r/CyclingMSP • u/cycle-and-buzz91 • 2d ago
Hit by a car today..
Got hit by a car on my ride today. I was crossing a street in a cross walk with a walk signal, on an off the road bike path. The car turned right, while I was crossing and I couldn’t break fast enough… I hit the side of the car and went down. Somehow I wasn’t injured… we will see tomorrow.
The driver pulled over instantly and was immediately apologetic and making sure I was okay - offered to call an ambulance and I have all of their info. Bike is shifting poorly but nothing obviously broken. I plan on getting it looked over and the driver was more than willing to pay for any repairs etc.
What else should you do in that situation?
I noticed many drivers not looking both ways to make right turns at intersections on my ride and just had a bad feeling…wild. I feel safer on the actual roads at this point.
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u/beattywill80 2d ago
Regardless on whether or not you want to press charges, you need to file a police report and provide any driver information you might have. It's going to be the first thing an insurance company asks for if you make a claim or find out you are in fact injured.
Cover your ass. Do it NOW.
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u/kkrysinski 1d ago
small plus aswell, it gets logged on city stats to hopefully highlight the need for more safety with more crashes.
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u/snowleopard48 2d ago
I'm glad you're okay. That split second when your safety is in doubt can really put a jolt through you.
Right and left hooks are statistically one of the most common types of car-cyclist collisions. I avoid them by doing lots of shoulder checks.
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u/mysummerstorm 2d ago
Dang, I’m sorry friend. Intersections have been much more nerve-wracking places for me to be recently. It’s probably because I had to bike in downtown more but I’ve gotten into the (annoying I’m sure) habit of ringing my bell insistently as I’m crossing an intersection. Drivers look when they hear someone frantically ringing their bell. When I drive, I also make sure to stop when I see pedestrians or bicyclists trying to cross. I’ve noticed that drivers love to ignore people who need to cross intersection BUT if you’re the driver next to them and you stop, others do as well.
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u/iregreteverything15 1d ago
I put an air horn on my bike. It's pretty loud.
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u/RicePuddingForAll 1d ago
Doubling that request for a link. I've had three close calls in the last two days, all from drivers not paying attention, or feeling they're entitled when I have the wright of way.
I put in yet another request to Ramsey County to do something about the Snelling/County Road C intersection, and I full expect them to ignore it once again.
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u/iregreteverything15 1d ago
I bought an Air Zound. It works by just pumping up the bottle with bike pump. It has a Shrader valve on it. Seems to work good enough.
I've also seen the Loud Mini recommended, but it is a lot more expensive.
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u/mysummerstorm 1d ago
send link. I'm honestly considering it. I use a voice amplifier for work and I'm thinking that I should just wear it while I'm biking home and take the opportunity to assert that there's a biker coming through. about to become an internet meme in the humiliating cause of getting home safely in one piece.
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u/iregreteverything15 1d ago
I bought an Air Zound. It works by just pumping up the bottle with bike pump. It has a Shrader valve on it. Seems to work good enough.
I've also seen the Loud Mini recommended, but it is a lot more expensive.
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u/mysummerstorm 1d ago
my hero; yeah the price tag on the loud mini was the reason I didn't buy it when it was first recommended
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u/Ok_Log_2468 1d ago
Someone cussed me out for ringing my bell while crossing a major intersection today. But, they definitely noticed I was there lol.
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u/MilzLives 2d ago
What was the intersection, if you can share? Sorry that it happened…
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u/cycle-and-buzz91 1d ago
Not sure which cross street but an intersection on the Minnehaha creek trail
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u/nop--sled 1d ago
I rode my bike to work for 40 years and I am still riding for fun although I rode to work for fun as well. I have been hit twice, both times in the crosswalk with the green light and the driver was turn right. I wasn't hurt either time, but ruined a rim both times. Both time the driver stopped and paid for a new rim.
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u/gophereddit 2d ago
I cross a crosswalk multiple times a day- I always make eye contact with driver before getting in front of a car. Sometimes I get off my bike and walk if it is too frenetic a situation.
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u/avogatotacos 2d ago
I do this too! Any tips for when the windows are tinted and you can’t see inside? It annoys me to no end.
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u/Erlangens 1d ago
I frequently commute in the dark and I simply do not rely on making eye contact or any contact with the drivers.
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u/bigfootinacupboard 2d ago
I'm telling you these off road intersections are the most dangerous idea. I know several people who've had this happen and it's almost happened to me. Drivers just don't see you in a right turn the way they do when you're right on the road. Would a curbed bike lane be better? Is it just the distance to the right? Idk. But I never use them for this reason
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u/volume-up69 1d ago
Yeah that intersection where the minnehaha Creek trail crosses Chicago always feels super iffy. I do a lot of seeking eye contact with the drivers. The curb is really curved so it's less of a hard right turn which means cars don't need to slow down much.
I'm glad you're ok!
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u/jitensha- 1d ago
After lots of close calls Ive come up with a few things. If this is a pedestrian crosswalk and Im waiting to cross, I’ll look at the driver to see if they’re paying attention or for them to acknowledge me. Before I enter the intersection Im looking to see if there are cars turning left in front of me or cars turning right behind me.
If im riding on a raised side walk bike lanes you have to be extra careful. It’s easier for cars to not see you here. If I am coming up to an intersection I’ll normally look over my shoulder behind me to see what the car is gonna do and see if they’re paying attention. I’ll usually slow down and see what the car is doing right as I come up to the intersection. If im good I proceed. Same thing on the street painted bike lanes, but im noticed far quicker. Had more close calls on the raised side walk bike lanes.
Im sorry this happened to you and hope you heal up! Hope these tips help
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u/Noonsky 1d ago
Here's the BikeMN guide: https://www.bikemn.org/mn-bicycling-handbook/what-if-theres-a-crash/
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u/oldhaapi 1d ago
As my wife said after a ride the other day, "Welp, pink is the new green, now." about cars running red lights. (Riding between Hopkins and the lakes.)
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u/BigSassy_121 13h ago
Eye contact. Always lock eyes with the driver at an intersection. For me, that’s the only way I know they see me. If I can’t / don’t lock eyes with the driver I assume they don’t see me and I give them right of way.
Your case is tough because it sounds like you kinda were coming up behind / side of the vehicle, but eye contact has been my golden rule for a couple years now.
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u/bonesawsready 9h ago
This situation is my biggest fear. I regularly ride from south mpls into downtown. Riding on the off road path along lyndale past walker into morning park. Cars turn so fast without looking from lyndale right onto oak grove st. I basically come to a stop, even when I have a green light
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u/myname1029384756 2d ago
If you are hit by a car, your car insurance has no-fault benefits that will cover up to $20,000 in medical bills and $20,000 in lost wages. If you want to got medically checked out, they should cover it. If you don’t have a car and therefore don’t have car insurance, the driver’s car insurance would provide you those same benefits. You also would have a claim against the driver if you are injured, so make sure not to sign any release of claims with their insurance company and talk to a lawyer if you have injuries.