buses opening doors when not at bus stops

[EdO]

I was on my way to work this morning going up battersea rise when a bus driver opened it's doors in stationary traffic.
It happened all too quickly to react or get out of the way. I hit a female passenger as she was getting off the bus and ended hitting the deck.

My knee is grazed up but I'm ok and so is my bike I think.
The women who on impact I hit in the chest with my handlebars was shaken up but was ok. I took down the bus number and number from the side as well taking the passenger details as she took mine. I said I would report the bus driver.

I've had 3 years commuting over to Hammersmith with little or no incident so I'm gutted. Not a good start to a Friday.

Anyone had any experience of incidents with buses and reporting them ?

[Snoop Doug]

Sounds like you're both not badly hurt. Phew!

The driver was probably only trying to do someone (the person waiting to get off) a favour, and I would be very surprised if he intended for you or his now ex passenger to get hurt as a result.

I'm glad you are both OK, and though I'm guessing the driver coulda looked more carefully and maybe he shouldn't have opened the doors - I hope he doesn't get too badly roasted for this.

[Dombo]

Although the bus company may counter with the fact that you were passing on the inside and so claim you were equally at fault, as you could reasonably expect peds to alight from any stationary vehicle on the left hand side.
The passenger however should have also looked to see if the way was clear.
Glad you're ok though.

[EdO]

Thanks for the responses guys. I've made a form submission on the tfl website but will follow this up with a phone call.

[Snoop Doug]

where there's a blame there's a claim...

I'm pretty sure the bus dude is legally responsible...

Please - I don't live in the yoo ess of ayyy. If I wanted to see everyone suing everyone else's ar5e I'd move out there (and be even more impressed by how fat some folk can get than I am in this country to boot mayhap?). I'm guessing this whole thing was a mistake....is all....

Reminds me of a time I went to a club and a socking great moonflower light fell off the roof and bashed me on the noggin

[img]http://i37.tinypic.com/vnfam0.jpg[/img]

It bust me open and a trip to hospital ensued. Doc says I was seriously lucky to be alive. Hard head y'see. The club night was being run by good mates of mine, they fixed the light (poorly) to the ceiling. I'm guessing they were.....liable. I didn't die. And I didn't go after 'em. OK I was in some pain for a while but y'know - you have to let some things go by you. My experience of life is it's too short to always burn precious seconds seeking over the shoulder retribution

[Grahame]

To me, it kind-of-hinges on whether there was a bike lane when you were passing the bus (presumably on the inside). If so, then I would expect at least an apology from the bus co. otherwise, I'd keep quiet, 'cos of the passing on the inside issue...

[quote="Snoop Doug"]Reminds me of a time I went to a club and a socking great moonflower light fell off the roof and bashed me on the noggin

[LeeS]

[quote="Dombo"]Although the bus company may counter with the fact that you were passing on the inside and so claim you were equally at faul.

[Marek]

[quote="Snoop Doug"]where there's a blame there's a claim...

I'm pretty sure the bus dude is legally responsible...

Please - I don't live in the yoo ess of ayyy. If I wanted to see everyone suing everyone else's ar5e I'd move out there (and be even more impressed by how fat some folk can get than I am in this country to boot mayhap?). I'm guessing this whole thing was a mistake....is all....

Reminds me of a time I went to a club and a socking great moonflower light fell off the roof and bashed me on the noggin

[img]http://i37.tinypic.com/vnfam0.jpg[/img]

It bust me open and a trip to hospital ensued. Doc says I was seriously lucky to be alive. Hard head y'see. The club night was being run by good mates of mine, they fixed the light (poorly) to the ceiling. I'm guessing they were.....liable. I didn't die. And I didn't go after 'em. OK I was in some pain for a while but y'know - you have to let some things go by you. My experience of life is it's too short to always burn precious seconds seeking over the shoulder retribution

[Marek]

Whoops, just seen that it also explains a lot to Andrew. Should read all posts first.

[Tony]

I don't thing Edo is planning on seeking any compensation. Having said that, I may be able to find a doctor who could decide that you have been seriously emotionally damaged by the incident and are due a large sum in compensation. I would want my cut of any payout to do that mind.

Interested to know what you actually hope to achieve by reporting the bus driver? It sounds like a pretty innocent mistake to me where higher standards of behaviour from any of the three parties involved would have avoided it. At the end of the day bus drivers don't earn a fat lot and have a pretty grim job. I'd save the reporting for the seriously dodgy incidents.

[Snoop Doug]

cheers mr and marek - and yeah you are both right - it does explain a lot

[EdO]

Yep Snoop indeed that does explain alot.

Thanks for the comments and I've had time to reflect.

Different circumstances but 10 years ago in Clapham someone opened their car door as I was cycling past. I went straight over the door and ended up in a shop doorway.
Bloody well hurt although not so much at the time as the adrenaline kicked in. I hit my head, was cut, and my bike was just about rideable. To everyone's disbelief at the time, I got straight up and cycled off.
Why ? Just couldn't be bothered to hang around and embarrassed at being hit. Next time (being involved in an accident) round I promised myself I wouldn't be so stupid.
So I've reported it and I'll leave it up to Bus company as to what action, if any, they take.

Obviously I wasn't expecting the doors to open when in traffic (something bus drivers take alot more seriously in the West End) but next time I'll go round the other side.
Prevention is the best thing and I prefer to stay out of trouble.

As for commuting in general, I have no problems with bus drivers, cab drivers, coaches (just don't F*** with those guys), lorry drivers, 4x4s, robin reliants, tractors, JCBs you name it.

[Alan M]

Friday 13th, just plain bad luck!