Right Hooks

jon.ragsda..@comcast.net

2014-05-15

I was in Portland at NE Hoffann (it has a different name on the north side, just don't remember what that is) and NE Airport Way. I was going straight and a truck turned right in front of me. He pushed me into the mud but I didn't fall, but he yelled at me that he's got the right of way turning right since he's in a vehicle. Sounds like the same mindset.

----- Original Message -----

From: "Steve Scarich"
To: "obra"
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2014 11:31:37 AM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Right Hooks

I'll try to keep this brief. I live in Bend. I have had two conversations with police officers in the past year, where I was right hooked (forced to slam on my brakes and/or swerve) and the police saw the incident. I flagged downed the officers and they both told me 'you, as a cyclist, have to yield to a right-turning car that has/or is in the process of passing you and making a right turn. No matter what I said to them would shake their opinion. So. two weeks ago, I was hit by a car doing a right-hook from two lanes away. True story.

I was lying on the pavement, and within 3 minutes five, yes five, cop cars were there, and shortly thereafter, two emergency vehicles. Here's what I learned from that incident:
-Do not count on the police to represent your interests. Two different officers took a complete report from me, don't know why. I asked for a report, and the driver's info. They refused, and said they would 'bring the report by my house'. They never did, but they did give my info to the at-fault driver, who proceeded to call me within two hours, and every day thereafter, and try to talk me into not calling his insurance company. I was stuck. I did not know this guy's name, had no insurance info. I ended up having to go to the police records dept four days later, where luckily, there was a report on file with the guys insurance info.So, do not leave the scene of the accident without, at a minimum, the driver's complete info, and a picture or two if you can manage it, of the scene and the car, with license number visible, and the police officer's business card.
-I also learned that you should go to a doctor immediately if there is the least chance you are injured. I refused the ambulance on the scene, because I thought it was just road rash and bruises. Get documentation of any injuries immediately.
-I called the guy's insurance company after four days when I had his info. Guess what, he had not reported the accident. I told them the story.
-Do not play your own doctor and settle immediately. My neck did not hurt until three days after the incident. My bruised hip was later diagnosed as cracked. Do not settle with the insurance company until your doc tells you that you are OK and that he/she foresees no future complications.
-Get written shop estimates on anything that might need to be replaced, carbon bars, clothing, helmet, etc. My estimate did not say that they were ruined, just gave replacement cost.
-If you do get hit by a car, choose a State Farm customer. I used to be in the industry, and State Farm has a reputation has being more than fair when their customer is at fault. In my case, I received more than twice as much as I could possibly have expected, and I was pretty low key in my negotiations, not demanding a lot. They would definitely have given me more if I was demanding.

Steve Scarich
Bend
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jo..@aracnet.com

2014-05-15

My experience is similar to Steve's.

Back in 2004, I was returning from LaCamas Lake along McGilivray (in
East
Vancouver). I was in the bike lane when a car (driven by an elderly
man) backed out of his driveway and sent me over the left-rear
quarter-panel
of his care. The frame was bent at the top-tube/steerer tube, I had
contusions on my chest, thigh and (much to my shock later) a broken
right-wrist
which sadly went untreated (I was out of work and had no medical
insurance
at the time).

As I was lying on the ground in pain, a motorist who was behind me
stopped and
called 911. The driver got out and decided to move the remnants of my
bicycle
(thus disturbing the scene of the accident) despite the motorist and
myself
screaming at the driver to leave things where they are.

After a few minutes, both an ambulance and the police arrived. The
police officer
turned out to be all knowing he had the scene all figured out without
talking to
any body. Despite the motorist who stopped trying to give details, the
officer
brushed her aside and said 'I dont need your statement. The bicycle
rider
rear-ended the car. They are at fault here'. This same police officer
proceeded
to explain to me that 'I am a former insurance adjuster. I have seen
this time
and time again. You cyclists never pay attention and end up rear-ending
a car.'
I damn near came unglued!

When I got home (I had to ride home as my wife was out, and neither the
ambulance
or police officer would give me a ride back to our home in Vancouver).
First thing
we did (after calling my insurance company as we had homeowners/renters
insurance)
was take pictures of my injuries, pictures of what was left of my
bicycle and
then drive back to the scene of the accident and take pictures of the
street, the
obscured line-of-sight of the driveway and, fortunate for us, the dent
in the trunk
that showed an angle of indentation that was inconsistent with running
into a car
that was in the street moving forward. I also filed an accident report
right away.

After our insurance agent received the photos, took my statement AND the
statement
of the motorist who witnessed the accident, I was told to hang tight and
I would
hear back in a day or so.

When the insurance agent called, she had some good news:
1 - I was told to document the cost of replacing my bike, helmet, etc
and turn in the
cost to my claims rep.
2 - Provide a copy of the accident report to my claims rep as well.
3 - The officer who handled the scene was apparently in hot water with
his precinct
commander of this incident.

I found out later that this officer was more or less doing something
other then being
a police officer. This was not his first time at handling a situation
poorly it seems.
(Shameless plug - Safeco was terrific throughout this whole affair).
Later it was
determined that the motorist was at fault and his insurance company
would have to
reimburse me for all costs and damages.

Bottom-line: Some agencies handle events like this better then others,
despite the
best attempts of the front-line staff to make up things as they go
along. It also
pays to have some form of homeowners insurance. Especially if you rent.

Joe

On 2014-05-15 11:31, Steve Scarich wrote:
> I'll try to keep this brief. I live in Bend. I have had two
> conversations with police officers in the past year, where I was right
> hooked (forced to slam on my brakes and/or swerve) and the police saw
> the incident. I flagged downed the officers and they both told me
> 'you, as a cyclist, have to yield to a right-turning car that has/or
> is in the process of passing you and making a right turn. No matter
> what I said to them would shake their opinion. So. two weeks ago, I
> was hit by a car doing a right-hook from two lanes away. True story.
>
> I was lying on the pavement, and within 3 minutes five, yes five, cop
> cars were there, and shortly thereafter, two emergency vehicles.
> Here's what I learned from that incident:
> -Do not count on the police to represent your interests. Two
> different officers took a complete report from me, don't know why. I
> asked for a report, and the driver's info. They refused, and said
> they would 'bring the report by my house'. They never did, but they
> did give my info to the at-fault driver, who proceeded to call me
> within two hours, and every day thereafter, and try to talk me into
> not calling his insurance company. I was stuck. I did not know this
> guy's name, had no insurance info. I ended up having to go to the
> police records dept four days later, where luckily, there was a report
> on file with the guys insurance info.So, do not leave the scene of the
> accident without, at a minimum, the driver's complete info, and a
> picture or two if you can manage it, of the scene and the car, with
> license number visible, and the police officer's business card.
> -I also learned that you should go to a doctor immediately if there is
> the least chance you are injured. I refused the ambulance on the
> scene, because I thought it was just road rash and bruises. Get
> documentation of any injuries immediately.
> -I called the guy's insurance company after four days when I had his
> info. Guess what, he had not reported the accident. I told them the
> story.
> -Do not play your own doctor and settle immediately. My neck did not
> hurt until three days after the incident. My bruised hip was later
> diagnosed as cracked. Do not settle with the insurance company until
> your doc tells you that you are OK and that he/she foresees no future
> complications.
> -Get written shop estimates on anything that might need to be
> replaced, carbon bars, clothing, helmet, etc. My estimate did not say
> that they were ruined, just gave replacement cost.
> -If you do get hit by a car, choose a State Farm customer. I used to
> be in the industry, and State Farm has a reputation has being more
> than fair when their customer is at fault. In my case, I received
> more than twice as much as I could possibly have expected, and I was
> pretty low key in my negotiations, not demanding a lot. They would
> definitely have given me more if I was demanding.
>
> Steve Scarich
> Bend
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org


Rick Johnson

2014-05-15





And I agree. But unfortunately that's
what we're caught up in.



Rick Johnson

Bend, Oregon


On 5/15/2014 1:23 PM, stevea.long wrote:




Wow, Rick, those really seem like poor excuses for the city
of Bend not implementing the law.

Very embarrassing for that City if you ask me.





Steve










Sent via the Samsung
GALAXY S®4, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone






-------- Original message --------

From: Rick Johnson

Date:05/15/2014 12:45 PM (GMT-08:00)

To: Eric ,'Steve Scarich' ,obra@list.obra.org

Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Right Hooks





Thanks Steve, that's all very good advise. Glad to hear things are
going

to turn out ok in the long run.



Eric, there's been some turmoil with our police department
leadership

over here recently. The current Chief is acting in an interim
capacity

until a new permanent Chief can be selected. Hopefully things will
be

better when that is all settled.



As for the City Council, they are preoccupied with two other big
things

right now:

Trying to purchase a broken down 100 year old dam and the muddy
pond

that goes with it.

Bending over backwards to accommodate OSU's vision of a west side


university expansion.



Rick



Rick Johnson

Bend Oregon



*    *    *



On 5/15/2014 12:00 PM, Eric wrote:

> You need to talk to your police chief, as soon as possible! 
Does Bend have

> any sort of oversight for police?  That would be another good
venue.  And,

> that is information which should be shared with the City
Council, especially

> if they can be convinced that you have a good chance to win a
lawsuit.

>

> Good luck healing!

>

> == Eric

>

>

>

> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Right Hooks

>

> I'll try to keep this brief.  I live in Bend.  I have had two
conversations

> with police officers in the past year, where I was right
hooked (forced to

> slam on my brakes and/or swerve) and the police saw the
incident.  I flagged

> downed the officers and they both told me 'you, as a cyclist,
have to yield

> to a right-turning car that has/or is in the process of
passing you and

> making a right turn.  No matter what I said to them would
shake their

> opinion.  So. two weeks ago, I was hit by a car doing a
right-hook from two

> lanes away.  True story.

>

> I was lying on the pavement, and within 3 minutes five, yes
five, cop cars

> were there, and shortly thereafter, two emergency vehicles. 
Here's what I

> learned from that incident:

> -Do not count on the police to represent your interests.  Two
different

> officers took a complete report from me, don't know why.  I
asked for a

> report, and the driver's info.  They refused, and said they
would 'bring the

> report by my house'.  They never did, but they did give my
info to the

> at-fault driver, who proceeded to call me within two hours,
and every day

> thereafter, and try to talk me into not calling his insurance
company.  I

> was stuck.  I did not know this guy's name, had no insurance
info.  I ended

> up having to go to the police records dept four days later,
where luckily,

> there was a report on file with the guys insurance info.So,
do not leave the

> scene of the accident without, at a minimum, the driver's
complete info, and

> a picture or two if you can manage it, of the scene and the
car, with

> license number visible, and the police officer's business
card.

> -I also learned that you should go to a doctor immediately if
there is the

> least chance you are injured.  I refused the ambulance on the
scene, because

> I thought it was just road rash and bruises.  Get
documentation of any

> injuries immediately.

> -I called the guy's insurance company after four days when I
had his info.

> Guess what, he had not reported the accident.  I told them
the story.

> -Do not play your own doctor and settle immediately.  My neck
did not hurt

> until three days after the incident.  My bruised hip was
later diagnosed as

> cracked.  Do not settle with the insurance company until your
doc tells you

> that you are OK and that he/she foresees no future
complications.

> -Get written shop estimates on anything that might need to be
replaced,

> carbon bars, clothing, helmet, etc.  My estimate did not say
that they were

> ruined, just gave replacement cost.

> -If you do get hit by a car, choose a State Farm customer. I
used to be in

> the industry, and State Farm has a reputation has being more
than fair when

> their customer is at fault.  In my case, I received more than
twice as much

> as I could possibly have expected, and I was pretty low key
in my

> negotiations, not demanding a lot.  They would definitely
have given me more

> if I was demanding.

>

> Steve Scarich

> Bend

> _______________________________________________

> OBRA mailing list

> obra@list.obra.org

> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra

> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

>

> _______________________________________________

> OBRA mailing list

> obra@list.obra.org

> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra

> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org



_______________________________________________

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obra@list.obra.org

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Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org





stevea.long

2014-05-15

Wow, Rick, those really seem like poor excuses for the city of Bend not implementing the law.
Very embarrassing for that City if you ask me.

Steve

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S®4, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Rick Johnson
Date:05/15/2014 12:45 PM (GMT-08:00)
To: Eric ,'Steve Scarich' ,obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Right Hooks

Thanks Steve, that's all very good advise. Glad to hear things are going
to turn out ok in the long run.

Eric, there's been some turmoil with our police department leadership
over here recently. The current Chief is acting in an interim capacity
until a new permanent Chief can be selected. Hopefully things will be
better when that is all settled.

As for the City Council, they are preoccupied with two other big things
right now:
Trying to purchase a broken down 100 year old dam and the muddy pond
that goes with it.
Bending over backwards to accommodate OSU's vision of a west side
university expansion.

Rick

Rick Johnson
Bend Oregon

* * *

On 5/15/2014 12:00 PM, Eric wrote:
> You need to talk to your police chief, as soon as possible! Does Bend have
> any sort of oversight for police? That would be another good venue. And,
> that is information which should be shared with the City Council, especially
> if they can be convinced that you have a good chance to win a lawsuit.
>
> Good luck healing!
>
> == Eric
>
>
>
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Right Hooks
>
> I'll try to keep this brief. I live in Bend. I have had two conversations
> with police officers in the past year, where I was right hooked (forced to
> slam on my brakes and/or swerve) and the police saw the incident. I flagged
> downed the officers and they both told me 'you, as a cyclist, have to yield
> to a right-turning car that has/or is in the process of passing you and
> making a right turn. No matter what I said to them would shake their
> opinion. So. two weeks ago, I was hit by a car doing a right-hook from two
> lanes away. True story.
>
> I was lying on the pavement, and within 3 minutes five, yes five, cop cars
> were there, and shortly thereafter, two emergency vehicles. Here's what I
> learned from that incident:
> -Do not count on the police to represent your interests. Two different
> officers took a complete report from me, don't know why. I asked for a
> report, and the driver's info. They refused, and said they would 'bring the
> report by my house'. They never did, but they did give my info to the
> at-fault driver, who proceeded to call me within two hours, and every day
> thereafter, and try to talk me into not calling his insurance company. I
> was stuck. I did not know this guy's name, had no insurance info. I ended
> up having to go to the police records dept four days later, where luckily,
> there was a report on file with the guys insurance info.So, do not leave the
> scene of the accident without, at a minimum, the driver's complete info, and
> a picture or two if you can manage it, of the scene and the car, with
> license number visible, and the police officer's business card.
> -I also learned that you should go to a doctor immediately if there is the
> least chance you are injured. I refused the ambulance on the scene, because
> I thought it was just road rash and bruises. Get documentation of any
> injuries immediately.
> -I called the guy's insurance company after four days when I had his info.
> Guess what, he had not reported the accident. I told them the story.
> -Do not play your own doctor and settle immediately. My neck did not hurt
> until three days after the incident. My bruised hip was later diagnosed as
> cracked. Do not settle with the insurance company until your doc tells you
> that you are OK and that he/she foresees no future complications.
> -Get written shop estimates on anything that might need to be replaced,
> carbon bars, clothing, helmet, etc. My estimate did not say that they were
> ruined, just gave replacement cost.
> -If you do get hit by a car, choose a State Farm customer. I used to be in
> the industry, and State Farm has a reputation has being more than fair when
> their customer is at fault. In my case, I received more than twice as much
> as I could possibly have expected, and I was pretty low key in my
> negotiations, not demanding a lot. They would definitely have given me more
> if I was demanding.
>
> Steve Scarich
> Bend
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org


Rick Johnson

2014-05-15

Thanks Steve, that's all very good advise. Glad to hear things are going
to turn out ok in the long run.

Eric, there's been some turmoil with our police department leadership
over here recently. The current Chief is acting in an interim capacity
until a new permanent Chief can be selected. Hopefully things will be
better when that is all settled.

As for the City Council, they are preoccupied with two other big things
right now:
Trying to purchase a broken down 100 year old dam and the muddy pond
that goes with it.
Bending over backwards to accommodate OSU's vision of a west side
university expansion.

Rick

Rick Johnson
Bend Oregon

* * *

On 5/15/2014 12:00 PM, Eric wrote:
> You need to talk to your police chief, as soon as possible! Does Bend have
> any sort of oversight for police? That would be another good venue. And,
> that is information which should be shared with the City Council, especially
> if they can be convinced that you have a good chance to win a lawsuit.
>
> Good luck healing!
>
> == Eric
>
>
>
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Right Hooks
>
> I'll try to keep this brief. I live in Bend. I have had two conversations
> with police officers in the past year, where I was right hooked (forced to
> slam on my brakes and/or swerve) and the police saw the incident. I flagged
> downed the officers and they both told me 'you, as a cyclist, have to yield
> to a right-turning car that has/or is in the process of passing you and
> making a right turn. No matter what I said to them would shake their
> opinion. So. two weeks ago, I was hit by a car doing a right-hook from two
> lanes away. True story.
>
> I was lying on the pavement, and within 3 minutes five, yes five, cop cars
> were there, and shortly thereafter, two emergency vehicles. Here's what I
> learned from that incident:
> -Do not count on the police to represent your interests. Two different
> officers took a complete report from me, don't know why. I asked for a
> report, and the driver's info. They refused, and said they would 'bring the
> report by my house'. They never did, but they did give my info to the
> at-fault driver, who proceeded to call me within two hours, and every day
> thereafter, and try to talk me into not calling his insurance company. I
> was stuck. I did not know this guy's name, had no insurance info. I ended
> up having to go to the police records dept four days later, where luckily,
> there was a report on file with the guys insurance info.So, do not leave the
> scene of the accident without, at a minimum, the driver's complete info, and
> a picture or two if you can manage it, of the scene and the car, with
> license number visible, and the police officer's business card.
> -I also learned that you should go to a doctor immediately if there is the
> least chance you are injured. I refused the ambulance on the scene, because
> I thought it was just road rash and bruises. Get documentation of any
> injuries immediately.
> -I called the guy's insurance company after four days when I had his info.
> Guess what, he had not reported the accident. I told them the story.
> -Do not play your own doctor and settle immediately. My neck did not hurt
> until three days after the incident. My bruised hip was later diagnosed as
> cracked. Do not settle with the insurance company until your doc tells you
> that you are OK and that he/she foresees no future complications.
> -Get written shop estimates on anything that might need to be replaced,
> carbon bars, clothing, helmet, etc. My estimate did not say that they were
> ruined, just gave replacement cost.
> -If you do get hit by a car, choose a State Farm customer. I used to be in
> the industry, and State Farm has a reputation has being more than fair when
> their customer is at fault. In my case, I received more than twice as much
> as I could possibly have expected, and I was pretty low key in my
> negotiations, not demanding a lot. They would definitely have given me more
> if I was demanding.
>
> Steve Scarich
> Bend
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org


Lisa Winchester

2014-05-15

Thanks for the info.

-Lisa

> On May 15, 2014, at 12:00 PM, "Eric" wrote:
>
>
> You need to talk to your police chief, as soon as possible! Does Bend have
> any sort of oversight for police? That would be another good venue. And,
> that is information which should be shared with the City Council, especially
> if they can be convinced that you have a good chance to win a lawsuit.
>
> Good luck healing!
>
> == Eric
>
>
>
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Right Hooks
>
> I'll try to keep this brief. I live in Bend. I have had two conversations
> with police officers in the past year, where I was right hooked (forced to
> slam on my brakes and/or swerve) and the police saw the incident. I flagged
> downed the officers and they both told me 'you, as a cyclist, have to yield
> to a right-turning car that has/or is in the process of passing you and
> making a right turn. No matter what I said to them would shake their
> opinion. So. two weeks ago, I was hit by a car doing a right-hook from two
> lanes away. True story.
>
> I was lying on the pavement, and within 3 minutes five, yes five, cop cars
> were there, and shortly thereafter, two emergency vehicles. Here's what I
> learned from that incident:
> -Do not count on the police to represent your interests. Two different
> officers took a complete report from me, don't know why. I asked for a
> report, and the driver's info. They refused, and said they would 'bring the
> report by my house'. They never did, but they did give my info to the
> at-fault driver, who proceeded to call me within two hours, and every day
> thereafter, and try to talk me into not calling his insurance company. I
> was stuck. I did not know this guy's name, had no insurance info. I ended
> up having to go to the police records dept four days later, where luckily,
> there was a report on file with the guys insurance info.So, do not leave the
> scene of the accident without, at a minimum, the driver's complete info, and
> a picture or two if you can manage it, of the scene and the car, with
> license number visible, and the police officer's business card.
> -I also learned that you should go to a doctor immediately if there is the
> least chance you are injured. I refused the ambulance on the scene, because
> I thought it was just road rash and bruises. Get documentation of any
> injuries immediately.
> -I called the guy's insurance company after four days when I had his info.
> Guess what, he had not reported the accident. I told them the story.
> -Do not play your own doctor and settle immediately. My neck did not hurt
> until three days after the incident. My bruised hip was later diagnosed as
> cracked. Do not settle with the insurance company until your doc tells you
> that you are OK and that he/she foresees no future complications.
> -Get written shop estimates on anything that might need to be replaced,
> carbon bars, clothing, helmet, etc. My estimate did not say that they were
> ruined, just gave replacement cost.
> -If you do get hit by a car, choose a State Farm customer. I used to be in
> the industry, and State Farm has a reputation has being more than fair when
> their customer is at fault. In my case, I received more than twice as much
> as I could possibly have expected, and I was pretty low key in my
> negotiations, not demanding a lot. They would definitely have given me more
> if I was demanding.
>
> Steve Scarich
> Bend
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>


Matt Edler

2014-05-15

That's brutal.

Good info for us all. Some of us have been hit, others not yet, the
lucky some never will. Still best to know ahead of time what to look
for and what to ask for in the event of an accident, I'm sure there's
an element of WTF just happened and it's easy to get rattled and
forget to get key pieces of info.

Thanks for sharing and hope you're on the mend.

On 5/15/14, Eric wrote:
>
> You need to talk to your police chief, as soon as possible! Does Bend have
> any sort of oversight for police? That would be another good venue. And,
> that is information which should be shared with the City Council,
> especially
> if they can be convinced that you have a good chance to win a lawsuit.
>
> Good luck healing!
>
> == Eric
>
>
>
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Right Hooks
>
> I'll try to keep this brief. I live in Bend. I have had two conversations
> with police officers in the past year, where I was right hooked (forced to
> slam on my brakes and/or swerve) and the police saw the incident. I
> flagged
> downed the officers and they both told me 'you, as a cyclist, have to yield
> to a right-turning car that has/or is in the process of passing you and
> making a right turn. No matter what I said to them would shake their
> opinion. So. two weeks ago, I was hit by a car doing a right-hook from two
> lanes away. True story.
>
> I was lying on the pavement, and within 3 minutes five, yes five, cop cars
> were there, and shortly thereafter, two emergency vehicles. Here's what I
> learned from that incident:
> -Do not count on the police to represent your interests. Two different
> officers took a complete report from me, don't know why. I asked for a
> report, and the driver's info. They refused, and said they would 'bring
> the
> report by my house'. They never did, but they did give my info to the
> at-fault driver, who proceeded to call me within two hours, and every day
> thereafter, and try to talk me into not calling his insurance company. I
> was stuck. I did not know this guy's name, had no insurance info. I ended
> up having to go to the police records dept four days later, where luckily,
> there was a report on file with the guys insurance info.So, do not leave
> the
> scene of the accident without, at a minimum, the driver's complete info,
> and
> a picture or two if you can manage it, of the scene and the car, with
> license number visible, and the police officer's business card.
> -I also learned that you should go to a doctor immediately if there is the
> least chance you are injured. I refused the ambulance on the scene,
> because
> I thought it was just road rash and bruises. Get documentation of any
> injuries immediately.
> -I called the guy's insurance company after four days when I had his info.
> Guess what, he had not reported the accident. I told them the story.
> -Do not play your own doctor and settle immediately. My neck did not hurt
> until three days after the incident. My bruised hip was later diagnosed as
> cracked. Do not settle with the insurance company until your doc tells you
> that you are OK and that he/she foresees no future complications.
> -Get written shop estimates on anything that might need to be replaced,
> carbon bars, clothing, helmet, etc. My estimate did not say that they were
> ruined, just gave replacement cost.
> -If you do get hit by a car, choose a State Farm customer. I used to be in
> the industry, and State Farm has a reputation has being more than fair when
> their customer is at fault. In my case, I received more than twice as much
> as I could possibly have expected, and I was pretty low key in my
> negotiations, not demanding a lot. They would definitely have given me
> more
> if I was demanding.
>
> Steve Scarich
> Bend
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>


Kevin

2014-05-15

Amazing that the police are so ignorant of the laws they are supposed to enforce.
On a Facebook thread about bike infrastructure I posted a response that seems to fit well here too.

+++++++++++++  begin copied text from Facebook group +++++++++++++++

That is what Cascade Bicycle Club, the League of American Bicyclists, and others clamoring for protected bike
lanes need to learn. Until there is meaningful enforcement all the
bollards, green paint, and parked car buffers, won't protect cyclists at "mixing zones". As long as motor vehicle operators can run us over
with impunity they will continue to do so. Take the millions of dollars
being spent on paint and spend it on training for police, judges, and
prosecutors. Put teeth in the law, and make it BITE!
 ++++++++++++++++ end copied text ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I am glad you weren't hurt worse. 

Kevin Van Dyke

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What is happening in Kevin's corner of the bike world?
      .http://the-whir-of-spokes-in-air.blogspot.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

>________________________________
> From: Steve Scarich
>To: obra@list.obra.org
>Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2014 11:31 AM
>Subject: [OBRA Chat] Right Hooks
>
>
>I'll try to keep this brief.  I live in Bend.  I have had two conversations with police officers in the past year, where I was right hooked (forced to slam on my brakes and/or swerve) and the police saw the incident.  I flagged downed the officers and they both told me 'you, as a cyclist, have to yield to a right-turning car that has/or is in the process of passing you and making a right turn.  No matter what I said to them would shake their opinion.  So. two weeks ago, I was hit by a car doing a right-hook from two lanes away.  True story.
>
>I was lying on the pavement, and within 3 minutes five, yes five, cop cars were there, and shortly thereafter, two emergency vehicles.  Here's what I learned from that incident:
>-Do not count on the police to represent your interests.  Two different officers took a complete report from me, don't know why.  I asked for a report, and the driver's info.  They refused, and said they would 'bring the report by my house'.  They never did, but they did give my info to the at-fault driver, who proceeded to call me within two hours, and every day thereafter, and try to talk me into not calling his insurance company.  I was stuck.  I did not know this guy's name, had no insurance info.  I ended up having to go to the police records dept four days later, where luckily, there was a report on file with the guys insurance info.So, do not leave the scene of the accident without, at a minimum, the driver's complete info, and a picture or two if you can manage it, of the scene and the car, with license number visible, and the police officer's business card.
>-I also learned that you should go to a doctor immediately if there is the least chance you are injured.  I refused the ambulance on the scene, because I thought it was just road rash and bruises.  Get documentation of any injuries immediately.
>-I called the guy's insurance company after four days when I had his info.  Guess what, he had not reported the accident.  I told them the story.
>-Do not play your own doctor and settle immediately.  My neck did not hurt until three days after the incident.  My bruised hip was later diagnosed as cracked.  Do not settle with the insurance company until your doc tells you that you are OK and that he/she foresees no future complications.
>-Get written shop estimates on anything that might need to be replaced, carbon bars, clothing, helmet, etc.  My estimate did not say that they were ruined, just gave replacement cost.
>-If you do get hit by a car, choose a State Farm customer. I used to be in the industry, and State Farm has a reputation has being more than fair when their customer is at fault.  In my case, I received more than twice as much as I could possibly have expected, and I was pretty low key in my negotiations, not demanding a lot.  They would definitely have given me more if I was demanding.
>
>Steve Scarich
>Bend
>_______________________________________________
>OBRA mailing list
>obra@list.obra.org
>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>


You need to talk to your police chief, as soon as possible! Does Bend have
any sort of oversight for police? That would be another good venue. And,
that is information which should be shared with the City Council, especially
if they can be convinced that you have a good chance to win a lawsuit.

Good luck healing!

== Eric

Subject: [OBRA Chat] Right Hooks

I'll try to keep this brief. I live in Bend. I have had two conversations
with police officers in the past year, where I was right hooked (forced to
slam on my brakes and/or swerve) and the police saw the incident. I flagged
downed the officers and they both told me 'you, as a cyclist, have to yield
to a right-turning car that has/or is in the process of passing you and
making a right turn. No matter what I said to them would shake their
opinion. So. two weeks ago, I was hit by a car doing a right-hook from two
lanes away. True story.

I was lying on the pavement, and within 3 minutes five, yes five, cop cars
were there, and shortly thereafter, two emergency vehicles. Here's what I
learned from that incident:
-Do not count on the police to represent your interests. Two different
officers took a complete report from me, don't know why. I asked for a
report, and the driver's info. They refused, and said they would 'bring the
report by my house'. They never did, but they did give my info to the
at-fault driver, who proceeded to call me within two hours, and every day
thereafter, and try to talk me into not calling his insurance company. I
was stuck. I did not know this guy's name, had no insurance info. I ended
up having to go to the police records dept four days later, where luckily,
there was a report on file with the guys insurance info.So, do not leave the
scene of the accident without, at a minimum, the driver's complete info, and
a picture or two if you can manage it, of the scene and the car, with
license number visible, and the police officer's business card.
-I also learned that you should go to a doctor immediately if there is the
least chance you are injured. I refused the ambulance on the scene, because
I thought it was just road rash and bruises. Get documentation of any
injuries immediately.
-I called the guy's insurance company after four days when I had his info.
Guess what, he had not reported the accident. I told them the story.
-Do not play your own doctor and settle immediately. My neck did not hurt
until three days after the incident. My bruised hip was later diagnosed as
cracked. Do not settle with the insurance company until your doc tells you
that you are OK and that he/she foresees no future complications.
-Get written shop estimates on anything that might need to be replaced,
carbon bars, clothing, helmet, etc. My estimate did not say that they were
ruined, just gave replacement cost.
-If you do get hit by a car, choose a State Farm customer. I used to be in
the industry, and State Farm has a reputation has being more than fair when
their customer is at fault. In my case, I received more than twice as much
as I could possibly have expected, and I was pretty low key in my
negotiations, not demanding a lot. They would definitely have given me more
if I was demanding.

Steve Scarich
Bend
_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org


Steve Scarich

2014-05-15

I'll try to keep this brief. I live in Bend. I have had two conversations with police officers in the past year, where I was right hooked (forced to slam on my brakes and/or swerve) and the police saw the incident. I flagged downed the officers and they both told me 'you, as a cyclist, have to yield to a right-turning car that has/or is in the process of passing you and making a right turn. No matter what I said to them would shake their opinion. So. two weeks ago, I was hit by a car doing a right-hook from two lanes away. True story.

I was lying on the pavement, and within 3 minutes five, yes five, cop cars were there, and shortly thereafter, two emergency vehicles. Here's what I learned from that incident:
-Do not count on the police to represent your interests. Two different officers took a complete report from me, don't know why. I asked for a report, and the driver's info. They refused, and said they would 'bring the report by my house'. They never did, but they did give my info to the at-fault driver, who proceeded to call me within two hours, and every day thereafter, and try to talk me into not calling his insurance company. I was stuck. I did not know this guy's name, had no insurance info. I ended up having to go to the police records dept four days later, where luckily, there was a report on file with the guys insurance info.So, do not leave the scene of the accident without, at a minimum, the driver's complete info, and a picture or two if you can manage it, of the scene and the car, with license number visible, and the police officer's business card.
-I also learned that you should go to a doctor immediately if there is the least chance you are injured. I refused the ambulance on the scene, because I thought it was just road rash and bruises. Get documentation of any injuries immediately.
-I called the guy's insurance company after four days when I had his info. Guess what, he had not reported the accident. I told them the story.
-Do not play your own doctor and settle immediately. My neck did not hurt until three days after the incident. My bruised hip was later diagnosed as cracked. Do not settle with the insurance company until your doc tells you that you are OK and that he/she foresees no future complications.
-Get written shop estimates on anything that might need to be replaced, carbon bars, clothing, helmet, etc. My estimate did not say that they were ruined, just gave replacement cost.
-If you do get hit by a car, choose a State Farm customer. I used to be in the industry, and State Farm has a reputation has being more than fair when their customer is at fault. In my case, I received more than twice as much as I could possibly have expected, and I was pretty low key in my negotiations, not demanding a lot. They would definitely have given me more if I was demanding.

Steve Scarich
Bend