Following last week’s bike-car collision that sent Cascade member Jerry Scott to the hospital with five broken ribs, a punctured lung and a serious concussion, Dean Saxe reports on Twitter that he witnessed another bike-car collision on Denny Way this morning.
The collision occurred on Denny Way and 2nd Avenue, just a few blocks east from the Denny & Dexter intersection where Jerry was struck last week.
In the collision this morning, the cyclist was heading east on the southside sidewalk on Denny Way. He was in a cross walk with a green signal when a truck heading west turned left and hit him.
According to Saxe, who was 10 feet behind the cyclist when the collision occurred, the cyclist got up afterward and seemed to be doing OK. The slow-speed crash resulted in some “ripped handlebar tape, no obvious damage,” said Saxe.
Police was on scene and interviewed the parties involved as well as witnesses. Being a witness to the incident, Saxe did the right thing by handing the cyclist his business card in case witnesses are needed in the future.
Unfortunately, collisions do happen. And if you ever find yourself knocked off your bike and strong enough to get back up to assess the situation, Seattle-based bicycle lawyer John Duggan has a few steps you should take before walking away from a collision.
• Remain calm and non-confrontational.
• Call the police and insist that the officer files a police report. In the event that an officer does not respond, go to a police station and file an accident report within 72 hours of the incident.
• Get the vehicle driver’s insurance information, address, phone number and license plate number.
• Get the name, phone number and address of every witness.
• Get the necessary medical treatment.
• Have your bike thoroughly inspected by a reputable bike shop.
• Take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, your bike and all other involved vehicles (your new camera phone may come in handy!).
• Do not lose your temper or argue with the vehicle driver.
• Do not minimize your injuries or your bike damage.
• Do not give a statement to the vehicle driver’s insurance without first consulting with an attorney.
• Do not rush into any settlement until you know the full extent of your injuries and bike damage.
Hopefully you will never find yourself in a situation where you need to use this information, but if you do, now you know what to do.
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