My only hope...

Paul Hobson said:

...is that the children who were riding with their dad (when they saw
him hit me, get out to move my bike out of his way as I lay on the
ground, and then drive off) don't grow up thinking that what he did is
acceptable behavior.

Any witnesses? Police report? Description of vehicle and driver even if no
license plate number?

Quoted message said:

I'm fine btw. My Bianchi frame is toast, but everything on it is
fine. I'll be riding the train for a few months though as it looks
like my left wrist may need surgery.

Totally sucks; sorry you got hit (and glad it wasn't worse)...

Bill S.

"Paul Hobson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

...is that the children who were riding with their dad (when they saw him
hit me, get out to move my bike out of his way as I lay on the ground, and
then drive off) don't grow up thinking that what he did is acceptable
behavior.

I'm fine btw. My Bianchi frame is toast, but everything on it is fine.
I'll be riding the train for a few months though as it looks like my left
wrist may need surgery.

I'm sorry sorry to hear of this collision. That's awful.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Paul Hobson said:

...is that the children who were riding with their dad (when they saw
him hit me, get out to move my bike out of his way as I lay on the
ground, and then drive off) don't grow up thinking that what he did is
acceptable behavior.

Well you know what they say: You learn most of your behaviors from your
parents. So I don't hold much hope for those children. Maybe I am wrong.

Quoted message said:

I'm fine btw. My Bianchi frame is toast, but everything on it is fine.
I'll be riding the train for a few months though as it looks like my
left wrist may need surgery.

\\paul

Glad it wasn't worse. Sorry about your ride. And hopefully the wrist
isn't too bad to keep from riding again.

Ken
--
The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets
old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without
shocking the entire community. ~Ann Strong

Quoted message said:

Paul Hobson said:

...is that the children who were riding with their dad (when they saw
him hit me, get out to move my bike out of his way as I lay on the
ground, and then drive off) don't grow up thinking that what he did is
acceptable behavior.

Bill Sornson said:

Any witnesses? Police report? Description of vehicle and driver even if no
license plate number?

Witnesses? About 20. I got up off of the ground and read his license
out loud to him before all the other folks grabbed me and made me get
back on the ground. A man in a car across the street actually *filmed*
his car as he drove off (talk about lucky for me). When the police
arrived they ran the tag and it matched all of the witness descriptions.
They say that they're looking for him. I don't really know what that
means though.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm fine btw. My Bianchi frame is toast, but everything on it is
fine. I'll be riding the train for a few months though as it looks
like my left wrist may need surgery.

Totally sucks; sorry you got hit (and glad it wasn't worse)...

Thanks, Bill. I'm thankful for that and also glad that the witnesses
saw that I was going through a perfectly green light and he (going the
opposite direction) failed to yield to me. I had ridden only one mile
before this happened.

\\paul

Paul Hobson said:

Quoted message said:

Paul Hobson said:

...is that the children who were riding with their dad (when they saw
him hit me, get out to move my bike out of his way as I lay on the
ground, and then drive off) don't grow up thinking that what he did is
acceptable behavior.

Bill Sornson said:

Any witnesses? Police report? Description of vehicle and driver even if no
license plate number?

Witnesses? About 20. I got up off of the ground and read his license
out loud to him before all the other folks grabbed me and made me get
back on the ground. A man in a car across the street actually *filmed*
his car as he drove off (talk about lucky for me). When the police
arrived they ran the tag and it matched all of the witness descriptions.
They say that they're looking for him. I don't really know what that
means though.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm fine btw. My Bianchi frame is toast, but everything on it is
fine. I'll be riding the train for a few months though as it looks
like my left wrist may need surgery.

Totally sucks; sorry you got hit (and glad it wasn't worse)...

Thanks, Bill. I'm thankful for that and also glad that the witnesses
saw that I was going through a perfectly green light and he (going the
opposite direction) failed to yield to me. I had ridden only one mile
before this happened.

\\paul

Get a lawyer and sue the [censored] out of him. If it had been a simple
accident, a "Oh, [censored], the sun got in my eye, are you OK?!" kind of
thing, then of course not. This man sounds like a [censored] of grand
proportions. An example needs to be set. Hopefully he'll spend some
time in jail. There's the accident, braking the traffic laws, assault,
property damage, leaving the scene of an accident, and even failing to
provide aide if Georgia has "good samaritan" laws.

It's such a cut and dry case, that if it got them some newspaper time,
a lot of young lawyers might do this one pro bono for ya.

Make him hurt.

Paul Hobson said:

Quoted message said:

Paul Hobson said:

...is that the children who were riding with their dad (when they
saw him hit me, get out to move my bike out of his way as I lay on
the ground, and then drive off) don't grow up thinking that what he
did is acceptable behavior.

Bill Sornson said:

Any witnesses? Police report? Description of vehicle and driver
even if no license plate number?

Witnesses? About 20. I got up off of the ground and read his license
out loud to him before all the other folks grabbed me and made me get
back on the ground. A man in a car across the street actually
*filmed* his car as he drove off (talk about lucky for me). When the
police arrived they ran the tag and it matched all of the witness
descriptions. They say that they're looking for him. I don't
really know what that means though.

Well, he really should be in jail by tonight. He'll probably cop to "I
panicked and just took off" and MAYBE get probation (with a suspended or
revoked license hopefully), but at the very least he should pay for your
surgery, pain and suffering, and a brand-new bike.

How about forcing him to speak at schools about safe riding around bad
drivers (he being a prime example)?!?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm fine btw. My Bianchi frame is toast, but everything on it is
fine. I'll be riding the train for a few months though as it looks
like my left wrist may need surgery.

Totally sucks; sorry you got hit (and glad it wasn't worse)...

Thanks, Bill. I'm thankful for that and also glad that the witnesses
saw that I was going through a perfectly green light and he (going the
opposite direction) failed to yield to me. I had ridden only one mile
before this happened.

Hope you recover fully, Paul. Good luck.

BS (no, really 🙂 )

landotter said:

Paul Hobson said:

Quoted message said:

Paul Hobson wrote:
> ...is that the children who were riding with their dad (when they saw
> him hit me, get out to move my bike out of his way as I lay on the
> ground, and then drive off) don't grow up thinking that what he did is
> acceptable behavior.

Bill Sornson said:

Any witnesses? Police report? Description of vehicle and driver even if no
license plate number?

Witnesses? About 20. I got up off of the ground and read his license
out loud to him before all the other folks grabbed me and made me get
back on the ground. A man in a car across the street actually *filmed*
his car as he drove off (talk about lucky for me). When the police
arrived they ran the tag and it matched all of the witness descriptions.
They say that they're looking for him. I don't really know what that
means though.

Quoted message said:

> I'm fine btw. My Bianchi frame is toast, but everything on it is
> fine. I'll be riding the train for a few months though as it looks
> like my left wrist may need surgery.

Totally sucks; sorry you got hit (and glad it wasn't worse)...

Thanks, Bill. I'm thankful for that and also glad that the witnesses
saw that I was going through a perfectly green light and he (going the
opposite direction) failed to yield to me. I had ridden only one mile
before this happened.

\\paul

Get a lawyer and sue the [censored] out of him. If it had been a simple
accident, a "Oh, [censored], the sun got in my eye, are you OK?!" kind of
thing, then of course not. This man sounds like a [censored] of grand
proportions. An example needs to be set. Hopefully he'll spend some
time in jail. There's the accident, braking the traffic laws, assault,
property damage, leaving the scene of an accident, and even failing to
provide aide if Georgia has "good samaritan" laws.

Makes you wonder if something else was going on, as well. Alcohol?
Drugs? No license? No insurance? An illegal (and I'm not singling out
illegals, just suggesting it might make the guy flee the scene)?

Hitting Paul is one thing, leaving the scene is quite another. I do
hope they track him down; a stretch in the slammer is in order.

Quoted message said:

It's such a cut and dry case, that if it got them some newspaper time,
a lot of young lawyers might do this one pro bono for ya.

Make him hurt.

"Paul Hobson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Witnesses? About 20. I got up off of the ground and read his license out
loud to him before all the other folks grabbed me and made me get back on
the ground. A man in a car across the street actually *filmed* his car as
he drove off (talk about lucky for me). When the police arrived they ran
the tag and it matched all of the witness descriptions. They say that
they're looking for him. I don't really know what that means though.

This is an amazing story. Good luck on your recovery. Nail his ***.

"Paul Hobson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Witnesses? About 20. I got up off of the ground and read his license out
loud to him before all the other folks grabbed me and made me get back on
the ground. A man in a car across the street actually *filmed* his car as
he drove off (talk about lucky for me). When the police arrived they ran
the tag and it matched all of the witness descriptions. They say that
they're looking for him. I don't really know what that means though.

This is an amazing story. Good luck on your recovery. Nail his ***.

Good luck on your recovery. I hope you are right handed.

Ted.

landotter said:

Paul Hobson said:

Quoted message said:

Paul Hobson wrote:
> ...is that the children who were riding with their dad (when they saw
> him hit me, get out to move my bike out of his way as I lay on the
> ground, and then drive off) don't grow up thinking that what he did is
> acceptable behavior.

Bill Sornson said:

Any witnesses? Police report? Description of vehicle and driver even if no
license plate number?

Witnesses? About 20. I got up off of the ground and read his license
out loud to him before all the other folks grabbed me and made me get
back on the ground. A man in a car across the street actually *filmed*
his car as he drove off (talk about lucky for me). When the police
arrived they ran the tag and it matched all of the witness descriptions.
They say that they're looking for him. I don't really know what that
means though.

Quoted message said:

> I'm fine btw. My Bianchi frame is toast, but everything on it is
> fine. I'll be riding the train for a few months though as it looks
> like my left wrist may need surgery.
Totally sucks; sorry you got hit (and glad it wasn't worse)...

Thanks, Bill. I'm thankful for that and also glad that the witnesses
saw that I was going through a perfectly green light and he (going the
opposite direction) failed to yield to me. I had ridden only one mile
before this happened.

\\paul

Get a lawyer and sue the [censored] out of him. If it had been a simple
accident, a "Oh, [censored], the sun got in my eye, are you OK?!" kind of
thing, then of course not. This man sounds like a [censored] of grand
proportions. An example needs to be set. Hopefully he'll spend some
time in jail. There's the accident, braking the traffic laws, assault,
property damage, leaving the scene of an accident, and even failing to
provide aide if Georgia has "good samaritan" laws.

It's such a cut and dry case, that if it got them some newspaper time,
a lot of young lawyers might do this one pro bono for ya.

Make him hurt.

I understand your sentiment. But all I really want is 1) the frame
replaced and 2) that he and _his children_ learn that it's not ok to do
that. I'd rather not get into here, but I'm just not the type to sue
someone for everything he's worth.

He made a mistake and hit me. Accidents happen. I just want him to get
his due for taking off and setting such a horrible example.

--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
..:change the f to ph to reply:.

Paul Hobson said:

landotter said:

Paul Hobson said:

> Paul Hobson wrote:
>> ...is that the children who were riding with their dad (when they saw
>> him hit me, get out to move my bike out of his way as I lay on the
>> ground, and then drive off) don't grow up thinking that what he did is
>> acceptable behavior.
Bill Sornson wrote:
> Any witnesses? Police report? Description of vehicle and driver even if no
> license plate number?

Witnesses? About 20. I got up off of the ground and read his license
out loud to him before all the other folks grabbed me and made me get
back on the ground. A man in a car across the street actually *filmed*
his car as he drove off (talk about lucky for me). When the police
arrived they ran the tag and it matched all of the witness descriptions.
They say that they're looking for him. I don't really know what that
means though.

>> I'm fine btw. My Bianchi frame is toast, but everything on it is
>> fine. I'll be riding the train for a few months though as it looks
>> like my left wrist may need surgery.
> Totally sucks; sorry you got hit (and glad it wasn't worse)...
Thanks, Bill. I'm thankful for that and also glad that the witnesses
saw that I was going through a perfectly green light and he (going the
opposite direction) failed to yield to me. I had ridden only one mile
before this happened.

\\paul

Get a lawyer and sue the [censored] out of him. If it had been a simple
accident, a "Oh, [censored], the sun got in my eye, are you OK?!" kind of
thing, then of course not. This man sounds like a [censored] of grand
proportions. An example needs to be set. Hopefully he'll spend some
time in jail. There's the accident, braking the traffic laws, assault,
property damage, leaving the scene of an accident, and even failing to
provide aide if Georgia has "good samaritan" laws.

It's such a cut and dry case, that if it got them some newspaper time,
a lot of young lawyers might do this one pro bono for ya.

Make him hurt.

I understand your sentiment. But all I really want is 1) the frame
replaced and 2) that he and _his children_ learn that it's not ok to do
that. I'd rather not get into here, but I'm just not the type to sue
someone for everything he's worth.

He made a mistake and hit me. Accidents happen. I just want him to get
his due for taking off and setting such a horrible example.

Agreed, leaving the scene was the really bad part; the part that
*isn't* an "accident".

Ted said:

Good luck on your recovery. I hope you are right handed.

I am, but I definitely need both of my hands for the lab tests that I'm
running.

Ted, Claire, Ken: thank you very much for you sentiments.
\\paul
--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
..:change the f to ph to reply:.

Paul Hobson said:

landotter said:

Paul Hobson said:

> Paul Hobson wrote:
>> ...is that the children who were riding with their dad (when they saw
>> him hit me, get out to move my bike out of his way as I lay on the
>> ground, and then drive off) don't grow up thinking that what he did is
>> acceptable behavior.
Bill Sornson wrote:
> Any witnesses? Police report? Description of vehicle and driver even if no
> license plate number?

Witnesses? About 20. I got up off of the ground and read his license
out loud to him before all the other folks grabbed me and made me get
back on the ground. A man in a car across the street actually *filmed*
his car as he drove off (talk about lucky for me). When the police
arrived they ran the tag and it matched all of the witness descriptions.
They say that they're looking for him. I don't really know what that
means though.

>> I'm fine btw. My Bianchi frame is toast, but everything on it is
>> fine. I'll be riding the train for a few months though as it looks
>> like my left wrist may need surgery.
> Totally sucks; sorry you got hit (and glad it wasn't worse)...
Thanks, Bill. I'm thankful for that and also glad that the witnesses
saw that I was going through a perfectly green light and he (going the
opposite direction) failed to yield to me. I had ridden only one mile
before this happened.

\\paul

Get a lawyer and sue the [censored] out of him. If it had been a simple
accident, a "Oh, [censored], the sun got in my eye, are you OK?!" kind of
thing, then of course not. This man sounds like a [censored] of grand
proportions. An example needs to be set. Hopefully he'll spend some
time in jail. There's the accident, braking the traffic laws, assault,
property damage, leaving the scene of an accident, and even failing to
provide aide if Georgia has "good samaritan" laws.

It's such a cut and dry case, that if it got them some newspaper time,
a lot of young lawyers might do this one pro bono for ya.

Make him hurt.

I understand your sentiment. But all I really want is 1) the frame
replaced and 2) that he and _his children_ learn that it's not ok to do
that. I'd rather not get into here, but I'm just not the type to sue
someone for everything he's worth.

I'm not either. But suing for a new bike, medical bills, and $10K for
you to spend while you heal is fair enough. He needs to feel a
significant burn. Sell his car to collect the cash if need be.

Quoted message said:

He made a mistake and hit me. Accidents happen. I just want him to get
his due for taking off and setting such a horrible example.

That's why you sue for property damage, medical bills, missed
work/school, and a few extra pennies to make 'em think twice.

There's a time and a place to hire a lawyer, this is one of them. I
hate dealing with them, had to hire one last year. Litigation makes me
wanna vomit, but sometimes you gotta. It's not like you just spilled
some McD's coffee on your groin and found it too hot, this is the real
deal.

"Paul Hobson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I understand your sentiment. But all I really want is 1) the frame
replaced and 2) that he and _his children_ learn that it's not ok to do
that. I'd rather not get into here, but I'm just not the type to sue
someone for everything he's worth.

He made a mistake and hit me. Accidents happen. I just want him to get
his due for taking off and setting such a horrible example.

Not wanting to carve off a pound of flesh is admirable.

But the only way to achieve the goal you have set is to pursue this through
the courts, because the legal system is the mechanism by which our society
communicates messages like "it's not ok to do that," and "you're setting a
horrible example for your children, " and "kids, don't emulate your
sociopath father."

The law is the only viable messenger in this case.

Good luck.

RichC

Paul Hobson said:

...is that the children who were riding with their dad (when they saw
him hit me, get out to move my bike out of his way as I lay on the
ground, and then drive off) don't grow up thinking that what he did is
acceptable behavior.

I'm fine btw. My Bianchi frame is toast, but everything on it is fine.
I'll be riding the train for a few months though as it looks like my
left wrist may need surgery.

Best wishes for a rapid and complete recovery. Further downthread you
say there were 20 or so witnesses and a videotape. I hope the witnesses
all gave their identifiers/locators to the responding police and that
you have that videotape. I also hope that whatever officer grabs the
driver realizes that there are two (or more) other witnesses that need
to be interviewed- the kids. I've never found anything that guarantees
a full and complete confession quite as rapidly as an accused's own
children saying, "Daddy did it.".
Personally, I wouldn't be too quick to hire an attorney and file a
civil suit. If you appear in court to testify against him when the
criminal case is up the judge can order restitution. Many judges do
just that as a matter of course. Talk to the prosecutor beforehand.

Regards,
Bob Hunt

P.S.- Also downthread you wonder what, "we're looking for him", means.
Usually it means the police have already checked his residence but he
wasn't there. He'll likely be arrested at his home or job in the very
near future. Just FYI.

Paul Hobson said:

...is that the children who were riding with their dad (when they saw
him hit me, get out to move my bike out of his way as I lay on the
ground, and then drive off) don't grow up thinking that what he did is
acceptable behavior.

I'm fine btw. My Bianchi frame is toast, but everything on it is fine.
I'll be riding the train for a few months though as it looks like my
left wrist may need surgery.

I'm really sorry to hear that, Paul. Last night a guy who used to work
at Intown Bikes stumbled into my house on crutches. He was hit at the
intersection of 10th & Techwood, and said the steel frame he was riding
at the time was bent into a pretzel-like mess. Lucky for him, though,
the girl who hit him felt downright awful about the accident and drove
him to the hospital, paid all medical expenses, and offered to buy him a
new bike.

A couple of years ago, a fellow who lives down the street found himself
in a situation similar to the one you've described - he was hit head-on
by a diesel-guzzling monstrousity of a truck whose driver fled the
scene. Unfortunately, he suffered permanent head injuries. Fortunately,
the police quickly found the driver who ended up settling for a
/very, very large/ sum of money (for whatever that is worth, in exchange
for having to live with brain damage).

As others have said, it sounds like you have a completely black and
white case on your hands! It's also great to hear you weren't
seriously injured. Hope the wrist heals quickly and you find yourself on
a hot new set of wheels at the expense of this jerk.

--
stephen dimmick :: [email hidden]

In article <[email hidden]>, Paul Hobson

Quoted message said:

...is that the children who were riding with their dad (when they saw
him hit me, get out to move my bike out of his way as I lay on the
ground, and then drive off) don't grow up thinking that what he did is
acceptable behavior.

I'm fine btw. My Bianchi frame is toast, but everything on it is fine.
I'll be riding the train for a few months though as it looks like my
left wrist may need surgery.

Sorry to hear about your Bianchi; Paul, I seem to recall that you had a
vintage Bianchi painted blue and converted to a FG. Was that it?

Its heartening to hear that you're emerged from the incident with your
health relatively intact. I wish you a speedy recovery and the SOB a
stiff sentence.

Luke

In article <[email hidden]>,

landotter said:

Quoted message said:

I understand your sentiment. But all I really want is 1) the frame
replaced and 2) that he and _his children_ learn that it's not ok to do
that. I'd rather not get into here, but I'm just not the type to sue
someone for everything he's worth.

Excuse the impudence in discussing here what you'd rather not: Paul I
urge you to reconsider what you deem to be fair restitution. The
material loss of the bike is easily and immediately quantifiable; the
full extent of your injuries much less so -- in the years to come they
may limit your participation in activities that you now take for
granted, detracting from your quality and enjoyment of life.

Pursuing redress need not be synonymous with suing 'someone for
everything he's worth'.

Quoted message said:

I'm not either. But suing for a new bike, medical bills, and $10K for
you to spend while you heal is fair enough. He needs to feel a
significant burn. Sell his car to collect the cash if need be.

Quoted message said:

He made a mistake and hit me. Accidents happen. I just want him to get
his due for taking off and setting such a horrible example.

I echo Ozark's comment. Whatever the motorists culpability for the
accident, it pales in comparison to his response afterwards. I'd wager
that if he emerges from this incident without paying a significant
price, legally or monetarily, he'd continue on his merry way again
should he unwittingly mow down some unfortunate in the future.

Consider this criminal paying an appropriate price for his crime, be it
at your attorney's or the court's bidding, as a step toward ensuring
that your present ordeal is not needlessly inflicted upon another.

Luke