Someone crossed the center line and hit me

I ride to Arkansas with some friends in early spring every year. This year we had quite a few in our group, so we split into two groups. I was leading one group on a pre-planned route on some beautiful rural roads. As I came around a right hand turn, suddenly there was an SUV in my lane coming at me. Before I could even process the image of a vehicle coming at me in my lane (something does't look right here...) I was on the ground, rolling and sliding. I was very lucky that I hit the edge of the vehicle. If the driver had been one foot more into my lane I would probably be dead.

I was airlifted to a local hospital and spent 4 days there. The left side of my body was messed up pretty good. But the only broken bones were in my hand and my ankle & foot. I was very lucky. I wasn't able to walk for a few months. And I still have pain in every step but they tell me it will get better eventually.

To top it off, the driver, after walking over and standing over me for a minute, then decided to flee the scene. Luckily we were still able to find them and it seems their insurance company is cooperating.


I debated a lot whether I would ride again. But I've been riding my whole adult life and I don't think I could give it up, even though it is dangerous. The adventures I've had on a motorcycle bring me so much joy. I ended up buying a new bike before I could even walk again. But I have to admit, every time I cross paths with an oncoming vehicle, I feel a little anxiety.

If you had been in a wider vehicle (car), you would be dead probably. It would have been full head on then.

Heal fully!

The insurance company aspect is great, but I hope the driver is facing charges !?!

Glad you are healing !

The Mojo will return, eventually....

ZIRCONX, are you pushing the D.A. to prosecute this ? Leaving the scene, even though he stopped and looked at you, is still felony hit and run in most states. Just sayin, I think there should be more of a penalty here than just increased insurance rates, of course I am a little biased being a victim of hit and run in 2003.

@zirconx

Sorry to read about your accident. When your body has healed and perhaps before you climb back in the saddle, consider seeking out some counselling. You went through a Traumatic Experience so learning to deal with potential future anxiety culd.be very helpful.

I've learned that my get off in '13 has affected my riding - I tend to get very anxious is some situations that are relatively innocuous. I've started EMDR Therapy for work, but my motorcycle accident is being dealt with there. Highly recommended.

How did they find him. Did one of your friends follow the fleeing driver?

Rod

Excellent.

"Arkansas has somewhat stiffer penalties. Injury, death, or property damage, resulting from a hit and runaccident is a Class D Felony, punishable by up to 6 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000. The guilty party's driver's license or non-resident operating privilege is also revoked."

Its a shame someone can be stupid enough to cross over center in a turn


It's insane to think they could be heartless enough to essentially leave you there to die, unsure of your condition.

I'm glad your okay.

I hope they never get a good nights sleep again.

Should be charged with attempted murder or assault with a deadly weapon with intent to maim or injure. Thats basically what they did.

Get well soon.

Nice to hear that someone in the driver's family actually had the feelings that leaving the scene was wrong and pushed the driver to return.

had the feelings that this was probably all caught on a go pro and they are just trying to keep them out of jail . it was bad luck or you are lucky to be alive ? i hope you make a full recovery .

Sorry about the crash, but I wouldn't post another word until all of your medical issues are healed, bills have been paid, and the legal process is 100% done.

what stretch of road was on? sorry you got hurt. heal up 1

This makes me so f'n angry reading this.
Glad you are on the mend and hope the legal matters get sorted soon.

This

Sorry to see this happen to you, at least you know you were very lucky even though you were badly injured.
Something similar to this happened here a few years ago and the rider was killed on the spot.

He had no chance to swerve or brake. It just happens so fast.
Best of luck in your recovery.

THIS ^^^^^^

Stop posting. Not another word. Seriously.

Feeling a little anxiety when you cross paths with other oncoming vehicles does not mean there is anything wrong with you.

It's actually very logical. Cars and motorcycle cross the double yellow line often enough for it to be a significant problem.

That anxiety is you brain telling you that riding a motorcycle in two way traffic is contrary to self preservation.....
even more so if you consider how drivers are increasingly distracted with their toys in their moving living room.

You just need to live with the reality that your choice to ride and the pleasure the comes with it comes with a cost.
That cost is the risk you take every time you go out on the road and face the fact that someone else's momentary distraction
can kill or permanently injure you.

What you can do is increase your chances of "survival" by taking the safety precautions that increase your safety
and thus increase your enjoyment of your rides.

Wear an airbag vest. IMO it's a game changer. Most significant piece of gear you can wear..... look at it as the helmet for your
torso and hips as well as an incredible enhancement of what your helmet does for you.

Don't "straighten" turns by taking race track style lines. Keep away from the collision zone of curves.

Some people choose not to ride roads anymore and choose to ride off road.

Personally I'm done with riding public roads. The average driver is just becoming more and more distracted.
Despite the incredible work engineers have done in increasing the safety of cars there has recently been the biggest
spike in traffic accidents in 50 years.

Plenty of terrific riding to do off road. It depends where you live.
Here in Southern California I'm blessed to have incredible off road riding within an hour or two.
Much more "adventure" off road and it's really nice to move from a dual sport setup on my Tenere to
a much more dirt oriented setup. Two track and single track.