What could I have done to avoid this

[H.D.30-06]

I don't think I could have anything but I'm keeping an open mind.
Tonight I was heading down Redwood Rd. I'm about to get on hwy 13 North when suddenly a red Prius (please no general crap Prius drivers) pulls away from the right side curb and drills me on my right side sending me across the street where I ended up going down on the sidewalk. There was no turn signal from the Prius at all . I was doing about 35 mpg. I saw no front wheels turned no indication the the vehicle was going to move. From my point of view I had no time to react.

I am bumped and bruised but my gear did it's job I'm OK.
The lady in the car to her credit stayed and admitted fault. She was pretty shook up everyone at the scene including me did our best to calm her down. I'm actually pretty damned lucky my right foot/leg isn't broken because the right foot peg was broken off when I made contact with her car.

 

[Tally Whacker]

The only thing that really could have helped is staying on the left side of the lane, giving you slightly more time and space in which to react.

Riding next to parked cars is always sketchy- I've known more than one rider who has been doored by clueless people exiting their cars. As a result, I tend to try to give as wide a berth to parked vehicles as I can.

 

[H.D.30-06]

Actually I was closer to the middle but you are correct.

 

[Enchanter]

When I find myself in similar situations, I check to make sure my headlight is in highbeam, I move to the left portion of the lane, and slow down.

 

[DJNick]

Damn Mike that really sucks, heal up quick. I look for a cars lights, brake or backup lights but aside from that and what has already been mentioned, there isn't much more you can do.

 

[meldog21]

When I find myself in similar situations, I check to make sure my headlight is in highbeam, I move to the left portion of the lane, and slow down.

Agreed. Visibility + Space Cushion.:thumbup

You can't account for every idiot out there, but you can try to give yourself the best chance possible to avoid most of them.

 

[dravnx]

Some bright, LED aux lights mounted low on your forks.

 

[DataDan]

I look for a cars lights, brake or backup lights...

Same here. A "tell" that has worked for me a few times is spotting an occupied vehicle with brake lights on. I regard that as an imminent threat that demands a slow, wide approach, then brisk acceleration to reduce exposure time alongside. If I'm still a distance away, I'll horn 'em first, but the main thing is to put myself out of reach.

That's not foolproof, of course. I could very well have been hit as you were in that situation.

Glad you're OK.

 

[Smash Allen]

Same here. A "tell" that has worked for me a few times is spotting an occupied vehicle with brake lights on. I regard that as an imminent threat that demands a slow, wide approach, then brisk acceleration to reduce exposure time alongside. If I'm still a distance away, I'll horn 'em first, but the main thing is to put myself out of reach.

That's not foolproof, of course. I could very well have been hit as you were in that situation.

Glad you're OK.

Good idea watching for brake lights.

In order for a vehicle to move into traffic, it needs to be running and in gear. If a vehicle is running and is stationary, it is in one of three conditions: (80%)Park, (15%)Drive, or (5%)Neutral.

1. If in Park, in order to move the vehicle, it needs to be shifted to Drive. This requires brake pedal activation. Solution = Is there a driver in the car? Watch for brake lights, also reverse lights flash on then off as transmission goes from Park to Neutral to Reverse to Drive.

2. If in Drive, brake pedal must be active to prevent motion. Solution = Is there a driver in the car? Watch for brake lights, also reverse lights flash on then off as transmission goes from Park to Neutral to Reverse to Drive.

3. If in Neutral, it is possible to shift to Drive in an automatic or to 1st gear in manual transmission and pull away with no indication. However, this is a low probability event. Solution = Is there a driver in the car? Watch for tire direction / movement. Lane position and lighting, i.e. SMIDSY(swerve within lane) and highbeams

For cases where it cannot be determined if there is a driver in the car, I assume the worst which would be condition 3. That means I have performed SMIDSY am expecting the car to pull out, ready for it in the furthest 1/3 of my lane from the threat.

Perhaps off topic, but I perform the SMIDSY every time there is oncoming traffic with cross streets approaching.

 

[Holeshot]

I'll try and watch the driver's head and see when they check their mirrors. Hard to tell at distance. Agree with slowdown, but it probably was a situation that was too dynamic to adjust to.

 

[H.D.30-06]

Status update on me body wise left shoulder is sore and stiff. X-ray showed nothing broken, dislocated, torn or detached just strained and stretched.
My lane position was wrong I should have been closer to the left side and not towards the center like I was. I generally don't make a habit of being in the center of the lane.
If I see a driver in a vehicle parallel parked along a street I'm on and/or any lights or tires turned toward the street they will get a lil more attention from me.
Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[KnifeySpoony]

You can't be too far left heading down Redwood on that stretch (From Skyline towards the Chevron), as there are huge ridges on the road from tree roots that will launch your bike airborne. The left side of the left lane is particularly insane.

 

[H.D.30-06]

This was actually past the chevron station I was about to get on hwy 13 Northbound when the lady hit me. You are right about the road condition.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I was doing about 35 mpg. I saw no front wheels turned no indication the the vehicle was going to move. From my point of view I had no time to react.

A vehicle can't pull from the side and into your space without turning the front wheels at least a little bit and then starting to rotate. If they're still pointed straight ahead, the car goes straight.

I watch front wheels of all threats and this one should have been giving you some hints of both turning to the left and starting to rotate.

 

[EastBayDave]

I saw no front wheels turned no indication the the vehicle was going to move. From my point of view I had no time to react.

sure glad your mostly ok - don't think u had time to see quick wheel turn even if looking. May have been quick?

The only thing that really could have helped is staying on the left side of the lane, giving you slightly more time and space in which to react.

Riding next to parked cars is always sketchy- I've known more than one rider who has been doored by clueless people exiting their cars. As a result, I tend to try to give as wide a berth to parked vehicles as I can.

Exactly, far left of the lane, in high traffic areas SLOW DOWN! :thumbup

When I find myself in similar situations, I check to make sure my headlight is in highbeam, I move to the left portion of the lane, and slow down.

My bike came w/a headlight "modulator" = It's on in town always, especially in high traffic areas...(off on freeway when following same vehicles f/miles & miles...)

Agreed. Visibility + Space Cushion.:thumbup You can't account for every idiot out there, but you can try to give yourself the best chance possible to avoid most of them.

yep, space, slower speed, & visibility in "likely" areas...:thumbup

Some bright, LED aux lights mounted low on your forks.

modulator again, or at least turn on highbeam & vary your line, point beam at possible cars about to pull out & weave, sometimes helps them see you...

Same here. A "tell" that has worked for me a few times is spotting an occupied vehicle with brake lights on. I regard that as an imminent threat that demands a slow, wide approach, then brisk acceleration to reduce exposure time alongside. If I'm still a distance away, I'll horn 'em first, but the main thing is to put myself out of reach. That's not foolproof, of course. I could very well have been hit as you were in that situation. Glad you're OK.

Ditto :thumbup

A vehicle can't pull from the side and into your space without turning the front wheels at least a little bit and then starting to rotate. If they're still pointed straight ahead, the car goes straight. I watch front wheels of all threats and this one should have been giving you some hints of both turning to the left and starting to rotate.

I watch too, but if your going fast enough to make wheels hard to see on "likely to pull out cars" (looking for tires, brake light, head in car, etc.), I can't depend on that BUT, I will look just the same...

Do everything you can to minimize the risk. Watch closely, reduce speed, high visibility (gear/hi-beam/weave/lights & modulator, etc.) will all help you reduce your risk.

In the long run, it's all you can do. I use all the above (many great suggestions BTW!) to REDUCE the RISK. When you've been hit as many times as I have, it's a must f/street riding...

Again, glad your ok, hope your fully insured?

Use ICE on swollen body parts...:thumbup:teeth:afm199

 

[ScottRNelson]

I watch too, but if you're going fast enough to make wheels hard to see on "likely to pull out cars" (looking for tires, brake light, head in car, etc.), I can't depend on that BUT, I will look just the same...

You shouldn't be going fast enough that the wheels are hard to see on "likely to pull out cars". That's my whole point. You're in a potentially dangerous situation with lots of possible "threats" - cars that could enter your space - it's a time when you should slow down and give yourself time to evaluate all of those threats.

You can't just hope that nobody decides to cross your path, you have to watch for who's going to do it and be ready to avoid them. When I'm passing cars on the side of the road that could possibly pull into my space, I'm looking at the front wheels of each of them until I'm sure they can't "get me". If I have to slow way down to be able to do that, then I go slower. I don't geve them the chance to invade my space. :cool

 

[wakked1]

Gonna play devil's advocate and point out that if you are in the left part of the lane you are more likely to be in their blind spot. I actually tend to ride towards the right part of the lane in the city because you'll be shining your heading right in their left mirror, much harder to "miss".

Same on the freeway if in the left lane I actually stay in the right part of the lane when approaching traffic then swing out left as I get parallel with them. That movement within the lane also tends to help with visibility.

If you are already in the far left part of the lane, the only escape path remaining is further left... into oncoming traffic.

 

[Busy Little Shop]

If you could wind back the clock and do this sequence of events all over again... what would you do different besides anticipate the cagers moves...