Knocked off cruiser

Jomac · 02-10-2008, 10:35 AM

I was just thinking about a week ago that it is now 11 months since I got my 250 licence and although I ride most days have not dropped it since getting my licence (had a few before then) when a nice lady in a Mercedes keeps rolling around and bumps me off my bike while I'm just taking off after pausing at a stop sign. Ironically I was fined $150 for not stopping (please ignore this bit as it is wrong ---> for a full three seconds) at a stop sign just down the road.

Yeah, maybe it's my fault to be hit by inattentive driver. Though not too sure I could have anticipated that one until too late as she had been driving too close for a while and my escape routes were pretty limited being at the end of a single lane T junction facing peak hour traffic.

Very little damage to bike since I managed to let my 155 kg (dry) bike drop on me and cushioned it's blow from that nasty tar. Lost the break knob and there’s some black bumper on my tail light.

I have very pretty purple legs and hand and a slightly sprained ankle.

Now what surprised me most from this accident is that I can react in a very aggro manner when scared stupid. So while I dragged my self up and left my bike to idle out on the road and yelled and ranted at her about stop signs, she locked her car and started crying. Realised she was shocked, pale, trembling and terrified. So I start apologising for acting like a nutter and pleading to her to help me move my bike.

She paid for all damages, bought choccies and wine, sent apology card, apparently cancelled all outings for the entire week because she was so distressed. I was out riding next day. (too shaky to ride it home).

Also like to add that another lady stayed as witness and two other people also stopped to offer assistance. (Maybe because I'm female?)

It wasn't until about half an hour after that I noticed I was limping and sore. The hand was visible and obviously swollen at the time but no pain.

The RJ gloves are in good nick. I was only wearing work slacks but they are unmarked, Dri Rider textile jacket is good. Motodry Boot is really disappointing since it was a stand still drop, got to wonder what would have been left if it went for a slide. AVG Helmet is unmarked.

Lessons
1. Check for danger..turn off bike and check your injuries and state of mental being!
2. Try to stay calm.
3. Get better boots (which ones) and wear better protection in pants.
4. Need help figuring out how I could have realistically done much about her bumping me.

slaine · 02-10-2008, 10:40 AM

ouch!
good to hear no serious damage to body or bike

that adrenaline stuff can do funny thinge to your head , again at least you regained your composure

_KC_ · 02-10-2008, 11:37 AM

Maybe add to those lessons...

Where there is any injury however minor, report it or go on the basis that you will... You could find out days after the fact that a sprain or bruise is actually more serious and potentially get stuck for the medical bills.

Skwisgaar · 02-10-2008, 11:56 AM

^^ Very true
Good to see it all worked out fine, could have been alot worse

House · 02-10-2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jomac

Ironically I was fined $150 for not stopping for a full three seconds at a stop sign just down the road.

Maybe one of the more legally oriented people can confirm, but I recall from the last thread on this topic that there's actually no requirement for you to stop for a certain length of time, so long as you do come to a complete stop.

The 3 seconds thing is a driving/riding school thing to make sure that people have a good look around.

Laika · 02-10-2008, 12:03 PM

Glad to hear it was minor but it would be worth getting a check up with a doc to be on the safe side.

gordo7 · 02-10-2008, 01:00 PM

Glad to hear you are relatively unscathed but get yourself checked out.
You do not need to stop for any specified length of time, the only requirement is to come to a complete stop.

Bunyack · 02-10-2008, 01:11 PM

wow. choccies and wine. you're lucky. the bimbo that hit me avoided me like the plague afterwards...... wouldnt tell me her insurance details, poice report etc etc/

I guess it's just luck, who you run into :p

Milo · 02-10-2008, 01:22 PM

Guy at work had exactly this happen to him but on a give way and by a removalist truck
On his BMw monster. about 5k damage i think he said.

Jomac · 02-10-2008, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunyack

wow. choccies and wine. you're lucky. the bimbo that hit me avoided me like the plague afterwards...... wouldnt tell me her insurance details, poice report etc etc/

I guess it's just luck, who you run into :p

I remember quite a few from this forum talking about being really badly injured and just being left.

Quote:

gordo7 You do not need to stop for any specified length of time, the only requirement is to come to a complete stop.

Interesting, I'll stop compulsively counting to three at every stop sign.

After reading about others I made sure I put in a police report, they said that they would probably press charges for some offence or other...reckless driving maybe?

phildo · 02-10-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jomac

Ironically I was fined $150 for not stopping for a full three seconds at a stop sign just down the road.

Eh? Where does it saw in law that you have to stop for three seconds? Last time I checked the law is that you must stop, but that's it.

Jomac · 02-10-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phildo

Eh? Where does it saw in law that you have to stop for three seconds? Last time I checked the law is that you must stop, but that's it.

OK, I got done $150 for not stopping at a stop sign...I added in the 3 seconds because I thought as has now be pointed out three times that it was the rule.

Thanks for pointing it out again, I get it now. Really.

karen · 02-10-2008, 05:10 PM

Sorry to hear, Jomac.
Glad to hear that people stopped to help you though. I hate hearing when people get left on the road after an off.
I hope you are ok, but do the Dr thing to be sure.
Arnica is good for the bruising, (DON'T use on grazing or open skin) unless you want to keep them awhile and show them off.

Stoneville · 02-10-2008, 09:24 PM

Glad to hear you are OK Jomac, I make sure I always look in my mirrors, trouble is a lot of people don't think we're going to stop at lights or stop signs.

I reckon I'd be parked at a stop sign for that long, always do the look right, look left, look right, look left then go, I like to know where everyone is or isn't before I pull out

Jomac · 03-10-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoneville

I reckon I'd be parked at a stop sign for that long, always do the look right, look left, look right, look left then go, I like to know where everyone is or isn't before I pull out

I'm finding this confusing.

The particular intersection that I went through the Stop sign is on Pinjarra Road Mandurah. There is a clear view up the road which sits in a 60km/hr zone.

It runs parallel to the police licencing centre road, which has a Give Way sign for similar traffic. On this familiar stretch I would slow down ready to stop but just look right for a left hand turn and keep coasting round.

That was before I was busted by an officer hiding in the bushes.

Was considering adjusting back to my old technique of coasting around ready to stop, illegal but given a clear road seems safer than being a sitting duck and anyone coasting behind and doing the same won't clean me up for blindly following what seems, at times, an arbitrary rule.

I would much rather feel safe to stop and take my time to look left and right and left, without fear of being hit while checking for traffic. I now feel a sense of urgency to keep moving.

Ev · 03-10-2008, 01:05 PM

I have the Australian design rules (ADR) for stop signs and give way signs I obtained from the state library.

Stop signs are overused despite the ADR specifically saying to only use them when certain conditions are met, I would be happy to discuss this further with all parties and provide testimony if required. If interest is enough I will see about copyright and scanning them up(any lawyers here?)
The insurance of the driver may which to look into this as well and I would be happy to hear from them.

I have been looking for this sort of situation for some time now in order to give those "road planning genius" a wake up call about how their desktop decisions ruin our traffic flow and cause accidents.

If anyone else has similar events I would be glad to look into these also.

Jomac · 03-10-2008, 01:43 PM

PM sent Ev