An email I sent to a local delivery company:
I was riding my bicycle around 3:15 PM on August 31 at the intersection of Preston Ave. and Harris St. in Charlottesville, when one of your drivers passed me and, before it was safe to do so, made a dangerous right hand turn in front of me -- a classic "right hook".
I followed him two blocks to his destination (--) and tried -- calmly -- to explain to him that he needs to be more careful, and that he has a duty to yield to bicycles in that situation (I was in the bike lane).
Your driver admitted that he saw me, yet still tried to pin the blame on me, though both common sense and Virginia law are on my side. Ironically, he told me that I was the one who needed to be more careful, which is absurd since had I not been being careful, I would quite possibly be dead and you would be dealing with the liability consequences. Clearly, I could not change his mind, so I am leaving it up to you to do so.
The cab was marked US DOT #######; obviously, he was not willing to identify himself.
I expect a clear resolution of this matter.
Thank you,
Mig Selv
