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Monday night Benji called me and told me he had been hit by a car while riding his bicycle in Columbia, MO. He was traveling straight through an intersection with a green light. A guy driving a Ford Ranger making a turn at the intersection did not see him and turned right into him.
Luckily for Benji this was a low speed accident with both parties traveling less than 15 MPH each. Benji’s only injuries seem to be a badly bruised hip and a bruised elbow.
I’m glad he is ok and since he is, I’m going to make an example of him. Benji didn’t do many of the things that you should do if you are in an accident with a motor vehicle.
So here is quick reminder of what you should, or at least try to do if you or someone you are with is in an accident:
- Call 911. If you are badly injured you should have someone else call if possible.
- If there were witnesses ask them to stay. You should also take down their contact information if you or someone else can get it.
- Get the license plate number of the vehicle. With the proliferation of camera phones it would be even better if you could take a picture of it.
- Get the driver’s information. Hopefully they won’t drive off from the scene.
- Take pictures of the scene from different angles if you can. The key here is to document as many aspects of what happened as possible. If you or a bystander don’t have a camera or camera phone try to write some of the details down if you can.
- Try to stay as calm as possible. If you can stay calm, you will remember the details better. You will be able to assist the injured if you were a bystander better if you do not panic.
Of course the best practice is to not get into an accident in the first place. Ride carefully everyone. Obey the laws and signal your intentions when turning and changing lanes.
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MadMichaelJohn 11.23.07 at 7:21 pm
I live in Portland Or. and am 55 y/o. We have lost 2 dead in the last 6 weeks and
7 so far this year. As a traffic rider of 40+ years I have this to say to all in town riders… NO RAT TRAPS… learn how to GO OVER your handlebars, and/or vault the center bar and lock the front wheel for the 20 to zero stop in 8 or 10 ft. Or turn deep right and pivot on the rt. peddle, replacement of peddle and crank arm are cheaper than a hospital stay or coffin. Better to be no the car hood than under the wheels, Vault off the peddles and to do so… NO RAT TRAPS…Have Fun Out There !!!
Bradly Fletchall 11.24.07 at 12:19 am
MadMichaelJohn - I have been following those tradgedies of the past 6 weeks on BikePortland.org. It really is a shame.
Thats why it is so important to pay attention out there. Avoid the “Right Hook”. Ride on the Right side of the road just like a car not against traffic and just because you are in a bike lane does not mean your are safe.