Today I got into my first accident with an older gentleman on an e-bike. We were at the park and I was going down an 8% grade at a pretty decent speed and reached a blind turn and slow down but he come around the turn and he swerved into me. We collided and both went down. He wasn’t wearing a helmet and got a cut on his eyebrow and was bleeding pretty good. I got up assessed myself and was in shock that I wasn’t more injured. I checked on him and he seemed fine but shaken up. After a few minutes he gave me his business card to swap info. I told him I didn’t have my card on him. A passerby suggested that we’re get off the trail and talk down the path. I help him adjust his bike handlebars and he goes off. I followed him down to the rendezvous point but he didn’t stop. After sitting for a bit and washing my wounds I rechain my bike and proceed to my car. About 2 miles down the path I catch up to the gentleman and ask if he’s alright. He said yea but not sure how he’s going to feel tomorrow. I follow him to the parking area, and he starts complaining about his groin and says he’s getting picked up and going to the hospital to get checked out just in case. I decide to give him my info. Then he said good, I know where to send the bill. I asked if he was joking and he said he was half joking and to not worry about it. I couldn’t believe what was happening but still shaken up. I asked him he was good and he said I could head out. Now my arm was pretty banged up and fortunately my watch broke my fall because otherwise I feel my wrist would have definitely been broken but I will see how I feel tomorrow.
I just didn’t like how this guy all of the sudden turned the blame on me when we both got hit each other head on. The injuries were relatively minor. Especially after getting back up and riding another 2 miles. I was nice enough to stay with him to make sure he was alright since he was 68 and I am more than 20 years younger. He knows what risks are out there but yet he chooses not to wear a helmet and I felt that he was also going fast uphill on a blind turn. Sorry for the long post.
Just want to see how the community sees it and should I worry about getting sued?
by kevinmk6
1 Comment
“I was going down an 8% grade at a pretty decent speed and reached a blind turn and slow down but he come around the turn and he swerved into me. We collided and both went down”
Looks to me you wereat fault. Especially on blind spots you must adjust your speed so that you are able to come to a stop when something/someone crosses your path.