Doored and filing a police report
It must be in the air...
I was doored this afternoon near Palmer Square while biking with both of my kids (ages 1 and 5) on my bike. Riding in a bike lane and the door felt like it came out of nowhere.
After assessing myself and my kids and determining that only myself as the rider suffered any bodily damage, I was able to take down the driver's name, number, car info (make/model/license) and get his insurance information. The driver did not want to call 911 in the moment and in all honestly, I did not either. A bit over 2 weeks ago an officer and I were involved in an incident over bike road rules a block from this spot and since I have since filed a report against him, I was concerned he would be the responding officer. My bike is no longer rideable and the driver's door was unable to be closed. The driver was parked in front of a home and did not leave.
After the incident,I walked across the park to inquire from 2 officers sitting in their unmarked car if I needed to file a report immediately or if I could go in to the station. They assured me the information I had obtained was enough to walk into the station and file a report.
I attempted to do so this evening. The officer on duty didn't know it was possible to report a dooring and after asking around found the proper paperwork. I guess there is more information I need such as the car VIN# that I don't have. He suggested that in the morning, I go back to the site of the accident and call 911 to have the police come out. I passed by the site on my way home and the car is no longer there.
So, now what? I am bruised and scraped and thank goodness my kids are ok but my bike has a lot of damage. Am I on a wild goose chase in order to receive compensation for my damages?
I was doored this afternoon near Palmer Square while biking with both of my kids (ages 1 and 5) on my bike. Riding in a bike lane and the door felt like it came out of nowhere.
After assessing myself and my kids and determining that only myself as the rider suffered any bodily damage, I was able to take down the driver's name, number, car info (make/model/license) and get his insurance information. The driver did not want to call 911 in the moment and in all honestly, I did not either. A bit over 2 weeks ago an officer and I were involved in an incident over bike road rules a block from this spot and since I have since filed a report against him, I was concerned he would be the responding officer. My bike is no longer rideable and the driver's door was unable to be closed. The driver was parked in front of a home and did not leave.
After the incident,I walked across the park to inquire from 2 officers sitting in their unmarked car if I needed to file a report immediately or if I could go in to the station. They assured me the information I had obtained was enough to walk into the station and file a report.
I attempted to do so this evening. The officer on duty didn't know it was possible to report a dooring and after asking around found the proper paperwork. I guess there is more information I need such as the car VIN# that I don't have. He suggested that in the morning, I go back to the site of the accident and call 911 to have the police come out. I passed by the site on my way home and the car is no longer there.
So, now what? I am bruised and scraped and thank goodness my kids are ok but my bike has a lot of damage. Am I on a wild goose chase in order to receive compensation for my damages?
Views: 627
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cameron 7.5 mi on -
You're not required to file the report in the district the crash happened in. If you're worried about your pending complaint or keep getting the runaround at Shakespeare, go to another station.
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Permalink Reply by Cheryl on -
I was recently in a collision with a car and the responding EMTs would not wait around for the police to show up, saying they would take my info at the hospital - which as it turned out they never did. The following day, I went to the station on California south of Milwaukee and the desk officer was very kind in helping me file a report (which as others have said, did not require the car's VIN).
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Permalink Reply by Anika on
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I just wanted to update.
It took 3 attempts but I was finally able to file a report at the station on California. The officer helping me the 3rd time was polite and helpful. I followed up with the guy's insurance who hit us after I completed the police report. They filed my claim this afternoon and issued me a reimbursement for the full repair cost on my bike as well as additional money for pain and suffering.
In the future, this will hopefully not happen. But if it does, I know to call 911 whether we have injuries or not.
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