First Crash is The Hardest

[Teh]

The Crash Analysis forum is completely dedicated to what the rider could have or should have done to avoid the crash. Legal fault doesn't matter here.

I see.

The fact of the matter is that as motorcyclists, we can be seriously injured, or loose our life when involved in even the smallest crash. While it may help our families to blame someone, it would all be a non-issue had we been able to prevent the crash in the first place. Fault doesn't matter once we are dead or permanently injured.

Completely agree

 

[NorCal Factory]

One other point for the OP.

Focus on anticipation of risk and preparations to reduce risk.


There were several things that would get my high risk mode of riding turned on.

1.) Approaching a multi lane merge at the toll plaza
2.) Following cars at 55mph locked into the narrow off ramp with no side escape options.
3.) Driver ahead makes an erratic move

Whenever a high risk situation is present:

I am already covering the front brake

The first thing I do is check my 6:00 position to be sure that if I have to brake I won't get run into.

Then I consider my space cushion for escape routes 360 degrees around and continue to check for any infringement into the areas I may need to swerve. That includes speeding up or slowing down so I am not in the blind spot of the car next to me. That way I can swerve into his lane if needed.

Start loading the front suspension with light braking - this also alerts the driver behind to start slowing down. Since they may not notice, I am checking to see if they are indeed slowing down. Knowing that they often do not slow down right away, I start early so I have a couple of extra seconds to make them aware I am slowing down. I tap the brakes to help this out. I often stick out my left hand and pump it up and down to get them to slow down. Sometimes I turn around and look them in the eye while doing that if they are really close.

Keep thinking about anticipations and space cushions

 

[dottore]

I have learned my lesson, and I'd like to share so that we all may learn something from this video.

I was the pilot of the red Honda S2000.

First, I'm glad you're all right!

Interesting to see the accident from your perspective -- I saw it from a rather different one. Thanks for sharing it!

The limousine driver was definitely a jerk. He was driving in the carpool lane without a passenger, probably late to pick up a passenger, and absolutely chose to do a few illegal and highly dumb maneuvers (HOV violation, crossing the lane separator, etc). But people are always going to act like idiots on the road, and we have to live with it....

So, a few observations:

1. From when you merged into the left lane and the point of impact, you covered about 250 feet.* I know that my RT can stop from 60 mph in a little less than 130 feet (your bike will be different, of course). So you had about a second to identify the situation and initiate your emergency stop. When was the last time you practiced emergency braking in a controlled environment?
2. Your lane position remains essentially unchanged for the last three seconds before impact. How could choosing a different lane position have helped you out here? What were you looking at? How much room was there between me and the limousine immediately prior to your collision?
3. The position of the sun makes it very hard to see brake lights. What other hints could you have used to figure out more of the situation?

This particular spot on I-80 is often a mess in the mornings: bad sun position, drivers not paying attention, merges, traffic mixing together at wildly varying speeds just after the toll plaza, etc. Definitely a challenging environment.

Again, glad you're all right, and thanks for sharing!

* Showing my work: you passed five lane stripes. Each lane stripe is about 12 feet long, and there's a 36 foot skip between markings, so that's 240 feet. You were going about 55 mph, which is 80 feet/second, and it did indeed take you about three seconds.

 

[Teh]

One other point for the OP.

Focus on anticipation of risk and preparations to reduce risk.


There were several things that would get my high risk mode of riding turned on.

1.) Approaching a multi lane merge at the toll plaza
2.) Following cars at 55mph locked into the narrow off ramp with no side escape options.
3.) Driver ahead makes an erratic move

Whenever a high risk situation is present:

I am already covering the front brake

The first thing I do is check my 6:00 position to be sure that if I have to brake I won't get run into.

Then I consider my space cushion for escape routes 360 degrees around and continue to check for any infringement into the areas I may need to swerve. That includes speeding up or slowing down so I am not in the blind spot of the car next to me. That way I can swerve into his lane if needed.

Start loading the front suspension with light braking - this also alerts the driver behind to start slowing down. Since they may not notice, I am checking to see if they are indeed slowing down. Knowing that they often do not slow down right away, I start early so I have a couple of extra seconds to make them aware I am slowing down. I tap the brakes to help this out. I often stick out my left hand and pump it up and down to get them to slow down. Sometimes I turn around and look them in the eye while doing that if they are really close.

Keep thinking about anticipations and space cushions

Thank you very much. Recognizing high risk area, covering front brake, space coushing, etc. all make very good sense. I appreciate your advise.

I'm sorry for not responding sooner. I was so busy with my regular job, my final exams, and my family in the past week.

 

[Teh]

I was the pilot of the red Honda S2000.

First, I'm glad you're all right!

Interesting to see the accident from your perspective -- I saw it from a rather different one. Thanks for sharing it!

The limousine driver was definitely a jerk. He was driving in the carpool lane without a passenger, probably late to pick up a passenger, and absolutely chose to do a few illegal and highly dumb maneuvers (HOV violation, crossing the lane separator, etc). But people are always going to act like idiots on the road, and we have to live with it....

So, a few observations:

1. From when you merged into the left lane and the point of impact, you covered about 250 feet.* I know that my RT can stop from 60 mph in a little less than 130 feet (your bike will be different, of course). So you had about a second to identify the situation and initiate your emergency stop. When was the last time you practiced emergency braking in a controlled environment?
2. Your lane position remains essentially unchanged for the last three seconds before impact. How could choosing a different lane position have helped you out here? What were you looking at? How much room was there between me and the limousine immediately prior to your collision?
3. The position of the sun makes it very hard to see brake lights. What other hints could you have used to figure out more of the situation?

This particular spot on I-80 is often a mess in the mornings: bad sun position, drivers not paying attention, merges, traffic mixing together at wildly varying speeds just after the toll plaza, etc. Definitely a challenging environment.

Again, glad you're all right, and thanks for sharing!

* Showing my work: you passed five lane stripes. Each lane stripe is about 12 feet long, and there's a 36 foot skip between markings, so that's 240 feet. You were going about 55 mph, which is 80 feet/second, and it did indeed take you about three seconds.

I am so glad you found me I truly appreciate all your help that morning.

I'm sorry for not responding sooner. I was so busy with my regular job, my final exams, and my family in the past week.

Thank you also for your detailed analysis, very precise.

I really was caught off guard. I may have less than 2 seconds to press hard on my brake and probably spent 1 or 2 precious second process what I was seeing and just let the bike roll forward. I may also did not cover the front brake I cannot recall.

I agree with you on the bad sun position and black limos like that one do not have bright brake lights either.

Thanks again for your kindness.

 

[jc2ducati]

Bottom line you didn't avoid hitting this car in front of you. How is this so different if the limo came to a dead stop because of a line of cars stopped in front of the limo? This happens often due to road construction, congestion, what have you. Do what you must do to avoid going to the hospital. Car in front is stopped. Stop before you hit the car, and hope the car behind you stops before he hits you.

One thing I do is ride closer to the dashed lane lines. I can see further down the road for obstacles. I can change lanes more swiftly. I am more visible to cars all around me. Also, in the scenario above, if there is a total stoppage of traffic, i can dash in between 2 lanes of cars instead of being a sitting duck to get smashed from behind by someone not paying attention just like you.

 

[Teh]

Bottom line you didn't avoid hitting this car in front of you. How is this so different if the limo came to a dead stop because of a line of cars stopped in front of the limo? This happens often due to road construction, congestion, what have you. Do what you must do to avoid going to the hospital. Car in front is stopped. Stop before you hit the car, and hope the car behind you stops before he hits you.

One thing I do is ride closer to the dashed lane lines. I can see further down the road for obstacles. I can change lanes more swiftly. I am more visible to cars all around me. Also, in the scenario above, if there is a total stoppage of traffic, i can dash in between 2 lanes of cars instead of being a sitting duck to get smashed from behind by someone not paying attention just like you.

Very good advice - I will keep that in mind - Thank you.
From my memory I remember seeing the white trunk on the left lane in front of the limo. I assumed that the limo changed to the right lane with the intention to pass the white truck. Oh well...