Car accident with a cyclist
Discussion
yellowjack said:
Dependent on the type of lamp, and the type of switch, it is entirely possible for a battery operated lamp to shut off in the event of a collision. It happened to me when I was hit by a van which entered a roundabout I was already on. It's due to the impact jolting the batteries and interrupting the power to the LED/PCB. It happens a lot off road as well, if you come off, or even if you hit an obstacle or a drop really hard. Finding a switched off lamp in the woods in the dark is a b
h, too, when it has parted company with the handlebar mount.
Mostly, IMHO, for "didn't see him" you can more accurately substitute "didn't really look that hard".
Oh that is interesting. I had a feeling he may have either switched it off after the crash (took me 20 seconds to park the car safely) or it may have turned off from the impact of the crash as you said.h, too, when it has parted company with the handlebar mount.Mostly, IMHO, for "didn't see him" you can more accurately substitute "didn't really look that hard".
Indeed, I believe I did not look hard enough, which I am genuinely surprised at. I consider myself a safe driver, I was even watching recordings of drivers and cyclists a few days prior to get a better understanding of awareness when driving around cyclists. I am gutted but I am sure to learn from this and be ever more careful on the road.
can't remember said:
Finish the job next time.;)
Beer Man said:
Ok, we all make mistakes but, couple of questions.
1) What time did this happen?
2) were there streetlights and were they on?
3) how soon before making the failed turn were you on your phone?
Please visit the initial post to answer the first question. Yes the street lights were on. I do not use my mobile whilst driving, I keep it locked in the glove compartment whilst driving which also offers a charging facility (perhaps it is there to incentivize hiding your phone, who knows). I was waiting for the mobile phone question, cheers.1) What time did this happen?
2) were there streetlights and were they on?
3) how soon before making the failed turn were you on your phone?
i'll echo what was said about the front lights, they can disengage on an impact (and have also had to fumble around dark woods searching for mine)
the way I see it is it's both your fault really.
Streetlights really are good enough to see a bike at 8pm unless the rider was in full stealth mode. So yeah, you should have seen him especially if their light was on (you'd be amazed at the number of people that 'don't see' a lit up motorbike during the day)
They SHOULD have seen you turning and have been riding at a speed that they could stop safely in an emergency for you (as should any road user) to continue your ill conceived move.
You were pretty lucky there were no injuries as it, in the eyes of plod, clearly would have been your fault.
And fair play to you for offering to pay for a wheel. lots that wouldn't.
ALSO fair play to you for admitting, on here of all places, that it was probably your fault!
take it as a lesson, hope nothing more comes of it, put it behind you.
the way I see it is it's both your fault really.
Streetlights really are good enough to see a bike at 8pm unless the rider was in full stealth mode. So yeah, you should have seen him especially if their light was on (you'd be amazed at the number of people that 'don't see' a lit up motorbike during the day)
They SHOULD have seen you turning and have been riding at a speed that they could stop safely in an emergency for you (as should any road user) to continue your ill conceived move.
You were pretty lucky there were no injuries as it, in the eyes of plod, clearly would have been your fault.
And fair play to you for offering to pay for a wheel. lots that wouldn't.
ALSO fair play to you for admitting, on here of all places, that it was probably your fault!
take it as a lesson, hope nothing more comes of it, put it behind you.
555 Paul said:
As a very keen cyclist here is my take on it. The cyclist went down the inside of you without seeing your indicator or reading your intentions & you turned left into the road without properly checking your mirror for cyclists and the accident occurred. Cyclists must display lights at night if not just for the law but to stand a chance of staying alive! I personally don't cycle in the dark even though I carry lights on my bike just in case I get caught out by sunset.
What strikes me as worrying though is that instead of taking it on the chin you are looking to blame the cyclist for not wearing a hi-vis and not displaying reflectors! A reflector would not have helped you see him (regardless of whether his light was on) due to that fact that your lights wouldn't picked up on it.
You're both at fault in my opinion but you're coming on here acting like a bell end looking to blame someone else rather than taking responsibility for your own actions, I hope that the next cyclist/motor cyclist that you don't see doesn't suffer the same consequence. The cyclist should also take note from this and improve his observations and count himself lucky.
You've interpreted events incorrectly. The cyclist didn't "go down the inside" at all. The cyclist was travelling in the opposing lane of traffic.What strikes me as worrying though is that instead of taking it on the chin you are looking to blame the cyclist for not wearing a hi-vis and not displaying reflectors! A reflector would not have helped you see him (regardless of whether his light was on) due to that fact that your lights wouldn't picked up on it.
You're both at fault in my opinion but you're coming on here acting like a bell end looking to blame someone else rather than taking responsibility for your own actions, I hope that the next cyclist/motor cyclist that you don't see doesn't suffer the same consequence. The cyclist should also take note from this and improve his observations and count himself lucky.
555 Paul said:
As a very keen cyclist here is my take on it. The cyclist went down the inside of you without seeing your indicator or reading your intentions & you turned left into the road without properly checking your mirror for cyclists and the accident occurred. Cyclists must display lights at night if not just for the law but to stand a chance of staying alive! I personally don't cycle in the dark even though I carry lights on my bike just in case I get caught out by sunset.
What strikes me as worrying though is that instead of taking it on the chin you are looking to blame the cyclist for not wearing a hi-vis and not displaying reflectors! A reflector would not have helped you see him (regardless of whether his light was on) due to that fact that your lights wouldn't picked up on it.
You're both at fault in my opinion but you're coming on here acting like a bell end looking to blame someone else rather than taking responsibility for your own actions, I hope that the next cyclist/motor cyclist that you don't see doesn't suffer the same consequence. The cyclist should also take note from this and improve his observations and count himself lucky.
You have not read through the thread carefully enough. Had you, you would know that I was not turning left. Hence, I did not need to check my side mirror. Are you familiar with the purpose of a forum? Evidently not. If you were, you would clearly see that I am not looking to blame the cyclist, I am merely discussing the scenario.What strikes me as worrying though is that instead of taking it on the chin you are looking to blame the cyclist for not wearing a hi-vis and not displaying reflectors! A reflector would not have helped you see him (regardless of whether his light was on) due to that fact that your lights wouldn't picked up on it.
You're both at fault in my opinion but you're coming on here acting like a bell end looking to blame someone else rather than taking responsibility for your own actions, I hope that the next cyclist/motor cyclist that you don't see doesn't suffer the same consequence. The cyclist should also take note from this and improve his observations and count himself lucky.
When have I complained? I have taken it on the chin as you so eloquently put. And how the hell will his reflector/hi-viz not have helped me to see him? Not taking anything away from my lack of observation but what a silly nonsensical statement.
You are the bell end. Just because you've been a member of this forum for a few years longer than me you think that it is okay to call me a bell on for 'coming on here' as if it some sort of personal space of yours. Looser.
However I agree with your other points such as...Error: non existent.
555 Paul said:
You're right, in that case why it's the original posters fault and hi-vis still had no bearing on the accident.
I see where you are coming from however it is ignorant to say no bearing. In a badly lit road, a slight illumination in the form of a hi-viz etc can have a profound bearing.Just to make clear because everyone is misinterpreting and having a go at me. I admit that it was my fault. This is a discussion of the incident. The possibilities, the avoidances etc. I am just discussing the incident. If you just want to come on here and say something abusive or have a rant, please refrain.
mrkhan89 said:
I see where you are coming from however it is ignorant to say no bearing. In a badly lit road, a slight illumination in the form of a hi-viz etc can have a profound bearing.
Sorry I was trying to multi task (I'm not a woman) and thought that it was the classic cycling accident that I try so hard to avoid, please accept my apologies for making ill judged assumptions but after thousands of miles of cycling incidents such as yours are a lot rarer than the "left turn" accidents. On a bike I don't make these assumptions....Note to self don't half read whilst watching TV!
Beer Man said:
i'll echo what was said about the front lights, they can disengage on an impact (and have also had to fumble around dark woods searching for mine)
the way I see it is it's both your fault really.
Streetlights really are good enough to see a bike at 8pm unless the rider was in full stealth mode. So yeah, you should have seen him especially if their light was on (you'd be amazed at the number of people that 'don't see' a lit up motorbike during the day)
They SHOULD have seen you turning and have been riding at a speed that they could stop safely in an emergency for you (as should any road user) to continue your ill conceived move.
You were pretty lucky there were no injuries as it, in the eyes of plod, clearly would have been your fault.
And fair play to you for offering to pay for a wheel. lots that wouldn't.
ALSO fair play to you for admitting, on here of all places, that it was probably your fault!
take it as a lesson, hope nothing more comes of it, put it behind you.
I agree with your points and I equally appreciate your wise words. The cyclist, and I, have been extremely lucky and I will be more observant in the prospect.the way I see it is it's both your fault really.
Streetlights really are good enough to see a bike at 8pm unless the rider was in full stealth mode. So yeah, you should have seen him especially if their light was on (you'd be amazed at the number of people that 'don't see' a lit up motorbike during the day)
They SHOULD have seen you turning and have been riding at a speed that they could stop safely in an emergency for you (as should any road user) to continue your ill conceived move.
You were pretty lucky there were no injuries as it, in the eyes of plod, clearly would have been your fault.
And fair play to you for offering to pay for a wheel. lots that wouldn't.
ALSO fair play to you for admitting, on here of all places, that it was probably your fault!
take it as a lesson, hope nothing more comes of it, put it behind you.
Beer Man said:
They SHOULD have seen you turning and have been riding at a speed that they could stop safely in an emergency for you (as should any road user) to continue your ill conceived move.
Sorry but that part is nonsense.I agree that as a driver, motorcyclist or pedal cyclist you should be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear. That means not going too fast around blind corners or over crests etc and not travelling too close to the road user in front.
However to say that you should be able to stop safely in all emergencies is plainly not realistic. Some examples, say you're travelling along a main road past a side road junction. You won't be able to stop in time if someone pulls out from the side road just as you pass. Another example, if you're on a roundabout and someone pulls out on you as you pass their junction. Another example, if you're on a multi lane road (e.g. motorway) and you're overtaking a vehicle which then changes lanes directly into your path. In all these examples it is totally possible to have your safe space reduced to close to zero by another road user through no fault of your own because basically the other person has cut you up or pulled out on you. Of course the first thing you would do would be to brake to re-establish a safe space, but it must be clear to you that this is not possible in all circumstances and sometimes a non fault collision will occur because of the wreckless actions of the other road user.
This applies to the cases like the OP and the cyclist too, because the cyclist (for all we know) had a clear road both in front and behind him (on his side of the road) but the OP moved from the opposing lane directly into the path of the cyclist. It is entirely possible that the cyclist had the safe space in front reduced to zero in a fraction of a second as the oncoming car entered his lane.
It's more about not getting yourself into that situation.
Hazard awareness. I expect everyone else on the road to behave like a blithering idiot, which they are most of the time. Sure, have had close calls, but then never had a prang of any sort in over twenty years of driving. Including nearly 100k miles a year for the last four years.
Hazard awareness. I expect everyone else on the road to behave like a blithering idiot, which they are most of the time. Sure, have had close calls, but then never had a prang of any sort in over twenty years of driving. Including nearly 100k miles a year for the last four years.
Beer Man said:
It's more about not getting yourself into that situation.
Hazard awareness. I expect everyone else on the road to behave like a blithering idiot, which they are most of the time. Sure, have had close calls, but then never had a prang of any sort in over twenty years of driving. Including nearly 100k miles a year for the last four years.
Please explain how to drive past a side road with no risk that you'll hit the emerging car if they pull out on you?Hazard awareness. I expect everyone else on the road to behave like a blithering idiot, which they are most of the time. Sure, have had close calls, but then never had a prang of any sort in over twenty years of driving. Including nearly 100k miles a year for the last four years.
Or how to navigate a roundabout without anyone pulling out on you?
Or how to cycle along a main road and not hit a driver who crosses your path, without indication, at the last moment. (For clarity, I'm not saying this is what happened to the OP.)
Beer Man said:
i'll echo what was said about the front lights, they can disengage on an impact (and have also had to fumble around dark woods searching for mine)
the way I see it is it's both your fault really.
Streetlights really are good enough to see a bike at 8pm unless the rider was in full stealth mode. So yeah, you should have seen him especially if their light was on (you'd be amazed at the number of people that 'don't see' a lit up motorbike during the day)
They SHOULD have seen you turning and have been riding at a speed that they could stop safely in an emergency for you (as should any road user) to continue your ill conceived move.
You were pretty lucky there were no injuries as it, in the eyes of plod, clearly would have been your fault.
And fair play to you for offering to pay for a wheel. lots that wouldn't.
ALSO fair play to you for admitting, on here of all places, that it was probably your fault!
take it as a lesson, hope nothing more comes of it, put it behind you.
+1. I commute on a bike daily into Bristol and the number of idiots I see without reflective clothing and/or lights is scarcely believable. I would never ride at night without them as you are asking for trouble; we all know how hard it is to spot pedestrians or cyclists when driving at night if they are in dark clothing, especially when in urban areas where your eyes are usually adjusted to oncoming headlights.the way I see it is it's both your fault really.
Streetlights really are good enough to see a bike at 8pm unless the rider was in full stealth mode. So yeah, you should have seen him especially if their light was on (you'd be amazed at the number of people that 'don't see' a lit up motorbike during the day)
They SHOULD have seen you turning and have been riding at a speed that they could stop safely in an emergency for you (as should any road user) to continue your ill conceived move.
You were pretty lucky there were no injuries as it, in the eyes of plod, clearly would have been your fault.
And fair play to you for offering to pay for a wheel. lots that wouldn't.
ALSO fair play to you for admitting, on here of all places, that it was probably your fault!
take it as a lesson, hope nothing more comes of it, put it behind you.
However, legally I think it is clear that the OP is at fault for turning into the path of oncoming traffic, even if said traffic was in the form of an muppet. Luckily it sounds as though he was not injured or interested in pursuing some kind of claim.
accident said:
you must be taking the piss.
you come on a forum and say you drove into a cyclist and you want to blame him/her
do you blame parked cars for being in your way when you hit them?
Bit uncalled for chap. He said it was his fault and is going to buy the fellow a new wheel. Doesn't sound as if he's blaming anything else at all.you come on a forum and say you drove into a cyclist and you want to blame him/her
do you blame parked cars for being in your way when you hit them?
OP, sounds like you are doing the right thing. Unfortunately anything involving cyclists on here will degenerate into a slagging match, don't let it bother you.
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