Ok, i laid my bike for the first time. It was forecasted to have scattered showers all Labor day weekend all around TX. I ride to Houston to visit my brother for a couple of days, then head out to visit my parents and friends around Ft. Hood. I'm going down US79 westbound, getting ready to take the turn off onto US190. I notice that there is an overturned Ford Explorer on the side of the road, and i slow down from 30 to around 20mph. (speed limit i think is 50 or 55 mph, i was going 45, and the suggested exit speed is 30mph). It had been raining and the roads were wet, but i didn't expect this. I can feel the bike start to lay down to my right and as it does i apply the brakes (i don't think i pulled or pressed too hard on the brakes), but the bike sits up, then slams to the left side. I get up on my knees and i'm only about 4-5 feet away from my bike (I think i did a tuck and roll once i hit the ground). A couple of people run from the first accident (overturned ford) and rush over to see if i'm ok. I'm fine with a few scratches and a bruised ego. They help me get my bike off the road and let me know they already reported the first accident so paremedics and police were already on their way. I look at my bike and it's got a few dings and scratches but still runs. I get checked out and the officer (first on the scene) asks for my license, then a state trooper shows up and gets my insurance and gets my license from the other officer. After some questions he says i can leave on my own accord or have someone pick me up, i tell him my bike still runs i'll go ahead and just ride off. **Now the kick in the nuts** he hands me my license and insurance card and precedes to tell me he's issuing me a citation for driving at an unsafe speed for the condition of the roads. What?! I told the officer i was only going 20 mph, if that, when my bike went down, it didn't even go anywhere. I didn't slide off into another ditch and my bike didn't slide anywhere, how can i have been riding at an "unsafe speed?" It was an accident, it's not like i was hauling *** or anything, the bike just "came out from under me." I wanted to ask him if he suggested i get off my bike and walk it around the exit? Has anyone else received a ticket for something like this? Even my insurance agent questioned why he gave me that ticket. It's gonna be $195 if i pay the ticket straight-up or $110 for the defensive driving class. I'm guessing it's about money or this guy was pissed at something. I know there are a few law enforcement guys here, is this something that you usually do or is it the officer's discretion to issue a citation? I mean i have to pay a deductible to have my bike fixed, plus possibility of insurance premium going up, then i have to pay a ticket? I think i'm done bitching for the moment, let me know what you guys think (although i don't have to tell you, since i posted this on a discussion board).

 

I would plead not guilty & tell it to the judge. Any witness that could back you up? Glad to hear you're OK but BS on the ticket. What I don't get is how he can ticket you when he wasn't there or did someone report you were speeding or careless. Strange.

 

Simply a failure to control the vehicle ticket. Common with any single car/bike accidents. Does not matter if it was rain, snow, or frogs in the road.

PS - Glad you are okay dude.

 

I am not sure how he can justify that ticket unless he/she saw the accident or they have a witness that said you were going to fast. Of course I am not a LEO or a lawyer so what do I know? Personally I would probably go to court and ask the LEO to tell the court how fast I was going at the time of the accident.

 

Sorry about your bad luck. The ticket you got is common. It is an appropriate charge. After all, who else is to blame in an accident like this other than the operator?

 

Follow the money! It's just a business, another TAX if you will!

 

Since you where not hurt and there was minor damage to the bike, I would have picked up the bike and left right away. As soon as you get the cops involved there is going to be a ticket.

 

I thought about fighting the ticket, but seems it will be more of a hassle. I live in Dallas and would have to spend around $100 just on gas to go there and back, plus any court fees. I was kicking myself all weekend thinking, why didn't i just grab the bike and take off before the leos showed up?? Anyway, thanks for the replies.

 

get a traffic lawyer and have him take care of it. it will keep your insurance from raising their rates and any points off your license.

 

Because if you would have done that your insurance may not have covered the damage. You were in a bad situation. I think the LEO was a jerk to issue you the citation, however, the wreck did occur and yours was the only vehicle involved therefore, it's a logical jump that there was something about your driving that caused it. That's what he's going to think anyway. You should take it to court, I'll bet it gets thrown out. At least you are OK.