# A truck just ran over me and my bike **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 1, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927 "2012-07-01T18:35:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/141 "2012-07-03T00:46:22Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Oh, so it’s not a hypothetical, it’s something you actually did. Oh yes. It was. I actually told the tale here [10 years ago](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=2217272&postcount=20). It had happened several years before that. > [@](#): > > If you actually damaged his vehicle, he certainly should have told the police. I gave him the chance to do so. > [@](#): > > Maybe he was driving carelessly. That does not excuse your act of retributive vandalism. It was not retributive vandalism. It was a consequence of his actions. I had a choice of going under his wheels, getting knocked aside and risking unknown injuries, or jumping up and landing on his hood and hoping the landing was not too rough. I chose the latter, and thankfully it was not too rough too hurt me. To call that vandalism is like complaining that someone got blood all over the knife you stabbed them with. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/142 "2012-07-03T01:10:54Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Holy shit people it’s not that hard > > should have done the correct thing from the beginning and just spent the 150 bucks to get me a new bike and called it a day I guess, like many others, I am wondering why “the right thing” is for the truck driver to pay when it is you who was breaking the law? ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/143 "2012-07-03T01:12:55Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Ok then what was I supposed to do? Stop? I’m going to stop at every single little restaurant outlet that a car is sitting at while they’re stopped? Uhmm…yes. There are times I will ride on the sidewalk, and EVERY TIME there is a car exiting a driveway I stop for them. I also come to a complete stop at pedestrian crossings…but then, when I am breaking the law already, I don’t expect others to make accommodations for me. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/144 "2012-07-03T01:21:38Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > That’s just terrible. > > That’s a terrible thing to do. > > You would hide in the fine prints of a law simply to get out of paying 150 bucks for something like this? That just isn’t right. I don’t give a shit about legalities, or rights of way the number one thing about this whole situation that actually hurts is the fact that he (and I guess you) just don’t care. It sounds stupid to phrase it this way but it’s just downright mean. You’re spitting in the face of the PERSON YOU HIT because you have some uppity complex about being right. Sorry for multiple responses. But this is what you don’t quite seem to be grasping. From the description I don’t see that HE hit YOU, more that YOU “jumped” infront of his car. YOUR actions created the accident, not his. If it’s YOUR fault, you are the one taking advantage by expecting your bike to be paid for. I am reminded of the time I had an accident on my bike. I was in the middle of my lane (a vehicle lane) approaching a roundabout, where a lady turned left across my lane. I crashed into the side of her. She blamed me, even though I was behaving exactly how a car would in the same situation. THAT is her fault. Not someone riding a bike in front of an exiting vehicle at a sidewalk. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/145 "2012-07-03T01:46:57Z")
> [@](#): > > This entire statement is why this whole situation has just destroyed my faith in humanity. > > Congratulations for being right. > > Congratulations for wishing I was dead. Sorry I can only hear these words as a sniveling tweenager would deliver them. Maybe that’s just me. This thread gave me much to think about, as it wandered all around and all over, the law and it’s interpretation. It reminds me of the bike riding thread where the rider fell off, and got some hot, about a big wad of gum, some kid spit into the roadway, and it stuck to his tire and threw him from his bike. Had to go to emerg for his scrapes and get prescription drugs! Anyone else remember that one? It was very amusing too! ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/146 "2012-07-03T02:08:20Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > Sorry for multiple responses.\ Glad to see you could make it for the pile-on! It would have been a damn shame if you’d missed your chance. **Sir T-Cups** , I’m glad it all worked out, and isn’t it nice that we’ve all gotten to review a wide selection of state laws! ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/147 "2012-07-03T02:21:03Z")
I’m glad he’s OK, and that he got another bike out of it all. But seriously, in the same circumstances I think I might also have run a bike over without realizing it was there. Even if I had seen the bike while stopping before the sidewalk, depending on how far away it was I would likely still cross the sidewalk while pausing again to check the road, expecting the bike to go behind me. I’m curious whether the OP has a current driver’s license, and whether he’s been a car owner/regular driver for any number of years. If not, it really would explain a lot. I find non-drivers to be very dangerous to be around in a vehicle, and they’re also very unhelpful passengers. Of all the regular bikers I know around Chicago (and I know a lot), the ones who do the dumbest things also don’t drive. Those with significant driving experience know better than to go around the front of a vehicle without making eye contact with the driver. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/148 "2012-07-03T02:39:36Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Sorry I can only hear these words as a sniveling tweenager would deliver them. Maybe that’s just me. Oh I’m sure you and lots of others do too I’m well aware of that. I’m just trying to put an end to it. I’m done defending myself and my opinions to everyone. Fine I’m wrong…whatever…I got my bike and got what I and I alone think I should have gotten in the first place. The ordeal is done, and I got to learn that it’s, for the most part, illegal to ride on the sidwalk…so neat. > [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > I’m glad he’s OK, and that he got another bike out of it all. But seriously, in the same circumstances I think I might also have run a bike over without realizing it was there. Even if I had seen the bike while stopping before the sidewalk, depending on how far away it was I would likely still cross the sidewalk while pausing again to check the road, expecting the bike to go behind me. > > I’m curious whether the OP has a current driver’s license, and whether he’s been a car owner/regular driver for any number of years. If not, it really would explain a lot. I find non-drivers to be very dangerous to be around in a vehicle, and they’re also very unhelpful passengers. Of all the regular bikers I know around Chicago (and I know a lot), the ones who do the dumbest things also don’t drive. Those with significant driving experience know better than to go around the front of a vehicle without making eye contact with the driver. I do have my license and have been driving for almost ten years now. Aside from the fact that I would have looked in the first place I would have immediately offered to get a new bike right then and there because that’s the decent and right thing to do. Apparently I’m wrong in that sentiment but that’s what I would have done. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/149 "2012-07-03T03:37:46Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > If you’re not obeying the law when you ride your bike, why should the guy in the car be held to a higher standard than you? QFT. IMHO, this can stand to be repeated. Now that you are informed of the law, for the love of Pete, **follow it**! You (and every other cyclist who ignores the law) are making it bad for the rest of us law-abiding cyclists by contributing to the poor attitudes drivers have toward cyclists in general. It’s bad enough dealing with inattentive drivers to have to suffer the animosity of drivers who get to bitch about how they think that cyclists are hazards and should just stay off the road. FFS, the law is there for a reason and if you can’t figure out that it’s for your safety, my safety, and everyone else’s safety, you need to scroll back up to the top of this page and remind yourself what the hell everyone is doing here providing you with links to your own goddamn state law. It applies to you, too, bub. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/150 "2012-07-03T04:48:25Z")
**Sir T-cups** if you would be so kind as to step over [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=657286) for just a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/151 "2012-07-03T05:11:32Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > It reminds me of the bike riding thread where the rider fell off, and got some hot, about a big wad of gum, some kid spit into the roadway, and it stuck to his tire and threw him from his bike. Had to go to emerg for his scrapes and get prescription drugs! Anyone else remember that one? It was very amusing too! [How could anyone forget about Stan Shmenge and the Wad of Chewing Gum?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=568578) ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/152 "2012-07-03T08:55:57Z")
I am curious about a question asked earlier. To the OP, were you wearing a helmet? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/153 "2012-07-03T11:48:43Z")
And were you drinking at the Pink Pony? ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/154 "2012-07-03T12:08:04Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Oh I’m sure you and lots of others do too I’m well aware of that. I’m just trying to put an end to it. I’m done defending myself and my opinions to everyone. Fine I’m wrong…whatever…I got my bike and got what I and I alone think I should have gotten in the first place. The ordeal is done, and **I got to learn that it’s, for the most part, illegal to ride on the sidwalk…so neat.** > > I do have my license and have been driving for almost ten years now. Aside from the fact that I would have looked in the first place I would have immediately offered to get a new bike right then and there because that’s the decent and right thing to do. Apparently I’m wrong in that sentiment but that’s what I would have done. Not “for the most part,” unless you’re a child. For me, the biggest issue here is that you were riding against traffic. Drivers look left and glance right to make a right turn. That’s fine, when they’re dealing with pedestrians, because pedestrians are slow. Bikes are faster than pedestrians. No one expects a bike to come sailing up a sidewalk (or across a crosswalk) especially against the flow of traffic. That’s how accidents happen, as you’re well aware now. Ride WITH traffic, run/jog AGAINST traffic. I see people getting this backward every single day. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/155 "2012-07-03T14:01:31Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > I am curious about a question asked earlier. > > To the OP, were you wearing a helmet? Sorry must have missed the question, and I always wear a helmet. > [@Ravenman](#): > > And were you drinking at the Pink Pony? Good question! Nope I wasn’t…not much of a drinker. > [@MoonMoon](#): > > Not “for the most part,” unless you’re a child. By “for the most part” I meant the legality of it in the states. It seems to be illegal in most states, but not in all. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/156 "2012-07-03T14:15:18Z")
How have you still not figured out that it only matters if it’s legal in the state you were doing it in? I’m certain the fellow felt awful for hitting you, even though you were, at the very least, partly to blame. And I say that as someone who ride the sidewalk all the time. The difference is that I don’t pull in front of vehicles pulling out unless I make eye contact with the driver. Because I’m more interested in being alive than being technically right. I’m of the opinion that you took advantage, of his good nature in having him foot the entire bill for your bike, when it’s clear you _ **were** _ in part at fault. You probably can’t see it just now, because you’re so invested in being ‘right’, but I’d wager in the future you will and you will feel chagrin for the part you played in causing this accident and especially the advantage you took of this man’s good spirit. Glad to hear you were wearing a helmet. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/157 "2012-07-03T14:29:09Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > No, it’s still the driver’s fault. It was his obligation to look where he was going. > > The only thing that **Sir T-Cups** did wrong was not anticipating that the driver was going to be an idiot. In a comparative negligence jurisdiction I’ll bet it’s at least 50/50. But for T-Cup not paying much attention, and illegally riding on the sidewalk, would this accident have happened? The good news, bikes can be fixed, people not so easy. Thankfully, T-Cup is okay. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/158 "2012-07-03T15:14:12Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Good question! Nope I wasn’t…not much of a drinker. Just had to ask. Now for the tougher question: what kind of bar calls itself the Pink Pony and _doesn’t_ have a sign outside that says “Girls! Girls! Girls!” ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/159 "2012-07-03T16:15:57Z")
both vehicle operators would likely get a citation for a moving violation. the damages either to a civil court or to insurance would be a different issue. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/160 "2012-07-03T16:37:10Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > both vehicle operators would likely get a citation for a moving violation. > > the damages either to a civil court or to insurance would be a different issue. As I mentioned up thread this exact scenario happened to a buddy of mine while he was driving a company car. The cyclist was cited at the scene by the local police, my buddy was not. This was in Texas BTW. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927.md?page=9)