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Bike wrecked by a left turner

Missile99

Missile99

Forum Mentor
Past Site Supporter
I had just left my neighborhood and was heading south on a 6-lane road (3 each way) separated by a median. I was just getting to the speed limit and was in the right lane. There was a truck in the left turn lane (median cut-out) facing north. I can't believe it still but he started turning and I couldn't avoid it. I moved right and was facing the sidewalk curb, hoping to swerve back left after getting past him. He clipped the very back of the bike, then I hit the curb and went flying. I landed awkwardly and went face first into a curb at a business' parking lot. The Gmax helmet saved my life in my opinion and at the very least the entire right side of my face. I had a laceration that they glued up on my face and that's it. My shoulder landed hard but the armored jacket took the brunt. The only thing I didn't have on were my armored pants. Thankfully my knees hit second but only grass. Basically I have some soreness in my throat, a sore left shoulder and a cut on my face. He was ticketed. Witnesses at first thought I was dead, but I was staring at the blacktop in disbelief. They were all in shock that he pulled such a stupid maneuver.

I almost always predict what others are going to do but had just left the house, wasn't .5 mile away yet and wasn't in the "everyone's going to kill me" zone. What I can't remember is if I tried accelerating past or just tried to move right to avoid it. I know he didn't hit the brakes because he was cutting off more than just me and would have been t-boned. He was stopped and had just started moving as I was getting close. I didn't use my brakes either because that would have had a worse outcome.

My camera (regular digital) was on in video mode attached to my tank bag. It was recording but the impact shut it off. It still works but I have no video of the incident.

I'm broken-hearted about the bike. I spent so much time working on it and was proud to own such an awesome machine. It's bent up pretty good but doesn't look too bad from a distance. I doubt I'll have the time or desire to rebuild it or work on another one in the near future. I don't know what his insurance company is going to do either yet so I might be out all my money spent too.

Ride carefully and never go without having all of your gear on.
 
Bummer Erik. At least you are okay. Could have been much worse. Thank god you had that helmet on. People that don't use them are darwin award winners in training.
 
Glad you are Ok.
Sorry about your bike.
That hurts most I am sure:grumpy:
 
First things first.....Be thankful that you were able to write this thread....im glad for that. The buisness about the bike sucks, but thanks to safety gear you made it through. Be well.
 
Hi Missile99.

Glad you are OK.

Get better.

I know. You now look at the bike and are disheartened. But Believe me. In the end it's just an object. You are OK. That's THE main thing. You will ride another day. On a bike just like you had or another.

But you WILL ride again.

Be well, You'll be OK.
 
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Hope you're ok, and they throw the book at the clown. Does he have to pay restitution for the damage and medical bills?
 
Thanks everyone. I will just sulk for some time over the loss of the bike, which does hurt most. A lot of the pride in owning the GS came from being a part of this forum, with so many wonderful people that help others. Even if another bike ends up in the stable, I will continue to use the GSR to feel at home. I have some tinkering to do on my brother's Ninja and my truck to help ignore the GS for now.

On my list today is to contact his insurance company. I'm starting to feel more normal now and am relaxing with a cup of coffee. I was cold all night with my throat hurting bad but now feel better with some pain, so they'll get a call soon. I hope they won't screw me but I will fight if they try. The battle will be them reimbursing me for the bike. They should be thankful that medical will be the smaller issue because of me having good gear.
 


The right side cheek pad of the helmet is soaked in blood. The laceration already looks good and the 3/4-inch scar will probably be minimal. I am happy with the protection of this particular helmet as have others who reviewed it after landing on their head.

The jacket did good too. I landed extremely hard on my left shoulder. I am left with what feels like a stinger from diving for a football and landing wrong on the shoulder. It's got some scuffs and tears so it took a beating.

 
Sorry to hear about the accident. Another one of the half mile from home statistics unfortunately. Wish you a speedy recovery.
I think you should consider contacting Gmax. I am sure they would be very interested in your story which should almost be compulsory reading on training courses.
I made a mistake of shrugging off injuries when I was younger. You may feel ok now but once you hit 18 injuries have a habit of coming back at you later. Go after his insurance big time or he'll do it again. My money says this is not his first. If he's into playing chicken with cages, bikes are not going to be on his radar - ever.
 
Thanks. I drove back today to look for the missing piece of my wheel. It was so close from where I turned onto the roadway. Even at full throttle I wouldn't have been at 45 mph. I simply wasn't prepared for someone to try and kill me so soon into the ride.

I intend to write to Gmax. They obviously put some good work into making the helmet, just not the certification. DOT only.

I am paying close attention to how I feel. I think the ultrasound on my throat is a good idea even with the pain diminishing. Also, an x-ray on my shoulder would be wise even though it seems to be just muscle pain. They better cover whatever minimal medical charges he forced on me and allow for me to replace the bike based on my value into it. Otherwise, I won't settle. If I hadn't been wearing my gear, the insurance company would be paying out a whole lot more for the insured taking a life. They should sign off on what I need to replace the bike along with the medical without question.
 
Glad to hear you are in one piece. Aside from the paint marks, the helmet looks relatively unhurt. Make sure you see a doctor if any of your injuries feel worse.
 
Do you know the guys insurance limits? Hopefully it's not state minimum like some people carry. A left turner got me in 2006 and the offender only had state minimum coverage. Woefully underfunded to cover even the basic medical costs. Got the full amount but it was burned up quickly. My right knee is wrecked for life and all I got was my deductible covered.

Make sure the insurance company knows you are expecting full replacement value for your bike, plus your medical bills covered, PLUS pain and suffering money. A truck driver pulled in front of me one time while on my bicycle and they threw $5000 at me for P&S. I didn't even ask for the money they were just trying to keep me happy, and avoid a lawsuit.
 
Glad to hear your mostly OK. I can relate(see "my crash story") I had the same helmet, saved my life as well, no question in my mind. unfortunately, in my case, I listened to an agent who told me I had enough coverage. I was foolish enough to listen to him. The other driver had state minimum which was paid and used up before the helicopter landed at the trauma center.
The bike was totaled, frame was broken in 4 places. I had an agreed value with my insurance company, which they paid plus storage fees. I still miss that bike to this day! I got back on a bike, it took 14 months, but I've been riding ever since.
I wish you a speedy recovery! Keep you spirits up and you'll ride again when your ready.

Andy
 
suzuki_dog said:
Glad to hear you are in one piece. Aside from the paint marks, the helmet looks relatively unhurt. Make sure you see a doctor if any of your injuries feel worse.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your concern. The helmet held up well thankfully. I think structurally it's shot now though. I'll get a new one before riding, along with new shoulder armor for the jacket. I will probably go in for a check-up tomorrow but feel fine, just tired and feeling a bit lost.

Nessism said:
Do you know the guys insurance limits? Hopefully it's not state minimum like some people carry. A left turner got me in 2006 and the offender only had state minimum coverage. Woefully underfunded to cover even the basic medical costs. Got the full amount but it was burned up quickly. My right knee is wrecked for life and all I got was my deductible covered.

Make sure the insurance company knows you are expecting full replacement value for your bike, plus your medical bills covered, PLUS pain and suffering money. A truck driver pulled in front of me one time while on my bicycle and they threw $5000 at me for P&S. I didn't even ask for the money they were just trying to keep me happy, and avoid a lawsuit.
Click to expand...

No, I don't know the limits yet. I'll be hearing from their adjuster tomorrow morning. Thanks for the tips. I fully intend to have them cover all 3 of what you mentioned. They'll probably try to skimp on what the value of the bike is. I have every receipt but what they probably don't want to hear is how many hours I have into the bike. The pain and suffering money is only fair. This has already started taking an emotional toll on me but thankfully only small physically.
I'm sorry to hear about your knee Ed. While flying face first toward the curb yesterday and accepting that I was probably done, my biggest fear was a leg/knee injury if I survived. Thankfully neither happened. I will always put my armored pants on after this. My other freedom and passion is jumping/playing basketball and a weekly run. Without it I'd never be the same.
 
ALB80-850 said:
Glad to hear your mostly OK. I can relate(see "my crash story") I had the same helmet, saved my life as well, no question in my mind. unfortunately, in my case, I listened to an agent who told me I had enough coverage. I was foolish enough to listen to him. The other driver had state minimum which was paid and used up before the helicopter landed at the trauma center.
The bike was totaled, frame was broken in 4 places. I had an agreed value with my insurance company, which they paid plus storage fees. I still miss that bike to this day! I got back on a bike, it took 14 months, but I've been riding ever since.
I wish you a speedy recovery! Keep you spirits up and you'll ride again when your ready.

Andy
Click to expand...

Thanks Andy. I read your story, which were saved as pdf's, on a car ride from NY to Florida as a passenger. It gave me a reality check and raised my awareness once I got back. I'm sorry you had to endure so much but glad to know you're still here and back on the road.

I have quick reactions, so I was surprised that there was nothing I could do to avoid this once he was in motion. That's part of what's bothering me so much. I should have anticipated this guy but wasn't in my zone yet. If I was, I know I'd have realized that since no other cars were blocking his first two lanes to cross that he would probably have gone. Before him even moving, I'd have downshifted and gunned it to get past that potential problem.

I appreciate all the support here. This is truly a wonderful forum.
 
I am about to sit down and review my coverage, both for the truck and bike. I know it's optional for the bike, but I have at least liability and uninsured motorist coverage. It's always a confusing mess in my opinion. My insurance company said they'd help with getting what I deserve from theirs, and any medical excess will be picked up by mine. This shouldn't be necessary but who knows.
 
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