Anybody who tries to justify not wearing helmets is an idiot.  It may not be the be-all-end off of saving your life, but it seriously ups the odds in your favor as opposed to not wearing one.

FYI finding a helmet larger than 8 (hat size) is very difficult, and wearing a helmet that is too small is worse than no helmet at all because the helmet just breaks without attenuating any of the impact.

Not trying to be dick here, but I'm wondering what constitutes a "big head"? Like, how big around?

Nearly everyone at one time or another has been a pedestrian, cyclist or driver of a motor vehicle and nearly everyone has a had a close encounter with serious injury/death while riding, driving or walking. Can't we all just be slightly more cautious, observant and respectful of each other and less rage-filled and impatient on a daily basis? You're not getting anywhere that much faster by speeding, breaking traffic laws, jaywalking, texting/talking while driving/walking/cycling. I don't wish Mr. Ray Deter's fate on anybody and I would imagine the driver is distraught as well. I hope he recovers from his injuries.

Can we please not turn this into another politically charged argument about cyclists vs motorists? Can we please stop trying to outwit each other with a bunch of snarky comments that aren't all that clever in the first place? A man—a good man—is hanging on to his life here. It doesn't matter if he made a bad decision about not wearing a helmet (we all make bad decisions every day). Quit being assholes and take something seriously for a change.

So to make a long story short, the cyclist is always right. Helmets are for sissys. It is the responsibility of pedestrians and motorists to get out of the way of cyclists. And no matter what happens the NYPD is full of shit ( unless of course they side with the  cyclist)

Why on earth are we talking about Who's at fault vs. Who's not at fault? The main lesson here is: Wear a helmet. Always. And wear your seat belt if you're in a vehicle.

My question specifically relates to fault re: insurance companies, and is concerned with Deter and his family receiving money for his medical expenses, etc.  I agree, of course, on helmets, seat belts, etc.  The most important thing, though, is to be cautious and aware of your surroundings--a responsibility that lies with everyone piloting a vehicle, whether it be a bike, car, or whatever.

I'm glad to hear he's stabilized, although it sounds like he has a way to go to make a full recovery. I hope he does, indeed, recover and my heart goes out to his friends and family.

Regardless of who was actually at fault here -- I hope he makes it.

+1 on that. Helmets may not save lives all that often, but most of the time they don't make things any worse. If I sound rather half-hearted about helmets in spite of wearing one every time I roll on my bike it's because a bicycle helmet is designed to only prevent skull fracture in impacts of 12.5 MPH or lower. Above that speed they are primarily cosmetic, making a prettier but still damaged rider.

Ditto.

How ironic.

Regardless of who was actually at fault here--whether the cyclist erratically swerved and the collision was unavoidable, or whether the driver was careless and hit him--isn't it ALWAYS the driver's fault re: insurance when a car hits a pedestrian/motorcyclist/cyclist?  I was brought up being told that, anyway.  Similarly, I was told that if I rear-ended another car, regardless of the circumstances, it would always be considered my fault.  Again, strictly speaking about how this is viewed by insurance companies.  This would be small consolation if Deter dies or is in some way permanently injured, but it does at least mean his family can expect some form of (large) monetary compensation from the driver's insurance company.

XL helmets are not really that hard to find. Bell makes a helmet called
the XLV that fits my XL head with room to spare. Costs $35 on Amazon.

Perhaps when she said his head was too big, she was speaking figuratively.

My worst nightmare.  Whenever I read these stories I'm always extra cautious on the roads going back home.

Best wishes for Deter and his family. 

So even his wife says that his excuse for not wearing a helmet was rubbish and we are still vilifying the driver of the car.  Is there any chance.....any chance at all that maybe this guy should have been wearing a helmet and that might, just might have prevented serious head injury?  Or that he did veer into traffic.  Or that maybe the cyclist was at fault here.  Why does it have to be the usual conspiracy of the driver is always wrong and the NYPD is always covering up the senseless killing of cyclists?  Can't we at least agree that the guy should have been wearing a helmet?  Right or wrong the cyclist will always be on the bad end of a collision with an automobile

yes, most people in the original thread and here wanted to know who was at fault, few assumed it was the motorist outright.

but keep building those strawmen so that you have a cause to fight! those dang crazy bicyclists!

and the cyclist not wearing a helmet is on life support. I'm sure his family is much comforted by the fact that the gothamist back benchers voted against the driver.