Checking Your Mirrors Doesn't ALWAYS Work

parallel

parallel

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While riding home from a visit with my Mother-in_Law Sunday evening I got rear ended. I stopped behind a line of cars at a stop light. the light turned green but the lead car was turning so we were waiting. I checked my mirror, nothing, a few seconds later I checked again. A black Toyota was bearing down on me, I was in the process of getting out of Dodge when dude hit me. I was lucky that I ended up on the hood of the car that rear ended me, then on the trunk of the car that I got pushed into, and ultimately on top of what was left of my bike. Those hot pipes got my attention right quick and I scrambled to get off of them and some damned fool driving by in the next lane damned near got me. Went to the ER and I'll live, but I'm going to one sore some beech for a while.
 
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There have been some recent articles in MC mags aimed at avoiding being hit from behind. There seems to be an increase in these kinds of crashes due to texting and other wonders of modern technology. About a year and a half ago, while taking my wife to the eye doc in our sweet old T-Bird, and sitting at a red light, we were hit from behind, twice, by an 82 year old woman who's capacity was diminished. My Wife was un hurt, PTL. My back was broken in 3 places. At the time I was 69 YO, was 100% total and permanent DAV, so they were surprised I survived. Then they were surprised I wasn't pluralized, then they were surprised I wasn't wheel chair bound, and then they were surprised I wasn't permanently on a walker. I was using a cane before the wreck, and that's what I use now. The Lord was there for me, as He is for all who ask and believe Him. I have two 17 inch Titanium rods that are attached to almost my entire Thoracic spine, along with a couple of good sized hand fulls of titanium screws. Of course, there are some new limitations that I have had to adjust to, but I am doing exceptionally well by God's Grace. I rode my bike for a little while yesterday, but I keep my eye on my 6 a little more nowadays. I Peter 2:24
 
One just wonders how/why people can't be more responsible when they are driving. You are very lucky to not have more injuries after that.
Be safe out there and remember "when on a motorcycle you are invisible" to all other drivers.
 
I was riding my Triumph Bonneville T-100 a couple of years ago and, at a stop sign, got rear ended by another Triumph Bonneville T-100.

Parallel, I hope you are going to be okay. Nice bike even lying there. Shame. It should be harder to get and keep a drivers license.
 
Had something similar happen to me but not that bad. I was on my bike and the first one in line at the light. Behind me was a Nissan Maxima. Light turned green and the Nissan went before I did. Guess he didn't realize I was still standing. It was just a push but I found myself in the middle of the intersection however, still upright and on my bike. I got off, he got out, he apologized and we checked my bike for damages. My plastic fender was now underneath my seat and laying on top of the rear tire. I pulled it out, nothing was broken, he apologized a few more times and we were on our way

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Seeing your Scrambler like that breaks my heart. You can do everything right and sometimes there is still no way to avoid the negligence of the person coming up behind you. I've been rear ended a few times riding in traffic over the years but never as badly as your mishap. If I could say just one thing to car drivers everywhere it would be, GIVE US ROOM!!!!
 
I'm glad it wasn't any worse than it was, though that was bad enough! I was in the habit when I rode of staying to one side or the other(never dead center!) of the car I was behind to give myself an escape route in the event of something like this happening. I'd watch the mirrors & when I saw someone approaching I would start pressing my front brake to try & get their attention. I'd also be in gear so I could try & make a getaway.Saved my worthless self more than once...
 
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Sucks about the bike, but glad no serious injuries. I've had some close calls, but so far lucky.

Like the previous poster said, always ride invisible. Like all the other cars are out to get ya.
 
SITREP: Took the day off and decided to take tomorrow off as well. I'm getting around pretty well considering and I've kept the pain medication at bay for the most part. Some have voiced concern over the possibility of internal injury, so far that doesn't seem to be a problem. My back is feeling better but is still very stiff and my neck and traps are killing me. I welcome the pain... it means I'm still alive.
 
Not "liking" that you were in an accident, but am glad that you were not more seriously hurt. Things like motorcycles can be replaced but your health cannot be. If you have pain anywhere address it, do not think you will just "get over it". I hope you recover quickly and do not have any long standing damage. Good luck with everything.
 
My sympathies. I hate stupid drivers. I had a K100 BMW a few years back. I was riding home through my neighborhood, and stopped at a stop sign, checked the mirrors, and could see the car was speeding and not going to stop. I didn't have time to do anything, so I leaned the bike right and rolled to the curb, part way around the corner. Wench blew right on through, would have killed me for sure.
Somewhat later I was riding my BSA 441 to work, at 7 AM... Sitting at a light, all of a sudden I was showered with glass, noise, and the lane of traffic to my right was being pushed into the intersection...I found I was next to the bike, holding it between self and all the action. Dump truck had lost his brakes and plowed the right turn lane. Did he see my helmet? Who knows. It was not long after that I sold the bikes. Not worth it around here.
 
Well, its not exactly official, but I finally got the bike to the Triumph dealer. After they had the chance to access the damge they called and left this message: <--LINK

When I called them back they said that they hadn't even gotten to the back of the bike yet when the cost of parts and labor were over the cost of a new scrambler. So... it looks like I was correct and the bike will likely be totaled. Of course, the insurance company has to make that official.
 
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Thanks for the personal news coverage. Glad your ok. Can't be too carful out there on the roads.

I still am amazed that police officers get run over while on the side of the road writing someone a ticket. How the heck does that happen.
 
Good to hear nothing serious.

When on my bike I'm always nervous as a long-tailed cat in room full of rocking chairs until there's a car stopped behind me.
 
I see so my distracted drivers these days it scares me. Put the damn phones away. Glad I can not ride on two wheels anymore. Hope all goes well and you feel better soon.
 
No way a bike in this type of accident is not totaled. It's just too easy to do serious damage to a bike. I'm glad you survived.

It's not always inattention. Even the biggest bike is small compared to a car. Case in point:
I was driving home from work the other day. I was passing a big rig. I was in the left lane and doing about 70MPH. I checked my right mirror and activated my right turn signal as I got passed the truck. Just as I started moving to my right, I was passed by a motorcycle on my right. If I had moved .001 seconds sooner, he would have hit me. He was doing at least 90MPH.

In CA it's legal to do what they call lane sharing. This means a motorcycle can ride between cars on multi-lane roads. When the traffic was standing still, I've done this myself. It's the most dangerous thing you can legally do on a motorcycle.

However, doing this on a freeway, at close to triple digit speeds is not just insane, it's stupid. It risks the life of the rider and the lives of those in cars around them.

Guys, be careful out there. They're out to get you and they don't even know it.
 
I thought lane-splitting at speed was illegal even in California. But in bumper-to-bumper traffic moving at a crawl, I think it is safer than riding in the lane with cars ahead and behind. Splitting lanes at stop lights is a good idea wherever you are, as it gives you cover from being rear-ended. Filtering to the front at lights is also not a bad idea, although it can draw hostile reactions from unsophisticated commuters.
 
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Marshwheeling said:
I thought lane-splitting at speed was illegal even in California.
Click to expand...
A lot of people think that. Just like with guns, there is a lot of mythology about it.

The reason it's legal is because there's simply no law against it. So, there is no limitation on speed. Some think it's legal for air cooled bikes, but not water cooled; false. Some think only the police can do it legally; false. Some think it's only legal below X MPH; false.

There is a movement to make it illegal like other states, but it doesn't have a lot of support.

Surprisingly, not many motorcyclists are injured while doing it, but there are a few fatalities every year from it.
 
I was involved in the investigation of accidents for 29 years. I rode a bike for a while, but more recently, I started seeing more bikes get rearended. I don't think it is just texting or talking. Navi systems and complicated controls and touchscreens on the dash of new cars take attention away from the road.
One of the worst scenarios I saw was this: You're sitting stopped in the left lane as an SUV approaches from behind you, at speed, tailgated by a car whose driver can't see ahead of the SUV. Not far behind you, the SUV slides over into an open spot in the busy right lane. The car behind the SUV is now looking at you, and does not even have time to hit the brakes, and can't move right or left due to traffic in the lanes. Happens all the time.
 
Glad you're here to talk about it. I gave up riding a few years back after 40+ years on 2 wheels, I have bad knees and hips for 1 thing and the other thing is people are so stupid, careless, reckless, mindless, thoughtless and dumb that you're bound to get in some type of accident no matter what you're driving, 2 wheels makes the injuries much worse, I've been down several times and the fact is I just don't roll like I used to lol. Heal up quick and be careful.
 
I hate seeing it, I hate hearing about it, but I am glad to hear that you will be ok, and want to give you my best wishes. I got in a bad one in 1979 and know the feeling very well! I still ride, and I enjoy the hell out of it. I also feel like my life has been god's gift to me, specially after November of 1979, and am very thankful to him for that!!

Headlines on ksl news today! Very sad!!

(Motorcyclist dead after colliding with pickup truck)

(SAVE A BIKER, OPEN YOUR FRIKKIN EYES)
 
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