Got hit on the way to work

[damark115]

Rode to work this morning. Stopped on a small hill at a stop light. Woman in front of me is looking for something on her floor or seat. All of a sudden her car starts rolling back at me. First reaction is to scream and beep. (wrong move). Next I moved a little forward and left just in time to have her crash into my right crash bar and peg. Knocked me softly over onto my left crashbar. I am laying there yelling at her to pull forward. All the noise just confused her. She finally pulled forward and I stood the bike up and pulled up on the curb next to her. Little thing about 20 years old. Cop was two cars back. Total damage- a rotated highway peg. Her car has a gouge from the bumper forward about 18" up her driverside. Oh yeah, A new pair of boxers for me.
From now on I will be as far left or right as possible to avoid any further episodes. I usually leave 10 feet thinking the car may be a stick shift. Glad I was in gear to at least get partially clear.
Cop took her info in case but overall the apology was enough. She was pretty shook up.
Could have been a lot worse.

[racinchef]

Glad to hear that you weren't hurt except for those soiled boxers. Hopefully you can get the bike fixed easily.

[billz410]

Glad to hear you're OK. Guess a guy isn't even safe when he's standing still!

[rlfaubion]

Nomads can take a pretty good hit. Yes, I know

[Cajunrider]

Man, that was close! Glad you came out OK without injury or damage. She'll remember this one for a little while anyway....

[caddman11]

Glad to see your OK---maybe it's time for an air horn---that always seems to get their attention.

I almost got it this past Saturday myself. I was on a through street and a guy was at a stop sign on the right. I looked him and he looked me right in the eye as he pulled out in front of me. I really don't understand when they pull out in front of you while looking right at you. Always drive like they want you dead.

[phenrichs]

I always pull to the left so that (at least in my mind) my headlight should be visible in their side mirror. I guess I feel more visible on the left because I think that is the side that most drivers pay more attention to. I also stay back a ways because many automatic transmissions will creep also.

[bear]

All humans pull boneheaded stunts and there is no real reason except that we're human. I used to get upset when people cut me off, or didn't see me, etc. Then with age, I realized that at times I've been just as boneheaded. I'm glad you came out ok with this incident and I know just how that young lady feels. I've been in 3 car accidents where I've been stopped at a traffic signal and been hit from behind.

The first by a cab-over Pete that the driver said he was daydreaming and pushed me through an intersection.

The second time I was stopped behind several cars and a guy just ran right into me; seems he was distracted by a girl in shorts walking on the sidewalk( she was quite an eyeful).

The third time I was stopped and a driver just backed out of a parking space right into my passenger door.

Glad you're safe. I think we're all targets no matter what you drive.

[schoeney]

Glad you and the bike are OK.

[strobe]

Glad you were not hurt and there was minimal damage to the bike, close calls always wake us all up to things we can do differently as well.

[pirate]

That is truly a scary feeling when you know something like that is going to happen and you do the best you can to avoid it. Glad to hear you're ok.

[cactusjack]

A Stebel air horn might have come in handy here. I am glad you weren't hurt.

[desertdog]

I have asked the following question on a number of different forums regarding eye contact and near misses, and have not gotten any responses, so would be interested in hearing any other thoughts on this:

How many times when you thought you made eye contact with a driver in a cage and they still did something stupid, were you wearing eye protection, ie sun glasses, helmut visor down, or other type of eye protection ??

If you were wearing eye protection, while you would think you were making eye contact with the driver he is not making eye contact back, and so may not acknowledge your presence.

Its funny how making actual eye contact seems to get an acknowlegement from others, while not making eye contact allows them to dismiss you.

[chainsaw]

Glad your alright and the bike isn't to bad. Sounds like her car got the worst of it. She must have been good looking if you just accepted her apology. ha

[ringadingh]

Glad to hear its minimal damage and everyone is ok.