Be Careful Out There

[ramonesfreak]

as a motorcyclist and a lawyer, ill say you did the right thing. people like this make me sick.

when the motorcyclist (or his estate's) lawer calls you to get a written statement, please do it.

i was just working on a case where my motorcyclist client was riding along and a teenage girl blew through the stop sign, hit the bike, and then took off. absolutely disgusting.

riding a motorcycle on the streets these days is like...remember that scene in Star Wars where Han Solo is trying to navigate the ship through the astoroid field? Same thing

[ramonesfreak]

Im sure you probably wrote an ok stmt...but, you really need to be careful. If you mistate something etc...your stmt could hurt the rider's case. It would be best if you waited until the rider's lawyer calls you --- he/she will do so --

Then, the lawyer will meet with you and write the stmt out perfectly and put it in affidavit form.

If you are determined to submit what you already wrote, make sure you make a copy for yourself so that in 5 years when your asked in court about what you saw...you will be consistent

Originally Posted by Dottore

Thanks for all the great advice everyone.

I am seeing the police later today. I've drafted and signed a supplemental witness statement which I would like to get attached to the police report, giving some further details, and stating clearly that I am prepared to appear as a witness in any proceedings etc. etc.

[jyl]

This thread has made me even more paranoid, on my rides to work.

Cars turning left in front of me are my biggest fear.

At intersections if there is an oncoming car waiting or approaching, I slow down, look for an escape path, and try to adjust position so that I go through along with a car heading in my direction.

But cars suddenly turning across the centerline - I don't know what to do about that. Do you favor the right (curb-side) lane? That lane has its dangers too.

[Rick Lee]

Yesterday, while riding my motorcycle, I saw a guy in a motorized wheelchair going against traffic in the bicycle lane with the sidewalk parallel to him completey empty. Some folks are begging for it.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by jyl

This thread has made me even more paranoid, on my rides to work.

Cars turning left in front of me are my biggest fear.

At intersections if there is an oncoming car waiting or approaching, I slow down, look for an escape path, and try to adjust position so that I go through along with a car heading in my direction.

But cars suddenly turning across the centerline - I don't know what to do about that. Do you favor the right (curb-side) lane? That lane has its dangers too.

i gave up riding to work 3 years ago.,,i could feel my chances of being killed going up the more i rode. problem with riding is, there is only so much you can do. you can be the best, most alert and skilled rider and therefore avoid the stupid accidents like overshooting a turn because your entry speed was too fast... but as far as other drivers coming out of nowhere or doing something unpredictable....when its your time, thats its. bam!!

the problem is not only other cars I might add. the most maddening and sickening experience i have ever had was 1 month ago. riding in the center lane on my bike, going with traffic at about 80mph, when a bike came up from behind at what I would estimate to be about 150MPH, crossed from the right lane and swept across my lane INCHES from my front end and into the left lane.

the wind of the bike nearly forced me into a tank slap. This bastard shook me up so much that if i had caught him, i no doubt would have tried hard to kill him

i love sport bikes and i own one but these 17 year old idiots buying these 1000cc or even 650cc bikes is insanity

be careful out there is right!

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by srandallf

i love sport bikes and i own one but these 17 year old idiots buying these 1000cc or even 650cc bikes is insanity

be careful out there is right!

+1 to that!!! I am deathly afraid of the notion of anyone buying a 150+hp sportbike as their FIRST BIKE. I've been on motorcycles since I was four, and I hesitate to even get on one of those things.

[RANDY P]

My best friend died almost a year ago the almost the same way-

The car hit him instead of getting in front of him like this one did. He died on the spot.

[The Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Gogar

+1 to that!!! I am deathly afraid of the notion of anyone buying a 150+hp sportbike as their FIRST BIKE. I've been on motorcycles since I was four, and I hesitate to even get on one of those things.

In Japan you there are many tests between a 100cc learner and 1000cc superbike. To get to the top level you need to be expert.

As our domestic bikes start at 900 cc's that has never been considered here..

[MOMO3.2]

Wow, I have, again, had the strong urge to buy a street bike. This time, I have been scouring Craig's List and Ebay to find a small displacement commuter to deal with the rising gas prices. Last night, I was checking out a Honda Ruckus forum (Total Ruckus). I happened upon a section for "Accidents and Near Misses". Holy Shyte! I was again reminded that bad, bad things happen all too often. I was directed to a Web Site called "Ride2Die". It gives statistics and has many stories, photos, and yes videos. "Ride2Die" contains the most disturbing, horrific, photos and videos I have ever seen or care to see.

Basically, my plans/urges have been brutally turned away again. Unless I move to an area that has significantly less traffic than Los Angeles County (where I have lived my whole life), I will not consider buying a bike again.

I came within a day or so of buying this time. Thanks to Dottore for posting and for being a good person and doing the right thing with this accident. It would have been a crime for the motorcyclist to have been falsely blamed for speeding when he has already paid a heavy price, if not died for this woman's maliciously inattentive driving.

Mike

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by Dottore

The police took a detailed statement from me, promised “to look into it” and “get back to me”. But my guess is they’re not going to press charges based on my statement alone, and this really pi$$es me off.

What would you guys do? Should I try to take this further somehow? Should I let it go and just see wait to see what the police do - if anything?

Sorry you had to go thru this. I cannot understand anyone that would witness such and accident and not step forward?

The police will easily determine she turned in front of the motorcycle. That, coupled with your statement should make this an easy case to file against the female driver. Why would you think they would not file charges? They are not going to take the word of the driver over an unbiased, independent witness. You did the right thing. These things take time, you will be summoned to testify only if she fights the charge. I would assume both insurance companies will also be in touch.