I , 4 years ago , had a small s-10 pick up truck turn left in front of me . when he started his turn we were less than 100 ft apart . he had a left turn signal flashing . he was sitting in his turn lane . the speed limit was 60 posted . I had slowed to 52 mph . there is a small portion of paved shoulder to allow a vehicle to pull right but only a bicycle could fully use that shoulder . he turns left , I saw his wheels start to move , I scream NO , I immediately go right , and start hard braking . there is a vicious impact . I hit his left fender between his bumper and front right wheel . this is bad .
now I was not on a motorcycle I was driving a class 8 semi tractor trailer weighing about 80000 lbs . the impact caused the giant hood to fly up and block my vision ,I'm pressing the brake down with all my force . I feel the truck pulling left im trying to hold it straight . the truck veers left to cross over the other lanes . im still trying to hold it straight .( the impact forced my axle left and no amount of turning the wheel right was going to make it steer right ) the hood finally falls down and I can now see im heading into a woods with trees . the truck rolls over . everything stops . im hanging by my seatbelt , the Diesel engine is still running , I finally turn it off . some guy is on the side of my cab asking me if im all right , I do the fingers toes legs arms self diagnosing thing , I say I think so . I ask about the other guy , is he dead ? the helping man says no just banged up . I hear sirens , quick response im thinking , my helper had to cut my seatbelt so I could climb out . the ambulance guy comes and asks me how am im doing , I see they have my left turner on the ground checking him out . they take him to hospital .
the impact shot the little truck back across the highway , we both ended up on the same side of the road . the other guy was so very fortunate that I hadn't impacted say the passenger door , that would I believe done him more grievous damage . the seat belt saved me from major injury , had a sprained left thumb . that other guy spent the night in hospital , but he got to go home .
so he didn't see me , giant truck with headlights on in daylight and clear Skys , a 100 ft or less separating us . what was he doing that had him so distracted to have caused this accident . never will know .
I believe the left turner and their bullshit get out of jail card " I didn't see them ' is exactly that , bullshit . they should be charged with something . they should have their license revoked , clearly they are incompetent to drive , or careless , or criminal .
now I was in a large vehicle , this never should have been possible , but he did it anyway . what if I had been on my bike ?
so I started to ride a bit less over the next few years . then eventually selling my motorcycles last august . and some how I've bought a new bike ( I miss riding ) . my wife asked me if I was going to ride more than before , my answer was I doubt it . In 2 weeks of owning the new stelvio I have 75 miles on her . im in no hurry , will ride when I feel like it . its feels good to have a bike .
people are self focused , on their phones , and prepared to say "I didn't see him " BULLSHIT , they didn't care . we or our survivors should sue and prosecute those people . and till then never let your guard down . incompetence is rampant out there .