Was she riding on L or 17th? And in the right side if on L? Just wondering — they've finished the cycletrack through there on L. Maybe she was turning right on 17th?

by Steve D on Nov 2, 2012 10:32 am • link • report

Another important element:
Ask if anyone saw what happened and encourage them to give a witness account to the authorities.
Gathering witness info is often overlooked in these situations and it's extremely important later on.
The people directly involved in the incident are often too injured or flustered to do this.

by Chris Eatough on Nov 2, 2012 10:49 am • link • report

I'd also add that if you are aware of laws concerning cyclists – or have a smartphone and can access them – stick around to ensure that the responding officer does the right thing. Be careful not to interfere (I almost ended up in cuffs once after witnessing an officer berate a cyclist who was hit by a driver pulling out of a parking spot) and try to simply inform the cyclist if he/she is conscious.

by Jeff on Nov 2, 2012 10:51 am • link • report

@Steve D

She was on the SE corner on L. I don't think she turned onto L from 17th, but I can't be sure.

As for the cycle track - it looked like many more people were riding with traffic than in the track.

by David Edmondson on Nov 2, 2012 11:02 am • link • report

Can we talk about how THREE police cars ignored this group's frantic waving? WTF?

D.C.'s finest...

by EdH on Nov 2, 2012 11:21 am • link • report

Two things I will add:

1) If you are first on the scene, don't just say "someone call 911". Instead, point to someone else and say "YOU - call 911". There have been occasions where no one called 911 because everyone else thought someone else was doing it.

2) While you're waiting for EMS to arrive, one very practical thing you can do is ask for the person's medical history. Do they have any medicine allergies? Are there any major preexisting conditions the EMT's should know about? Where specifically is the pain? Can they wiggle their fingers and toes? Stuff like that.

Keep in mind that someone could be conscious right after the crash but lapse into unconsciousness by the time the EMT's arrive, so better to get the information while you can.

by Marc on Nov 2, 2012 11:38 am • link • report

My husband was hit while biking earlier this year, and one thing that a bystander did was call me (my husband was conscious, so she was able to get my number), so that I could meet them at the correct hospital. It was the scariest call I've ever gotten, but I will never forget the kindness of that person.

by Brooke on Nov 2, 2012 11:45 am • link • report

I'd like to echo what Chris said about witness accounts and alerting the authorities. I had a minor bike accident on L St NW caused by a taxi who raced ahead of a other taxis to pick up some customers. The taxi driver passed me, merged in front of me and then stopped abruptly- something you wouldn't do to a car. It nearly ran into the taxi but swerved between the taxi and people hailing the cab. Then I wiped out. Thankfully, I wasn't seriously injured but I got some scrapes and bruises that took a few weeks to heal up before I could go out an bike again. As, I lay there crying, I didn't have the wherewithal to call the police. Looking back, that's exactly what I should have done. Bike accidents with vehicle should be treated with the same protocol as two vehicle accidents.

by Anna Rozzo on Nov 2, 2012 12:03 pm • link • report

Chris Eatough makes a very important point. Get names and contact information for witnesses. This can have profound implications, especially if there is a lawsuit later.

by Zach on Nov 2, 2012 12:06 pm • link • report

@Marc

Definitely. I was first on a scene from someone who had fallen on a metro escalator, got her pants stuck in the grill at the bottom, and got cut up real bad. I had to command (yes, command) two women who were standing in shock to get the station manager. Twice. (The woman needed stitches and wouldn't be able to sit for a month.)

Something flight attendants rehearse is screaming at passengers to get up and move; sometimes it takes more than just asking politely to get a person in shock to do things.

by David Edmondson on Nov 2, 2012 12:09 pm • link • report

This sounds like a situation I was in after I first moved here. It came at a time when I thought I just couldn't take this city anymore. I was waiting at a bus stop on 16 between K and L when a man on a bike was hit by an SUV which then went up into the ramp of a nearby hotel. I heard the screaming and I along with 6 or 8 others rushed to help. It wasn't a pretty scene, with the man's tib/fib clearly protruding through his sock. The first of us, were able to get to him quickly and make him as comfortable as he could be. A couple of people called 911 and several others started directing traffic and moved a few construction "horses" and signs into the lane in front of him. I could tell he was in enormous pain, but could also see that he appreciated everyone that helped him. It's good to know people will generally step up if you're in distress. Though the situation really sucked, it reaffirmed my faith in humanity, and kept me from moving out of DC permanently.

by thump on Nov 2, 2012 12:17 pm • link • report

A bike crash should be treated as a personal injury crash unless it is very obvious that nobody is injured. Does not matter how the crash happened or what modes of transportation (motor vehicle, bike or pedestrian) are involved.

Call 911!

by C. P. Zilliacus on Nov 2, 2012 1:29 pm • link • report

Always ask the date, the day of the week and the time. Even a concussion requires some time to rest, and the paramedics should be informed. If you have a concussion, you'll miss some of those basic orientation questions.

by Weiwen on Nov 2, 2012 1:29 pm • link • report

I agree it is important to take charge, and direct people. Most people don't know what to do. Important tasks
1. Caring for victime
2. Collecting witness statements. Best to get via smart phone, so is verbatim and can be used in court
3. Ensure driver does not leave
4. Directing traffic
5. Calling for help and police, and relatives.
6. Looking after the broken bike.

Another thing is not to focus on blood. People die all the time from internal injuries, including head injuries, that show little sign of outward bleeding. If bike or car is mangled, look more closely at the cyclist.

I personally believe everyone should take basic EMS courses: you WILL use it, and it could be your life that is saved.

by SJE on Nov 2, 2012 2:25 pm • link • report

PS: my father in law took an EMS course, and eventually taught people in his office. He suffered a massive heart attack and it was his students/coworkers that saved his life. That was 26 years ago.

by SJE on Nov 2, 2012 2:26 pm • link • report

More evidence that it is the police who are impeding pedestrian and cycling safety in our city. Rather than throw down sarcastic comments, I think a deliberate focused campaign aimed at the council and police is needed to conscientious-tize our law enforcement personnel. They need it.

I agree, that part of downtown is horrible for pedestrians and cyclists. At least there will be a cycle track soon.

by Jazzy on Nov 2, 2012 3:28 pm • link • report

I sincerely hope this accident was not caused by a cyclist seeing a sign directing her to the supposedly safer "L Street Cycle Track" and then running out of infrastructure. It's a definite oversight on DDOT's part that wayfinding signs directing cyclists there have been up for a while before the infrastructure was under construction and/or complete. (I biked it under construction the other day, and it's not a pretty sight, especially with a big USPS truck parked in the first block of cycletrack.)

by Jess on Nov 2, 2012 3:45 pm • link • report

All of the above comments, right on. I learned a few things too, if I'm ever a bystander.

I will say, from experience and knowing a few MPD officers, that the reason the 3 police may not have stopped is because they were en route to other calls (perhaps non-emergency). But perhaps, MPD would respond as to why they didn't if asked.

by Urban_Architect on Nov 2, 2012 5:53 pm • link • report

Hope the cyclist is ok.

RE: the cops rolling by;has WABA been informed of this? It really ticks me off that the police have task forces to aid special interest groups like the gay community,but cyclists are basically ignored. I've been threatened numerous times,had various disparaging comments hurled at me,have almost been hit on an almost weekly basis,and even had an expensive bike stolen and the only thing done was a report was taken. And people think nothing about trashing cyclists in the blogisphere in ways that would have serious repercussions if the same things were said about a minority group. WABA needs to start stepping into the Chief and make her start earning that high salary.

On a related note,everyone should have at least basic first aid training. There was a very good ad campaign in the Metro trains which stated that in the majority of crisis situations,regular people are on scene long before the first responders show up. If I ran the zoo,you wouldn't be able to get your high school diploma without passing a first aid class.

by dynaryder on Nov 2, 2012 6:32 pm • link • report

Also, ask for help in a non-identifying way. I have several friends and family in the medical field, and they've all expressed that they're afraid to identify themselves for fear their position will void good samaritan laws (which are designed to protect non-professionals who try to help and fail or end up doing harm). They DO help, but they would never say "I'm a nurse/medical assistant/etc." While I have extensive first-aid/CPR/defibrillator training due to some previous jobs (not in the medical field) and don't normally ask for help in that regard (but rather offer my help), I'd recommend asking if anyone knows first aid rather than asking if anyone is a medical professional if you don't feel up to providing the assistance necessary.

And, it can't be said enough. DO NOT assume that people being there means everything is under control. MAKE SURE that everything is actually being handled, and BE READY to take charge if people aren't reacting. People aren't being jerks if they're not reacting (I mean, sure, if they're just walking by they're being a jerk, but not if they're standing around looking concerned), most of the time they're in shock, don't know or remember what to do, or think everything has been taken care of. It also doesn't hurt to carry some basic first aid and emergency supplies when possible. Sure, you're not going to truck flares, blankets, and an extensive first aid kit around in your briefcase, but you should have basics in your car and maybe a few essentials in a bike bag or commuting kit. Even a mini-mag can be used to help divert cars from the scene of an accident, and a couple squares of sealed sterile gauze take up NO room.

by Ms. D on Nov 2, 2012 7:07 pm • link • report

D'oh...my emergency kit, which fits in everything but my smallest clutch, is a mini-mag, sterile gauze, a pair of latex (could also be latex-free) gloves in a sealed baggie, and some alcohol wipes. A pen and small notepad is also useful if you find yourself in charge of collecting witness information, though, as noted, smart phones have excellent features (notepad, video camera, etc.) for this purpose, as well.

by Ms. D on Nov 2, 2012 7:12 pm • link • report

As a bicyclist that uses a route without any bike lanes or cycletracks, I learned a lot from this post; thank you!

I would also encourage anyone that bikes regularly to invest in something like a YikesID or a RoadID. I wear mine on my wrist when I'm biking and running, and it is engraved with my name, emergency contact information for my husband, and my allergies. I obviously hope to never be in a situation where it's needed, but I think it's always better to be safe.

One last comment I wanted to make is that last night there was an individual threatening to jump off of the Duke Ellington Bridge. Not sure if the cops bypassing the incident could have been en route to provide assistance with that, but part of me wants to hope that the DC police don't suck so much that they ignore such a bad situation (although I've had them ignore vehicles almost hitting me so I know that that is likely what happened).

Anyone know if the bicyclist is stable and ok?

by Amanda on Nov 2, 2012 9:50 pm • link • report

wrt Jess' comment, nothing I saw of the "cycletrack" today indicated that it is supposed to be in use as a separated lane for bicyclists. I am not making any comment about the accident, just the point that there is no signage at all, and obviously, it is incomplete.

I do think that there should have been "construction in progress" signs explaining what was happening and a target date for completion. Just like there are signs on highways advising of changes in lane patterns, future closures, etc.

I also think that the bollards are spaced apart too widely, at least in some areas, as I saw a car turn into the left lane from a traveling lane through the bike lane by going between bollards. At least in some places there should be double the number of bollards than there are at present. The bollards separating part of Florida Ave. in the vicinity of "Dave Thomas Circle" are spaced much more closely.

by Richard Layman on Nov 3, 2012 1:40 am • link • report

I of course hope this woman is okay and recovering well.

Vehicles (some delivery trucks excluded), buses, and pedestrians seem, for the most part, to be able function together. Bike riders who want rights of the roads often do not play by the rules of the road. This can cause confusion and aggravation to vehicle drivers, bus operators, and pedestrians. There seems to be no consistency among bike riders on which rules they will choose to follow.

If bikes want the same rights as vehicles, fine. Bikers should not cut to the right of transit buses in blind spots or where passengers could get hit boarding our exiting (a bike almost slammed in to me as I exited a 52 Metrobus from the rear door), cut between stopped vehicles at busy intersections ("take the lane" as suggested in this article, but then cut between stopped vehicles) (I have a deep gouge in my right side-view mirror from a bike rider who got too close as the my vehicle and the one beside me were close for whatever reason), or proceed across intersections against red traffic signals (I watched a bike pass through a crowded crosswalk against a red light).

by Transport. on Nov 3, 2012 4:25 am • link • report

"Vehicles (some delivery trucks excluded), buses, and pedestrians seem, for the most part, to be able function together. "

as a driver, bus rider, and pedestrian I have to say thats not necessarily true, depending on what you mean by "for the most part" There are huge numbers of infractions, and huge numbers of conflicts. Fortunately most do not result in accidents.

Thats not really any different from bikes - there are lots of people cycling, and relatively few accidents.

And studies have shown at least as many of the bike/motor vehicle accidents are caused by improper actions by the driver as by the cyclist (and of course many are caused by poor infrastructure)

by AWalkerInTheCity on Nov 3, 2012 10:16 am • link • report

"cut between stopped vehicles at busy intersections"

which is legal, BTW

by AWalkerInTheCity on Nov 3, 2012 10:22 am • link • report

I agree with Transport that the rules for bikes seems unclear, and that better behavior should be encouranged. I do not agree with the implication that bikes should not have the right to the road until they learn to "obey the rules." Most cars break the rules, and their lawbreaking is responsible for most of the deaths and damage in this city, and such rules are rarely enforced. Look at the recent brouhaha over speed cameras: what else do they do except catch people who arent following the rules?

by SJE on Nov 3, 2012 12:46 pm • link • report

@ SJE:I agree with Transport that the rules for bikes seems unclear, and that better behavior should be encouranged.

Bike rules can not be unclear, unless car and pedestrian rules are unclear. Bikes must follow car rules when on the road, and must follow pedestrian rules when on the sidewalk. It is that simple.

In bike lanes, bikers are still on the road, and still have to follow all the rules of the road, just as cars in an HOV lane still have to follow all the rules of the road.

What is a massive problem is that drivers and pedestrians are confused about how to treat bikers.

by Jasper on Nov 3, 2012 3:46 pm • link • report

It seems strange to me, since we do have (minimal) driver's ed and testing across the U.S., but it often seems that drivers don't know the rules of the road. And I'm not talking about times when people don't seem to care they're breaking the rules, but times when they honestly don't seem to know what to do. How many times have you come upon a 4-way stop and people don't know how to operate it? Happened to me today, seems to happen all the time. If the power's out, have you ever crossed a lighted intersection where even a minority of people did what they were supposed to (treat it as a 4-way stop)? Or run across people who think a yield means they have to stop, even if there's no oncoming traffic? I had a friend YELL at me one time because I passed a yellow sign designating an intersection and suggesting a speed of 45, but kept trucking at the speed limit of 55 (it was daylight, I could clearly see there were no cars at the cross-street, and the weather was fine). She honestly didn't know those signs are only a suggestion, and had apparently been slamming on her brakes to slow down for that intersection all along (it's near her house). Add to that the fact that bikers are often not covered in driver's ed, and you've got a mess on your hands. It seems downright irresponsible to put people behind the wheel of one-ton+ vehicles with so little knowledge of the rules, especially when you add the rules they KNOW they're breaking and don't care on top of that.

by Ms. D on Nov 3, 2012 4:13 pm • link • report

when I did the Western Baltimore County Bike and Ped Plan, I put in a bunch of recommendations in the plan with regard to State of Maryland policy and action (which were excised from the plan because counties don't like to "give advice" to the State). One of the recommendations concerned refresher testing for drivers license renewals with regard to bike and ped issues, but I guess "the vehicle to your right has the right of way" type questions are still in order.

by Richard Layman on Nov 4, 2012 6:44 am • link • report

Jasper, the rules can be unclear because most of them have been written with cars in mind, and therefore lead to contradictory or counterproductive results when applied to bikes. Recent example: the stop signs on bike paths that cross vehicular traffic.

by SJE on Nov 4, 2012 12:53 pm • link • report

@ SJE:Recent example: the stop signs on bike paths that cross vehicular traffic.

Well, true. But that's not due to the rules, but due to bad road design, ignoring the rules. Compare it to slapping a STOP sign on a green traffic light, or painting a pedestrian crossing on an interstate. It is sad that road designers can not be held accountable for their mistakes.

by Jasper on Nov 4, 2012 1:49 pm • link • report

OK, I'll give you more examples.

Riding to the right as far as practicable. Cyclists clearly have a good reason why "taking the lane" is legal and proper, yet many drivers and even police do not agree with that interpretation.

The law also recognizes that acting to avoid harm usually excuses you from breaking a minor regulation. Well, how far does that apply? A lot of the "law breaking" from cyclists is done to maximize their safety, but is contrary to the explicit rules.

The yellow line is another one: a lot of drivers are unclear about whether they can pass a cyclist if they have a double yellow line.

Some jurisdictions only a rear reflector for bikes, but rear lights for cars. This law raises dangers for cyclists, and irritation for drivers, who correctly believe that the cyclists are insufficiently lit, but incorrectly believe that a law is being broken.

by SJE on Nov 4, 2012 4:59 pm • link • report

Another example: signaling. Sometimes it's safest for a cyclist to use hands to keep control of the bike, rather than to signal turns and stops. The Uniform Vehicle Code and some jurisdictions recognize this, and exempt cyclists from the usual requirement to give signals when the cyclists need both hands. DC law doesn't include that exemption.

by David R. on Nov 4, 2012 5:33 pm • link • report

Having been in a crash before and with an insane road raged driver, it's very very important to collect witness information. Otherwise the police will dismiss charges saying it's a 'he said/she said' scenario. People may help you up, call 911, but they're usually en route to something and don't think to give you a business card or a name/#. And never assume you're not hurt unless of course you're a medical professional who can safely say it. Police will press you to say you're not hurt because it means less paperwork for them, but the truth of the matter is you don't really know. What feels like a bruise when you're high on adrenaline may actually be a sprain or fracture. Ask for a medical evaluation. And take photos! Both for c.y.a. purposes and for future use. In my case, the police were "aided" (ie, reminded) of what happened by my photos.

by T1 on Nov 5, 2012 10:39 am • link • report

Under normal circumstances, I'd call 911 and see if any immediate help is needed. In the case of the idiot cyclist I recently witnessed nearly initiate consecutive head on collisions making not one but two ill advised and improper Idaho "stops" crossing with barely a pause at the red light on Penn at 19th/H/Penn NW, I'd first do a "HA! HA!" ala Nelson on the Simpsons, call 911, and then seek out the driver to be a witness on his behalf. I drive and bike, and people who pull this nonsense make it more dangerous for everyone else.

by anon_se on Nov 5, 2012 11:33 am • link • report

In the case of the idiot cyclist I recently witnessed nearly initiate consecutive head on collisions making not one but two ill advised and improper Idaho "stops" crossing with barely a pause at the red light on Penn at 19th/H/Penn NW, I'd first do a "HA! HA!" ala Nelson on the Simpsons, call 911, and then seek out the driver to be a witness on his behalf. I drive and bike, and people who pull this nonsense make it more dangerous for everyone else.

Given that collisions rarely ever happen in that circumstance (which is who the vast majority of cyclists do it) you'll probably not want to hold your breath for your moment in the sun.

by oboe on Nov 5, 2012 1:07 pm • link • report

Two years after moving to DC I was driving my boyfriend to work when we noticed a crowd of pedestrians gathered next to a street corner on Wisconsin Ave. My boyfriend is a trained EMT an luckily we had a emergency kit in the car.

I pulled over and he went to the scene, which turned out to be a cyclist who had been struck by a car and was severely injured. A woman from the crowed was putting some pressure on an artery that can been rupture in his fall, everyone else was watching, though 911 was called. My boyfriend was able to put sufficient pressure on the wound (even a small ruptured artery is life threatening after a few minutes)until the ambulance arrived. Some of my boyfriend's co-workers later informed us that the cyclist lived, tho we do not know his name.

Moral of the story (I suppose): Even basic medical training, such as first aid, would be enough to be helpful in such a situation where a few minutes of care can be critical.

by NT on Nov 5, 2012 1:21 pm • link • report

@oboe

car turning with light into sharp left from one one way street 19th St NW S) to another (H St NW E). It was startlingly close. I was expecting to see the cyclist go over the front of the hood. The fact that he nearly got hit a second time doing essentially the same thing (albeit without forward momentum) provided conclusive evidence that he was an idiot.

...Again, I bike DC and I'm well aware of the necessary shortcuts cyclists take, but I'm often taken aback at how foolish some cyclists act.

by anon_se on Nov 5, 2012 2:00 pm • link • report

It was startlingly close...

Sure, my point was that while it's an unnecessary risk, the risk is pretty small. There just aren't that many cyclists getting hit by cars, and the ones that do are almost never hit in the scenario you describe. Anyway, there are a lot of "startlingly close" calls, that seem a lot more close than they actually are.

If you're waiting to be around when it happens, you'll wait a very, very long time.

(Heck, if out of every ten thousand times I've heard "I came inches from killing the cyclist/pedestrian" there was an actual collision, the hospitals would be filled with the maimed and dying.

by oboe on Nov 5, 2012 2:32 pm • link • report

[Deleted for violating the comment policy.] I was standing next to the woman injured in this accident Thursday night. Yes, standing. Because she wasn't on a bike. In fact, when the light turned green for pedestrians she was hit (admittedly without looking) by a bicyclist who had run the light.

Second, in response to your twitter conversation with Ron Knox, she never lost consciousness. We did have a frustratingly hard time flagging down police cars to help protect us from traffic, but EMS arrived and the woman was able to walk to the ambulance by herself.

I write this with no intention of entering a debate about pedestrians vs. bicyclists vs. cars, but [deleted for violating the comment policy.].

by Observer on Nov 5, 2012 5:51 pm • link • report

I learned, quite painfully, to expect that no one will assist me in a bike accident. I crashed after my tire caught a rut in the road on New Hampshire Ave NW, just north of Dupont Circle. I was in the street, dazed and bleeding heavily from my ankle, knees, and arm. Not a single pedestrian stopped to help me get out of the way of traffic. A couple of drivers honked and drove around me. I had to crawl out of the street as I could not walk. I couldn't believe that folks just kept on walking.

by David on Nov 15, 2012 1:32 pm • link • report