Yesterday morning my wife and I loaded up the Ultra Limited, for a 355 mile trip to visit family in Lynchburg, Va. The bike 1,300 miles new, just purchased in November. On our route, less than a mile from home. We were passing our high school campus, with tons of traffic because of a wrestling tournament. As we moved closer to the school, cars were parked on both sides of the road. A small SUV we had been traveling behind for over half a mile moves over to the right, and appears to be stopping at the crosswalk to let someone out. We move to the left portion of our lane, then suddenly they turn hard left right into our path. Thank god we were not moving fast, but we were not able to avoid a collision, and hit her squarely in the drivers door. She rolled down her window, and asked if we were OK, I asked someone to call an ambulance, since I could see blood dripping on my fuel tank.

I set my jiffy stand down, and my wife got off the back, and called the 911, and asked for an ambulance and police. The women driving the SUV says I must not have seen her turn signal that she was making an illegal U-Turn to park in a spot open on the opposite side of the road. A few witnesses step forward and said she did not have her signal on, and I was not doing anything dangerous. An ambulance arrived, and EMTs started to check me out, and asked if my wife had any injuries. I had a 2 inch laceration below my nose to my upper lips, likely going to leave a scar.

Needless to say I was not happy, but did not go ballistic since my wife was OK. At one point I was expressing my displeasure with the enforcement of traffic laws(Illegal U-Turns, and basic disregard for basic safety) of our local law enforcement officers. The officer didn't even dispute, my statements, and more or less told me he didn't have time to stop people for making U-Turns in the middle of busy roads, parking illegally, or making standing U-Turns from parking spaces. Monday I plan on speaking to our local chief of police, and ask him to make his officers more aware of more than just writing tickets at easy speed traps.

I was taken via ambulance to the local emergency room. No concussion (wearing a helmet), but has a pretty nice laceration on my upper lip. ER Dr put nine small stitches in to help keep the scaring to a minimum. Today looks like I have a fat lip with stitches in it. But gonna have a scar.

I called my dealer, and they arrived with an hour to take the bike. As low speed as the collision was, the damage to the bike looks extensive. The tab for the engine guard is slightly bent. Fairing, inner fairing, lower fairing, fender, engine guard, and some things I didn't even have time to take in are damaged. Talked to the service manager, and he told me he would get the painted parts on order yesterday in order to speed up the process.

I have spoken to my insurance company, and her insurance company. The police officer told me she is being cited for the U-turn, but I didn't get the chance to press him for much else. I talked to her adjuster, and he called her saying she didn't dispute any of the facts that I presented, and was waiting on the accident report. He said he will be out to see me first thing Monday morning. Debating on calling an attorney, but not going to sign anything without speaking to one first. I know I want a rental bike since this is clearing not my fault, and this is my primary form of transportation at this time of year.

OK Here is a link for pictures. They wouldn't upload previously. http://s1274.photobucket.com/user/Jo...cle%20accident

 

Dang glad your ok. But people really need to pay a bit more attention out there. She should have seen you back there if you were following her for a mile. I drive a dump truck and pull heavy equipment with our lowboy around the state and it amazes me at how many people are texting or looking at something,and not paying attention to there surroundings. Come on people it's common sence. Nothing on your phone is worth hurting someone or worse.

 

Sucks about the bike but I would of left the ambulance in the garage. Scars are good conversation starters.

 

Jesus man - im glad it was low speed and am impressed with your tact and diplomacy. I'm glad the skirt is okay and hope your lip heals soon (for her sake too, lol). What a complete cluster F of a well planned easy and enjoyable trip!

The HD RO should show estimated times for parts and repair for her insurance to acknowledge absence of your mode of transportation. I dealt with a magistrate once who explained to me the concern was for transportation point a to point b whe he denied the cost of rental bike but authorized $25 per day unlimited miles on a cage.

 

Glad to hear that you and the missus are in one piece.

I had a similar incident, which threw me over the bars.

I impacted my face on the other car; my full-face helmet took the brunt of the blow.

Not wagging my finger... just food for thought.

 

My wife hopes it heals quickly for her sake as well. Very grateful it could have turned out worse. My dealership will do there very best to get me back on the road as quickly as possible. I know those anniversary colors are more expensive to order than standard colors. I have seen them turn bikes around with much more extensive damage in under a month. It comes down to how quickly painted parts arrive.

 

That really sucks, new bike.. just heading out for a trip and end up at home with stiches and a damaged bike. I'm glad your wife is OK! I wish you a speedy recovery and repair.

 

Glad you were not injured seriously and that your wife is OK. It is amazing how fast things can happen when you are in the right and have done nothing wrong. I bought my first Harley in November, a 2009 Ultra Classic. I may have to quit reading this forum because all of the accidents which are posted about. Has got me thinking I might need to sell my Harley. Crap is it really so dangerous? I knew there was risk involved. Wife and I talked about that before we bought the bike but my lands it seems like there are a lot a accidents that are unavoidable. Hope you get a brand new bike. I would ask for that versus repair if that is possible.

 

Finally figured how to post some pictures, updated original post.

 

I wish they would make the punishments more harsh when dealing with negligence resulting in a collision with a motorcycle. Get caught smoking a doob and you get a year, nearly kill someone because you're too busy / important to pay attention, maybe get a ticket.

PS: Scar looks gnarley.