Saw a Motorcycle Accident, Got Questions?

Question

I recently witnessed an SUV vs. Harley head-on accident and I am having some trouble understanding it and I have some questions. I am almost 50 years old, owned street bikes until I was about 26, then bought a dual sport about 6 months ago.
I was driving in a car behind the Harley on a 2 lane road with an SUV stopped in the oncoming lane. The driver saw me, but not the cyclist, and turned right into him. He cart- wheeled over the SUV’s hood and landed just beside the road on the grass. I was about a power-pole length behind the motorcycle.
Question 1: I saw when the SUV started to cross his lane and it seemed like, from that point, that it took a very long time until the impact. I saw no evasive moves or brake lights. Could the rider have “frozen up”? Is this common?
Question 2: The seating position on the Harley was very “relaxed”…leaning back…legs in front of the rider. I have only owned “normal”, classic street bikes (1980’s Kawa KZ650, etc) or my dual sport with a more “attentive” seating position. Can the Harley’s seating position contribute to “freezing up”?
Thanks for hearing me out! Besides these “technical questions, I am still having trouble with the horror of the accident. The guy is not doing well.

Answer 1

Maybe it wasnt a "freeze up". Usually a freeze up would consist of someone clutching, braking, and downshifting all at the same time in a panic. Maybe it was a matter of the bike just not paying attention, not expecting the driver to turn because he thought he saw him, or just not enough time to react? I would tend to agree with having a relaxed seating position might contribute to not being able to react in time if the riders feet are on cruiser pegs etc. and not on the foot controls.

Answer 2

Wow, I'm really sorry to hear about it.



Yes, sometimes a motorcyclist will see an obstacle and get 'fixated' on it and run right into it. There are a lot of clips on YouTube of people running into light poles or parked cars from a distance, and you can see they were staring at it and didn't turn away. In fact on Americas Funniest Videos you see a lot of clips of kids on bicycles running into mailboxes or trees for the same reason. On a motorcycle you go where you look, so when you take the safety course they warn you not to stare at potholes or obstacles, but instead to pick a path around them and concentrate on that.



Cruisers like the Harley are made for a relaxed, laid-back riding style. They aren't 'sporty' at all, they are for relaxed 'cruising'. They make a good first bike because the center of gravity is so close to the ground they are very easy to handle (though not 'good handling' in the sense of being able to turn quickly). The guy might have been a beginner, or he might just have not been paying attention. As a rider yourself, you know that on a motorcycle you really have to stay alert, keep your wits about you.

Answer 3

Look, its the stereotypical picture of these bikes and their riders thats been spread all over that your folks see. This reputation is somewhat well deserved. Coupled with the fact that you're not even a senior makes a bad combination. One of the realities is that your age group takes more chances on rides outside of their skill level more times than not. -with predictable results. The best way to convince your folks you mean business and show them responsibility is to offer to pay for the cost of the MSF course. (if you don't have a summer gig by now its a little late) And get the sportbike picture out of your head right away... Don't let this humiliate you: If you can get over to the Yamaha or Honda shop pick up a couple of brochures on the XV250, and Rebel 250. Show that to the folks and say this is the representation of the bikes you will be riding in the safety course. Yes you will have to start small and cost is always a consideration so the smaller, non S/B style will be more affordable, easier to control, super cheap to insure (by comparison) and if you can find a used one, not so hard on the wallet when, (not if) you drop it a couple of times... These bikes are more economical, and would help you get to school on, and hey, the reality is you'll never get your girlfriend pregnant in the back seat, your friends will never sponge rides off you and never ask you to help them move.

Answer 4

When a human sees a threat (or threat to another) the adrenaline starts to flow, as it reaches the brain (almost instantly) it causes the eyesight to narrow and reduces peripheral vision (so-called tunnel vision) which also leads to target fixation, it also causes the sensation of telescoping time.



The latter would account for your experience of “a very long time”, your adrenaline was kicking in as you watched the accident, time was telescoping and a short event seemed longer, apparently the more you replay the event in your mind the more detail (and time) you add.



I do not believe the H-D riding position actually contributes to slow reactions, the movement from grip to lever is not that different for the front brake from any other bike.

Answer 5

I think a common case is the rider THOUGHT the SUV might have seen him, so he proceeded. But now we know that is NOT the case since the SUV continued and actually hit him. When ever I'm lane splitting, I'm super wary and reduce risk by splitting only when there are 2 cars right next to you, so you know that they won't turn into you.

Answer 6

I don't believe the rider froze up.What you experienced is common in accidents.Your perception of time was out of sync with reality.In stressful situations time seems to slow down so we see the event with so much clarity it's almost unbelievable.What seems like a long time in actuality is seconds.

You are also suffering from PTSD.Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.It may take some time to get over the accident but talking to someone will help.Remember time heals all wounds.I've been there and got through it.