My mother hit a motorcycle today...

[Indy Bumble Bee]

My mother works for a dealership and she was driving a car from one store to the other. There was a wreck in front of her and 3 lanes were converging to 2. My mother was crossing two of the 3 lanes when a car full of people waved her to go. She creeped along and BAM!! A motorcyclist hit my moms front left fender and skidded across the pavement. He was wearing a helmet and leathers. Thank god he is ok even though he went to the hospital. Even more... Thank you God for taking car of my mom. She just has a sore back and a sore ego for knowing better. This has happened to me before when I was riding in the passenger seat with my best friend.

Bottom line.... never go when a car waves you on. Look for yourself! I hope this experience will make some of us think.

[Number 3]

A friend of mine was in a serious accident under the same conditions but instead of getting hit by a motorcycle she was hit by a large truck. She suffered a severe closed head injury and was never the same.

Ways look.

[2001ragtop]

Good Advice. Never assume anything.

Sorry it sounds like the guy on the motorcycle didn't slow down or even LOOK to see that traffic was going slow or came to a complete halt.

Where I live, there are always chain reaction accidents, where one accident, leads to a backup then there are more accidents behind that because everyone assumes the road is free and clear.

[Ringo64]

The question is, was the motorcycle trying to pass all the traffic and weave in/out to get passed it or was he legitly just passing? I hate the motorcyclists who go on the the shoulder and go in between two cars passing them in traffic where there isn't a lane. That's dangerous as crap and not that I wish death on anybody but they should learn the hard way that is stupid. (not to sound bias, I hate it when people in cars ride the shoulders to pass traffic, they just make it worse)

Originally Posted by 2001ragtop

Where I live, there are always chain reaction accidents, where one accident, leads to a backup then there are more accidents behind that because everyone assumes the road is free and clear.

Yeah, I was in Orlando over the weekend and saw that happen. Everything was backed up for just traffic and retards that don't know how to merge. There was a sudden gap where people got off at an exit, this guy decides to floor it thinking it's clear and bam, can't slow down and hits the car in front of him. Luckily I knew a thing or two about Orlando and saw this coming so wasn't even close to that guy and was able to change lanes and get out of there.

[Indy Bumble Bee]

Originally Posted by Ringo64

The question is, was the motorcycle trying to pass all the traffic and weave in/out to get passed it or was he legitly just passing? I hate the motorcyclists who go on the the shoulder and go in between two cars passing them in traffic where there isn't a lane. That's dangerous as crap and not that I wish death on anybody but they should learn the hard way that is stupid. (not to sound bias, I hate it when people in cars ride the shoulders to pass traffic, they just make it worse)



Yeah, I was in Orlando over the weekend and saw that happen. Everything was backed up for just traffic and retards that don't know how to merge. There was a sudden gap where people got off at an exit, this guy decides to floor it thinking it's clear and bam, can't slow down and hits the car in front of him. Luckily I knew a thing or two about Orlando and saw this coming so wasn't even close to that guy and was able to change lanes and get out of there.

There were three lanes converging to middle and right lane. My mother was not in the flowing traffic...she had to cross the traffic and right as she was creeping to cross the 3rd lane to go in the opposite direction, the motorcycle left the middle lane to pass on the lane that was merging. Three cars stopped and told the police what happened. The motorcycle was driving at excessive speeds for that sort of traffic. My mom ended up with $300 worth of tickets, one failing to yield and the other no plate on the back (she works for a dealership and the place she was driving from was across the street). The owner told her not worry she would be taken care of and they would pay for everything. It is a tricky situation and it takes one Jack hole to run it for other people. If he had been patient and stayed in the lane as he should have, this may not have happened.

Unfortanetly people are too much in a hurry these days. And yes I see a lot of motorcycles get crazy on the roads. I look out for motorcycles, but they need to respect us too and understand they don't rule the road. I am not against motorcycles and have many friends and family that own them. I hold them at a higher responsibility than car owners. If you are going to own a vehicle with no protection, then you better be on the look out at all times. Also, people who drive cars have the responsibility for looking out for motorcycles. It is a delicate balance...

[Sales @ CAI Inc]

Glad everyone was ok, my wife had the same thing happen to her when she first started driving. The car she was in was totaled out, luckily she was just fine.

[Brokinarrow]

eesh, I ride a bike (well, when it actually runs that is) and I'd never think of passing in that sort of a situation. Way too risky.

[Indy Bumble Bee]

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

eesh, I ride a bike (well, when it actually runs that is) and I'd never think of passing in that sort of a situation. Way too risky.

Could you imagine the feeling in your gut right as you were ready to hit a car...It just makes you think more when you are impatient in traffic. We have all been there.

Update: The guy is fine. Minor road rash and more of a bruised body. Bike had min. damage but car got the brunt of it. My mom's back is very sore but she is doing well. Thanks for the replies

[Christiancoach]

Originally Posted by Indy Bumble Bee

Could you imagine the feeling in your gut right as you were ready to hit a car...It just makes you think more when you are impatient in traffic. We have all been there.

Update: The guy is fine. Minor road rash and more of a bruised body. Bike had min. damage but car got the brunt of it. My mom's back is very sore but she is doing well. Thanks for the replies

Been there done that! When I was 19 I was riding my motorcycle, legally and and under the speed limit. I had a green light, and saw a station wagon in the oncoming lane wanting to turn left across my path, he even had his turn signal on. As I got very close to the intersection, he suddenly pulled out to make the left turn. I had about 1/2 of a second to react, not nearly enough to change course, or get fully on the brake.
He hadn't seen me. He was focused on some pedestrians crossing and once they cleared, he went.
Luckily for me, I was wearing my helmet, and a heavy leather jacket. I hit him basically head on at about 20mph. I went flying and landed about 10 feet down the pavement. The back of my helmet hit first. I was seriously lucky. The only thing broken was my left big toe, where the shifter had bent down and crushed it.
The feeling in my gut just before I hit is not one that you want to feel. I promise you that.

[Nessal]

Originally Posted by Ringo64

The question is, was the motorcycle trying to pass all the traffic and weave in/out to get passed it or was he legitly just passing? I hate the motorcyclists who go on the the shoulder and go in between two cars passing them in traffic where there isn't a lane. That's dangerous as crap and not that I wish death on anybody but they should learn the hard way that is stupid. (not to sound bias, I hate it when people in cars ride the shoulders to pass traffic, they just make it worse)



Yeah, I was in Orlando over the weekend and saw that happen. Everything was backed up for just traffic and retards that don't know how to merge. There was a sudden gap where people got off at an exit, this guy decides to floor it thinking it's clear and bam, can't slow down and hits the car in front of him. Luckily I knew a thing or two about Orlando and saw this coming so wasn't even close to that guy and was able to change lanes and get out of there.

They must do it differently in FL because I have never seen someone go on the shoulder to pass. That's ridiculous. Here in CA we laneshare all the time. That's when we go between cars in the same lane to pass....which is completely legal as long as it's done in a safe manner. I ride so I sympathize with riders normally because I see A LOT more boneheads driving than I do riding. But you do get one or two of the bad ones here and there.