My first accident sadly...

[canonelan2]

I was out and about enjoying the 65 degree weather on a 50 mile trip I've taken before (through scenic areas in my county)

I was at the very end of the trip, back in my neighborhood and about 90 seconds away from home and this lady backed out of her driveway right in front of me. It was clear she didn't see me. It's a 2 lane road. There was a car in the oncoming lane.

I had no indication there was someone in the car ready to pull out. It was parked at the very end of the driveway with the back of the car inches away from the edge of the street. No brake lights or anything to see. It went from no movement, no tail lights, and no brake lights to her immediately backing out.

It all happened so fast...

The result of that was me lowsiding on the left side. The bike skidded maybe 10-15 feet on its side and I skidded about 6-8 feet. I was only going 30 mph or so. My gear protected me. I didn't hit my head (helmet is fine) and my armored motorcycle jacket prevented road rash.

The lady pulled back in her driveway and got out. She freaked out, Oh my God, I didn't see you, are you ok? Do you want me to call 911? The lady in the oncoming car got out as well to help and stop traffic.

The bike was on its left side a few feet away and the engine was no longer running.

I got up and evaluated my injuries. A bruise on my left leg was all I had. No road rash. My jacket scuffed up where road rash would have otherwise occurred. And my ego was bruised.

The lady in the oncoming car said that I laid the bike down like a real pro and was impressed with my skills. "You did exactly what they tell you to do!" she said.

I didn't intentionally lay the bike down. And I wasn't impressed with any of it. I believe what happened was I swerved to the left to avoid her car in my way and hard braked at the same time which caused the bike to lay down on it's side.

The 2 ladies and myself picked up my bike and I tried to start it to see if it would start. It did. It looks like my clutch lever, left turn signals (front and back), left mirror and foot peg took the worst of it. I sat on it to see if I could get it in gear and all seemed normal. I rode the bike the half mile or so back home. Then I had to tell my wife and son I got into an accident.

I'm still a new rider. I only have about 2,400 miles of experience. In that time I've avoided many possible accidents by scanning the road ahead and looking for outs should the idiot in the car not pay any attention to me. I considered myself pretty good at it.

To me this was a no-win scenario. Hit the brakes straight, hit her passenger side door and fly over the car. Weave hard to the left, I get hit by the oncoming car.

I'm just glad it wasn't worse. Glad it didn't happen yesterday when I was over an hour away from home in a different state.

So... question time. I didn't hit her car and she didn't hit me. Though her backing out in front of me caused my accident. Should I have exchanged information with her? (if she would have) Is she even liable? Has anyone dealt with Progressive on an accident? Did it go well?

[E'ville Rider]

Glad you're alright. I don't have a clue on the insurance claim. You should call Progressive and report it and ask them what to do. You, apparently, have the lady's address if that was her driveway she was backing out of.

Good luck.

[Lemonhead]

First off, glad you are alright and the bike isn't too bad.
Insurance probably won't do anything since there was no impact. I would check that , tho, just for the helluvit and if that doesn't produce anything, I'd take her to small claims court. You have her admittance, and a witness.

[MikeAstringer]

I have had dealings with Progressive on a non-impact accident. My son was driving on a surface street in Philadelphia. Suddenly a woman moved into his lane. In attempt to avoid her he ran off the road. Police came, did a report and clearly indicated what happed. Progressive said that because there was no impact the claim had to be made on our policy. Lesson learned. My son would have been better off letting the woman hit him.

Glad you are OK and things are not worse.

[old dad]

It would be on your comprehensive coverage, no collision. Single vehicle accident.

[gat803]

Originally Posted by canonelan2

I had no indication there was someone in the car ready to pull out. It was parked at the very end of the driveway with the back of the car inches away from the edge of the street.

The indication was the car next to the street. You missed it. Any car in a postion to do something bad....likely will.

The lady in the oncoming car said that I laid the bike down like a real pro and was impressed with my skills. "You did exactly what they tell you to do!" she said.

Who tells you to do that? Only idiots. Don't listen to idiots.

I didn't intentionally lay the bike down. And I wasn't impressed with any of it. I believe what happened was I swerved to the left to avoid her car in my way and hard braked at the same time which caused the bike to lay down on it's side.

You lost control. Plain and simple.

I've avoided many possible accidents by scanning the road ahead and looking for outs should the idiot in the car not pay any attention to me. I considered myself pretty good at it.

Consider again. Though it is worth noting...you're still alive. You did something right. Or you just got lucky. I'll take either one.

To me this was a no-win scenario. Hit the brakes straight, hit her passenger side door and fly over the car. Weave hard to the left, I get hit by the oncoming car.

If I read right, you didn't hit anything. Motorcycles handle way better on their tires than they do on their side. Had you not been too hard on a brake you might have been able to ride it out. Not an easy thing to do, but possible.

So... question time. I didn't hit her car and she didn't hit me. Though her backing out in front of me caused my accident.

While her moving into your path of travel was the catalyst, your lack of experience was likely the cause. Yes some blame lays with her, but just as much is yours to carry.

I know, it's way too easy to arm chair quaterback, but from my easychair this is how it looks.

[98Aero1100]

First off, glad you're not hurt (aside from bruising if body and ego). Second, there are two types of riders (have crashed and will crash).

I, too, am a newer rider. I had made the decision to lay my Aero down, when someone decided to change lanes mid-turn. I'm thinking I am lucky that I did not hit her truck. But, her insurance company is still trying to avoid claiming fault, because I didn't just let her mow my a** down. Easily a couple grand damage done to my bike (fixed) and more to me. I posted about the whole thing here, if I remember.

The my current experience is with geico. Take 'em or leave 'em, I was told that they were not going to raise my rates, because I had an accident where it's obvious to them that wasn't my fault.

My advice is to decide how first how far you want to go with this. Get the other party's info. If you want your bike fixed and gear replaced, figure out if your insurance is going to call you the at-fault party. If you're not at-fault, and the accident is not going to drive your insurance costs up, let them handle paying for the reparations. Wherever you live may be different than where I do. I have the option to choose the shop to do the repairs. There may be coverage for your damaged gear. Check your policy thoroughly.

Above all, get back on a bike soon, so you don't get cold feet about the whole thing.

I don't know the person who caused my accident. But, you may know the lady in yours. Be sure if you care about any relations with your neighbors.


Sent from my iPhone using Motorcycle.com Free App

[vito]

I had a similar type of accident my first year on the bike. Saw what was developing but didn't have the skills to avoid losing control and low siding. Lesson here is to practice swerving / emergency stops. It's worth it.

That being said...I have to second gat; any car that close to the edge of the road, in a driveway.....is likely to pull out. Think of this way...who parks at that point and walks to their house? Assume any vehicle in a position to pull out......will.

See if you can fix the bike yourself.

[rkforrest]

This is a case for Judge Judy.Just dont piss her off

[canonelan2]

Originally Posted by vito

I had a similar type of accident my first year on the bike. Saw what was developing but didn't have the skills to avoid losing control and low siding. Lesson here is to practice swerving / emergency stops. It's worth it.

That being said...I have to second gat; any car that close to the edge of the road, in a driveway.....is likely to pull out. Think of this way...who parks at that point and walks to their house? Assume any vehicle in a position to pull out......will.

See if you can fix the bike yourself.

I appreciate everyone's comments. I should note the driveway is a small 2 car (vertical) layout and her car was sitting in the spot closest to the street. That's where the car would be parked when (No curbs and sidewalks in the neighborhood)

Thanks for the well wishes. Hopefully my leg doesn't hurt bad tomorrow. I'll post what progressive says in case there are those that are interested.