S.m.i.d.sy

Had my first accident this morning. I've only been riding for 3 months so i guess this one has got inexperience written all over it. Filtering through a traffic jam at about 10-15mph a driver turning right out of a side road went straight into me. Why do drivers never look right in these situations? Fortunately neither of us was going fast but it was enough to put me on my backside at the side of the road.

My fault for not making eye contact with the driver before continuing ahead
and needless to say not a mistake i'll be making again. Physically, apart from a heavily bruised left leg and an ankle with what looks like a football attached to it, i'm ok. I was wearing leather jacket with back protector, draggin jeans and knox strap on knee and shin protectors. The latter along with my boots took the impact.

The paramedic reckoned i'd have been alot worse off had I not had been wearing the knee and shin protection, and proper boots obviously. He said he was expecting to find my leg in a really bad way when he saw what appeared to be just a pair of jeans (they had a hard time cutting the kevlar apparently)

As for the bike, well after coming out of A&E pumped full of painkillers and feeling pretty lucky I went back to find it was still rideable. A broken rear brake and front brake lever, small dent in the tank, slightly bent front handle bars was all that's visible. Upon riding it home gear changing was a bit hit and miss so i guess I'll have to wait and see.
Think I'm gonna spend the rest of the day on the couch

Pants,

Someone will pop up with that filtering accident letter soon to help.

Glad you're OK and as Cliche as it is, It could of been worse and you've learnt a lot in one accident it sounds

Oh thats sad mate, glad you are not too banged up or put off. Many drivers out there just can't see bikes, so you have to rid as if you are invisible sadly.

Hope you mend soon are back on the bike in no time.

[Stingo]

Unlucky, shipmate. bummmer.

[Kylie]

Very unlucky, sorry to hear about that.

Don't know what was up on the roads this morning, my morning commute in West London was constant filter the whole way, not great (but better than being in a car! ).

Fair play for wearing your draggin jeans on a day like today, I'll be wearing full waterproof textiles for a few months yet.

Unlucky fella.

Just goes to prove the "always wear your gear" philosophy Hope you heal soon, the bike can be fixed pretty easily by the sounds!

[pegasus]

real bummer mate... good news your in 1 piece and the bike fixable.

seems you have learned a huge lesson at a relatively cheap price...best wishes on your recovery.

unlucky there, good job you had the right gear on!

about that filter letter thing... try this

Originally Posted by BillyC

Someone (LynW) has provided this argument on Filtering, and the responsibilities of drivers to look when they decide to change direction!

www.feelthecheese.com/Filtering.htm

Sorry to hear about your off, but i'm glad you're honest enough to admit that part of the fault was your own. Too many times I hear the "other blokes a bar steward" line which leaves no space for any improvement from the rider. Hope the ankle swelling goes down and the repairs aren't too expensive!