Q: I had an accident with a cyclist, we collided into each other. No damage to my car. Scuff marks on the right back fender
These can be rubbed out with compound. No paint removed. He fell on his left hand and there were scratches on fatty part of his palm. There was no blood or open cuts. He called the police and 2 paramedics vans, 2 police cars and a sheriff car came. I was not hurt and he refused to go with the paramedics. He said he was going to walk home with his bike which had a backpack in a basket and that was still in the basket when he fell. No citations were given at that time.
A:
Based on the information you've provided, it seems that you were involved in a collision with a cyclist in California. Fortunately, there was only minor damage to your car (scuff marks on the right back fender that can be buffed out) and the cyclist suffered only minor injuries (scratches on the palm of his left hand with no bleeding or open cuts).
Under California law, if the damages and injuries are minor, and both parties agree, you may not need to involve insurance companies. However, it is always a good idea to exchange contact and insurance information with the other party, just in case any issues arise later.
Since the police and paramedics were called to the scene, there should be an official report of the incident. You can request a copy of this report for your records. The fact that no citations were issued at the time suggests that the responding officers did not find either party to be at fault or in violation of any traffic laws based on the initial assessment.
It would be wise to document the damage to your car with photos and keep a record of the incident, including the date, time, location, and the other party's information. Monitor the situation and if the cyclist contacts you later claiming more serious injuries or damages, inform your insurance company immediately.
If you have any further concerns or questions, it's best to consult with your insurance provider or a legal professional who specializes in traffic accidents and personal injury cases in California.
Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer
A: You haven't asked a question. If you think you are going to get sued, notify your insurance carrier. If you want to make a claim against the bicycle rider, you would probably be better offer proceeding against your collision insurer and letting it try to collect against the rider.
Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer
A: If the bicyclist comes back at you with a bodily injury claim, it would be better for you if your carrier was placed on notice of the accident. Good luck
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