Ducati Monster Forum

A very close friend of mine just got clipped by a van and is in the OR. Not sure what the exact story is yet since im waiting to hear from his wife when they will let visitors come.

But it hits close to home since ive never had a friend go down, let alone get hit by a car.

Just a reminder to wear your gear (even though I have a habbit of not doing that when im riding locally).

Hopes he's ok, my prayers go to you and his families. I work with a couple of young (early 20's) kids and they've started riding. I have no connection other than work, and it makes me nervous. Good, responsible kids and I preach gear. Its hard to do when the temps get into the 90's, but if they start with good habits, hopefully they will continue.

i hear you. whenever i ride with him to go maybe a mile down the road to get some lunch, we dont wear gear because its extremely hot just sitting in traffic, and I got used to it, but i ride really conservatively, and maybe over paranoid in the city due to fear of stupid shit like this.

Sorry to hear this. I've had several friends hit over the years and some have died. Not even counting solo bike crashes. Very troubling to say the least. That "it could have been me" thought just rips you apart. And your wife/husband, SO, kids... whomever.

My prayers and thoughts go out as well. Please keep us informed and I hope it turns out OK. Hope he was wearing his gear! I wish him well. [thumbsup]

My prayers are with him

damn, it always sucks to hear about this....hope your friend comes out alright

well i just came out of the ER. a Ford Econoline van clipped him and flipped his bike, and his arm hit the under side of the car cutting his arm up, and then he flew into an SUV. No broken bones, just a cut up right left and a deep cut that took a small chunk of his arm. hes up awake and just groggy from a heavy concussion.

Just wearing helmet and gloves @30mph.

Just like you guys said, its 95 degrees and its hot, its hard to wear a jacket in traffic and you just get use to wearing just a t shirt.

He only has liability and his 749S is spposely totaled. im going to coordinate with his wife to get the bike to my garage so they dont have to pay an enourmous fee to keep it at the impound with the cops, and once he gets better, he says he wants to start riding again. so atleast he didnt bump his head to hard. I cant see this guy not riding.

What about the driver of the van? Won't his insurance take care of your friend?

glad he is mostly ok....and stories like this remind me why I wear all my gear, no matter how hot it is.

Recently got a mesh textile jacket with CE padding, it helps keep me cool, but in traffic, I still sweat a ton, but sweating is much better than bleeding, IMHO.
 [beer] here's to a speedy recovery for your friend!!

textile woudlnt of helped here. he was cut by steel on the underside of the van. only a thick leather jacket with reinforced kevlar stretch material would of helped. Mesh jackets are only good for impacts. it has absolutely 0 abrasion resistance or protection for jagged edges.

The Van guy said he didnt hit him, but there are clear marks on his van. from his bike. Someone flagged him down a block ahead. Im not sure waht the Police report stated, but im sure there were a bunch of people who saw it happen and hopefully 1 of them would of given a report.

The others guy insurance will most likely take care of him but in NYC if the driver is not at fault, then hes not liable. But we'll see what happens. If his 749S is totaled, then it will free up some $$ for him since he wanted to sell his 749S for a CBR1000RR and he exrpressed his feeling to ride again once hes good. but that will be atleast a year.

really glad hes okay since it spooked me out a lot to hear this.

Man, sorry to hear about your friend.  I hope that he, and his bike, are taken care of. 

Make sure you have the witnesses lined up with their written testimony and contact information.  Also, have your friend diagram and document the accident immediately.  If you can have someone take pictures of the van and the accident scene all the better.  Accumulate as much information as you can.

The police report will have testimonies from both parties.  The driver of the other vehicle can lie all he wants but if the diagram of the accident and witnesses corroborate your friends testimony he will have a ruling in his favor.

Please say hello and best wishes from us, the DMF bunch [thumbsup]

Glad to hear that outside of some nasty cuts your friend is ok.  My thoughts to him for a speedy recovery!

In my first accident, I was wearing a DP textile jacket, and ended up with more than 50 (doc's stopped counting) stitches in my right underarm/pit. This was 6 years ago, and I still have no feeling there. the nurse said it looked like hamburger. Textile is better than nothing, ( I still wear the DP tricolor which is about 50/50) but it still does cut easier than leather. Problem is, even with full leathers people still get hurt.just another testimony that there is a god.

I'm sure the SOB van driver is going to make crap up. He'll tell the police how your buddy came out of nowhere and hit his poor van. How many drivers who are at fault ever "man up" and take the blame. That "he's just a motorcycle rider/he should know better than to ride a bike/he deserved it" kind of mentality some asshole drivers have just sucks! Like bike riders are second class creatures and have no business on the road. Kind of a "look what you did to my car!" attitude when they ran the red light. Not saying the van driver feels that way but I can see it coming.

Hope some witnesses back up your friend. Know any good lawyers? [evil]

Main thing is he'll be OK and wants to ride again. The spousal unit may not agree. Mine damn sure didn't... make that still doesn't. ;D

Whats got me freaked out is hes been throwing up so they want to keep him in observation for another few days since he cant keep anything down. not sure whats going on.  :'(

My thoughts are with your friend.  To a speedy, complete recovery [beer]

Keeps remembering his bike  is totalled. Sounds lucky

Sad news indeed .... best wishes & speedy recovery to your friend He Man

just an update, I saw him yesterday evening. Hes doing much much better. Started eating again. but still kept in observation for a few more days.

Having his bike towed from the impound to my garage today.

really a relief to see him just in some pain and not anything more serious than that.

Keep the good news coming!

Vomiting is a sure sign of concussion.
Since the hospital released him, he's probably recovering well.  You (or his SO) should keep testing his short term and long term memory.  If it degrades or if he sleeps a lot, get him looked at again.