Yankee's Story

Yankee · Post by **Yankee** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:40 am

Thursday 11th Jan 2007
Bike riding days are over.
Not 150 meters from leaving work, in a 60kph dead straight road with various parallel parked cars along my south bound route.
I catch up to a 2003 Blue Ford Falcon Sedan that is doing roughly 50 in the said 60kph zone. All of a sudden, his/her brake lights light up and the car slows right down to almost a complete stop in the middle of the road, no indicators or anything.
So, I quickly double check my rearviews and slow down behind him/her waiting to see what the heck they are stopping for??? THEN without warning/indication the sedan swerves to the left shoulder amongst the parked cars and seems to "park". I defensively veer to the right-most side of my lane to pass the car thinking I am about to cop a door opening, but instead the car just pulls out and collects me as he/she tries to do a U-Turn. I had no time to do anything except brace for impact. I braked ever so slightly, I was probably doing about 20-30kph at the point of impact. My left side got smeared by their right front panel. My knee got crushed and twisted in ways in shouldn't, then I was tossed from the bike off to the right, hit the pavement, thank gawd for my protective gear. The bike went on without me and came to a halt after hitting a telephone pole which took out the front of my bike!
I actually slid along the road to meet back up with my bike, and as I couldn't move my left leg, I tried to claw after my bike to pull myself off the road, then the passer-bys took over and told me to lay still, and I heard a voice telling me not to worry as, "mate, I saw the whole thing, don't worry...."
well, i got an infringement notice in the mail the other day!! $105 for: code 2026: Overtake vehicle turning right to the right of that vehicle. (their words not mine)
can you believe that?!
lovely huh? another mad motorcyclist causing yet another safe car driving person harm on our roads!!
I gave an account of the events to the cops at the hospital, after my Vitamin M (morphein) and Pethadein whistle (pain killers)- apparently. I didn't remember it so I tried to send them a written account of the events. The witness also gave an account, but apparently their mind was already made up: the biker was at fault!!

anyhoo- just clearing up the air on my '07 mishap, and explaining why I can no longer ride bikes. It is just not worth it. I got lucky this time, but what about next?

Colette · Post by **Colette** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:45 am

Marty, I can understand you feeling pretty jaded and wary of riding anymore, but take it from me - don't make any rash decisions about your riding future at this point in time if you can.

Heal up soon and I hope that you get justice in this situation!

Jonno · Post by **Jonno** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:54 am

Mate! Glad you are ok, you are the last person I would have expected to come off. Goes to show it can be anyone huh.

That sucks about the fine too

you want to get onto that and sort it.
All the best mate, heal soon.

MickLC · Post by **MickLC** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:03 am

Ouch! Those sort of unavoidable ones scare the bejeezus out of me, although luckily so far the only ones I've had have been while in a car.

Like Colette said, don't make any hasty decisions, and maybe you should turn the bike into a tracky yourself

Post by **robracer** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:13 am

Yankee ... sounds like you have been jipped are you going to dispute & fight the fine? hope you heal real soon

hammer · Post by **hammer** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:16 am

That fuggin sucks Marty but main thing is your ok, hope the leg isn`t to bad.
Riding in traffic is always more risky as you have to be a mind reader, avoid it mate. Better to just ride the mountains and country roads.

Take it easy mate and heal quick, I know ya ears will be taking a beating from the mrs.

Cya
Stu

mfzx6r · Post by **mfzx6r** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:27 am

Hopefully the wrong is righted and time will heal
the scar left from the trauma

mohawk miss · Post by **mohawk miss** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:34 am

That sucks, get better soon.
I'd be arguing that fine too. What cheek!

Chuck · Post by **Chuck** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:35 am

I got collected be a car a couple of years ago which destroyed me lower right leg and it took me around 18 months to walk again , and I'm riding again I didn't think I would at first but memories fade ( I was also wearing an open face helmet and smacked the road with my face ) You'll get over it your just going through the normal faze of fear thats all ... you don't want to regret not trying again when you get older it's bad .. fall off the horse get back on.

stevew_zzr · Post by **stevew_zzr** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:47 am

I'd be trying to turn the tables around on that one - especially if you need the money to pay for all the hospital fees etc.

rotaboy · Post by **rotaboy** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:47 am

hey mate i would go to a solicitor right away
dont pay the fine
and take the matter further if there was no indicator or any other warning ur not a falt and u shouldnt have to wear the costs of ur medical bills and bike bills

javaman · Post by **javaman** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:53 am

Sorry to hear the accident Yankee and I hope you're gonna sort that bastard out

...

red_dave · Post by **red_dave** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:00 pm

Marty,

You're a smart guy and I'm sure your descision was made with a level head.

It's a shame but i can understand. I hope you change your mind and we'll go for a blat somewhere when you do.

RG · Post by RG » Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:31 pm

What's the rego number of that car?

Gotta keep away from him/her

Stereo · Post by **Stereo** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:39 pm

$105 for: code 2026: Overtake vehicle turning right to the right of that vehicle.

What a load of rubbish!!! Stuff like that makes me so mad!! I would call that cop directly and ask him wtf he was thinking of!