Comments on: Inline skater-bicyclist collision

By: Bruce A

Bruce A — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 08:52:34 +0000

A big guy crashes into a little girl, and he wants people to know? Most people would be glad to keep it quiet and hope nobody really noticed.

Too bad we have no system for requireing notice to potential patients of such lapses of judgement (lawsuit stupid, accidents happen). I prefer doctors who are not foolish.

By: Russell Breish

Russell Breish — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 08:41:38 +0000

It is a great story, with, I see a good outcome. I am a physician and a cyclist, and as mentioned above I always assume that someone in front of me will react in a way that could harm me.

I wonder if in this gentleman’s role as a physician he whines about frivolous Malpractice suits clogging up the system, when his action raises all of our home owner’s insurance? Just a thought

By: Amy Alkon

Amy Alkon — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 02:19:13 +0000

As a former biker all over New York City and now in L.A., I have always assumed that everybody else — pedestrians, people in cars, people on skates — will do something ass-hattish at any moment. It’s kept me accident-free all these years. I believe other experienced bikers (and relatively intelligent people) think accordingly.

By: Reformed Republican

Reformed Republican — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 16:58:25 +0000

From the good doctor’s website

Dr. Dlugi has 20 years of experience in Infertility

He must not be very good if he hasn’t been able to fix his own problem in 20 years.

By: Jack Evan

Jack Evan — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:07:56 +0000

The cyclist is always responsible for the safety of the person he is overtaking. Cyclists know that they can never count on the person they are passing to understand the meaning of their bell. Experience on a bike will show that you never know how someone will react. This is a disgusting case of litigiousness.

By: Amsterdamsky

Amsterdamsky — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 13:43:20 +0000

Basic Speed Law. The “doctor” hit her. She should be suing him.

By: E-Bell

E-Bell — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 10:28:49 +0000

It is common practice for cyclists to ring a bell or cry a warning when overtaking a slower-moving cyclist, rollerblader or pedestrian.

That said, it’s a courtesy – not an “evaporate button,” as Charlie B referenced. I hardly think an 11-year-old rollerblader should be liable under these circumstances. I think any duty of care should rest with the overtaking bicycle.

In fact, I started to question why this went to the jury at all, but then I saw that the suit is in New Jersey.

By: Amsterdamsky

Amsterdamsky — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 08:37:11 +0000

I looked up his web site. My revulsion is absolute.

By: Jim Collins

Jim Collins — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 08:25:36 +0000

While I agree that this is absurd, a couple of issues need to be addressed. First. Are there any laws giving bicyclists automatic right of way? Second. Since the girl was on skates, is she really a pedestrian? Third are there any laws banning skates or skateboards where the accident took place? Last but not least. What is the girl’s familys financial status and are there any insurance policies that might be made to pay? This doctor’s lawyer seems to think that he’s going to get some money frome someplace, otherwise why file the lawsuit?

By: Charlie B

Charlie B — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 08:23:59 +0000

Contrary to popular opinion, blowing an automobile horn or ringing a bicycle bell does not require anybody to get out of your way.

A friend calls it the evaporate button as the horn blower expects everybody and anybody in their way to instantly evaporate.