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CVO Social => Rider Down => Topic started by: grinner on August 10, 2010, 01:01:12 PM
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Here we go again..........
On Sunday my friend Charles, his 19 year old daughter, and myself went up to John's Mountain in northwestern Georgia for a ride. Charles's daughter was starting college this week so it was a last Father-Daughter ride before she left for school. Everything was just fine - riding was good, weather was sunny and hot, and we were having a great time. After we went over the mountain, we started heading for home as my wife was getting baptised at 6pm and we all were going to be there. It was approximately 3:45pm. On the way back to the main highway we got behind a large van. Since we were sightseeing and there was no hurry, we stayed behind the van and enjoyed the ride.
The van was keeping the posted speed and driving just fine until we topped a small hill in the two lane road. After cresting the hill the van started slowing down and eventually came to a stop in the middle of the road. Charles stopped behind the van about 8 feet back and I was behind and to the right of Charles by about another 6 feet. I thought the van driver was going to wave us around as we had been on a double yellow line road for about 2 miles, but did not move to go around her when she stopped. All of a sudden, her backup lights came on and she gave it some gas!! She hit Charles pretty hard and pushed his bike into me, and continued to give it gas in reverse!!!! When I finally stopped trying to control my bike and let it go down I ran up to her window and started screaming STOP STOP STOP and was pounding on her glass. She barely reacted, proceeded to put the van in drive and was attempting to drive away!!! I got in front of the van and yelled at her to put the van in park, turn the van off, and use her cell to call 911. It took a few minutes for her to react, but she did as I had instructed. Charles and his daughter were transported by ambulance, treated, and released the same day/night. I had to stay with the bikes until my wife could get there. I got the Honda loaded up and tied down on the trailer, pulled the fender off my front tire, and rode mine back home behind the trailer. I had to go the the ER just as soon as I got home, and was released by them at about 2am Monday morning.
What the heck is wrong with car drivers out there??????????????
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Man, we try to convince ourselves (delude ourselves) in to thinking we can account for most things. Then we get reminded that we just can't. Just can't know what is (or sometimes isn't) going on in someone's head.
Glad everyone is ok.
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What did the bimbo have to say? What did the cops do? I hope they cited her! If not, I'm guessing she's going to claim she tried to stop and you guys rear ended her. Might want to get an attorney real quick! sounds like this could get messy real quick. Thank God everyone was OK,
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Wow!! Talk about scary...what an idiot!!!!!!!!! Glad you are all ok and hope she does get cited!
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Wow, you've only had the new bike a couple months, too. Glad you guys are all OK. Strange accident. Did she just not like two bikes following her? :confused5:
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Yeah, what the hell was that all about?!
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Hopefully the police took her in for a little foreign substance testing, because it sounds like she was either not mentally competent or she was wacked out on something. Probably remembered she was supposed to turn somewhere and decided to just back up until she found the turnoff. Kind of like the idiots I see on the interstates backing down the shoulder 'cause they missed the exit. Duh!
Glad everyone came out OK.
Jerry
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Grinner,
Sorry to read about this. You were smart to get photos. I hope you took at least one of the driver and any evidence of injuries. Jerry's probably right. Foreign something, maybe illegal, uninsured alien? Bikes will get repaired. Glad the people are OK.
GK
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They should hang that bimbo. Glad that everybody is ok get a good lawyer.
Jo Mo NYC :coolblue:
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I would just love to hear her side of the story! Someting like this wouldn't have happened if those stupid bikers were not there!. She is going to need a good attorney for this one. I could not have imagined what went through your mind during this. Really sorry this had to happen to you folks.
Ray G.
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Strange accident. Did she just not like two bikes following her? :confused5:
Maybe she thought you were stalking her. :nixweiss:
I'm on your side and glad you were not injured as this is surely strange. Please keep us updated.
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WOW Grinner, I think you have gone through enough with these mindless drivers, glad your not in the shape you were last year, very glad your alright along with Charles and his daughter, Interested to hear more of the story! MAT
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WOW - WTHeck was she up to.
Pictures make me sick - anytime a bike is on its' side.
Glad all are ok.
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Glad everyone is OK....I am curious what her explanation was
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First off - yes, she was cited by State Trooper but allowed to drive away after the investigation was completed. Her biggest complaint to the Officer was "All of a sudden a bunch of bikers were beating on my window and I was scared for my life!". The Officer looked at her and said, "Ma'am, were they beating on your window BEFORE or AFTER you tried to kill them?" She said she didn't understand, so the Officer further explained - "Well, were they beating on your window before you put it in reverse?" "No", she said. The Officer said "THEN THEY WERE BEATING ON YOUR WINDOW TRYING TO GET YOU TO STOP RUNNING OVER THEM!!!" I think she got the point.
I got lots of pictures, contacted my attorney the next day, and got the claim filed with her insurance carrier yesterday. Her carrier (Allstate) said she has not even contacted them about the accident. I'm going to do my best to see that her license is revoked until she can prove she is able to drive responsibly.
She never apologized, never asked if we were alright, and simply drove away after the Officer cleared her to do so. I did hear her tell one of the Firemen that she "was out in the county and didn't think there would be anyone behind her when she backed up". Unbelieveable.........
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She doesn't belong off the state hospital grounds, hell not even outside of it ! :nixweiss:
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Stupidity is all around us...
Glad to hear you guys weren't seriously hurt.
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I hope they gave her a ticket for crossing the double yellow line like they do in Tennessee at the Dragon. Glad no one was permanently maimed. Andy
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GLAD YOUR ALL ARE OK GRINNER... BIMBO DRIVER.
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All I can say to this Grinner (besides being very glad that you are all going to be OK) is that you really did some great thinking on your feet in getting her to stop and then not drive away. Surely our system of justice will prevail and remove her from operating motor vehicles in the future. :-[ spyder
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First off - yes, she was cited by State Trooper but allowed to drive away after the investigation was completed. Her biggest complaint to the Officer was "All of a sudden a bunch of bikers were beating on my window and I was scared for my life!". The Officer looked at her and said, "Ma'am, were they beating on your window BEFORE or AFTER you tried to kill them?" She said she didn't understand, so the Officer further explained - "Well, were they beating on your window before you put it in reverse?" "No", she said. The Officer said "THEN THEY WERE BEATING ON YOUR WINDOW TRYING TO GET YOU TO STOP RUNNING OVER THEM!!!" I think she got the point.
I got lots of pictures, contacted my attorney the next day, and got the claim filed with her insurance carrier yesterday. Her carrier (Allstate) said she has not even contacted them about the accident. I'm going to do my best to see that her license is revoked until she can prove she is able to drive responsibly.
She never apologized, never asked if we were alright, and simply drove away after the Officer cleared her to do so. I did hear her tell one of the Firemen that she "was out in the county and didn't think there would be anyone behind her when she backed up". Unbelieveable.........
Wow, what an idiot- thank god you all weren't hurt a lot worse. It must have taken all you had to not drag her out and beat the crap out of her!
Was the investigating officer aware of what she said to the fireman? Either the officer (for the criminal/traffic case) needs to get a statement from the fireman about what she said, or in the case of any future civil proceedings, you should contact the fireman, get all of his contact info, and have him write out a quick witness statement outlining any conversation he had with her, and how she said that to him. This is a spontaneous utterance, and is an inculpatory statement that can be used in court.
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Glad to hear that everyone on bikes is OK, at least physically. I'm thinking that I would have calmly shot the van driver through the back window to save everyone on the bikes...self defense. Its even minimal force, a 230 grain projectile versus a 6,000 lb projectile(van). Well, at least in a perfect world...maybe even considered an act of automotive Darwinism :nixweiss:
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Man that is scary as hell glad you all are going to be OK. Keep us posted on the idiot when she gets her court date. I would make sure I appeared that day too.
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The biggest shame is that she most likely feels she did nothing wrong...and never will.
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The biggest shame is that she most likely feels she did nothing wrong...and never will.
Correct. And unless the right 'lesson' is taught, she'll go along feeling the same. :( spyder
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Surely our system of justice will prevail and remove her from operating motor vehicles in the future. :-[ spyder
You smoking crack or 'sumtin?
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You smoking crack or 'sumtin?
:) :beatnik2: :lipsrsealed2: :beatnik2: :givemebeer:
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As for court, she can simply pay the ticket and never even go to court. If her insurance carrier pays the claims there is no additional net there to force scrutiny on her non-driving ability. I'm writing a letter to the local paper in hopes of raising more awareness, but at the end of the day if law enforcement doesn't follow up or make a recommendation relating to her driving skills, she stays on the road and under the radar.........
Grinner
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Glad you are OK.
Are you an AMA memeber?
If you are, you should reach out to them.
Even if you are not, you might want to contact them.
They are pushing for laws to keep us safe.
Steve
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I am so glad you all are alright! I was on my way to a buddies to get my bike cleaned up yesterday morning and came up to an intersection. The guy to my left had a stop sign. I slowed almost to a stop since I always figure they will not stop. Sure enough he didn't!! Cut the corner and smashed into my left side knocking me over. He jumped out of his car yelling he was sorry but he didn't even see me!!! I said "NO S%*T!!! Anyways I got my bike up and out of the way, The Police said since he said he did stop the only ticket he could give him was a Failure to Yield after Stop! I had a bruised leg but no broken bones...and an 10 CVO Street Glide with tons of damage!!! I am very lucky.
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Grinner,
I am happy that all the riders are OK. My wife and I both ride our own bikes a lot and if that would ever happen to me, I know I would be put in jail for assault. My compliments to you for holding your temper and I do hope they lock her up but I know she will probably pay a pultry fine and walk away. Damn cage drivers!!!!
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Grinner,
I am happy that all the riders are OK. My wife and I both ride our own bikes a lot and if that would ever happen to me, I know I would be put in jail for assault. My compliments to you for holding your temper and I do hope they lock her up but I know she will probably pay a pultry fine and walk away. Damn cage drivers!!!!
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Grinner: sorry about your mishap. Enjoyed meeting you in Maggie. Maybe we can get you a C.V.O. Sherman Tank!!! Ride safe and watch out for the crazy drivers. Bubba Love.
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WORDS CAN NOT EXPRESS THE DEPTH OF HER STUPIDITY!!!
Just when you think you can say "I've seen it all...."
Sorry about your bikes. Glad everyone is still alive!
Aaron
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I'm no legal beagle, but were this me, I think I'd handle this in two parts.
Part A) Collect on her insurance for the damage to your vehicles and out of pocket expenses. Complete Part A before moving on to Part B. (note, do not sign any paperwork which releases her personally from additional legal claims resulting form this accident. Sign off on her insurance only)
Part B) Hire an attorney and file a civil suit citing her wanton disregard for your lives, ongoing issues involving injuries recieved as a result of the accident etc etc etc, Any competent Pesonal Injury Lawyer will know all the right verbiage to use in the wording of the suit. Now, the reason I suggested signing off on the insurance company in Part A was to cut her off at the knees from having big money representing her in court. With her insurance company off the hook, she's on her own dollar. That gives you a tremendous amount of leverage in dealing with her. Unless she's wealthy (doubtful some rich lady would be driving an old 18 passenger van) you need to watch out that she doesn't simply have herself declared judgement proof. This is where she shows the court she has no money and there's no hope of your suit prevailing in terms of monetary settlement. At that point all you can get is a lien against her that she'd have to pay off before she could do anything other than eat, sleep and work. It gets pretty complicated but as I said, a competent personal injury lawyer can explain it to you.
So sorry to read of this, it's everybody who rides worst nightmare. Good luck and hope everyone is fine now
B B
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People are total friggin' morons. Glad y'all are ok, and do like me because I also just got in an accident......get a lawyer!
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This is probably the fourth time I have read this, and had not previously posted because I am still astounded by the stupidity of some drivers, and have been in situations like this...she should definitely have been cited for attempted manslaughter. How do you justify backing up on a road? It is not like it was in town, with street parking, and having a signal on to indicate intent. I see people backing up to exit ramps on the highway and wonder how they feel putting their lives and the lives of others in jeopard just to avoid a few minutes out of their way to take the next exit, or the ones that took the wrong exit and back up the frigging ramp! Too many idiots with licenses to kill these days...