In both cases they were doored, injured, and their bicycles were damaged. The first didn't have the sense to call 911 and now the insurer is trying to claim the accident never actually happened (so how did he get the driver's insurance information?). He contacted my lawyer and I'm sure things will work out as best as can be given there was no police report at the scene of the accident. The second one just happened, doored by a really huge SUV, and telling by the rather massive amount of damage he did to the SUV he will be lucky if he doesn't need surgery.
But here is what the second friend really did wrong. He did call 911 and a report was filed, but he didn't go to the ER and actually rode home, injured, on a bicycle with a now trashed front wheel. At the very least, he's going to need a new wheelset which will cost at the very minimum $200 plus installation, adjusting the derailers, transplanting the gears, et cetera. He also believes he's OK, but has a lot of pain--which sounds very familiar. He doesn't even want to go to see a doctor because he believes he can't afford the time off or expense, when in reality he can't afford not to do it and will absolutely receive at least a few thousand dollars in liability money from the insurer. He doesn't want to contact a lawyer.
This second one actually sounds even more familiar than the first. My friends practically begged me to contact a lawyer after I got hit, and it took me quite a while to come around to actually doing it. I also thought I was going to be fine, and wound up having multiple surgeries and living on Disability for over a year.
Bottom line is, if it was nothing then you wouldn't bother telling anyone about it much less calling 911. When you are in an accident, you should do nothing less than treat it as if you may be massively injured.
But here is what the second friend really did wrong. He did call 911 and a report was filed, but he didn't go to the ER and actually rode home, injured, on a bicycle with a now trashed front wheel. At the very least, he's going to need a new wheelset which will cost at the very minimum $200 plus installation, adjusting the derailers, transplanting the gears, et cetera. He also believes he's OK, but has a lot of pain--which sounds very familiar. He doesn't even want to go to see a doctor because he believes he can't afford the time off or expense, when in reality he can't afford not to do it and will absolutely receive at least a few thousand dollars in liability money from the insurer. He doesn't want to contact a lawyer.
This second one actually sounds even more familiar than the first. My friends practically begged me to contact a lawyer after I got hit, and it took me quite a while to come around to actually doing it. I also thought I was going to be fine, and wound up having multiple surgeries and living on Disability for over a year.
Bottom line is, if it was nothing then you wouldn't bother telling anyone about it much less calling 911. When you are in an accident, you should do nothing less than treat it as if you may be massively injured.
