A bicyclist ran into my car.

[mcs328]

This just happened 30 minutes ago. I get off the highway, down a ramp and stop at the light at the end. It's 9pm and there's no street light just the traffic light. No moonlight or not enough. So the light turns green, I go and then this guy on a bicycle hits my car in a jack knife sort of way. He's wearing dark clothes, no reflective tape or lights. He kinda slides down my hood and then rides off in to the darkness even after I shouted out if he was okay. All the cars around me are stopped but the guy disappears into the woods. I turned and stopped at the next intersection to see if was ok but he didn't come down the road. So I go back to the ramp and then I see him in the dark checking out his bike. So I turn on my blinkers and again I shout out if he's ok but then he hops back on and rides away. I made another u turn but he's gone again.

Should I call the police on myself or do you think I made an honest attempt to see if this guy was ok? I'm home now and clearly we ran into each other. He got me or I got him right on the corner of my bumper. Do you think I'm in the right?

[renovation]

i call and talk to the dispatcher .but call on a non emergency line. this way it might not be traced back to you. but i cover your rear.how much damage was done to your car ?
im sure your shook up right now and pissed all at the same time .

[renovation]

also if you call your insurance company they write it as a claim and be on there for years as a bike and a person walking they cover as the same at least here in michigan.

[uncledaddy]

I say call on non-emergency as well, but give them your name in case this character decides to try and report a hit and run. Anyway, you say other drivers witnessed. Right? Also you said light was green on your end. The cyclist needs to adhere to traffic laws as well when he/she is on the road. That means lights at night, and stopping at red lights and stop signs.

[cheapie]

yeah. cyclists are not treated as pedestrians where they are always in the right. don't worry about calling the cops. you should be fine.

[mcs328]

I'm okay now because he didn't do like a back flip over my hood. I was more concerned if he was hurt but dammit he kept riding away after I tried to talk to him and with no reflectors or lights on him and no street lights I couldn't see him. There are witnesses but none that took the time to take my license plate or anything. They saw it but just drove away. There's damage to my car but it not dented just swath of scratched paint like post it note size from what I can see in the dark.

[Thesifer]

Yeah, He "Hit and Ran" actually. As cheapie said, a Cyclist should follow all vehicle laws from my understanding.

[brainsmile]

I'd report hit and run

[VTGreg]

I'd report hit and run

I'd do the same. As Cheapie mentioned, cyclist are required to follow the same rules of the road as other vehicles. If the light was green and he ran a red light he is at fault. Add to that the fact he wasn't properly equipped for riding at night and there is little to no chance you would be found at fault for anything.

The fact that the guy rode off makes me think he may have been under the influence of something. Most people that ride like that in those situations aren't aware that they are at fault.

[Markel]

The fact that the guy rode off makes me think he may have been under the influence of something.
My suspicion would be that he knew he was at fault and didn't want to be on the hook for any possible damage he caused.

[ufcrusher]

My suspicion would be that he knew he was at fault and didn't want to be on the hook for any possible damage he caused.

I would agree. Frankly you should call the police to inform them that you were the victim of a hit and run accident which damaged your car. This way you will have proof of the incident if necessary for your insurance company. Since you had a green light and he was riding without proper lights/safety equipment you will be fine. Additionally it wasnt clear where in the intersection he hit you...as in he didnt stop at a red while in the proper lanes or if he was riding the sidewalk on the opposing traffic side and hit you.