First Accident that technically isn't.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 45
From: Florida
That is an accident because the other driver caused you to lay down the bike by crossing your path. That fact alone of crossing your path is a traffic offense, and not hitting his car is irrelevant. Your bike sustained damage and you are injured as a result of the others drivers action and at a minimum it should be reported as an incident, but I feel it should be classified as an accident. I would contact the Police Station that has the jurisdiction and ask to talk with the Duty Sergeant for clarification. Make sure that you stress the point that the other driver crossed your path failing to yield your right of way.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 678
Likes: 60
From: Albany, NY
I did take the rider course. I do practice braking. I even bought videos and practice those skills in my parking lot and I will continue to practice all of those and hopefully have better, faster, more refined skills the next time.
And yeah, I know I was lucky.
And yeah, I know I was lucky.
Glad you're ok buddy. It's hard to say anything helpful without actually being there and seeing what happened myself. I had a buddy crash on one of our rides and to this day myself and my brother don't know how he could possibly have crashed in that location. I think he will always be too embarrassed to tell us why he really crashed there. But that's the thing, he was behind us and we didn't see it, so we have no idea how it happened.
Just to add a few things in-case you or someone else needs to read them..... I will say that when I see cars at an intersection (IF I see them) I always assume they will pull out in front of me, so I shift over in my lane just in-case. I wear a bright orange helmet though and people hardly ever pull out in front of me. I used to ride with my high beam on always too, but burned out a lot of bulbs so I stopped doing that. Research shows that the helmet is the first thing people see when you are on a motorcycle, so that's why mine is orange. If he didn't see you but SHOULD have been able to see you (not blocked by bushes etc) then maybe you need to do something to be more visible. High beams, high vis helmet, something. Or you can always just ride really erratic and people will stay away from you
Just to add a few things in-case you or someone else needs to read them..... I will say that when I see cars at an intersection (IF I see them) I always assume they will pull out in front of me, so I shift over in my lane just in-case. I wear a bright orange helmet though and people hardly ever pull out in front of me. I used to ride with my high beam on always too, but burned out a lot of bulbs so I stopped doing that. Research shows that the helmet is the first thing people see when you are on a motorcycle, so that's why mine is orange. If he didn't see you but SHOULD have been able to see you (not blocked by bushes etc) then maybe you need to do something to be more visible. High beams, high vis helmet, something. Or you can always just ride really erratic and people will stay away from you
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 678
Likes: 60
From: Albany, NY
Thanks everyone for all the responses. I'm sore this morning but getting along fine. The leg that I didn't go down on is more sore than the one I did. I must have pulled something but the more I keep moving, the easier it gets.
I've thought of a high-vis helmet but reading Dane's post makes me realize that thats got to be a sooner than later purchase.
At the time of the accident, we weren't in an intersection, the guy just cut across my lanes to get to a convenience store. As far as I can tell the sun wasn't in his eyes and he wasn't doing anything irresponsible. He just didn't see me making a strong case for some high-vis gear.
I did have two witnesses at the scene, one a rider, who told me I did everything I could have. That being said, as another post pointed out, if I ended up on the ground there might have been a better response on my part. That's the part I'm still trying to figure out.
I've thought of a high-vis helmet but reading Dane's post makes me realize that thats got to be a sooner than later purchase.
At the time of the accident, we weren't in an intersection, the guy just cut across my lanes to get to a convenience store. As far as I can tell the sun wasn't in his eyes and he wasn't doing anything irresponsible. He just didn't see me making a strong case for some high-vis gear.
I did have two witnesses at the scene, one a rider, who told me I did everything I could have. That being said, as another post pointed out, if I ended up on the ground there might have been a better response on my part. That's the part I'm still trying to figure out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,446
From: Eastern NE
tlaw; Hey, don't beat yourself up for the spill...we weren't there to witness so all the associated posts indicating you should've braked are simply...their advice. Take it for what it's worth. I've had kids on bikes fly off a hidden sidewalk (outta nowhere) and almost bit the dirt. Cruiz'n along on a peaceful road and then see a large vehicle in your path...it's all in Gods hands from there. Just glad to hear you're OK to ride another day and bike seems salvageable w/little maint.
I'd still call your insurance ASAP...do they have after-hours contact? Also, even though the LEO categorized as non-accident, still get a copy of their report. Should be, hopefully, ruled as "no-fault" by your agency and might not be bad to get checked-out. If the non-scraped leg is sore...there could be other underlying issues (e.g. torn tissue, bone cracks, etc.). Nothing wrong with a physical check-up...for peace of mind.
I'd still call your insurance ASAP...do they have after-hours contact? Also, even though the LEO categorized as non-accident, still get a copy of their report. Should be, hopefully, ruled as "no-fault" by your agency and might not be bad to get checked-out. If the non-scraped leg is sore...there could be other underlying issues (e.g. torn tissue, bone cracks, etc.). Nothing wrong with a physical check-up...for peace of mind.
Thanks everyone for all the responses. I'm sore this morning but getting along fine. The leg that I didn't go down on is more sore than the one I did. I must have pulled something but the more I keep moving, the easier it gets.
I've thought of a high-vis helmet but reading Dane's post makes me realize that thats got to be a sooner than later purchase.
At the time of the accident, we weren't in an intersection, the guy just cut across my lanes to get to a convenience store. As far as I can tell the sun wasn't in his eyes and he wasn't doing anything irresponsible. He just didn't see me making a strong case for some high-vis gear.
I did have two witnesses at the scene, one a rider, who told me I did everything I could have. That being said, as another post pointed out, if I ended up on the ground there might have been a better response on my part. That's the part I'm still trying to figure out.
I've thought of a high-vis helmet but reading Dane's post makes me realize that thats got to be a sooner than later purchase.
At the time of the accident, we weren't in an intersection, the guy just cut across my lanes to get to a convenience store. As far as I can tell the sun wasn't in his eyes and he wasn't doing anything irresponsible. He just didn't see me making a strong case for some high-vis gear.
I did have two witnesses at the scene, one a rider, who told me I did everything I could have. That being said, as another post pointed out, if I ended up on the ground there might have been a better response on my part. That's the part I'm still trying to figure out.
I don't think my helmet is even technically hi vis, it's the biltwell gringo hazard orange, but it still does the trick. Keep in mind though, you can be fully decked out in high vis, running one of those strobe headlights, have the loudest pipes on the planet, be blaring a fog horn, and people will still not see or hear you.
I've been thinking of running some reflective orange strips like racing stripes on my helmet for nighttime.
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