I met Bill at the Vista California motorcycle show in August. Bill is a fellow custom chopper motorcycle rider from Orange County, California.
Bill had driven his chopper down from Orange County to meet with some San Diego custom motorcycle riders at San Diego Harley Davidson to take in a bikini show, live music, free food and good company.
Then, Bill and the Orange County choppers together with my fellow San Diego custom bike enthusiast road up to Vista, California to see how my Texas chopper did in the Vista Blazing Bike Show competition.
At the show, looking at the Orange County choppers. I was glad they had not entered into the show because they would have been serious competition. Since my wife had come down to the show and I ended up winning the best custom bike award. I didn’t have much time to socialize with Bill, Rob and the other Orange County choppers.
If I would’ve had time to socialize a little more, I would’ve learned that Bill had a miraculous story of survival from a motorcycle accident that occurred in the Anaheim area.
Personally, I post articles and photos about motorcycle accidents, so perhaps fellow riders can avoid similar situations. But, in Bill’s case, being stopped at a red light and rear-ended at 40 mi. per hour by an inattentive, texting, car driver. This shows that no matter how cautious a rider you are, you’re still at the mercy of car driving idiots!
In Bill’s own words, here’s what happened in his motorcycle accident:
“I guess the message we need to convey is be alert. I was rear ended at a stop light woman was texting on her cell phone and never seen me. Rear ended me at 40 mph the car landed on top of me and my bike. I stayed conscious and was able to free myself underneath the wreckage and good Samaritans drug me to the side of the road. Sustained broken bones and have recovered quite well. I still have issues with my lower back. It was the grace of GOD that allows me to write this message and continue living because I should of died that day.
“My other bike was totaled. So I tore it down salvaged what I could and built and painted this one in my garage.”
Always been a concern of mine, have had friends nailed from the back. And I’ve been taken Out twice on the 5 at 80 plus by idiots not paying attention changing lanes into me. I try not to ride beside anyone but they just swap without looking.. Or caring!!
I see the dozy cow was texting!! I do a 100 mile return commute and people who text are the bane of my life! When approaching traffic lights, I can always tell the ones who are texting or otherwise distracted as they do not see me filtering between the lanes (it is legal in the UK to filter) and have their cars stuck out. I pulled along side a car last week that had not moved over. The lights were at red and the traffic static. All the other vehicles had moved over to allow me to move though except this one car. As I pulled along side I saw two girls (driver and pax) sharing the contents of a text. A blast on the airhorns brought them to their senses. I wagged my finger at them. I do believe they got the message.
HI Bob, This is an offal and tough accident to avoid. Two riders were killed recently close to my home in the same manner. They were part of a group of three riders already stopped on a busy secondary (two lane) highway, ready to make a left hand turn when clear. A pickup truck travelling behind them barreled down on the back two bikes and ran right over them! AS a rider I know this sort of accident is tough to avoid, however, as a Motorcycle Instructor for Humber Collage here in Toronto, I can tell you we do teach avoidance of this scenario as part of our curriculum. Some key points are: always do a full shoulder check (chin on shoulder) both left and right when stopping for any reason, (don’t rely on mirrors, especially custom ones) always be in the “ready position” when stopped, bike in first gear, left foot on the ground and right foot on the rear brake which keeps your brake light on. If you are lucky enough to see a vehicle bearing down on you, from the ready position you can drive out of the way, if you have no where to go, jump off the bike and RUN! You can always buy another bike. For new student riders to get this point across I sometime use the 18 wheeler analogy, “the driver is on the cell phone and he hasn’t seen the red light with you stopped! This picture is a hard one for students to forget and hopefully reminds them on the importance of shoulder checks and the ready position every time they stop.
That’s good Bob, my long experience has taught me you can’t be vigilant enough on a motorcycle, you have to be looking and thinking way down the road, always looking for an out. Unfortunately to survive you also have to think for the cars ahead and around you to perceive potential problems even before they do. Motorcycles typically give the rider a far better view down the road around and over cars. I’ve written an editorial on motorcycle saftey on my website: http://www.twowheelclassics.com
Cheers
By Alan Masters
What a story! Looking at the photos of your cycle accident and knowing you not only survived, but are back motorcycling is just a true miracle!
I cannot imagine what thoughts go through your mind or how you feel now when on your chopper and stopped at a light or stop sign!
God was surely with you!
A high school buddy had the same thing happen when riding to school.
No texting was around then.
It happens and is deadly
The impact drove him into the intersection .
Other cars hit him as well.
He survived .
Did not return to school for a full year
R
Whoa, that sucks. Try to be aware people. We want to see you all again on the next ride….
Always been a concern of mine, have had friends nailed from the back. And I’ve been taken Out twice on the 5 at 80 plus by idiots not paying attention changing lanes into me. I try not to ride beside anyone but they just swap without looking.. Or caring!!
Thanks Bob for posting and sharing the message
I see the dozy cow was texting!! I do a 100 mile return commute and people who text are the bane of my life! When approaching traffic lights, I can always tell the ones who are texting or otherwise distracted as they do not see me filtering between the lanes (it is legal in the UK to filter) and have their cars stuck out. I pulled along side a car last week that had not moved over. The lights were at red and the traffic static. All the other vehicles had moved over to allow me to move though except this one car. As I pulled along side I saw two girls (driver and pax) sharing the contents of a text. A blast on the airhorns brought them to their senses. I wagged my finger at them. I do believe they got the message.
HI Bob, This is an offal and tough accident to avoid. Two riders were killed recently close to my home in the same manner. They were part of a group of three riders already stopped on a busy secondary (two lane) highway, ready to make a left hand turn when clear. A pickup truck travelling behind them barreled down on the back two bikes and ran right over them! AS a rider I know this sort of accident is tough to avoid, however, as a Motorcycle Instructor for Humber Collage here in Toronto, I can tell you we do teach avoidance of this scenario as part of our curriculum. Some key points are: always do a full shoulder check (chin on shoulder) both left and right when stopping for any reason, (don’t rely on mirrors, especially custom ones) always be in the “ready position” when stopped, bike in first gear, left foot on the ground and right foot on the rear brake which keeps your brake light on. If you are lucky enough to see a vehicle bearing down on you, from the ready position you can drive out of the way, if you have no where to go, jump off the bike and RUN! You can always buy another bike. For new student riders to get this point across I sometime use the 18 wheeler analogy, “the driver is on the cell phone and he hasn’t seen the red light with you stopped! This picture is a hard one for students to forget and hopefully reminds them on the importance of shoulder checks and the ready position every time they stop.
Thanks Alan, Real good advice!
That’s good Bob, my long experience has taught me you can’t be vigilant enough on a motorcycle, you have to be looking and thinking way down the road, always looking for an out. Unfortunately to survive you also have to think for the cars ahead and around you to perceive potential problems even before they do. Motorcycles typically give the rider a far better view down the road around and over cars. I’ve written an editorial on motorcycle saftey on my website: http://www.twowheelclassics.com
Cheers
By Alan Masters
Today, riding a motorcycle is VERY dangerous. Cell phones, texting, GPS, etc. all distracting and the cause of many car motorcycle accidents.
Orange County roads are packed and I believe this congestion is a main cause for some motorcycle accidents here.,