road rash - it’s painful, but it will heal. The ribs are the worst - it’s painful to breathe deeply which is super annoying, but I have to make an effort so I don’t get sick (they say pneumonia is a worry in those circumstances if I don’t try hard to breathe deeply enough, but I’ve been vigilant, so I’m sure it’s not a problem).
My 3rd year review for tenure is due next week, and luckily I had the thought to bring home my documents to work on them while I spend some time recuperating.
Glad you’re mostly OK. I had a similar situation except my scooter was an M109R. Lots of damage to me and to it, but the part that I hated the worst was that they cut my leather jacket off me and told me it was toast. I looked at the two halves after I got out of the hospital and couldn’t really find any new scuffs, it was just very well broken in
The guy that cut me off never stopped and was never found, but i had no easy clues to track him down either. Too many idiots on cell phones anymore to venture out on the road outside of a protective cage
I also am very thankful for helmets.
/giphy motorcycle ride
@djslack Did you have insurance that covered anything? I’m fighting with them now to work something out.
Sorry to hear about the jacket. That’s the most disappointing part for me as well. It was brand new and beautiful. A nice rich maroon with super stylish silver zippers. Also a birthday gift from visiting Japan until early this month. Also the most comfortable jacket that I’ve ever worn. I normally wear an XL in the states, but in Japan it was their 4XL haha. At least I found something there that fit me!
@luvche21 yeah, thankfully both the bike and me were taken care of. The biggest problem was realizing that you can be doing everything right and some moron can take away your independence or even your life in a flash and not even know it. Then deciding that as much as I loved riding, I loved breathing and wiping my own ass more so it was no longer worth it.
My wife and I have had some good laughs at some of the clothes she has ordered online that wound up coming straight from China, which also has a great discrepancy in sizes compared to American clothing. If I go to Japan the only thing that would fit me might be a sumo diaper. As much as we think they must be a land of mostly tiny people, those that deal with American clothing must think we might be giants.
/giphy sumo
@djslack AWESOME giphy btw.
Yeah, that was my first thought as soon as I could think after the accident - and one of the first questions my wife asked me after I got home, was if I would keep riding. And I’m not sure. It’s one of my favorite things to do, so it makes me sad that I might give it up
I might just change my work schedule to only come home in the light, which would make me feel much more secure, and avoid any roads that go over 30 mph. I think that would help me feel better about continuing, and would only add a minute or 2 to my commute anyway. Not sure yet though.
@djslack Yep, gear is sacrificial, one way or another. It’s painful to have good gear cut off of you, but they’ve got to have unfettered accesses for evaluation of any injuries.
Your helmet is a one-time-use device. It’s done its job, now frame it or throw it out. The helmet liner crushes to prevent your skull from doing the same.
I’ve noticed some people think helmets work because they are strong and tough. Well, partly, the outer shell is tough to prevent penetration, but the rest of it pretty soft and fluffy to cushion your brain.
@blaineg I was just wondering that about the helmet - I knew bike helmets were like that, but wasn’t sure about the half helmet that I use now. I guess I’ll buy a new one of those as well. It didn’t get hit hard, but there are some scratches on it, so I’m sure it dragged along with me for a bit.
@luvche21 Absolutely replace it. Helmets cushion your brain by permanently deforming their shock absorbing liner. By design, they are single use safety gear.
I’m confused. You said it was a hit and run but it doesn’t sound like there was a collision at all from what I’m reading. Is that correct?
Sorry to hear about your troubles, good luck getting your scooter back on the road!
@jbartus you’re right, I don’t know what else to call it. I laid the bike down instead of hitting the guy, which could have very well ended up with me through the back of his windshield (or dead), so no actual collision.
@luvche21 Even if you found the guy, how would you prove that he cut you off and you weren’t driving too fast?
@Pantheist My scooter can’t drive too fast
But seriously, I think you’re right. But, I do have 2 witnesses that were driving right behind me (and luckily didn’t run me over) that saw it as well.
@luvche21 Fair enough. Good luck- I hope you win.
@luvche21 yeah the problem is without accident damage or even a partial plate number to back up the eye witness account it’s pretty much a he says she says matter
@jbartus @Pantheist Thank you, I’m not guessing that anything good will come of it, but here’s to trying. Trying will at least relieve some stress knowing that I took a step without giving up.
@luvche21 good luck!
Ouch! First, I’m really glad you’re in one piece, and the gear you had did its job! As others have said, you’re going to hurt worse over the next couple of days as things settle in and the shock wears off. Don’t minimize things, get them checked out.
The hit and run of course makes it worse. You were attacked and then abandoned, and that turns things upside down. You may be feeling defenseless or helpless, or wanting justice, revenge and retribution.
All perfectly normal feelings, so give yourself some time to process them.
“Attorney” is a big scary word to most of us that hope to get though life without having to tangle with one of them. But it may be exactly what you need here. And if they are working for you, they are scary for the OTHER guy.
At the least you can hand over the chores of hunting down cameras and witnesses and such. It’s what they do, and they have more experience with it than you do.
Have you had any formal training?
Before I go any further, this is about concern for both your current state (and I’m so very glad that it is not worse), and what your future plans are. And no rush, you’ve got plenty to think through, and plenty of time to do it.
I’m a life-long rider, and have learned a lot over the years, but taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Experience Rider Course (after I’d been riding over 15 years, I should have done it much sooner) was one of the best things I’ve done to improve my riding and street survival skills.
If you haven’t, PLEASE consider taking something like the MSF Basic RiderCourse. Or whichever course is appropriate for you.
Just consider me uncle biker scum, looking out for one of our own.
Another, tangentially related, hit and run thought.
I had a minor rear-end hit and run in my beloved Camaro a month or two ago. Only cosmetic damage, but the sense of violation and attack was still pretty strong. It’s a nice car, I take good care of it.
We were stopped in the “turn south on the interstate lane” when he rammed me from behind for no reason. When I got out to look at damage, he/she (never even got a look at the driver in the dark) back up a little. I thought it was so I could look for damage. Then they bolted across three lanes and fled north on the interstate.
All I got was a partial, out of state plate number. Nothing that would be any help. In the dark, I would have said the truck was blue or black, but he left some red paint on me.
No helpful witnesses, just the kind that honk at you for messing up their morning commute.
So I stewed for several days. What can I do? I wanted vengeance and retribution. The way the driver bolted I figured they were unlicensed and uninsured. Punish them!
But after a while I calmed down. The odds of actually identifying the culprit are about zero, so any energy I put into that is completely wasted, and harms no one but me.
So I gradually put it behind me, and when warm weather comes around again, I’ll do some buffing and polishing and see if I can live with the results. But more importantly, I’m not longer obsessing over it like I did at the start.
I think if you can get a good attorney to help, you can turn a lot of the stress items over to them, and it will help clear your head.
@blaineg Thank you for all the help and ideas here - it’s been a lot to handle, think about, and sort out. Vengeance and retribution are some of my exact thoughts, and the feeling of having been attacked has not left yet, and I don’t think it will for a while, definitely still trying to cope.
I’ll have to look into a riding class later. I’m not 100% sure I’ll ride much in the future. I think I’ll try changing my work schedule first to only drive home when it’s light to make sure I feel more comfortable then. That’s the part that makes me most upset about this whole thing, is because I loved riding SO MUCH. Of everything that happened, I hope I don’t lose that love, but I don’t know yet.
Thanks for your advice!
Glad you weren’t killed -/ hope you find the jerk that caused you to wreck
@AttyVette Thank you. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that someone could cause an accident, and leave someone bleeding at the side of the road just to get out of penalty for their actions. Maybe I’m too naive.
@luvche21 given that you laid your own bike down it’s possible the person who cut you off was just oblivious to the accident they caused. Still shitty but not hard to imagine.
@jbartus Yeah, that is a possibility - I know the person knew something happened, but I don’t know how much they knew. They stopped at the end of the block for 20 seconds or so before going on. It was dark too, and after my scooter tipped the headlight went out as the bike turned off, so maybe they really just didn’t see. That’s why I’m hoping I can find them and they have enough of a conscious to admit guilt and turn it over to their insurance.