Bike Accident Kit
Thread started by
July at 07.7.10 - 3:06 pm
I got an idea. A couple years back, when I was working for State Farm Insurance, I used to give every customer of mine what we referred to as an "Accident Kit," to help them in the event of an accident. A lot of times, people in moments of high stress and filled with anxiety, would forget little things like taking pictures of the damages, getting the full contact information of the other participant (phone number, dl#, etc). So what we did, we had a company make us these accident kits that pretty much guided one through the whole process: disposable camera (to take pictures of the damages), a little booklet with a checklist of all the information one would need when it came time to talk to an insurance claim specialist or the other person's insurance, a pen, and our agency card.
I think we would benefit greatly if there were such kits made for cyclists. It doesn't have to be big (ours was no more than a 1lb bag, about 4x6x3") but the benefits of it would be advantages and enormous.
Let me know what you guys think, and I'll see if I can find out who made the kits and how much they run or if maybe they could sponsor us.
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i tihnk a check list would be pretty sick and small enough to put in ur pocket.
maybe a checklist on what to do if the guy is driving away after hitting you,
KiMS107.7.10 - 3:26 pm
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Definitely. Anything.
July responding to a
comment by KiMS1
07.7.10 - 3:33 pm
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btw, what ARE you supposed to do?
do you remember the checklist on top of ur head?
maybe we can put up something quick right now
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by July
07.7.10 - 3:37 pm
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*off the top of ur head*
KiMS107.7.10 - 3:38 pm
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put it on the back of a spoke card!
Gizzard responding to a
comment by July
07.7.10 - 3:38 pm
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Maybe it will just say -
"You're fucked."
Joe Borfo07.7.10 - 3:43 pm
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That's an awesome idea. Educating (or even reminding) people on what to do in case of a collision is so important. Even the most right-thinking of us can react strangely after a collision and fail/forget to get some very crucial info. I know after my own hit+run, I was kinda in Superhero mode trying to convince myself/bystanders that me and my bike were fine--when in reality, both of us were in pretty bad shape. Whereas I shoulda been in evidence-securing mode, I was in pride-reconstruction mode. I've seen it numerous other times, too.
Your offer of putting together a kit is awfully kind--perhaps too big though? One goal should be to get the info in the hands of as many cyclists as possible, thus, the smaller/more accessible it is the greater chance of more people having it. Just a thought.
I made what I call a "cheat sheet" that has fill-in-the-blank lines to remind me what to write down. (On the other side are all the relevant CVCs and LAMCs that apply to bikes--just in case an officer/driver is somewhat rusty on his/her bike laws--not uncommon.) I give it to anyone I happen to talk about this subject with.
I always carry in my messenger bag (among other things):
1. my "cheat-sheet"
2. a pen
3. a cell phone camera
I'd also be happy to work on this with other ridazz and/or a sponsor that may come out of the woodwork.
Thanks for putting this out there.
Ross
dudeonabike07.7.10 - 3:50 pm
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Here's what I've got on my cheat-sheet:
1. Call 9-1-1
2. Car license plate: _______________________________________
3. Car make+model: ______________________________________
4. Driver’s name+license #: _________________________________
5. Driver’s phone #: ______________________________________
6. Driver’s address: ________________________________________
7. Driver’s insurance policy #, co: ____________________________
8. Car owner? Who? _________________________________________
9. Witness info: ___________________________________________
10. Demand a police report be taken!
11. TAKE PICTURES!
The above takes up (even in a rather large font) only a few inches of an 8.5x11 piece of paper--leaving the rest of the page to write any of the above or any further information (i.e., sketch of the scene, etc.).
dudeonabike responding to a
comment by KiMS1
07.7.10 - 3:56 pm
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you need:
full dl# info: full name, address, contact number(s) and a description of the person (as best as you can), insurance info: agent, company, contact number and policy number.
back of a spoke card would be awesome!
July07.7.10 - 4:01 pm
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dude on a bike has it down pretty well.
but always... always ... get a description of the person!! i've seen cases lost due to this little detail.
July07.7.10 - 4:02 pm
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Word to that--updating my cheat sheet to add "description of driver." (Of course a few pictures of the driver would work very well, too.)
In my hit+run, the driver was *not* the registered owner of the vehicle, and my being unable to sufficiently ID the driver gave LAPD just enough reason to drop the case and leave me without any recourse. I've learned a thing or two since then.
dudeonabike responding to a
comment by July
07.7.10 - 4:09 pm
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Yeah, tell me about it.
July responding to a
comment by dudeonabike
07.7.10 - 4:14 pm
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like a good neighbor.... state farm is.... THERE!
THERE!
THERE THERE!
its not working.
_iJunes07.7.10 - 4:20 pm
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This is a very good idea. Very useful. I'm going to start carrying an accident cheat-sheet in my bag from now on. It would be interesting to hear any more feedback from those with past experience on how this can be improved. I think that "TAKE PICTURES!" should be more specific.
e.g., 11. TAKE PICTURES! (car, driver, lic plate, DL, bike, wounds, witnesses).
Also, 10. Demand police report be taken! (call watch commander if officer refuses).
petr0lb0mb responding to a
comment by dudeonabike
07.7.10 - 5:09 pm
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Sick idea. Make it happen. You the man July!!!
SnapperS07.7.10 - 5:17 pm
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I can post the numbers to all the watch commanders if needed or if someone can post them now, because I'm on my way out, that would be awesome.
July responding to a
comment by petr0lb0mb
07.7.10 - 6:49 pm
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we should ask the sheriff from the LACM thread what we need to prosecute a driver or at least claim their insurance in different scenarios (i.e. if there were no witnesses, driver sped away, or whatever crazy shit that happens in LA).
TacoBella responding to a
comment by dudeonabike
07.7.10 - 11:17 pm
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