Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Look out for Cagers.....

All FYI, I was involved in an accident on my beloved Cinnamon Girl (and with my Bride riding pillion no less) back in August 2015, because of a cagers inattention to oncoming traffic. Anyhoo, up to now I, was advised by our attorney to not post details on social media, but since the case has now been settled I don't think the restriction still applies

As we were riding to dinner (after a great day cruising the local back roads on the Bonnie), and just as we entered an intersection a cager made a left turn directly in front of us. We were doing about 45mph & with only 20 or so feet between us and the cage, the only action I could do was to lay the bike down to prevent serious injuries. If I hadn't taken that action in that split second, We surely would have t-boned the cager & both of us would have gone airborne over the car!

So, I yelled to my Bride "JUMP" laid the Bonnie out, but she didn't hear me and the cycle came down on her ankle and she sustained a radius break to the fibula just above the ankle. Well, after 5 hours in emergency that day, and subsequent surgery (a 6 inch strap & 8 pins installed) a week later to repair the break, and months of Physical Therapy, I am relieved that my Bride is up and about walking again(and at times dancing too). I sustained only some fair degree of road rash in the accident (mostly on my knees, palms and right forearm....all healed nicely) tho.

The good news is that after all is said with the other party's insurance carrier, the medical bills (@ $100K), the bike repairs (@$2.5K) are all resolved. But for the pain, suffering, and permanent disfigurement the settlement is a far cry for compensation from what we endured.

So I guess the moral to this story is to always be aware of the traffic ahead & around you. Wear your riding PPE, (helmet, gloves, jacket, boots...luckily we both had our gear on that day so more extensive road rash was prevented.

The other driver told me at the scene, that "he didn't see the bike" (Do they ever???"). Not much consolation when your wife is laying on the pavement, cussing like a sailor in pain tho.

WOW Karl! I am glad that the three of you are able to tell the tail. Give my best to your lady, and give your gal a pat on the tank for me. I hope to see all three of you soon. Take Care buddy!

Glad to hear you both pulled through and are on the mend. This is the thing that often causes me to think about giving up my ride...... but only for a minute. It does cause me to be more vigilant though.

While it won't save you from all the idiots I have found having lots of very bright lights has greatly reduced the number of numbskulls who "Don't See Me." That's me in the back.

Yup Larry, lights are a help for sure, but when cagers are blindly oblivious to the world around them $hit happens. As a matter of fact Ol' Cinnamon Girl is outfitted with the light bar as well, but in this instance the extra lights didn't matter.......maybe a big "Blue Light Special" beacon on the front would have helped tho....LOL.... Glad to make "light" of the whole incident now.....

ride on..

Glad you guys are ok Karl.

Glad to read you and yours are okay Karl!

Quote:

---

...I, was advised by our attorney to not post details on social media, ...

---

lol Believe me, this site is in another galaxy when it comes to social media. And yet, this is the first time I've heard of this site being thought of as social media. Are we really on par with the likes of fb and all those other, "wait wait I'll tell you what I am doing" sites?

Social Media: Not very social anymore.

I'm glad you came through it all in the end.

Karl, Sorry to hear about this. Too many close calls in life to count that's for sure.
I'm certainly glad to hear you and the wife are back on two feet and apparently dancing up life again.

It was a pleasure meeting you a couple of years back and I look forward to riding with you again someday.

Take care out there on the road brother

If only the cops would learn to answer "I didn't see..." with "Why didn't you look.."

With the exception of you and your bride's suffering and the total disruption of your lives, I'm glad you were financially and physically made whole, many don't and not in a timely manner either. Stay safe.

All, thanks for your support and best wishes. I dunno...on a philosophical note.....it coulda been much worse, and I am indeed grateful that things have worked out.

We are going through this with my wife. Not on a motorcycle. She had a drunk driver pull out in front of her on the way to work at 5:30am. That was on May 10, 2011 and we still have no settlement and $168,000.00+ in medical bills. She will never be able to work again. She only has between 10 and 15 percent of strength in her right arm and hand. He shoulder still swells when she tries to do too much. It is a frustrating thing when in an instant your life is changed forever because someone didn't take the time to look.

Bill, I sincerely hope that your Wife's injuries/ disabilities improve with time & that the settlement issues are resolved. These kinda things take time to workout. I am surprised that after 5 years she still has had no compensation from the accident. I hope you have a great lawyer, as that can make all the difference in how the claim is filed & the settlement negotiation process is pursued in her/your behalf.

I agree with you completely tho....about the frustration thing....certainly still feeling that way & conscience of how much worse our accident could have been....counting blessings even more so now than ever.

Update on my wife. We met last week for a mediation and ended up settling the case for $375,000.00. After medical bills and attorney fees we will see what is left, but I have already asked her for a lone for the Fast Eddy Sports retirement fund.