I wrote a short article on my biker and motorcycle lawyer blog, which includes a first hand video look at a motorcycle accident by a rider who was wearing a shoulder Cam when he crashed. The video and article can be found at http://www.bikerlawblog.com/index.php?blog=3&title=watch_out_for_traffic_anticipate_what_th&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

Many people may think that there is nothing this rider could have done to prevent this accident, however my take is a bit different. You will notice that the traffic on the right is slowing down with break lights on. You will notice the cars to left of the rider were also coming up on traffic. This accident was in no way whatsoever the motorcycle riders fault. However, I do think that he should have slowed down and covered because you can clearly see that traffic was slowing down.

On the freeway I prefer to ride in lane number 1. (the lane closest to the center) In this position at least you do not have to worry about cagers on both sides of you!

You will also notice that this rider had full protection. It probably saved his life.

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Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.
Biker and Motorcycle Lawyer Blog
www.bikerlawblog.com

That video was posted on another forum that I frequent by the rider, and just for your information, the rider is a woman (who might not want to be referred to as "he.")

Great points in your articles. Good, valuable reading.

 

Thanks for the update. I will update my blog to reflect the new information. I had no way of knowing it was a women. The big question's are; what were her injuries? Is she OK?

Thanks for your kind words about my post's and articles. Us riders need to stick together no matter what brand of bike we ride. The carnage with respect to bikers and motorcyclist is getting out of hand. We all need to contribute to motorcycle awareness and safety.

That is why I do it.

Thanks,

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Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.
Biker and Motorcycle Lawyer Blog
www.bikerlawblog.com

Looking at the bike, it was a sport bike or at least a sport-tourer, which usually have GREAT brakes.   I question if there was enough brakes applied.  throttle was steady, rider had somewhat of a 'space cushion" in front.   Who would know that a Honda would come skidding across your lane?   Who knows exactly where the rider was looking when it started.   Can't look everywhere at once.   I would only say that more brkaing might have saved the day, but that's the same thing I say about my own crash.

Who practices emergency, hard stops from road speed?  I don't, nor do many folks I ride with.  But it needs to be done so you can react in a situation like this.   I hope the rider is okay and all.  It looks like the rider did all they could, otherwise.   Slowing and trying to go to the opening.   Unfortunately the opening closed up on them.  

Thanks for the post.

Rando

 

And oh yeah, I agree when you say that there are always more things to do to avoid crashes.  I'm with you there.  

Rando

She ended up with only minor bumps and bruises, and healed up quite nicely.

 

Reluctant Road Warrior, Orange County [CA] Register, 3/3/06

One thousand one ...

Dawn Champion is riding her Yamaha R1 motorcycle north on the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway. The sun at her back casts a helmet-and-leather-clad shadow on the asphalt.

Dawn Champion is riding her Yamaha R1 motorcycle north on the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway. The sun at her back casts a helmet-and-leather-clad shadow on the asphalt.

One thousand two ...

Suddenly, the Honda Civic one lane to her left starts to swerve, white smoke rising from the pavement as the brakes lock, the tires screech and the rubber burns.

Suddenly, the Honda Civic one lane to her left starts to swerve, white smoke rising from the pavement as the brakes lock, the tires screech and the rubber burns.

One thousand three ...

The Civic spins almost a full circle, its front end now directly in Champion's path.

The Civic spins almost a full circle, its front end now directly in Champion's path.

One thousand four ...

And then they collide, and the video - yes, video - breaks up for a moment, but the sound, a violent crash and crunch and scatter of glass and bike parts, goes on.

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A superior rider uses superior judgment to avoid problems that would demand his superior skill.

The forum software obviously hosed the blockquote text, but you get the idea.

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A superior rider uses superior judgment to avoid problems that would demand his superior skill.

rando:

Who practices emergency, hard stops from road speed?  I don't, nor do many folks I ride with.  But it needs to be done so you can react in a situation like this.  

I could have sworn that I responded to this previously, but I don't see the post. Anyway, this is where I think race schools and track days increase your street skills. If you're going to turn a fast lap, you have to learn how to brake late and efficiently from very high speeds, and I can't think of a better way to learn to stop in an emergency situation.

Okay, at some point a couple years ago, I would have liked a track day or race school.   But not now.   And what abouthte other gazillion riders out there with no pretense that they are remotely interested in such?   Just the "average rider"?    When are they going to practice any kind of stopping or swerving or even corner negotiations in a controlled environment?   I agree with you, but say that there is a personal responsibility to poractice the life saving maneuvers on one's own. 

 Rando

 

 

I actually agree that one should practice skills on their on as much as possible, but schools and track days surely help. Reg Pridmore actually runs a school that's geared toward the street rider, but just takes place on the racetrack.

It is very good to hear that she was not seriously injured. I am sure that it was her protective attire that saved the day.

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Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.
Biker and Motorcycle Lawyer Blog
www.bikerlawblog.com

I am pretty sure she even admitted that she probably could have avoided the accident.

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