**!!CC RIDER DOWN!!**

[Arch]

Well, I'm glad it's cleared up, it must have been hard not knowing what happened. As you are mended, I think you are probably right not to pursue - the aggro might end up being worse than the original injury (although what about the bike, was that insured, I assume that's independent of any liability claims).

I'm sure we've all taken a chance on second-guessing a driver's intentions, and alas you've proved that even when you're completely sure, and very road aware, you can be caught out. I try not to believe a signal, but I'm sure I do it nonetheless.

The fact that you're ok, and able to write gems like this below, is the main thing.

"The driver of the car was not turning left, however, and so hit me side-on as I crossed. I came down onto the bonnet and windscreen of the car, then slid off onto the road when the car stopped, and took no further active part in the festivities except to brighten the place up with liberal quantities of blood."

As an aside, do you know why the driver apparently slowed? I wonder if they saw you and thought for some reason that you might be about to dash out? Although, no, if that was the case, they would perhaps have been quicker to brake....

 

[Chuffy]

Glad that you have recovered and don't seem overly traumatised by the incident. At least, I'm assuming that you aren't, I hope I'm right!

I have to say that I rarely, if ever, trust other road users for exactly this sort of reason. That goes for whichever mode of transport that I'm using, wheels, engine or feet.

 

[snakehips]

Moral: never believe a signal, even if you think it's backed up by road positioning or "body language".

Absolutely correct.

I have just seen this thread btw. Glad you are OK now.

Siamo tutti farabutti

 

[yello]

Moral: never believe a signal, even if you think it's backed up by road positioning or "body language".

Indeed. As was told to me many a time, the only thing a flashing indicator tells you is that the bulb is working!

I have fully recovered, and that's worth infinite amounts of money!

And it's also the main thing and what we all wanted to hear.

 

[mr Mag00]

Quote:
I have fully recovered, and that's worth infinite amounts of money!
And it's also the main thing and what we all wanted to hear.

+1

 

[HLaB]

Glad you've made a full recover UP.

Touch wood like Chuffy I rarely, if ever trust the signals of other road users and not been involved in a conflict of that type.

 

[Norm]

I'm glad that you are ok.

I hope that this doesn't sound sanctimonious (there's enough others on here to do that already!) but I never work on indicators alone, whatever I'm using on the road. This was after an incident when I was about 18, driving in to work I saw a colleague standing at a bus stop. As she was cute, I thought it only right to offer a lift so I checked mirrors (having just passed my test) and indicated. I hadn't taken account of the side-road just before the bus stop and the driver of the car waiting in that side road just pulled straight out in front of me. We missed each other, just, but the memory lives with me nearly 30 years later.

As an aside, the cutie did want a lift and we ended up living together for about a year. That a story for another time, though.

 

[Amanda P]

I have to say that I rarely, if ever, trust other road users for exactly this sort of reason. That goes for whichever mode of transport that I'm using, wheels, engine or feet.

Me too. Having no memory of the event, I can't understand what I was doing. Either I was utterly convinced it was going to be clear to cross (car slowing, wheels turning, moving to the left etc), or I just had some sort of mental aberration.

I'm just surprised at the 25%/75% thing. I fully accept that some of the fault is mine - which is why I hesitated even to call the CTC's legal people - but 75% of it? That was a revelation.

 

[Chuffy]

Me too. Having no memory of the event, I can't understand what I was doing. Either I was utterly convinced it was going to be clear to cross (car slowing, wheels turning, moving to the left etc), or I just had some sort of mental aberration.

I wouldn't say that I get it right 100% of the time though!

I'm just surprised at the 25%/75% thing. I fully accept that some of the fault is mine - which is why I hesitated even to call the CTC's legal people - but 75% of it? That was a revelation.

I guess it's because of the turning-onto-a-main-road and right of way issue. Either that or it's 1% for each year of the oldest driver's age.

 

[hulver]

Me too. Having no memory of the event, I can't understand what I was doing. Either I was utterly convinced it was going to be clear to cross (car slowing, wheels turning, moving to the left etc), or I just had some sort of mental aberration.

I'm just surprised at the 25%/75% thing. I fully accept that some of the fault is mine - which is why I hesitated even to call the CTC's legal people - but 75% of it? That was a revelation.

I did the same thing with a bus (bus was indicating and slowing, I pulled out, bus drove into me). Fortunately I was in a big metal box at the time. The metal box didn't do so well, but no people were hurt.

I got 100% of the blame for that one.

 

[Archie_tect]

Keep up the trombone Uncle Phil!

 

[Andy in Sig]

Phil,

I think that if I were in your position I would on the basis of the information you have, also take it no further. However, I think it would be for the good and benefit of all road users in the area if you made it clear to the 75 yr old that you are prepared to drop any idea of further action if he is prepared to retake a driving test or do some sort of driving course (at his expense naturally). He might even agree to it.

 

[longers]

Glad to hear you're mended Uncle Phil and that you're very pragmatic about the cause.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Glad you're ok Phil, that's the main thing.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Hi UP. I'm really pleased that you are now firing on all cylinders. (I hope the same can be said of your unfortunate 'bent which probably is after my futile attempts to ride it!).

Bit of a shock to think that by following an errant signal, 75% of blame sits squarely on the shoulders. I think it is yet another argument for making the car driver fully responsible for any accident involving a cyclist. (And yes, I do drive regularly.)

It could be read also that 75 year old drivers may not all be well advised to continue driving, but that's another can of worms. Anyway, all's well that ends well as they say and your health is paramount. Hope to meet you again in the future.