Got clipped by a car today

[RayPDA]

So on the way to work this morning, 55 South Carpool Lane, just after the other carpool lane merges with it, 1 1/2 miles from Dyer Rd. I merge and move with flow of traffic. Then traffic as usual starts slowing. Once it does, I decide to share lanes, right around that same time - carpool exit/entrance opens up. I pass an older light silver Civic and just as my left leg is ahead of the front right bumper, it clips me as it attemps to change lanes. I wobble, straighten out, and pull to the left shoulder - not sure how fast we were goin but not very.

Left footpeg missing, a scuff on my Sidi and my knee slider, otherwise okay.
Civic - some front right end damage on the bumper.

Called the CHP while we exchanged info, motocop came out and moved us to the right shoulder, took info and statements.

glad to be without a scratch, and pissed at myself, not so much the driver.


my first actual incident since I first set foot on a bike in 03'.

a reminder to ride offensively and defensively on the streets, and even when always looking out and doing so, you can't always predict what may happen, and wearing full gear absolutely comes in handy.

Take care out there y'all

[zman]

ahh man that sucks
Good to hear your OK tho :thumb

[MojoNoGo]

Drag, dude. :(

Good for you for keeping it up, and wearing all your gear.

[MojoNoGo]

Good for you for keeping it up, and wearing all your gear.





giggity


:naughty2

[FightingChance]

Good to hear you're alright.

[Josh]

That sucks, it's happened to me before but not when splitting lanes. Did you die?

[Asian Dave]

Glad to hear you weren't injured.

Be safe.

~D

[mofo]

Sucks, but glad you're okay.

And yes folks, when an incident occurs, move to the right side of the freeway, don't sit around there causing traffic ... mmkay. Thanks.

[cookiebug79]

Glad you're ok, Ray!

:grouphug

[Nocturnal]

Sucks, but glad you're okay.

And yes folks, when an incident occurs, move to the right side of the freeway, don't sit around there causing traffic ... mmkay. Thanks.

:werd I hate when people have tiny fender benders and stop their cars in the middle of the fucking road(Primarily fobby Asians. At least in my experience)

Glad you didn't go down. Similar thing happened to me. Lady jumped the ll yellow and she clipped my front tire with her bumper. Wobbled a bit but managed not to go down.

[Research Monkey]

Glad you came out Niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! :omar

I commute on the 55S every day and the traffic gets pretty gnarly. Several stops within 4-5 exits.

[R1 Riding Fool]

Make sure your story is clear on the CHP report. Santa Ana CHP office hates riders and will throw you under the bus and write it up as your fault.

[Mototeer]

I feel ya' man, I have been hit by two cars and was found not at fault both times, sometimes people just don't see us, even when we are right in front of them... :idunno

[The Dude]

Nice job keeping it up.

[Markbone]

oh snap ray! glad to hear you are still with us, bummer about the incident though.

ride safe! ATGATT FTW!

[Nocturnal]

I feel ya' man, I have been hit by two cars and was found not at fault both times, sometimes people just don't see us, even when we are right in front of them... :idunno

Or right by their fucking passenger window!!! No shit. The other night I am driving home just cruising and some girl tries to change lanes when I was literally right next to her. She was mad hot though so I didn't flip her off lol

[apessino]

I feel ya' man, I have been hit by two cars and was found not at fault both times, sometimes people just don't see us, even when we are right in front of them... :idunno

No kidding... bloody cagers. :bash3

Glad you are all right! :scooter

[motobipod]

Could have ended quite differently... (shudder) Glad to see you're not for the worse!

[Desmofemme]

oh damn!!! good reflexes and split-second reaction skills... damn! sorry this happened, but glad you're ok!

[mofo]

Nice job keeping it up.

That's what SHE said.

[longhairchris]

Glad you are ok. I try not to split at carpool exits, just see too many people in a mad rush to get in/out.

You say no incidents since starting in '03, that's pretty good.

[Da Baddest Mofo]

I do split over the dotted line, but try to give cagers more time. Was stuck behind a cop one time and observed how he split by the book: slowed down to a crawl in the carpool exit. Irritated the fuck out of me since I couldn't pass him, but definitely taught paying attention to those areas.

[RayPDA]

:)thanks everyone:)

yep, i sure as hell didn't want to block the lane (that's friggin annoying when its just a fenderbender) we were in, so to the shoulder immediately

R1
I was a bit shaken up and convoluted, but I do hope I gave the moto an honest answer - cool guy, professional and courteous - hope my story is straight in the end

chris
considering i wasn't much on a bike for the first near two years, I'd say closer to 05/6 :lol7

those openings are tricky and I'm slower and even more on the look out, defensive braking and throttle are necessary, as is watching for roving heads and signals, unfortunately today was one of those days where even that's not enough.

keepin it up, lol

[REDEYES]

Nice.. Glad you are okay!

[Canyonball]

Sorry to hear, but glad you and your bike are relatively unscathed.

[Dee Dub]

Bummer dude...good thing that didn't end up worse

[101lifts2]

Drag, dude. :(

Good for you for keeping it up, and wearing all your gear.

How do you know Sidi doesn't make gym shoes?:fawkdance

If you're splitting and the car decides to change lanes when you enter his blindspot he is gonna tag you. For this reason, I go faster.

[RayPDA]

so they consider me at fault:( not cool

[MojoNoGo]

so they consider me at fault:( not cool


faaaaaaaaaack! :doh


Now what?

[Desmofemme]

what???!!! how on earth did they figure this?? i'm so sorry!!

[RayPDA]

what???!!! how on earth did they figure this?? i'm so sorry!!

:(

verbatim from the report:
(summary of the officer)

(I'm D1/V1)

"Summary
D-1 was traveling on SR-55 S/B south of Edinger Ave., in the carpool lane, at 30mph. D-2 was traveling on SR-55 S/B south of Edinger Ave., in the carpool lane, at 45mph, ahead of V-1. D-2 applied the brakes of V-2 and began slowing for traffic. D-1 moved right and prepared to pass V-2 on the right side, inside the carpool lane. D-2 initiated a lane change to the #1 lane. Due to D-1's unsafe speed he was unable to slow sufficiently or steer around V-2 and the left side of V-1 struck the right front of V-2. Summary is based upon statements and vehicle damage."


"Cause
D-1 was determined to be the cause of the collision and in violation of section 22350 VC (unsafe speed for conditions, lane sharing). Cause is based upon statements and vehicle damage."



Now 22350 VC states:

Basic Speed Law
22350. No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.


Amended Ch. 252, Stats. 1963. Effective September 20, 1963.


aiyah.

[Gravitysucks]

Prepare a statement as to why you don't feel you were at fault. Include damage locations, pictures, and anything else pertinent to the collision that shows why you feel you are not at fault. Include that even by the officers report, sounds like you were legally sharing the HOV lane. If that doesn't work, ask for an AI interview where you'll be able to sit with the officer and a supervisor to state your case. Then go get a camera for your bike.

[Da Baddest Mofo]

Q1: So it's true all lane-sharing collisions are automatically blamed on the rider no matter what? At least by the CHP rule book?

Because in that case it's clear the rider wasn't "preparing to pass", but started passing and almost passed the car since the collision was with the front of the car.

Q2: Why not take it straight to court and demand damages?