Fwd: Request to Report Dangerous Driving Incident (Bike Lane Violation)

[Serge Issakov]

File under: Learn something every day. 

“you rarely want an incident involving a car to be intentional, as auto insurance companies will not pay for intentional acts of their insureds. So, if that vehicle hits someone, and it comes out that it's intentional, their insurance will more than likely deny the claim and you're fighting the individual to pay. ”

Never thought of that. 

Serge

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Joshua Bonnici <jo...@bonnicilawgroup.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 17, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Subject: Re: Request to Report Dangerous Driving Incident (Bike Lane Violation)
To: Serge Issakov <serge....@gmail.com>
CC: Thomas Hsiao <thsi...@gmail.com>, Dana Mamriev <danam...@gmail.com>, Jordan Becker <jor...@beckerworld.com>, SDBC Ride Leaders <sdbc-rid...@googlegroups.com>

Ugh. I think they just weren't paying attention and thought it was a vehicle lane. Regardless, super dangerous and I'm glad that Dana was out of the way! 

I agree though, take it to the police station and file a report. They will more than likely fight you on making it since there "was no incident" but insist. There used to be a "close call" database for cyclists to upload to, I haven't looked for it in a while. 

However - PRO TIP: you rarely want an incident involving a car to be intentional, as auto insurance companies will not pay for intentional acts of their insureds. So, if that vehicle hits someone, and it comes out that it's intentional, their insurance will more than likely deny the claim and you're fighting the individual to pay. That can be advantageous to "teach them a lesson" but if there's no money to be had from the individual, then damages for any injuries may not exist. 

Just my 2-cents. 

.

.

On Wed, Dec 17, 2025 at 12:32 PM Serge Issakov <serge....@gmail.com> wrote:

Tommy and Dana,

Dana: glad you’re okay. 

Thx for reaching out. 

Since I’m not an involved party I can’t make the report. 

This is what I recommend. Put video and photos on USB stick and deliver to police station, like the one on Regents Rd. 

They will be resistant to take a report because no one was injured and no officer witnessed it. However, if Dana insists they must file a report. So insist. This is why. If this ahole ever hits anyone and they look up the plate, this report will establish a pattern of such behavior and practically eliminate their likely claim of it being unintentional. 

CCing Josh for confirmation because I’m not a lawyer and this is bordering on legal advice. 

Disclaimers aside, my advice above is based on a now-deleted blog from an attorney in LA who retired and deleted his blog. However, the excellent blog post on this particular subject has been archived. I highly recommend reading it. 

https://web.archive.org/web/20170623081051/https:/pvcycling.wordpress.com/2016/05/26/report-card/

As an appetizer, here’s how it starts:

You’ve been buzzed. Worse, you’ve been buzzed and honked at. Worse, you’ve been buzzed and honked at and screamed at. Worse, you’ve been buzzed and honked at and screamed at and flipped off. Worse, you’ve been buzzed and honked at and screamed at and flipped off and had shit thrown at you. Worse, you’ve been buzzed and honked at and screamed at and flipped off and had shit thrown at you and veered into.

“At least I didn’t get hit,” you tell yourself, shaking with terror and rage. “At least I’m still alive.”

You, my friend, are a victim. And not just any old victim. You’re the victim of a crime. In California, what happened to you is a felony and is proscribed by California Penal Code Sec. 245(a)1.

Serge

On Wed, Dec 17, 2025 at 11:59 AM Thomas Hsiao <thsi...@gmail.com> wrote:

I forgot to mention this happened near the top of Torrey Pines, where the yellow human icon is.

On Wed, Dec 17, 2025 at 11:53 AM Thomas Hsiao <thsi...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Serge,

I’m reaching out because I've been told you are the resident expert for dealing with the police and reporting incidents, and I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to report a dangerous driving incident that was caught on video.

On Saturday, December 6th at approximately 12:29 PM, a Genesis GV70 (California plate: 9PDY359) was driving in the bike lane despite there being two open travel lanes available. The incident occurred while Dana was riding legally in the bike lane and recording video.

The vehicle:

• Entered and continued driving in the bike lane with no apparent reason

• Passed Dana extremely closely, nearly striking her

• Continued in the bike lane for roughly 50 yards and again passed other cyclists dangerously, nearly hitting them as well

The video clearly shows the open lanes, the vehicle remaining in the bike lane, and the repeated close passes. I'm including a link to the video/photos so you can review and download the footage directly: https://photos.app.goo.gl/dyNZMnxdWSZZRPZt7

Given the repeated behavior and the risk posed to multiple cyclists, this seemed worth formally reporting, and I’d appreciate your help.

Thanks. Let me know if you need any additional details.

Best,
Tommy