Two days ago a fellow Roadster rider was involved in an accident in my area. I work for a local Public Safety agency and it appears that he was attempting to pass a station wagon when it turned left infront of him. It was the middle of the day, and overcast with a very heavy rain.
I am witholding his name and location to protect his privacy.
He was taken to the hospital with broken bones and cuts... prognosis looks good, but will need some time before he will be able to get back in the saddle.
If he is a member of this board or not (I am unsure) I think it is important for us to let him know we are all hoping for a speedy and easy recovery.
I know my thoughts are with him.
The people in the station wagon were unhurt and refused treatment.
-Xaque-
"If you love your motorcycle, set it free. If it comes back, you probably high-sided."
At least the rider is okay. But on a note about the bike: wow, it took a lickin'! Nice to see those panniers faired so well (not that anyone should care), as I'm in the market for a set of used ones.
'05 R 1150 R Dark Ferro, with blacked out motor Member # 507
...But on a note about the bike: wow, it took a lickin'! Nice to see those panniers faired so well (not that anyone should care), as I'm in the market for a set of used ones.
Xaque, thanks for the report, My thoughts will be with with him also.
Ride careful, all it takes is the Blink of an eye! You mention the riders prognosis looked good, I sure hope so, keep us updated, Thanks, Den
Wow, what a waste of human body and machinery. I wish him well.
NTS: always make absolutely certain that drivers around you are aware of what you are doing, or keep a very safe distance from anyone when in doubt.
Nobody is sure perfect, but she practiced tirelessly !
If I get a chance, I'll make sure to both update all of us on his condition and let him know we're pulling for him. His right leg was broken in at least 2 places, and he had a signifigant cut under his chin. He was also having a hard time remembering the accident initialy, but this isn't that unusual for such a severe crash. I am not sure on any other injuries, but he was brought to the best hospital in our area, and was stable, talking, and alert when he was handed over.
As far as who was at fault:
The driver of the station wagon stated that he had signaled to pull left into the driveway, and the motorcyclist tried to pass striking his car.
Without having interviewed the rider, judging by my riding habits, and the damage on the vehicle, I suspect that the station wagon was attempting to make a U-turn (the driver was from out of state and stated that he was trying to turn around because he had made a wrong turn) and slowed while pulling right. I figure the rider assumed (there's that word) that the wagon was just pulling to the side and figured it was safe to pass.
Aside from fatique or lack of experience, I can't imagine that the rider would have attempted to pass a vehicle that had slowed with it's left blinker on.
There is also the possibility that the rider hadn't noticed the stopped vehicle untill it was too late, or the vehicle stopped suddenly. Either way the rider may have attempted an evasive maneuver around the vehcle, but the car turned into his path.
Again, this is all speculation on my part, and shouldn't be taken as fact until I can confirm the facts. I'll double check with the investigating officer to see if he has obtained any more information.
Judging from the information that was available at the time of the incident, the driver of the wagon would not be at fault. (If it is later found out that he indeed attempt a U-turn, or did not signal, etc. he *could* be cited for "failure to use caution in turning" or similar).
I'll keep y'all posted.
dwayne: not to make light of the situation, but I to was impressed with the system casses. There was no damage to either, they had both just popped off the bike. They were taken with the rider to the hospital... latch and key still worked fine.
The bike struck the car and it and the rider went up over the car landing on the side of the road. Front end was all messed up, Right cylinder head cracked (not sure how rest of engine made out). Oil coolers demolished. Rear of bike was mostly intact... can't comment on the frame. Not sure where the dent on the tank near the seat came from either... perhaps his knee(?)
-Xaque-
"If you love your motorcycle, set it free. If it comes back, you probably high-sided."
Hope the rider continues to improve. Bike is identical to mine. Where I live I see tourists and locals too making u-turns. I've never understood why these people can't just go to the next right turn and go around the block. It may be a little farther, but its a heck of a lot safer.
...But on a note about the bike: wow, it took a lickin'! Nice to see those panniers faired so well (not that anyone should care), as I'm in the market for a set of used ones.
Now thats's cold!
WTF??
Buddy, first take a velium, second my comment was made as I am LOOKING for used panniers, and was shocked to see how little damage there was on these. I'm not looking to buy THOSE ones. My thoughts that these things were over priced crap, was quashed.
'05 R 1150 R Dark Ferro, with blacked out motor Member # 507
My prayers are with hime. My thoughts go back to Oct 2002 when my bike looked like that. I had a broken colar bone, ribs and fractured knee cap. We both have recovered as I hope your friend will.
I'm not lost, I'm just purposefully wondering around
Wow. Looking at the car, it appears the rider could have been hurt a lot worse. Here's to a speedy recovery and a quick return to riding. Makes me remember a very old lesson I learned--I never pass anyone on the left where they can make a left turn. Country roads, I time all my passes to be in a spot with no drives, cross roads, etc. to the left. Not a guarantee, but cuts down on the likliehood of getting clipped.
Yep. Couldn't agree more, Joe. In the advanced riding course in the UK, it's taught that you NEVER overtake when there is a junction where the driver could turn across you.
In the Dales, here in Yorkshire, a common cause of accidents occurs when a tractor or combine harvester turns across the flow of traffic without indicating. Problem is that it WAS indicating, but the indicator was covered with farm crap! ..... NEVER, NEVER, NEVER overtake where there is a junction.
kjax909 wrote:Wow. Looking at the car, it appears the rider could have been hurt a lot worse. Here's to a speedy recovery and a quick return to riding. Makes me remember a very old lesson I learned--I never pass anyone on the left where they can make a left turn. Country roads, I time all my passes to be in a spot with no drives, cross roads, etc. to the left. Not a guarantee, but cuts down on the likliehood of getting clipped.
Indeed.
'05 R 1150 R Dark Ferro, with blacked out motor Member # 507
Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales wrote:Yep. Couldn't agree more, Joe. In the advanced riding course in the UK, it's taught that you NEVER overtake when there is a junction where the driver could turn across you.
In the Dales, here in Yorkshire, a common cause of accidents occurs when a tractor or combine harvester turns across the flow of traffic without indicating. Problem is that it WAS indicating, but the indicator was covered with farm crap! ..... NEVER, NEVER, NEVER overtake where there is a junction.
Rog.
Rog,
I see there were 2 more bike fatalities this weekend in N Yorks. It's so easy to relax and lose concentration and as we can see from these pics, the consequences are terrible.
Hoping the rider recovers quickly.
Last year on my way to the Lima rally, I totalled my 04 1150R in a passing manouver. I was tired and blame myself. I feel his pain. I had many broken bones, etc. Beware other drivers and always do a self check!
Best wishes and a speedy recovery to the rider. The driver of the car should be in jail!
