Rider Rear-Ended in Dallas - Video

[Burnspot]

https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/04/25/video-released-in-rear-end-tollway-crash/

The rider slowed up (smoked the rear) for stopping traffic, but the car behind him didn't...and rear-ended him. Sent him flying into the car in front then he bounced off and to the side of the lane...very lucky that no one plowed over him at that point. All things considered, the guy suffered relatively minor injuries (broken rib, 4 vertebrae, torn muscles, spleen had to be removed). Lucky fella!

The car driver, unlicensed and without insurance, just got a few tickets, but otherwise walked...that's a real pisser. Does anyone care about having a license anymore??? "Sir, you aren't licensed to operate an automobile and you just proved it by taking out a motorcycle; here's your tickets, now beat it." Just wrong IMHO. :angry22:

The fiance nixed him getting another bike...

 

[lharrell79]

All I can say is "Holy Shit!!!". Always remember the basic riding rules, IE. "SIPDE" I'm not blaming him, because it was the car's fault. However, he should have had an exit plan in the event that something like that happened. Always be prepared. He had a couple of options that could've prevented that.

Lucas

 

[nofreeride]

It's these types of accidents that have made me use the cage for most commuting the last couple of years.

Agreed. If you don't have a license or insurance you should pay stiff fees and serve jail time. I am required to pay insurance FOR these dimwits in the form of "Uninsured Motorist Coverage".

And, I would be looking for a new fiance as well as a new bike.

 

[Burnspot]

I'd wager, based on the video, he short-changed himself in the first place by not looking far enough ahead and pre-planning (SIPDE, yes)...the rear lockup kind of demonstrates that. That being said, he would've gotten stopped in time if not for the jackass behind him.

I commuted via bike for a number of years in LA traffic...you learn very quickly to look way ahead while keeping an eye on the idiots behind you.

 

[TomInPA]

There are at least two rear-end accidents in the traffic stopping behind him. Our odds are not getting better when drivers do not pay attention, and maintain a clear assured distance. That is situation normal today. I can't help but think that lane splitting always has a rider mindful of an escape route between slowing and stopped traffic, and is one hell of a lot safer.

 

[No One]

https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/04/25/video-released-in-rear-end-tollway-crash/

The rider slowed up (smoked the rear) for stopping traffic, but the car behind him didn't...and rear-ended him. Sent him flying into the car in front then he bounced off and to the side of the lane...very lucky that no one plowed over him at that point. All things considered, the guy suffered relatively minor injuries (broken rib, 4 vertebrae, torn muscles, spleen had to be removed). Lucky fella!

The car driver, unlicensed and without insurance, just got a few tickets, but otherwise walked...that's a real pisser. Does anyone care about having a license anymore??? "Sir, you aren't licensed to operate an automobile and you just proved it by taking out a motorcycle; here's your tickets, now beat it." Just wrong IMHO. :angry22:

The fiance nixed him getting another bike...

I live in DFW... there are some real NUTS out there in cars.... on top of that 60% of the people on the high-way are on Cell phones...... F-those Mother peeps...... true feelings.... :glare: I would bet $5 that the person in the car that hit this guy was on the phone....

 

[Drew]

OK guys, I watched the video. I would think you all have much more experience than me in regards to riding, so based on the video, the actual traffic pattern and his lane choice, what could he have done differently? His distance behind the car in front of him looked like enough room to make adjustments, he may have jumped on the brakes too hard, too reactionary maybe (the locked up tire), but otherwise, he really had nowhere to go due to the amount of traffic.

He couldn't go to his right due to the truck and very little room to the left, although he had enough room to stop. The only reason to bail to the left would be due to the moron that rear ended him and I'm assuming he didn't see the guy coming.

Enlighten me.

 

[03silverbullet]

OK guys, I watched the video. I would think you all have much more experience than me in regards to riding, so based on the video, the actual traffic pattern and his lane choice, what could he have done differently? His distance behind the car in front of him looked like enough room to make adjustments, he may have jumped on the brakes too hard, too reactionary maybe (the locked up tire), but otherwise, he really had nowhere to go due to the amount of traffic.

He couldn't go to his right due to the truck and very little room to the left, although he had enough room to stop. The only reason to bail to the left would be due to the moron that rear ended him and I'm assuming he didn't see the guy coming.

Enlighten me.

Lane sharing. This is a perfect case for lane sharing. If he could have gone in between the cars he would have avoided the accident and would be on his merry way.

I read that Texas may legalize lane sharing. Anyone know if it went through?

 

[Fairlaner]

In that situation you break the law (unless you are in cali) and go down the middle..........

R

 

[smellthat?]

In that situation you break the law (unless you are in cali) and go down the middle..........

R

Agree, he had options there and seems to me he kind of panicked. As far as the slap on the wrist to the unlicensed driver - sucks. That dude should have spent some time in jail for assault with a deadly weapon. When a person is not licensed to operate a vehicle it seriously becomes a killing machine (there is a reason this fool driver does not have a license in the first place - too many tickets, DUI, etc.) The laws need to become seriously harsh on drivers that are not properly licensed or insured. Tickets don't scare someone who flaunts the law, puts other drivers (riders) in danger, and who generally doesn't give a crap.

 

[jmdaniel]

The doctors removed his spleen, and his fiancée appears to have removed his gonads.

Driving without insurance should mean instant and permanent impounding of the car. You think one of the most powerful lobbying groups in the country, the insurance industry, wouldn't be 100% behind that action?

 

[wfooshee]

OK guys, I watched the video. I would think you all have much more experience than me in regards to riding, so based on the video, the actual traffic pattern and his lane choice, what could he have done differently? His distance behind the car in front of him looked like enough room to make adjustments, he may have jumped on the brakes too hard, too reactionary maybe (the locked up tire), but otherwise, he really had nowhere to go due to the amount of traffic.

He couldn't go to his right due to the truck and very little room to the left, although he had enough room to stop. The only reason to bail to the left would be due to the moron that rear ended him and I'm assuming he didn't see the guy coming.

Enlighten me.

That part I bolded is the major problem in his situation. The only thing he did really badly is he ignored his mirrors. By not seeing his mirrors he had no idea he needed to go around the leading car to avoid being trapped in the accident.

The guy on the video had two options: either side of the car in front, and he had room both ways. Locking the rear shows a bit of inexperience in panic stops, maybe. He had following distance, but was riding the center of the lane. Having no clue he was about to get creamed shows a lot of inexperience, or lack of training. Had he been stopped in traffic, he probably would have been sitting right behind the center of the leading car's bumper, with no way out if someone else came up quick. You should stop one one side or the other of your lane, and be facing around the guy in front so you can jump out if you need to.

I've been in almost exactly that same situation, although at a traffic light, not on a freeway. Guy in front stopped hard, I had room, but I saw the guy behind me not slowing down. I went to the left of the car in front and stopped next to him, and in the mirror watched the guy behind stop safely, with maybe enough room for me to have been there, I dunno.

The driver of the car in front of me looked over and laughed at me, asked me why I wasn't paying attention and couldn't stop. I pointed behind him and asked him how much room he saw between that car and him, was it enough for me, pointing out that if I hadn't been paying attention I might be under that guy's bumper. He had no frickin' clue how close he came to getting creamed!

Somebody ought to start a list of people like the driver in this incident, and publish it periodically, and keep it available as an online reference. Maybe send them a nice flyer every month or so asking them to buy some insurance or take a driving course.