What NOT to do if you are in a bike/car accident..

Those of you who read comments in my blog may have noticed one from my wife on Tuesday, who witnessed a car/bike collision right in front of our house.  Here's her inital comment: 

OMFG I tried calling. I just witnessed a guy on a bike get hit by a big old tan Dodge Caravan directly in front of our house, in front of the fire hydrant! The van turned right into him! omfg!

I called 911, but the guy said he was "fine" and didn't need an ambulance. Then they leave, with the van guy putting the bike on top of his van (NOT SECURED) because apparently the biker lives just up "about two blocks" from us... and he walked (limped) there.

WTF mate???

Apparently this guy gets hit by this van, is hollering like the world is ending so my wife naturally calls 911.  She tells them and they both seem not to care and do their own thing, right?  Eventually the guy in the van puts the bike on the roof of his van, and the other guy hobbles up the street to his house, both refusing to wait for the police.  Strange, right?  I mean someone hits you, then they offer you a ride home but refuse, instead hobbling BUT you let them drive your bike home?  AND you leave the scene of the accident? 

It gets better. 

Today she calls me, and the victim had shown back up at our doorstep, wondering if my wife was the person who called.  Seems the driver, once he found out the victim was hurt, stopped returning phone calls and generally gave the victim the cold shoulder.  Not shocking at all.  Second, the police said well gee, that's great, but you left the scene - game over.  Not shocking either.  My wife tells him that she'd be happy to make a statement, no she doesn't know the cop who came out, good luck.. etc.  This is about noon-ish. 

Now I get back to work, and she relates via IM that the victim calls back and says he's coming back down, the police are on the way.  So he shows up, then somehow gets the driver to show back up.  They stand outside for a little bit piddling around.. then they all leave.  AGAIN.  Police show up, my wife tells them what happened, and the officer says gee that stinks for them, if they come back tell 'em it's too late.  Officer says "did he seem odd?"

You think?  

Wow.. that's what NOT to do in the event of an accident.  Now, I'm not an expert AT ALL but here's what you DO in the event of an accident: 

1.) Don't talk to the other party AT ALL.  Not even an "are you ok?" response.

2.) Call the police immediately

3.) If able, call your insurance company and/or lawyer

4.) Collect names, phone numbers, and info from everyone at the scene.  Even a plate number of a witness who leaves is better than nothing.  

5.) Call a friend, family member, or other personal acquaintance.  Have the take pictures, and make sure you aren't doing #1 or #5 at the scene. 

6.) Don't talk to the other insurance company AT ALL until you talk to a lawyer or your insurance company

7.) Don't talk about your injuries with anyone but your doctor, insurance company, or lawyer.  Saying "oh I'm fine" at the scene of an accident, believe it or not, can haunt you.  

8.) Document EVERYTHING.  Phone call times, durations, subjects discussed, names, etc.  This almost bit ME in the butt. 

Again, I've not (thankfully!) been in a bike/car accident, but I've been in a nasty car/car accident involving litigation.  This isn't a complete list, but yeah, it's something.  

Oh and seriously, don't do what our buddy above did.  Leaving the scene basically shoots you in the foot.