Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2008 19:06:14 GMT
First thing to say, I am fine. Nothing broken. Just bruises and aches! I got knocked off my bike. By a lorry driver opening his door. That's the dramatic bit done! What happened was, that he pulled into parking space and then opened his door instantaneously, with me cycling along and slamming into the door. I was wearing a full fluorescent jacket (which is now ripped!) The man driving the lorry (who I talked to afterwards - and quite a nice man) was lucky, and so was I: - I landed relatively softly onto my knee, elbow and hip.
- My bag was not straight on my back which broke my fall slightly.
- I was going quite slowly because I was on the way back from Rugby (and injured already!)
- The car behind stopped immediately. This was a busy road just off the intersection with the A1, close to Highgate Depot. (something you guys can relate to
 )
He was also lucky that I was quite calm as it was only whilst I cycled home afterwards and saw all the cars that weren't opening the doors at me did I start to fell angry. The driver's excuse was that he had mirrors that made the aspect wider, making me look further away. Still no excuse. Anyway, he left some details and said that there would probably be compensation available. Now, don't get me wrong, I hate the compensation culture and 'blame' but since it was absolutely his fault I am happy to claim. When people claim when there was a possibility it wasn't their fault (tripping up when coming off a train, for example. see: mind the gap thread!) it is doubtful that taking their money is the correct thing to do. Anyway, I'm felling OK, though stiff and with several parts of my body not wanting to move. I will call them tomorrow and see what happens. For once, a rant about drivers and not cyclists! |
|
|
|
Post by Tomcakes on Jan 16, 2008 19:31:03 GMT
I hope you're alright. Chances are if you're just after a small amount they'll pay it without question so as to avoid any potential problems.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2008 19:36:39 GMT
Indeed, I haven't really checked my bike over yet, I put the chain back on and went home.
I'll go to the GP tomorrow to see if there is anything too wrong with my arm but otherwise I am fine.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2008 22:13:06 GMT
Im not surprised.
One thing hit me, if he is a lorry driver, shudnt he be used to the mirrors as what is the difference if he had opened the door on a bus he thought was futher away?
Heres hoping the doc gives you the all clear tomorrow!
|
|
Oracle
In memoriam
RIP 2012
Writing is such sweet sorrow: like heck it is!
Posts: 3,234
|
Post by Oracle on Jan 16, 2008 22:31:28 GMT
It is an offence to open a vehicle door such that it causes damage or injury. This is a clear and if I may say so, fait accomplii...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2008 23:24:34 GMT
Cyclists are quite invisible. I've done a fair bit of cycling and still fail to spot them at times as a pedestrian which is rather bad! On another note, I have a friend who failed her driving test for driving too close to a parked van because of the door opening hazard.
I do not know the circumstances but there are also times when it is impossible to leave enough of a safety gap between myself and the parked vehicles while cycling. Although motorists/cyclists are meant to take precautions where possible, it is indeed the occupants of vehicles who should be showing the greatest care when opening the roadside doors of their vehicle.
I've been to that part of the A1, 40+mph speed limit and I'd be wetting my pants if I had to go to the middle of the road!
I very much hope you will be able to claim for the cost of a hi-vis vest (£20) plus any possible medical fees and the cost to have the bike repaired if damaged.
|
|
|
|
Post by ilya on Jan 17, 2008 13:21:00 GMT
'When you stop your car and need to get out, spend some seconds of your life, please, look back and see if someone or something is there and may be touched by your door'. It's a rule that everyone shouldn't break. The lorry driver should be very thankful that he 'met' you riding a bike not another lorry, which could easily smash him and his door. )))
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2008 10:38:40 GMT
That's horrible I hope you're ok. Some years ago I was cycling down Waterloo Road when a van just pulled out in front of me and I went into the side of it! The driver must have heard the whopping great bang but he just drove off. Fortunately I was shaken but uninjured, however my bike was damaged - and at the time I was too shook up to remember to get his registration number or whatever. So I was out of pocket for fixing my bike, and not very happy!
Another time I came off my bike basically due to my carelessness, which is just one of those things and nothing I'd try to blame anyone else for. If I hadn't been wearing a helmet though, I might have been badly hurt.....
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2008 21:45:20 GMT
A driver did that to me once... barged past me and nipped into a space outside a shop. instantly, he flung the door open, caused me to slam on the brakes and swerve round him... He braces himself up against the open door, and mutters a 'sorry'. I leave the bike propped up on the kerb, and saunter over, casually tapping his mirror, and asking what they were for... As he goes to dissappear into the shop, to buy fags so he told me. I just said, in general to everyone around me, that they might as wel not put mirrors on cars as no sod uses them. Bloke in garage came over and asks if I am Ok, I say yeah, not the first time it happened [fag buying idiot driver returns, having already lit said object he was so desperate to buy] and it won't be the last... I then venture over to the garage, and quickly buy a copy of the Highway code, and point out the relevant section.
This met with a torrent of abuse, and he sped off up the road...
15 minutes later, I cycle along the same road, to find traffic backing up and an ambulance weaves through parked cars [at an oblique angle where they had panicked into pulling over] I cycle same, and find the bloke whom had my previous encounter had rear ended a skip carrying lorry.
I stop around fifteen yards away, and prop the bike up on the kerb, casually stand there with arms folded. He spotted me, but never said a word.
Oh well.
Heres to wishing you all the best, Rob, we do have a hard time on the roads.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2008 12:20:15 GMT
That's very brave of you Artery! I usually can't be arsed to deal with the torrent of abuse low-life scum come up with after being guilty and I just go on my journey without saying anything.
Got almost eaten alive sidewas by the 205 outside Great Portland Street tube last year. Narrow twisty bus lane section of the main road and the clown seemed to be in a rush. I remember watching a video of another cyclist confronting a bendybus driver after he did the same...
|
|
Phil
In memoriam
RIP 23-Oct-2018
Posts: 9,473
|
Post by Phil on Jan 20, 2008 16:02:16 GMT
On another note, I have a friend who failed her driving test for driving too close to a parked van because of the door opening hazard. Ha Ha Ha!?!?!?!?!?! We drive our buses down here a mere 5mm (yes - millimetres) from parked cars/vans etc. a lot of the time since the gaps they leave are too small to get through otherwise, and there are never any police available if you phone them. We just get used to it: "close" in Stroud is when you touch BOTH wing mirrors of the oppositely-parked vehicles without bending either back. Anything more is considered a big gap (as the guy who joined us from London Buses has taken 6 weeks to get used to!). But go for the claim Rob - he's entirely in the wrong! |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2008 2:42:07 GMT
I was riding along a road close to hime down a steep hill. Clear Summer day and about 7am just going up the road to get some cash out. Coming down the hill at about 35 mph had quite a bright top on and i see a car about to turn out of a road to my left and turning right so he would have to come across my path. Now i am getting closer goign quite fast but in control and i knew he wouldn't have anytime to pull out safely. So i apply the brakes and go in the middle of the road now at about 30.
Oh boy he pulls and i slam on the brakes and crash into the side of him. Lucky for me i didn't go over the handle bars but the bike swung round and hit him.
It was a fairly nasty knock and my wheel was stuffed. Few bruses on the leg. Anyway i get off drag the bike to the side and asked him why he couldn't see me in the middle of the road. He says something roughly like this:
You smashed my car you lil bastard, couldn't you see me pulling out ahhh F*** drives the car to the side road.
Then changes suddenly and goes sorry are you alright mate, gives me a fiver drives off. me standing there with a older women asking if i was alright. Wow a fiver covers the wheel!
James
|
|
)
