First off, that sucks. Second, I’m with everyone else, report it.
One thing that you need to consider is potential injuries to yourself. When I got hit by a truck on my bike, I felt fine for the first few days, then parts didn’t start to feel so great and after a week, I was having to take meds just to be able to function. Physio and massage therapy have gotten me a long way, but don’t assume that because you feel good today or tomorrow, that something won’t pop up related to this. Without reporting it, you’ll be on your own.
Age shouldn’t play a factor. If you’re driving a car, you’re supposed to know and follow the rules of the road. If you don’t or can’t, you shouldn’t be driving, plain and simple. You’re out a fork, wheel, possibly aerobars and frame (inspect it closely) and potentially your health, all not of your own doing.
You need to report it for a few reasons. First she broke the law by leaving and sounds like careless driving to me at the minimum. If something does start bothering you the insurance company may use the fact you waited to report it. It may be they will want you to see a Dr. right away to evaluate you to avoid further damage, otherwise they will say some damage could have been avoided if you had seeked medical attention. It is also possible she is senile and shouldn’t be driving at all and by you reporting it you could save herself and others issues in the future. This isn’t about picking on some blue hair.
I agree- Report it and get seen- joints are weird and may be injured with a delayed response- you don’t want to let it go and have something develop later.
"I slam into her door, warping my front wheel,wrenching my left aerobar up, jamming my left wrist and elbow. She rolls down her window and says “You scared me!!!” I tell her “There’s a pretty big dent on your door now.” She tells me that it’s OK and drives off. " Pain came back and I had to pay for it.
Report it ASAP. Give the cops the brand, model, year, and color of the car. She will have to get it fixed somewhere. If not, she still has the dent in her car that is easily identifiable.
Just because you feel ok now doesn’t mean everything is still ok.
Here is what I would do. SUE THE CRAP OUT OF HER. Yes, you read that right. SUE, SUE, SUE. I didn’t do it before in a car accident, settled for what “nice, honest, considerate” person would settle for.
She knew dam well what she was doing. She didn’t want a law case brought against her. She sounds like she may have some cash. File a police report and bring suit against this little old lady that doesn’t know how to drive.
“In Florida, cyclists get hit by cars and no one does anything about it. The law really doesn’t feel like it is on our side here…”
Why do you think that is? Is it because everyone is feeling sorry for the ‘nice old lady’ that hit them, so didn’t bother filing a report? What would you do if this same ‘nice old lady’ crushed a child on the sidewalk whilst driving with ‘her head in reverse’??? Where should this line of sympathy be drawn?
It’s all been said by others, but old or young - ANYONE driving a car should be taking that VERY SERIOUSLY!! Cutting people slack is a nice gesture, but it might be at someone elses considerable expense in the future. If that nice old lady was my mother, I’d still tell youto report it. Her attitude was all wrong, and that is scary. It’s pretty much in line with the ‘me first’ mentality that seems to becoming the norm in our culture…
Lastly, if she’s covered by adequate insurance, they they pay and she’s no worse off. If she isn’t, then she shouldn’t be driving anyway - and definitely needs a talking to. Rant over.
Report the accident before the women kills someone. She probably should not be driving and must face the charge of hit and run. Check your state laws - you are probably required to report the accident. Do not wait any longer. Any witness???